Turkish entry in U E

The European Union head states meeting in Brussels in December 16 to decide on the entry of TURKEY into the UE was splashed in headlines across all the newspapers all over the world.
This historic turn of the Turkish population, mainly composed of Muslims and having been waiting for 40 years to become a full member of the European community, has met with a chorus of disapproval among more than one camp.
The untangle of such a situation could be found on the consultation by referendum of the people to give their opinion and decide whether or not Turkey would be a member of the European Union.

If there is a large range of opinion in Europe about the issue of this knot, there is on no account the same in the North African countries where this case is with its just value as showed by the press commentaries.
This idea is reflected by the Moroccan daily newspaper edited in French language L’OPINION December 16.
“The heads of states of the UE met in Brussels and would give the green light to the opening of the negotiations of the entry of Turkey that have been waiting for 40 years”
The paper in mentioning “the conciliation between the two cultures, Islam and Christianity», added that “Turkey has a candidate status since 1999 and a large majority of European leaders see on the perspective of its integration a mean to put a bridge between occident and Muslim world”.
According to this media “the talks would begin in autumn 2005 but the route looks like being long and tortuous in the mean time to be effective in 15 years”.
The same vision was conveyed in the columns of LE MATIN DU SAHARA December 16, daily media in French language.
Except this has mentioned the hostility of opinions such as in France and Austria.
“Turkey knocks at the door of Europe since 40 years .The overwhelming number of the European leaders support these aspirations but a number among them face hostile opinions. It is principally the case of France and Austria”.
This well known Moroccan media makes a passing reference to the Libyan leader Mouamar EL KADDAFI having made aware of the fact that Europe would be a horse of Troie that could delight Oussama Ben laden.
This warning constitutes also a reference in a Libyan newspaper AKHBAR LYBIA in Arabic language December 16 quoting an emirate media.
“The Turkish Prime Minister RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN has called in an open letter the European public opinion to defend the entry of his country to the European Union while the Libyan leader warns of the fact that Turkey would be a horse of Troie of the muslin world in Europe”.
In Algeria that has a partner relationship with this country, the media are not indifferent about this important event.
El watan, daily newspaper in French language has reserved a special place to this information.
Its special envoy to BERLIN faiçal METAOUI reported that “Germany is the principal supporter of the Turkish entry to European union. This voice could have weight”.
The writer added that “In Berlin this question the political class.If the social democrats SPD, party of the chancellor GERHARD SCHRODER are favourable to this entry, the conservatives and liberals are in opposition”.
As for mhamedi Bouzina, the special envoy of the same media to Brussels, «the dream of Ankara constitutes the reality of Europe”.
Citing the declaration of JAN PETER BALKENENDE, president of EU,”Turkey has accepted the hand offered to it and it is the greatest day in the history of Europe”.
The Turkish withdrawal from Cyprus that occupies since 1974 (30 000soldiers)and its recognition constitute an important point in the conditions of the opening of talks.
This point of view is shared with R.A.B of Lebanese newspaper in Arabic language AL ANWAR December 18.
“The question of recognition of Cyprus hinders the negotiations of Turkish entry to the European union”.
The paper mentions that according to European diplomats, the EU leaders have proposed a particular period of time to recognize Cyprus”.
This paper in quoting Mr ERDOGAN declaration” “our agreement is not total «refers to other sources to emphasize the uncertainty.
As for the BAHREIN TRIBUNE, December 18 in English language “Turkey faces a long and hard journey over the next 10-15 years to attain its goal of joining the European Union” citing Jacques CHIRAC s words.
Kaci Racelma.