"Do we want the Turkish peasantry here?
(Filed: 19/12/2004)
It's hard not to feel some pleasure that Turkey next year will finally begin talks towards gaining full membership of the European Union. After all, since the declaration of the republic in 1924, Ankara has stoutly opposed Islamic fundamentalism.
Fairness would demand that Turkey now be fully allowed into the EU - but alas, post 9/11, the issue is no longer fairness but the survival of European values of democracy, tolerance and freedom of speech.
Such an observation would have seemed hysterical and unreasonable only half a decade ago. Not any more. Across Western Europe, governments are increasingly worried about the mood among their sizeable Muslim minorities. "
More:Telegraph | Opinion | Do we want the Turkish peasantry here?
