International News

[Jade]

If I was Sarkozy - to avoid charges of rascim or religious intollerance or what have you - I would adopt the postion of supporting Turkish inclusion into the EU - with the strict fulfilment of conditions that would make Turkey a proper EU community nation. And we know what are among those conditions. I would state that these conditions are not negotiable if Turkey wishes to be an EU nation. And of course I would say that I am most hopeful that Turkey eventually will manage to get it together and do the right thing and that if and when they do - the French & the rest of Europe willwelcome thm with open arms! he he

You think too much like a politician - are you sure you're not one? - very sly indeed...and here the poor Turks honestly think they stand a chance while the majority of the European Union leaders adopt such an approach...Suppose Turkey were to fulfill all requirements? What would they say then? Come up with a new requirement? I think yes.

[Steph]

Or is it another example of your "irony" being lost.

Meeeiaow

[bell-the-cat]

Or is it another example of your "irony" being lost.

[bell-the-cat]

If I was Sarkozy - to avoid charges of rascim or religious intollerance or what have you - I would adopt the postion of supporting Turkish inclusion into the EU - with the strict fulfilment of conditions that would make Turkey a proper EU community nation. And we know what are among those conditions. I would state that these conditions are not negotiable if Turkey wishes to be an EU nation. And of course I would say that I am most hopeful that Turkey eventually will manage to get it together and do the right thing and that if and when they do - the French & the rest of Europe willwelcome thm with open arms! he he

Only a jerk would accuse anyone not wishing Turkey to join the EU of being a racist and bigot. What are you now - the spokesman of the AK party (or whatever they are currently calling themselves)?

[Steph]

If I was Sarkozy - to avoid charges of rascim or religious intollerance or what have you - I would adopt the postion of supporting Turkish inclusion into the EU - with the strict fulfilment of conditions that would make Turkey a proper EU community nation. And we know what are among those conditions. I would state that these conditions are not negotiable if Turkey wishes to be an EU nation. And of course I would say that I am most hopeful that Turkey eventually will manage to get it together and do the right thing and that if and when they do - the French & the rest of Europe willwelcome thm with open arms! he he

Hehe, but a very good point.

[1.5 million]

If I was Sarkozy - to avoid charges of rascim or religious intollerance or what have you - I would adopt the postion of supporting Turkish inclusion into the EU - with the strict fulfilment of conditions that would make Turkey a proper EU community nation. And we know what are among those conditions. I would state that these conditions are not negotiable if Turkey wishes to be an EU nation. And of course I would say that I am most hopeful that Turkey eventually will manage to get it together and do the right thing and that if and when they do - the French & the rest of Europe willwelcome thm with open arms! he he

[Steph]

BBC World Service

Last Updated: Wednesday, 23 May 2007, 19:20 GMT 20:20 UK

Sarkozy rejects Turkish EU place
French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a visit to Brussels
Mr Sarkozy said a reform treaty was his top priority
New French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will stand firm in his opposition to Turkey being allowed to join the European Union.

"I couldn't have been a candidate for the presidency with one view and then changed it having become president," he said after a European Commission visit.

He said the issue should be debated once the EU reformed its institutions.

Mr Sarkozy said a simplified treaty was the only way forward to replace the stalled EU constitution.

'Way out'

"I do not see the use of raising the issue of Turkey since it is not being discussed now. We have enough to cope with," Mr Sarkozy said after meeting European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels.


Europe cannot remain at a standstill, we cannot remain in this relative paralysis
Nicolas Sarkozy
French President

The French president said that instead his priority was to clinch an agreement on a reform treaty at next month's EU summit in Brussels.

"We need to move forward and a simplified treaty is the way forward.

"Europe cannot remain at a standstill, we cannot remain in this relative paralysis... we have to find a way out of this impasse," Mr Sarkozy said.

In his turn, Mr Barroso said he was counting on France to provide fresh dynamism in Europe, and that a consensus was now emerging within the EU in support of a slimmed-down treaty.

Voters in France and the Netherlands rejected a proposed constitution at referenda two years ago, leading to the current deadlock.

The constitution needs the backing of all 27 nations of the EU.

[Gavur]

He took the place of Sarkozy as party leader.

[Joseph]

21.05.2007 http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=22356
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ethnic Armenian Roger Karoutchi was appointed France’s Secretary of State for relations with Parliament.

French independent journalist Jean Eckian told PanARMENIAN.Net that Roger Karoutchi, born in Casablanca (Morocco) in 1951, started his political career in 1977. Since 1999 he has been a member of the French Senate. Mr Karoutchi, being resolutely against Turkey’s accession to the European Union, urges Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Former Industry Minister of France Patrick Devedjian will assume the post of Secretary General of the ruling UMP party. This post was vacant after former UMP leader Nicolas Sarkozy was elected France’s new President. At the meeting with Devedjian on May 17 Sarkozy noted that charges him with the job of the party leader and thus puts a great responsibility on Devedjian. Sarkozy also wished the ex-Minister of Industry to take his new responsibilities as soon as possible.

May 18 the newly elected French President formed the new government, which includes 15 ministers. Seven ministers are women. Particularly ex-Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie is appointed Minister of Interior and Overseas Territories. Rachida Dati is appointed Justice Minister. Socialist Bernard Kouchner received the portfolio of Foreign Minister. Herve Morin became the Defense Minister.

Good news. Too bad Devedjian wasn't appointed the Foreign Minister as had been widely predicted.

[Gavur]

Ethnic Armenian appointed France’s Secretary of State for relations with Parliament

21.05.2007 http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=22356
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ethnic Armenian Roger Karoutchi was appointed France’s Secretary of State for relations with Parliament.

French independent journalist Jean Eckian told PanARMENIAN.Net that Roger Karoutchi, born in Casablanca (Morocco) in 1951, started his political career in 1977. Since 1999 he has been a member of the French Senate. Mr Karoutchi, being resolutely against Turkey’s accession to the European Union, urges Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Former Industry Minister of France Patrick Devedjian will assume the post of Secretary General of the ruling UMP party. This post was vacant after former UMP leader Nicolas Sarkozy was elected France’s new President. At the meeting with Devedjian on May 17 Sarkozy noted that charges him with the job of the party leader and thus puts a great responsibility on Devedjian. Sarkozy also wished the ex-Minister of Industry to take his new responsibilities as soon as possible.

May 18 the newly elected French President formed the new government, which includes 15 ministers. Seven ministers are women. Particularly ex-Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie is appointed Minister of Interior and Overseas Territories. Rachida Dati is appointed Justice Minister. Socialist Bernard Kouchner received the portfolio of Foreign Minister. Herve Morin became the Defense Minister.