FINANCIAL TIMES: RISKS ARE HUGE
By Anka

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 16 2006

Claims are being made that the Cyprus problem could derail Turkey’s
admission as a member of the EU by the end of the year.

The Financial Times newspaper warned that the ensuing risks would be
huge. "In Turkey, it could halt the country’s cultural march westward,
which began 80 years ago under the rule of Kemal Ataturk, and instead
empower Islamist and nationalist political forces."

The newspaper published a commentary by Vicent Bonland and Kerin Hope
on the Cyprus problem and Turkey’s EU negotiation process. Reserving
a page for the issue, the newspaper reported that the Cyprus problem
could be set as a precondition for Turkey to take further steps
towards integration.

"While a row between the Turkish and French last week over
recognition of the Armenian genocide has put another formidable
obstacle in the way of Turkey joining the EU, Cyprus poses a much
more immediate difficulty. It is possible that, by the end of this
year, the problem will derail the admission of Turkey as a member –
the EU’s most ambitious and controversial geo-strategic project,"
the newspaper wrote.

To re-emphasize the warnings of a possible train crash with the EU,
the FT said that, the "risks were huge," and referred to a statement
by Kirsty Hughes who was quoted as saying: "If Turkey’s EU bid were to
collapse, the EU’s overall foreign policy credibility risks serious
damage."

France and Austria Could Seek to Halt Negotiations

The Financial times also wrote that many EU diplomats now admit that
it was a mistake to accept Greek Cypriot membership into the EU, as
Turkey accuses the Union of reneging on promises to end the isolation
of Turkish Cyprus.

Turkey refuses to open its ports to Greek Cypriots before the isolation
is removed, the article wrote, adding that "if it does not do so,
opponents of Turkish EU membership such as France and Austria (and,
of course, Cyprus) could insist that the negotiations be ended – the
"train crash" scenario – or suspended, which would be the equivalent
of driving the train into a siding."

According to diplomats, the Turkish government, which will hold a
general election next year, is stuck between refusing to make further
compromises on Cyprus and keeping its EU negotiations on track.

The article also refers to EU term president Finland’s proposal to
end the deadlock, noting that even Finland’s modest proposals are
too much for Turkey and Greek Cypriot leader Papadopulos.

The newspaper also notes that the TRNC was suffering disproportionately
from the status quo.