ISLAMIST TURKEY WILL HAVE TO FORGET THE EU

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2007 18:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I am a devout Catholic. However, I do not let
religion interfere with politics. I understand the fear in some Turks’
hearts. If Turkey wants to be a part of Europe, state and religion
should be separate," PACE President Rene van der Linden said

"If Turkey inclines towards becoming an Islamic state, EU membership
will be a dream," he said.

He made four significant warnings in a period when the debates on
both the headscarf and secularism are already hot.

"First, if Turkey is inclined to be an Islamic state, forget the
EU. Second, if the change in the constitution is not compatible with
the European Agreement, we will take it under investigation at the
Venice Commission. Third, those that feel subject to pressure to wear a
headscarf should apply to the European Court of Human Rights. Fourth,
Universities objecting to the ban on wearing headscarves can also
apply to the European Court of Human Rights," he said in an interview
with Sabah newspaper.