tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475986.post116476896269967124..comments2024-03-21T05:29:07.463-04:00Comments on THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS: POPE BENEDICT SURRENDERS TO ISLAMUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475986.post-1164812623983763082006-11-29T10:03:00.000-05:002006-11-29T10:03:00.000-05:00Turkey is never going to be admitted to the EU.The...Turkey is never going to be admitted to the EU.<BR/><BR/>The Pope knows that.<BR/><BR/>Erdogan knows that.<BR/><BR/>Prolonging the EU-Turkey negotiations is a game that both sides are playing for their own and also mutual interests.<BR/><BR/>So when the Pope advocates Turkey's admission to the EU, he's just throwing a bone to Erdogan, to reward him for coming to the airport.<BR/><BR/>The Pope's trip is not about Turkey at all, and it isn't really about Islam, either. He's in Turkey to visit with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and work on the Orthodox-Roman Catholic schism.<BR/><BR/>His comments about the EU will defuse the Turkish government's anti-Vatican line, and doesn't really detract from the Pope's line on Islam at all.<BR/><BR/>At least that's the way I see it.Gandalinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196550750055246901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475986.post-1164792392516254492006-11-29T04:26:00.000-05:002006-11-29T04:26:00.000-05:00Hey - I heard the Pope said he will not meddle wit...Hey - I heard the Pope said he will not meddle with political affairs...and the separation of mosque and state is key to true democracy. I'm not sure the Pope intends to back down from criticism of Caliphate Nostalgic Islamic Fundamentalist. The eventual entry of Turkey into the EU is a double edged sword - I'm not sure which way it will cut.northern seerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04547024256702101968noreply@blogger.com