March 19, 2004 - 21:44 AMT
NO TURKISH EU MEMBERSHIP IN THIS GENERATION, DANISH POLITICIANS CONSIDER
More than one generation will pass before Turkey will be a member of the European Unions, claims former Danish Prime Minister and Social Democrat top candidate for the June European Election, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. "First we are to see the European Commission's report, but as things look now, I have to decline. I am not even certain that Turkish EU membership would be a good idea. Reforms decided by the Turkish Parliament deserve all respect, but the human rights organizations say there is still a long way to go in the courts and prisons", he said. As reported by the Assembly of Armenians of Europe, campaign against Turkish EU membership was last week announced by the right-wing Danish People's Party, which hopes to gain votes in the European Elections on this ticket. At present Danish politicians are supporting the "yes - but not now" line for Turkey.