October 3, 2005
THERE AREN'T EVEN ENOUGH NATIVES TO WORK THE OVENS:
Turkey: Austrians just say no (Graham Bowley, OCTOBER 2, 2005, International Herald Tribune)
Anyone doubting Europe's reservations about admitting Turkey should visit Austria.
"We will be overrun," said Gottfried Piswanger, 49, a butcher who one afternoon last week was slicing venison amid the cheese and wine stalls in the Victor Adler Market in a working-class district of Vienna.
"We are already too full. And when they come, they do not adjust."
Nearby, Monika Kozol, 54, unemployed, said: "It would be O.K. if we had enough jobs, but since we don't, then, no. Politicians should look out for Austrians first."
Gerhard Lachner, 48, who was selling grape juice, said: "It would be terrible. Only the bad ones come, while the decent people stay in Turkey."
Europe may or may not decide to take a historic step and begin membership negotiations Monday with Turkey.
But if Europe lifts its gates to the poor Muslim country of 70 million people, even tentatively, reservations like those expressed in Austria mean that Turkey's journey toward accession is likely to be uncomfortable over the next decade, the probable duration of the talks. It could end in failure.
Pretty amusing that these dying nations think they'll keep Muslim immigrants out if they don't let Turkey into the EU. Posted by Orrin Judd at October 3, 2005 8:52 AM
I guess the Turks must feel really greatly rewarded for aiding the French in their opposition of the disposal of Saddam. They should have consulted with the former Eastbloc countries on the value of French promises. This will probably cause Turkey to focus more on the economic opportunities waiting in Iraq.
The birth rates of Muslim countires are crashing just as fast and will reach European levels within a generation. The Muslim immigration tide has already peaked and begun to ebb.
Posted by: Anon at October 3, 2005 11:33 AMIf they knew what was good for them, they would rather have Turkish Muslisms than Arabian/African/Asian Muslims entering their country.
Posted by: Phil at October 3, 2005 1:31 PMWhat does it say about your opinion of your own nation if you think only "bad" immigrants want to live there while decent foreigners stay home?
Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at October 3, 2005 2:28 PMAOG - They know themselves; they've made Austria the way it is because of the bad side of their natures, and it's their own selfishness that keeps Austria the way it is. They naturally assume that Turks want to come there for the same reasons they want it to remain the way it is.
Posted by: pj at October 3, 2005 8:54 PM