However you may want to make the points above in a response to the letter above. Something on the lines of the following:
Imelda Kearney (Letters, 31 Aug) writes that "The politics of the EU belong in the 19th century".... "Since most of these (European) countries belong to Nato, it is inconceivable that war could take place"...and ""In the unlikely event of a conflict in Europe, the UN is there to prevent war". She may not be aware that NATO allies do make war against each other - as in the 1974 war between Greece and Turkey over Cyprus - and the UN generally only steps in in peace keeping mode after war has broken out and the initial war aims have been achieved. In any case, the UN will always defer to a regional body such as the EU or NATO if a conflict breaks out between members. The EU has made a resolution of the Cyprus issue a pre-condition of any negotiations regarding Turkish accession. Thus, far from the politics of the EU being so 19th. Century as she states, it is the EU which prevents us from going back to the 19th and first half of the 20th. century.
She may not be aware that NATO allies do make war against each other - as in the 1974 war between Greece and Turkey over Cyprus - and the UN generally only steps in in peace keeping mode after war has broken out and the initial war aims have been achieved. In any case, the UN will always defer to a regional body such as the EU or NATO if a conflict breaks out between members. The EU has made a resolution of the Cyprus issue a pre-condition of any negotiations regarding Turkish accession.
Thus, far from the politics of the EU being so 19th. Century as she states, it is the EU which prevents us from going back to the 19th and first half of the 20th. century.
Imelda Kearney (Letters, 31 Aug) seeks to deny the peace-establishing role of the EU with the outlandish claim that since most EU members "belong to Nato, it is inconceivable that war could take place". She may not be aware of the recent history of Turkish-Greek conflicts. NATO not only failed to prevent the escalation of the Cyprus conflict, but when Turkey invaded the island in 1974, Greece left NATO's military side for seven years. In the dispute over borders in the Aegean Sea, it happened that armed units of two NATO members faced off directly (for example in 1995 on Imia/Kardak). De-escalating - not solving - open conflict was less NATO's feat, more that of US superpower diplomacy (as evidenced by the counsel of the 14 August 1974 Sonnenfeldt memo to Kissinger). What finally reduced military tension was, incidentally, the EU opening the way for Turkey to apply for membership: the solution of mayor festering conflicts is a prerequisite for Turkey's final success on that road.
She may not be aware of the recent history of Turkish-Greek conflicts.
NATO not only failed to prevent the escalation of the Cyprus conflict, but when Turkey invaded the island in 1974, Greece left NATO's military side for seven years. In the dispute over borders in the Aegean Sea, it happened that armed units of two NATO members faced off directly (for example in 1995 on Imia/Kardak).
De-escalating - not solving - open conflict was less NATO's feat, more that of US superpower diplomacy (as evidenced by the counsel of the 14 August 1974 Sonnenfeldt memo to Kissinger). What finally reduced military tension was, incidentally, the EU opening the way for Turkey to apply for membership: the solution of mayor festering conflicts is a prerequisite for Turkey's final success on that road.
NATO not only failed to prevent the escalation of the Cyprus conflict, but when Turkey invaded the island in 1974, Greece left NATO's military side for seven years. Their armed units also faced off in 1995 in a border dispute over the islands of Imia and Kardak in the Aegean sea.
De-escalating - not solving - the Cyprus conflict was achieved less by NATO, and more by US superpower diplomacy (as evidenced by the Sonnenfeldt memo to Kissinger on August 1974).
Military tensions between Greece and Turkey were finally reduced by the EU opening the way for Turkey to apply for membership and the resolution of remaining festering conflicts remains a prerequisite for the sucessful conclusion of those talks. Vote McCain for war without gain
Dear Sir or Madam Imelda Kearney (Letters, 31 Aug) seeks to deny the peace-establishing role of the EU with the outlandish claim that since most EU members "belong to NATO, it is inconceivable that war could take place". She may not be aware of the recent history of Turkish-Greek conflicts. NATO not only failed to prevent the escalation of the Cyprus conflict, but when Turkey invaded the island in 1974, Greece left NATO's military side for seven years. Later, in 1995 near the island of Imia (Kardak), armed units of the two NATO members faced off in the ongoing dispute over borders in the Aegean sea. De-escalating - not solving - eruptions of open conflict was achieved less by NATO, and more by US superpower diplomacy (as evidenced in the Cyprus case by the Sonnenfeldt memo to Kissinger on August 1974). Military tensions between Greece and Turkey were finally reduced from 1999 by the EU opening the way for Turkey to apply for membership: Turkey needs to resolve its remaining festering conflicts as a prerequisite for a successful conclusion. Best regards ...
Imelda Kearney (Letters, 31 Aug) seeks to deny the peace-establishing role of the EU with the outlandish claim that since most EU members "belong to NATO, it is inconceivable that war could take place".
NATO not only failed to prevent the escalation of the Cyprus conflict, but when Turkey invaded the island in 1974, Greece left NATO's military side for seven years. Later, in 1995 near the island of Imia (Kardak), armed units of the two NATO members faced off in the ongoing dispute over borders in the Aegean sea.
De-escalating - not solving - eruptions of open conflict was achieved less by NATO, and more by US superpower diplomacy (as evidenced in the Cyprus case by the Sonnenfeldt memo to Kissinger on August 1974).
Military tensions between Greece and Turkey were finally reduced from 1999 by the EU opening the way for Turkey to apply for membership: Turkey needs to resolve its remaining festering conflicts as a prerequisite for a successful conclusion.
Best regards ...
