* The politics of the EU belong in the 19th century. Since the end of the Second World War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, there has been no ideological difference in Europe.Since most of these countries belong to Nato, it is inconceivable that war could take place. Secondly, transport and communication systems are so efficient now that we don't need the EU in order to do business. In the unlikely event of a conflict in Europe, the UN is there to prevent war.Imelda Kearney Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
Or perhaps it is vintage snark and I do the writer a grave dis-service.
In the unlikely event of a conflict in Europe, the UN is there to prevent war.
You are kind. More likely it is an example of the naivity on international relations prevalent in Ireland - a country which claims sovereignty and neutrality and yet couldn't stop an invasion by fishing trawlers. We let others do the dirty work of ensuring our security, and then berate them for their militarism.
Today the Swedish armed forces, at least the Army, is non-existent. We can mobilise 10,000 soldiers. One year (!) after the order is given. The Swedish Air Force is still in very good shape, but that's about it.
The Finns protect Sweden today, and they do it on a defence budget half the size of the Swedish defence budget. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
Since most of these countries belong to Nato, it is inconceivable that war could take place.
The author might want to read up on some recent history.
Newly released British Documents for the year 1974 at the Public Records Office. The British Government gives tacit clearance to Turkey to proceed with invasion And agrees to blockade the Greeks from helping Cyprus
15 August 1974 - State Department spokesman criticizes Turkey for invasion and says US will cut off arms to both Greece and Turkey if they go to war. Karamanlis announces Greece will not go to war but is withdrawing from military side of NATO.
Cyprus: US gave full backing to Turkish invasion of Cyprus
THE COUNSELOR DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON August 14, 1974 SECRET/EYES ONLY MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY FROM: Helmut Sonnenfeldt SUBJECT: Cyprus Actions ... You should not get involved directly till the fighting stops; then you must since there is no alternative and only we have the clout.I do not think Brussels/NATO is the place to use when the time comes. The Greeks are probably too sore at NATO and the vehicle of a ministerial meeting is awkward. Anyway, you need Ecevit and Karamanlis.
...
You should not get involved directly till the fighting stops; then you must since there is no alternative and only we have the clout.I do not think Brussels/NATO is the place to use when the time comes. The Greeks are probably too sore at NATO and the vehicle of a ministerial meeting is awkward. Anyway, you need Ecevit and Karamanlis.
Imia/Kardak - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The dispute over Imia/Kardak arose on the occasion of a naval accident on 25 December, 1995, when the Turkish cargo ship "Figen Akat" ran ashore on the islets and had to be salvaged. ...Turkish and Greek naval forces were alerted and warships of both countries, both NATO members, sailed to the islets. During the crisis, at the night of 28th of January, Greek special forces landed on the east islet without being spotted by the nearby Turkish ships. On 31 of January, at 01:40 Turkish special forces landed on the west islet escalating the tensions, and a Greek helicopter took off at 05:30 from the Greek frigate "Navarino" for reconnaissance. During the mission it crashed over the islets (some speculating due to Turkish fire), but this was concealed by both states[2] to prevent further escalation.
...Turkish and Greek naval forces were alerted and warships of both countries, both NATO members, sailed to the islets. During the crisis, at the night of 28th of January, Greek special forces landed on the east islet without being spotted by the nearby Turkish ships. On 31 of January, at 01:40 Turkish special forces landed on the west islet escalating the tensions, and a Greek helicopter took off at 05:30 from the Greek frigate "Navarino" for reconnaissance. During the mission it crashed over the islets (some speculating due to Turkish fire), but this was concealed by both states[2] to prevent further escalation.
Aegean dispute - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The resulting stalemate between both sides over process was partially changed after 1999, when the European summit of Helsinki opened up a path towards Turkey's accession to the EU. In the summit agreement, Turkey accepted an obligation to solve its bilateral disputes with Greece before actual accession talks would start.
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 ...
