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Source: http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20050926-092005-9547r.htm
"No" to Islamist Turkey
(Washington Times) Frank J. Gaffney Jr. - On Oct. 3, representatives of the EU and the Turkish government of Islamist Recep Erdogan will meet to determine if Muslim Turkey will be allowed to seek full membership in the EU. Europe should politely, but firmly, reject Turkey's bid. Turkey is awash with billions of dollars in "green money," apparently emanating from funds Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf states withdrew from the U.S. after 9/11. U.S. policymakers are concerned this unaccountable cash is laundered in Turkey, then used to finance businesses and generate new revenue streams for Islamofascist terrorism. Roughly a third of the Turkish population is a minority known as Alevis. They observe a strain of Islam that retains some of the traditions of Turkey's ancient religions. Islamist Sunnis like Erdogan and his Saudi Wahhabi sponsors regard the Alevis as "apostates" and "hypocrites" and subject them to increasing discrimination and intimidation. Other minorities, notably Turkey's Jews, know they are likely next in line for such treatment - a far cry from the tolerance of the Ottoman era.