What about Libya? In my view, Muanmar Gaddafi is the most radically anti-democratic of the tyrants from whom the Arab peoples have either freed themselves or are in the process of doing so. His reaction to events has been explicitly negative, for the simple reason that his regime is at least as tyrannical as those which are crumbling. His religious fanaticism is total, with its ludicrous features, such as pitching his tent, where he sleeps and receives guests, in a Rome or Paris park when he visits these cities. But his country's oil is very high quality. And Italy has had to give in to his pretensions in order to stop him from allowing Africans who dream of Europe moving freely through his country before illegally entering the EU. It is forced collaboration. The Libyan people is now also trying to grasp a little democracy. Its attempts are being cruelly repressed. And Gaddafi has vigorously opposed movements elsewhere. Who in the EU will have the courage to stand up officially and speak frankly about this country?
Tunisia: significance and risks. In my opinion, the massive exodus of Tunisians towards Europe bears out this column's call for caution (EUROPE 10304). Certain panegyric comments have more to do with populism or at least rhetoric. The Tunisians, just like the other peoples who follow in their footsteps, are hoping to free themselves from tyrants and to establish democracy. That is clear and certain. But just as much, they are hoping for a better standard of living and, above all, work. These things don't just happen by chance, they need operational capability and, especially, time. The anxious, sometimes desperate attempt to get to Europe is the result of their desire for better. But in it, there is a double danger: that among the host of those leaving may slip supporters of the old regime and professional criminals. Those who really have a right to asylum are very few; Europe cannot take in all the Mediterraneans looking for work, particularly with the current unemployment levels of most member states
The preceding few lines will annoy many readers, but I believe they are more useful than rampant populism. Help Tunisia - yes. Take in all the Tunisians who want to come to Europe - that's just impossible.
In expectation of Iran … It is a hope which might seem absurd right now, but I'll express it: I hope to see Iran among the countries which are moving or will move towards democracy. This Persia of old where Xerxes had the raging waters of Hellespont flogged because they hampered his military operations … I realise that, for the moment, it is an impossible dream, yet in Iran, too, the people have tried to react. Can major change be ruled out?
Iran would then become not only a freer country but also one of the EU's economic partners as a major supplier of oil for Nabucco or South Stream.
Turkey's role. News providers are speaking increasingly of Turkey's current political system being taken as a model by Tunisia, by Egypt and by other Arab countries which have rebelled against anti-democratic regimes. I have to say that, to my knowledge, this hypothesis has never considered Turkey as being on its way to EU accession, but always Turkey as it stands, with its own foreign policy and its independence. Ms Beril Dedeoglu of the Galatasaray University in Istanbul said in an interview: “EU accession negotiations have played a huge role in the process (of her country's development) even though there is something of a divorce between the EU and Turkey at the moment”. Interpreting the term “divorce” as the opening of the prospect of even closer relations than those which already exist, a real “enhanced partnership”, I note development in Turkey itself.
Russian enclave. Can it be right that Russia has sovereignty over part of the territory of the EU? I am not talking about anything to do with borders, which change with history. I am referring to a real Russian enclave, Kaliningrad, which, in fact, is the German town of Königsberg, birthplace of Emmanuel Kant, taken from Germany after the war. To my knowledge, the German authorities have never claimed it, for reasons which are easy to understand. I feel that the EU as a whole should broach this issue within the framework of the strengthening of the partnership with Russia, because an enclave of this sort is an anomaly. That is my opinion, and as M. Prudhomme said, I share it with you.
(F.R./transl.rt)