France, Turkey, Oil and the European Union

Turkey is no little bit unstable politically. The way to stabilize them is to point out that it is easier among them to divide and conquer, than to have peace. They are arguing with France over Crete, and are as such barred from the European Union. France (I am told) needs oil and Iraq may soon have some to sell. The Caspian Sea oil can flow through a Turkish pipeline that may have to be secured against al quaida. Complicating matters is the fact that culturally and religiuously the Turks believe in virginity at marriage, for which you may know and not say that a chicken or two has made the ultimate sacrifice, in order that the sheets for display may be appropriate. They are SERIOUS about this. France on the other hand is more cavelier in its views. Finally, Turkey may have some historic sites that they regard as religiously significant. For example, Mt Ararat is Holy to them because the 12th Imam will not return IF it is _held_? by foreigners. It must be theirs in order for the 12th imam to return. For our diplomatic purposes it might be classified as Sacred, so that we could say it is 'set apart' to them, while they may correctly agree that it is Holy, without simply rubber stamping our choice of language. Creationists and, later, Evolutionists may wish to visit Mt. Ararat, since it is supposed that Noah's Ark came to rest there. As such Turkey stands to benefit from a tourist industry it religiously does not want. Tourism pollutes less than most, and builds infrastucture to the extent that Hotels and roads improve the situation. France and the European Union would benefit from lower gas (petrol) prices, and this will put pressure on the green alternative to compete pricewise. R&D is where they need to press for funding in that regard.