This, children, is what is known as cowardice and appeasement: let them into the EU, Straw is saying in effect, or Muslims may get violent. “Britain warns of Islamic backlash if EU snubs Turkey,” from The Independent, with thanks to Scaramouche:
Britain and the United States have begun diplomatic moves to salvage Turkey’s plans to open European Union membership talks next month, amid a growing crisis over Ankara’s refusal to recognise Cyprus.
The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, warned in a hard-hitting speech that snubbing Ankara’s hopes would give ammunition to Islamic extremists, while welcoming it into the EU would help avert a “clash of civilisations” between the Muslim world and the West. Failure to start EU membership negotiations on 3 October as scheduled could lead Europe into a “crisis on our own doorstep,” Mr Straw said.