Madam, - I have just returned from my third visit to Turkey and therefore was particularly interested in the Rev Patrick Comerford's Rite and Reason article of October 3rd.
The trouble is that many of the things that Mr Comerford mentions are reasons for keeping Turkey out of the EU, not bringing it in. It is no use saying that Asia Minor was central to the classical world - that world is no more and we have to deal with the world of today.
The fact that the Christian churches in Turkey still suffer grievous discrimination - there is hardly a native-born Christian allowed outside the greater Istanbul area - is a reason for keeping Turkey out of the EU until some sign is shown that that wrong is being addressed.
We have recently had a report that Turkey's mental health service is still in the dark ages. It was told this eight years ago and nothing has been done.
If Turkey is admitted now to the EU nothing will continue to be done about these basic human rights. - Yours, etc,
ROBERT MacCARTHY, Dean of Saint Patrick's, Upper Kevin Street, Dublin 8.
A chara, - It seems that the EU political élite in Brussels and our own élite in Leinster House have learned no lessons at all from the defeats in the referendums on the EU Constitution in France and the Netherlands - both founding members of the Union.
May I humbly propose a very simple solution to the very divisive issue of whether or not Turkey eventually joins the EU: let us have a referendum on the issue in all 25 member-states.
As Turkey is not a European country this referendum could not be construed as sectarian, discriminatory or racist in any way. As citizens of the European Union we should be entitled to express our views on the benefits - or otherwise - of extending the borders of the Union to Syria, Iraq, Iran and Azerbaijan.
Turkey is also a country that is carrying a lot of historical baggage - and it has consistently failed to deal satisfactorily with a lot of it, for example: the first genocide of the 20th century - against the Armenians in 1915; its illegal invasion and partition of Cyprus; the scandalous treatment of its large Kurdish minority and its contempt for their lives, property, language and culture. The Kurds are not "mountain Turks"! - Is mise,
BEAIRTLE Ó CONGHAILE, Cúirt an Choláiste, Dún Dealgan, Co Lú.
Madam, - The list of those countries concerned with the commencement of European membership talks with Turkey is increasing in number. Austria's insistence that negotiations with Turkey should not mean Turkey's automatic membership reflects the views of many people across Europe including Ireland.
Turkish membership would mean that Europe bordered Iraq - and with that would come inevitable instability. Turkey itself is a divided country whose difficulties will be resolved only in partnership with Iraq.
Turkey's failure to recognise the legitimacy of Greek Cyprus may well be resolved in time. Not so easily resolved is the pressure a country of 71 million people will bring to bear on a Europe that is already creaking.
People in Holland and France have already expressed concern with the future direction of Europe.
It is likely that the Irish hold a similar view. Opinion polls across Europe have indicated that a majority are against Turkish membership.
Europe's and Ireland's political leaders should reflect and address people's concerns. Consolidation is needed, rather than continuing expansion. - Yours, etc,
CHRIS ANDREWS, Rathgar Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6.