Obama says yes, Sarkozy says no

Agence France-Presse

But France, Austria and other nations also have concerns over letting a poor and populous country with a predominantly Muslim population into the EU. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that, despite Obama's plea, his longtime opposition "has not changed and will not change" to granting EU membership to Turkey, according to a television interview.

Sarkozy said the "immense majority" of European countries share his opposition to Turkey’s membership.

Punishment for protesters

French President Nicolas Sarkozy called yesterday for severe punishment for protesters who set fire to a hotel, smashed windows and clashed with police during the NATO summit. At least 300 people were arrested and 49 suffered minor injuries when violence broke out Saturday during a march in the eastern city of Strasbourg where U.S. President Obama and 27 other leaders were holding their summit.

"It's incredible to think that people choose to take part in a peace protest armed with axes and metal bars and take out their anger on civil servants who are merely doing their job," Sarkozy told a French television interview. "I really do want the hooligans to be punished with the greatest severity," he said.