U.S. Diplomat Urges Sarkozy To Act Impartially

PARIS - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte urged new French president Nicholas Sarkozy to "keep an open mind" on Turkey`s EU membership.
"We simply hope that in the coming weeks and months, the French government would keep an open mind on the subject and on the possibility to discuss the matter with us and with all concerned parties," Negroponte told a conference at the French-American Foundation here on Wednesday.
The U.S. position, very favorable of a Turkish accession to the EU, "is based on the idea that it is crucial to integrate this strategically important country to the European continent," Negroponte said.
"We know that Mr. Sarkozy has adopted a contrary position," he added.
But "Paris must think about the consequences in Turkey and even for the region if the doors are totally shut on Turkey," he added.