Sir, - God save us all if the European Union will be modelled after the Ottoman Empire. For this "most brilliant of all the dynastic confections" (Kevin Myers on March 7th) was ruled by despotism and religious law. In such a case, corruption, increasing taxes and the pauperisation of the peasantry will be on the agenda, and eventually the annihilation or expulsion of indigenous nations which did not belong to the "governing Turkish tribe".
A blooming "yes" to governing tribes is the last we need in Europe. Let us awake from the nightmare which is normally called history. - Yours, etc.,
Mainauer Strasse 9,
D 12161 merlin