New snags to Turkish EU accession effort

ANKARA, Turkey, June 24 (UPI) -- Turkish accession to the European Union may hit another snag if claims of a military plot to undermine the faith-based Gulen movement are true, diplomats say.

The Gulen movement is inspired by Turkish theologian Fethullah Gulen, who advocated interfaith dialogue and democratic reforms.

A so-called Action Plan allegedly signed by senior Turkish military officials outlines a military plot to plant evidence of bomb materials in the homes of members of the Gulen plot.

Turkish daily Today's Zaman, citing anonymous European diplomats, says the allegations, if confirmed, would be a major blow to Ankara's bid to join the European Union.

"In the event the document is proven to be (authentic), then it will be another round for Turkey," the official said. "There will be new rounds, new pains which Turkey will have to handle."

EU officials are scheduled to meet with Turkish officials Thursday to discuss latest efforts toward accession.

Turkey faces modest opposition from European member states over its human-rights records and ongoing disputes regarding Cyprus.

Ankara has received some support for its EU accession bid, however, though Olli Rehn, the EU commissioner for enlargement, said the accession process would be long.