Re: Ron Paul Warns Of “Dark Ages” On Glenn Beck Radio Show [Audio]
We could move into a dark age if we don't wake up to what is really happening.
The treacherous globalists and criminal banksters are forging ahead with their nefarious plans for a dark age, disguising their NWO as an angel of light, as something that offers salvation and will deliver us from all evil - while holding all nations captive.
Banksters to the gallows!
American taxpayers to bail out foreign banks
Globalist Jews Serve German-Jesuit Masters
David Ben-Ariel posted on 2008-09-30 09:59:44 ET Reply Trace
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
France to be under German domination
France pushes for more military integration
EU Defence ministers, led by France, will meet informally to discuss how to address "shortfalls" in Europe's military capacity. In moves described by the EUobserver as a "litmus test" for Europe's "security ambitions" France is testing the waters with a view to longer term plans to create two rapid reaction units and two larger reconstruction missions, seen as an attempt to challenge Anglo-American domination of Nato.
EUbusiness
Re: France to test depth of EU's defence ambitions
French poodle to be Germany's lapdog
Posted by David Ben-Ariel at 30 September 2008, 13:58 CET
The French poodle will soon be Germany's lapdog as American domination of NATO will be replaced with German domination of NATO - or NATO will be scrapped entirely under a new defense arrangement that finds European armies under German command. http://www.davidbenariel.org/
EU Defence ministers, led by France, will meet informally to discuss how to address "shortfalls" in Europe's military capacity. In moves described by the EUobserver as a "litmus test" for Europe's "security ambitions" France is testing the waters with a view to longer term plans to create two rapid reaction units and two larger reconstruction missions, seen as an attempt to challenge Anglo-American domination of Nato.
EUbusiness
Re: France to test depth of EU's defence ambitions
French poodle to be Germany's lapdog
Posted by David Ben-Ariel at 30 September 2008, 13:58 CET
The French poodle will soon be Germany's lapdog as American domination of NATO will be replaced with German domination of NATO - or NATO will be scrapped entirely under a new defense arrangement that finds European armies under German command. http://www.davidbenariel.org/
Open Press summary - 30 September 2008
Europe
Bond traders warn of EMU break-up in the wake of financial crisis
Ambrose Evans Pritchard notes in the Telegraph the possibility of EMU break-up as a result of the raving financial crisis: "The interest spread between Italian 10-year bonds and German Bunds have ballooned to 92 basis points, the highest since the launch of the euro. Bond traders warn that the spreads are starting to reflect a serious risk of EMU break-up and could spiral out of control in a self-feeding effect. As the eurozone slides into recession, the ECB is coming under intense criticism for keeping monetary policy too tight. The decision to raise rates into the teeth of the crisis in July has been slammed as overkill by the political leaders in France, Spain, and Italy."
The financial crisis has spread further into Europe with the governments of Germany and Iceland stepping in to rescue ailing banks, following the decision in Britain to nationalise Bradford & Bingley and the partial nationalisation of Belgian-Dutch bank Fortis. Today, a bail-out of Belgian bank Dexia through a 6.4 billion euro injection by Belgium, France and Luxembourg was also anounced. The European Commission has reportedly warned that "there would be no leniency in its approach to state intervention despite the spreading crisis".
EU measures have included the European Central Bank announcing it will lend eurozone banks 120 billion euros in "a special term refinancing operation." EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy will propose changes that include creating groups of national regulators to supervise banks doing business across national borders. Also tougher bank capital rules and regulation targeting risky mortgage-backed assets will be unveiled. Le Figaro reports that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed a meeting in Paris of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy at the end of the week to lay the groundwork for a "new international financial system".
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has used the current crisis in the banking and financial markets to highlight the benefit of the EU and its potential to bail out failing Irish institutions. He was quoted in the Irish Independent saying, "the fact that we are members of the euro and have access to the European Central Bank... gives us stability in our financial sector".
However, Le Figaro reports that Europe, lacking the financial means of the US treasury, will react on a case by case basis and largely rely on national governments to act in the face of the financial crisis. "Saving Fortis was not a European plan; it was every man for himself," comments Daniel Gros, director of the European Centre for Political studies. The revised EU bank-funds directive, to be released tomorrow in an effort to reinforce the financial system, is reportedly seen as too little, too late. Also, the FT comments that "the Fortis rescue is less a triumph for European institutions, and more a reminder of the role of national regulators."
Telegraph FT FT Comment Irish Independent Times Guardian Guardian 2 EU Observer EU Observer 2 Euractiv Reuters WSJ Le Figaro Le Monde Le Figaro AFP
Wealthy Scottish landowners receive £1.5 billion in European Union subsidies
Under the Single Farm Payment subsidy scheme, Scottish farms and sporting estates have been receiving vast amounts of funding to encourage animal welfare and environmentally friendly practices. On average, the 100 biggest claimants received £1 million in subsidies over the past 3 years, according to the Sunday Telegraph. The estates include the former home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the Castle of Mey estate in Caithness, which received more than £65,000 towards the building of a visitor centre. The sporting estate of Mohammed Fayed near Inverness received more than £238,000. The scheme has been criticised by taxpayers' groups who say that public money should not be used to subsidise the farming interests of wealthy landowners.
Sunday Telegraph
France pushes for more military integration
EU Defence ministers, led by France, will meet informally to discuss how to address "shortfalls" in Europe's military capacity. In moves described by the EUobserver as a "litmus test" for Europe's "security ambitions" France is testing the waters with a view to longer term plans to create two rapid reaction units and two larger reconstruction missions, seen as an attempt to challenge Anglo-American domination of Nato.
EUbusiness
Congdon: EU regulations "significantly hampered" the rescue of Northern Rock
Breakingnews reports that, in a pamphlet published by Global Vision, Professor Tim Congdon argues that the collapse of Northern Rock can "largely" be blamed on commitments arising from British membership of the EU. Congdon argues that "the effectiveness of the three official UK institutions most involved in the Northern Rock rescue - the Treasury, the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority - was undermined by commitments made by the British state to the European Union."
Congdon criticises the imprecise wording of EU directives, which "delayed and hampered" decision-taking in the crucial weeks in August and September 2007 when the bank first sought help from the financial authorities. He also argues that redundancies at Northern Rock were justified in terms of compliance with EU state aid rules rather than their costs and benefits to the British nation.
Breakingnews.ie Global Vision pamphlet
European Parliament tries to neutralise Libertas ahead of Euro elections in June
Irish MEPs are concerned about the electoral threat of anti-Lisbon group Libertas after it emerged it may put forward candidates in the Euro elections in June. The European Parliament is stepping up efforts to investigate the group's alleged US funding links.
Irish Times
Irish Agriculture Minister: EU emission targets should not reduce food production
The Irish Agriculture Minister has called for emissions trading to be introduced within the EU so that economies dependent upon agriculture are not forced to reduce food production. Ireland is set to miss the EU's climate change targets and the only way to reach these, Brendan Smith claims, would be to import more food. This would be counter productive, as "transporting more food into Europe would also drive up CO2 emissions".
Irish Times
EU keen to relax sanctions on Belarus despite government "cheating" in parliamentary elections
Western monitors said a parliamentary election in Belarus this weekend, in which opposition candidates failed to win a single seat, fell short of international standards. Poland and Lithuania remain keen to review EU sanctions on Belarus despite this verdict, with the country's neighbours saying it is more important to hold back Russia than to punish the flawed vote.
EU diplomats are worried that if Belarus is left isolated, the new parliament will recognise Georgian rebel enclaves South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. The move would push the country toward Russia and complicate EU policy in South Caucasus.
Independent EUobserver European Voice
Vinocur: French EU Presidency seeks to paper over Europe's divisions
In the International Herald Tribune John Vinocur looks at the challenges facing the French Presidency of the EU. Vinocur argues that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's wish for Europe to speak with one voice is dependent on "not focusing too hard on the details of a Europe whose divisions confront and usually overwhelm its ambitions". As examples of these divisions, Vinocur points to Franco-German disagreements over the use of atomic energy and the growing division between EU countries "increasingly mistrustful of Russia and others wanting to retain a status quo relationship".
IHT-Vinocur
300 EU observers deployed in Georgia ahead of Russia's agreed pull-out from South Ossetia on October 10th
BBC
Russia to aid EU's mission in Chad
European Voice reports that Russia is to aid the EU with four transport helicopters to aid its peacekeeping mission in central Africa. This mission has previously been hampered by a lack of helicopters covering an area equivalent to the size of France. The EUFOR commander also praised the negotiations as "very professional" in the wake of tensions between Brussels and Moscow over recent developments in Georgia.
European Voice
EU extends nuclear co-operation with India
EUobserver reports that the EU has made moves to extend its nuclear co-operation with India in a move championed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, despite the fact that India is not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
EU Observer
Germany says no to the EU bill to fine carmakers that pollute too much
No link.
World
US House of Representatives rejects $700bn bailout plan
The US House of Representatives rejected a $700bn rescue package in a surprise vote of 228 to 205, responding to constituents who see the bill as a bailout for Wall Street that it does not deserve. Asian and European shares tumbled after the Dow Jones plunged about 780 points, its worst point drop ever, as fears grew that more banks could fail. The House reconvenes on Thursday.
WSJ Yahoo news Telegraph-leader Independent
Bond traders warn of EMU break-up in the wake of financial crisis
Ambrose Evans Pritchard notes in the Telegraph the possibility of EMU break-up as a result of the raving financial crisis: "The interest spread between Italian 10-year bonds and German Bunds have ballooned to 92 basis points, the highest since the launch of the euro. Bond traders warn that the spreads are starting to reflect a serious risk of EMU break-up and could spiral out of control in a self-feeding effect. As the eurozone slides into recession, the ECB is coming under intense criticism for keeping monetary policy too tight. The decision to raise rates into the teeth of the crisis in July has been slammed as overkill by the political leaders in France, Spain, and Italy."
The financial crisis has spread further into Europe with the governments of Germany and Iceland stepping in to rescue ailing banks, following the decision in Britain to nationalise Bradford & Bingley and the partial nationalisation of Belgian-Dutch bank Fortis. Today, a bail-out of Belgian bank Dexia through a 6.4 billion euro injection by Belgium, France and Luxembourg was also anounced. The European Commission has reportedly warned that "there would be no leniency in its approach to state intervention despite the spreading crisis".
EU measures have included the European Central Bank announcing it will lend eurozone banks 120 billion euros in "a special term refinancing operation." EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy will propose changes that include creating groups of national regulators to supervise banks doing business across national borders. Also tougher bank capital rules and regulation targeting risky mortgage-backed assets will be unveiled. Le Figaro reports that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed a meeting in Paris of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy at the end of the week to lay the groundwork for a "new international financial system".
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has used the current crisis in the banking and financial markets to highlight the benefit of the EU and its potential to bail out failing Irish institutions. He was quoted in the Irish Independent saying, "the fact that we are members of the euro and have access to the European Central Bank... gives us stability in our financial sector".
However, Le Figaro reports that Europe, lacking the financial means of the US treasury, will react on a case by case basis and largely rely on national governments to act in the face of the financial crisis. "Saving Fortis was not a European plan; it was every man for himself," comments Daniel Gros, director of the European Centre for Political studies. The revised EU bank-funds directive, to be released tomorrow in an effort to reinforce the financial system, is reportedly seen as too little, too late. Also, the FT comments that "the Fortis rescue is less a triumph for European institutions, and more a reminder of the role of national regulators."
Telegraph FT FT Comment Irish Independent Times Guardian Guardian 2 EU Observer EU Observer 2 Euractiv Reuters WSJ Le Figaro Le Monde Le Figaro AFP
Wealthy Scottish landowners receive £1.5 billion in European Union subsidies
Under the Single Farm Payment subsidy scheme, Scottish farms and sporting estates have been receiving vast amounts of funding to encourage animal welfare and environmentally friendly practices. On average, the 100 biggest claimants received £1 million in subsidies over the past 3 years, according to the Sunday Telegraph. The estates include the former home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the Castle of Mey estate in Caithness, which received more than £65,000 towards the building of a visitor centre. The sporting estate of Mohammed Fayed near Inverness received more than £238,000. The scheme has been criticised by taxpayers' groups who say that public money should not be used to subsidise the farming interests of wealthy landowners.
Sunday Telegraph
France pushes for more military integration
EU Defence ministers, led by France, will meet informally to discuss how to address "shortfalls" in Europe's military capacity. In moves described by the EUobserver as a "litmus test" for Europe's "security ambitions" France is testing the waters with a view to longer term plans to create two rapid reaction units and two larger reconstruction missions, seen as an attempt to challenge Anglo-American domination of Nato.
EUbusiness
Congdon: EU regulations "significantly hampered" the rescue of Northern Rock
Breakingnews reports that, in a pamphlet published by Global Vision, Professor Tim Congdon argues that the collapse of Northern Rock can "largely" be blamed on commitments arising from British membership of the EU. Congdon argues that "the effectiveness of the three official UK institutions most involved in the Northern Rock rescue - the Treasury, the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority - was undermined by commitments made by the British state to the European Union."
Congdon criticises the imprecise wording of EU directives, which "delayed and hampered" decision-taking in the crucial weeks in August and September 2007 when the bank first sought help from the financial authorities. He also argues that redundancies at Northern Rock were justified in terms of compliance with EU state aid rules rather than their costs and benefits to the British nation.
Breakingnews.ie Global Vision pamphlet
European Parliament tries to neutralise Libertas ahead of Euro elections in June
Irish MEPs are concerned about the electoral threat of anti-Lisbon group Libertas after it emerged it may put forward candidates in the Euro elections in June. The European Parliament is stepping up efforts to investigate the group's alleged US funding links.
Irish Times
Irish Agriculture Minister: EU emission targets should not reduce food production
The Irish Agriculture Minister has called for emissions trading to be introduced within the EU so that economies dependent upon agriculture are not forced to reduce food production. Ireland is set to miss the EU's climate change targets and the only way to reach these, Brendan Smith claims, would be to import more food. This would be counter productive, as "transporting more food into Europe would also drive up CO2 emissions".
Irish Times
EU keen to relax sanctions on Belarus despite government "cheating" in parliamentary elections
Western monitors said a parliamentary election in Belarus this weekend, in which opposition candidates failed to win a single seat, fell short of international standards. Poland and Lithuania remain keen to review EU sanctions on Belarus despite this verdict, with the country's neighbours saying it is more important to hold back Russia than to punish the flawed vote.
EU diplomats are worried that if Belarus is left isolated, the new parliament will recognise Georgian rebel enclaves South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. The move would push the country toward Russia and complicate EU policy in South Caucasus.
Independent EUobserver European Voice
Vinocur: French EU Presidency seeks to paper over Europe's divisions
In the International Herald Tribune John Vinocur looks at the challenges facing the French Presidency of the EU. Vinocur argues that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's wish for Europe to speak with one voice is dependent on "not focusing too hard on the details of a Europe whose divisions confront and usually overwhelm its ambitions". As examples of these divisions, Vinocur points to Franco-German disagreements over the use of atomic energy and the growing division between EU countries "increasingly mistrustful of Russia and others wanting to retain a status quo relationship".
IHT-Vinocur
300 EU observers deployed in Georgia ahead of Russia's agreed pull-out from South Ossetia on October 10th
BBC
Russia to aid EU's mission in Chad
European Voice reports that Russia is to aid the EU with four transport helicopters to aid its peacekeeping mission in central Africa. This mission has previously been hampered by a lack of helicopters covering an area equivalent to the size of France. The EUFOR commander also praised the negotiations as "very professional" in the wake of tensions between Brussels and Moscow over recent developments in Georgia.
European Voice
EU extends nuclear co-operation with India
EUobserver reports that the EU has made moves to extend its nuclear co-operation with India in a move championed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, despite the fact that India is not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
EU Observer
Germany says no to the EU bill to fine carmakers that pollute too much
No link.
World
US House of Representatives rejects $700bn bailout plan
The US House of Representatives rejected a $700bn rescue package in a surprise vote of 228 to 205, responding to constituents who see the bill as a bailout for Wall Street that it does not deserve. Asian and European shares tumbled after the Dow Jones plunged about 780 points, its worst point drop ever, as fears grew that more banks could fail. The House reconvenes on Thursday.
WSJ Yahoo news Telegraph-leader Independent
Monday, September 29, 2008
EU is mad to give money to racist Zimbabwe!
EU gives extra EUR 10 million aid to Zimbabwe
25 September 2008, 20:03 CET
******************
Restore Rhodesia!
Posted by David Ben-Ariel at 29 September 2008, 14:03 CET
Europe is mad. Not one word in defense of our White Israelite brethren (those of British or NW European origin) who continue to be targeted for being white for being robbed, raped and murdered. Yet the whole world was very race conscious when the whole country enjoyed White Rule. If Europe had any sense, they would spend their money to restore Rhodesia and refuse to fund any more black failures or national experiments, as the White Man is burdened enough. It's past time to restore peace and prosperity and sanity.
www.davidbenariel.org
25 September 2008, 20:03 CET
******************
Restore Rhodesia!
Posted by David Ben-Ariel at 29 September 2008, 14:03 CET
Europe is mad. Not one word in defense of our White Israelite brethren (those of British or NW European origin) who continue to be targeted for being white for being robbed, raped and murdered. Yet the whole world was very race conscious when the whole country enjoyed White Rule. If Europe had any sense, they would spend their money to restore Rhodesia and refuse to fund any more black failures or national experiments, as the White Man is burdened enough. It's past time to restore peace and prosperity and sanity.
www.davidbenariel.org
Austrian far right wins
Austrian far right scores big win -
29.09.2008 - 09:50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the Social Democrats and centrist People's Party hitting their most historic lows since 1945, Austrian elections on Sunday saw two far-right parties doubling and almost tripling their seats in parliament. The result could lead to a new coalition involving the right-wing extremists, despite EU sanctions having been applied to a similar government in 2000.
http://euobserver.com/9/26821/?rk=1
29.09.2008 - 09:50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the Social Democrats and centrist People's Party hitting their most historic lows since 1945, Austrian elections on Sunday saw two far-right parties doubling and almost tripling their seats in parliament. The result could lead to a new coalition involving the right-wing extremists, despite EU sanctions having been applied to a similar government in 2000.
http://euobserver.com/9/26821/?rk=1
Obama lives in an ebony tower
Obama lives in an ebony tower
Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis?
I watched the video and could again see that the BIG LIE that is Obama, who pretends to feel the pain of the little people, continues to hobnob with the rich and famous, the limousine liberals, the Afro-centric racists: Obama lives in an ebony tower with his hateful wife, Michelle (who despises white people but stays put in the United States rather than return to Africa where she belongs, just like all the other hypocrites in Jeremiah Wright's dark haven of hatred, a black hole) - out of touch, out of reach - like Nimrod.
Barack Hussein Obama is just another CFR tool, a bought and paid for prostitute, who offers a change that he doesn't believe in (as he knows better) since Obama is part of the problem (definitely not the solution), as documented, but hopes to continue to mislead the mesmerized, having learned how to talk to white people and play them for fools and use and abuse his black brethren as useful idiots.
John McCain also offers nothing new, as Democrats and Republicans are two sides of the same CFR coin, globalist puppets, treacherous tools, but Chuck Baldwin for president of the United States would restore this Republic (it's not a democracy!) by upholding and enforcing the Constitution as legitimate servants of "We The People" know and understand they're entrusted to do.
"Stop being good Democrats...Stop being good Republicans...and start being Good Americans."- Aaron Russo
Award-Winning Film Maker Says US Is Becoming Police State
Will God give us a respite with the election of Chuck Baldwin or is the writing on the wall and it's over? Enough is enough? Isn't the contrived economic crisis evidence of how spiritually bankrupt we've been for too long now and indictative of divine punishment on the way with the German-Jesuit EU throwing us into receivership: NATIONAL CAPTIVITY?
Banksters to the gallows!
Our Banks Are Going To Collapse
American taxpayers to bail out foreign banks
http://www.davidbenariel.org/
Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis?
I watched the video and could again see that the BIG LIE that is Obama, who pretends to feel the pain of the little people, continues to hobnob with the rich and famous, the limousine liberals, the Afro-centric racists: Obama lives in an ebony tower with his hateful wife, Michelle (who despises white people but stays put in the United States rather than return to Africa where she belongs, just like all the other hypocrites in Jeremiah Wright's dark haven of hatred, a black hole) - out of touch, out of reach - like Nimrod.
Barack Hussein Obama is just another CFR tool, a bought and paid for prostitute, who offers a change that he doesn't believe in (as he knows better) since Obama is part of the problem (definitely not the solution), as documented, but hopes to continue to mislead the mesmerized, having learned how to talk to white people and play them for fools and use and abuse his black brethren as useful idiots.
John McCain also offers nothing new, as Democrats and Republicans are two sides of the same CFR coin, globalist puppets, treacherous tools, but Chuck Baldwin for president of the United States would restore this Republic (it's not a democracy!) by upholding and enforcing the Constitution as legitimate servants of "We The People" know and understand they're entrusted to do.
"Stop being good Democrats...Stop being good Republicans...and start being Good Americans."- Aaron Russo
Award-Winning Film Maker Says US Is Becoming Police State
Will God give us a respite with the election of Chuck Baldwin or is the writing on the wall and it's over? Enough is enough? Isn't the contrived economic crisis evidence of how spiritually bankrupt we've been for too long now and indictative of divine punishment on the way with the German-Jesuit EU throwing us into receivership: NATIONAL CAPTIVITY?
Banksters to the gallows!
Our Banks Are Going To Collapse
American taxpayers to bail out foreign banks
http://www.davidbenariel.org/
Open Press summary - 29 Septemeber 2008
Europe
Hague: Conservatives may hold 'retrospective' referendum on Lisbon Treaty
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the Conservatives may hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, even if the Treaty has been ratified before the party can form a Government. He assured that if the Treaty is unratified before the Conservatives take office then, "of course, we would hold a referendum." He then went further and suggested that if the Conservatives inherited a ratified Lisbon Treaty, they could still hold a referendum because without a public vote, the document will 'lack democratic legitimacy'. He said, "We haven't made the decision. I certainly haven't ruled that out." It is reported that the wording has also yet to be decided, but the aim would be to give the new Conservative government a mandate to go to Brussels demanding a looser relationship with the EU.
Sunday Times
EU states attack ECJ judgement on married couples' residency;
UK Immigration Minister warns of "a risk of injustice that we are not prepared to see"
European Voice reports that a group of EU member states led by Denmark, including the UK, Ireland, Austria and Germany, have attacked a recent judgment by the European Court of Justice, saying that it could encourage 'sham marriages' and 'marriages of convenience'.
The so-called 'Metock' judgment concerned several spouses of EU citizens who had been denied residency in Ireland because they came from non-EU countries. The European Court of Justice found in July that the Irish courts' refusal to allow the couples to live together in Ireland contravened both the EU's 2004 directive on freedom of movement and the EU's founding treaty. Although the ruling specifically concerned the Irish government, it also means that Denmark must change its tough rules on family reunification and that Austria must change how it applies its residency law.
Denmark's Interior Minister, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, said during a meeting of EU ministers last week that she wants the EU to find a way to undo the effects of the Metock ruling. The UK's Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne, said following the discussion that "some extremely strong views were expressed by member states", adding that "we are crystal-clear that there is a risk of injustice that flows from this judgment and that we are not prepared to see".
European Voice
EU to unveil proposals for maternity leave to be fully paid
On Sunday the BBC Politics Show ran a feature on the new EU Commission proposals to extend maternity leave and introduce full pay for the entire maternity period. The proposals, which will be unveiled on Wednesday, have been criticised by some small businesses. Open Europe Director Lorraine Mullally was interviewed, warning that once the proposals have been decided - by majority vote - at EU level, it will be impossible for future UK governments to deregulate, should they decide they need to.
Politics Show
Libertas funding under European Parliament spotlight
EU Commissioners are due to visit Ireland this week for the first time since the Irish electorate rejected the Lisbon Treaty. Commission sources deny that the trip is designed as a 'love-bomb' to influence a future adoption of the treaty, and the EU Commission office in Dublin is quoted in the Irish Times claiming that the trip was organised "a long time ago".
Meanwhile, in the Sunday Times, Nicola Smith looked at the calls by some MEPs for an inquiry into whether Declan Ganley, Chairman of the Libertas group that campaigned against the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland, received funding from US intelligence and defence services. She writes: "First it was the sheer ingratitude of the Irish, then it was the failure of the Dublin government to mount a successful yes campaign. Now Brussels has found a new explanation as to why Ireland voted down the European Union treaty in June - a CIA and Pentagon-backed plot, devised by American neoconservatives to weaken the EU." A CIA spokesman is quoted saying, "The suggestion is not only wrong but ludicrous."
In a separate piece, Matt Cooper argued that "Ganley is being painted as a neocon loon." He writes, "There is far more innuendo and supposition than proof at this stage but Dick Roche, the European affairs minister, has been asked by the European parliament to 'investigate' Ganley... It's difficult to remember a more determined effort to render someone useless in future political debate, or to take retribution." He says: "I'm sure if you dug far enough you'd find that many Irish businessmen, including some on the Yes side in the Lisbon debate, have profitable relationships with the American establishment too. Peter Sutherland, one of the most vocal proponents of Yes, is treated with a degree of reverence in polite circles in Ireland. He is not just a director of Goldman Sachs, a "blue chip" Wall Street investment bank, but is a member of the Bilderberg Commission, an organisation devoted to exactly the type of right-wing policies Ganley is being damned for supporting."
Irish Times Sunday Times Times-Cooper Spiegel
ECB approves Benelux governments to bail out Fortis Bank - UK Government bails out B&B
The Belgian, Dutch and Luxemburg governments have partly nationalised Belgo-Dutch banking and insurance giant Fortis in an 11.2 billion euros bailout for a 49% stake. The rescue of Fortis makes it the biggest casualty of the banking crisis in continental Europe, where banks have largely avoided the wave of collapse and takeover that has affected their British and US counterparts since the start of the credit crunch. Reportedly, the presence of ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet at the bank rescue talks was unprecedented.
The Times reports that the UK Government officially nationalised large shares of Bradford & Bingley this morning, seizing £50 billion of assets and has provided funds for a "permanent lifeboat scheme" to ensure that 2.6 million depositors will not lose out. Spanish bank Banco Santander has bought the £20 billion deposit business and the network of 200 branches. Meanwhile, US congressional leaders yesterday reached an outline agreement on a $700 billion bank bailout after days of negotiations. The proposal will head to the House of Representatives for a vote as early as today.
The EUreferendum blog argues that plans by the Conservative Party to respond to the financial crisis by giving the Bank of England "sweeping new powers to rescue failing banks" and "a new role of monitoring both consumer and company debt" would likely to be in breach of EU law on financial regulation.
Independent Times Times Independent-Osborne Guardian DW Telegraph EU Observer EU Referendum FT
Cameron promises end to fortnightly bin collections
Saturday's Mail reported that David Cameron has promised to reinstate weekly bin collections if the Conservatives win power. He said he will tell councils to end fortnightly collections and offer them millions of pounds to do so. The Mail reports that the cost of moving back to weekly collections will be £121 million.
Comment: fortnightly bin collections have come about as a result of the EU's Landfill Directive, which obliges the UK to reduce the amount of landfill waste by 25% from 1995 levels by 2010, a 50% reduction by 2013 and a 65% reduction by 2020. Failure to meet the regulations will result in fines estimated by DEFRA at more than £200 million if targets are not met by 2013. In order to meet the regulations, and avoid EU fines, some local authorities in England have adopted an 'alternate weekly collection' system whereby waste is collected one week and recyclables the next. Whatever solution the Conservatives are proposing will have to conform to EU rules, otherwise the cost of moving back to weekly bin collections may be even higher.
Mail
EU seeks funding for Space Research Programme; Lib Dem MEP wants EU to search for aliens
At a recent meeting of the European Space Council, member states agreed to provide central EU funding for space exploration and research, although no figures were agreed in a so-called 'Statement of Ambition'.
The statement said that the EU intended to provide 'long-term financing for space infrastructures, particularly in the field of observation'. Liberal Democrat MEP, Bill Newton-Dunn, went further and argued that the EU should make the search for alien life a key part of this future budget, and was quoted by the European Voice saying that it was 'the next step for humanity'. Previously funding of the ESA was provided by individual member states.
European Voice
Far right parties win votes in Austrian elections
In the Austrian elections yesterday, the two far-right parties have won almost 30% of the national vote in sweeping gains. Both the established Freedom Party and the relatively newer Alliance for the Future of Austria campaigned on an anti-immigration and anti-EU platform, according to the Times. The two mainstream parties, the Social Democratic Party and the conservative People's Party suffered significant losses in the wake of their collapsed coalition which saw their combined popularity sink to its lowest level in the post-war period.
International Herald Tribune Times Independent EU Observer Irish Independent BBC Guardian
CSU loses long time absolute majority in Bavaria
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative allies in the southern state of Bavaria suffered heavy losses Sunday as the absolute majority held for decades by the Christian Social Union was swept away in a result that could have far-reaching consequences for the federal parliamentary poll next year. Big gainers from the CSU's defeat were the pro-business Free Democrats as concerns among CSU voters have been the high tax policies by the federal government coalition.
FAZ IHT
FTD: "euroscepticism" on the riseIn Financial Times Deutschland, political editor Andreas Theyssen argues that "euroscepticism" has become mainstream in Europe, as is shown by the election victory of the Austrian social democrats, the actions of Czech President Klaus and the success of Declan Ganley in Ireland and his plans to bring together likeminded partners in different member states. He calls for a reenergised defense of the EU project, ditching "petty" claims of "too much bureaucracy" and presenting the EU as a peacemaker, potential superpower and protector against "the excesses of globalisation". Theyssen also argues that if Declan Ganley has funded his campaign with US money it shows that "neocons in Washington take the EU more seriously than its own citizens". FTD
Russia calls for EU security pact
EUobserver reports that Russia has reiterated its call for a pan-European summit aimed at creating a "reliable collective security system" in Europe, arguing that existing structures "did not pass the strength test" during the conflict in South Caucasus last August.
EUobserver
EU gives extra 10 million euros aid to Zimbabwe.
EUbusiness
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson will join the US in challenging Chinese export taxes on key raw materials.
Times
In the parliamentary elections in Belarus, all 110 seats went to pro-government candidates, in what the opposition immediately labeled a flawed election. President Lukashenko maintains the vote was free and fair.
BBC News EUobserver
The Irish Justice Department is investigating whether the EU's 629m euros 'Return-Fund' can be used to encourage economic immigrants from within the EU to return to their country of origin.
Irish Independent
Hague: Conservatives may hold 'retrospective' referendum on Lisbon Treaty
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the Conservatives may hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, even if the Treaty has been ratified before the party can form a Government. He assured that if the Treaty is unratified before the Conservatives take office then, "of course, we would hold a referendum." He then went further and suggested that if the Conservatives inherited a ratified Lisbon Treaty, they could still hold a referendum because without a public vote, the document will 'lack democratic legitimacy'. He said, "We haven't made the decision. I certainly haven't ruled that out." It is reported that the wording has also yet to be decided, but the aim would be to give the new Conservative government a mandate to go to Brussels demanding a looser relationship with the EU.
Sunday Times
EU states attack ECJ judgement on married couples' residency;
UK Immigration Minister warns of "a risk of injustice that we are not prepared to see"
European Voice reports that a group of EU member states led by Denmark, including the UK, Ireland, Austria and Germany, have attacked a recent judgment by the European Court of Justice, saying that it could encourage 'sham marriages' and 'marriages of convenience'.
The so-called 'Metock' judgment concerned several spouses of EU citizens who had been denied residency in Ireland because they came from non-EU countries. The European Court of Justice found in July that the Irish courts' refusal to allow the couples to live together in Ireland contravened both the EU's 2004 directive on freedom of movement and the EU's founding treaty. Although the ruling specifically concerned the Irish government, it also means that Denmark must change its tough rules on family reunification and that Austria must change how it applies its residency law.
Denmark's Interior Minister, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, said during a meeting of EU ministers last week that she wants the EU to find a way to undo the effects of the Metock ruling. The UK's Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne, said following the discussion that "some extremely strong views were expressed by member states", adding that "we are crystal-clear that there is a risk of injustice that flows from this judgment and that we are not prepared to see".
European Voice
EU to unveil proposals for maternity leave to be fully paid
On Sunday the BBC Politics Show ran a feature on the new EU Commission proposals to extend maternity leave and introduce full pay for the entire maternity period. The proposals, which will be unveiled on Wednesday, have been criticised by some small businesses. Open Europe Director Lorraine Mullally was interviewed, warning that once the proposals have been decided - by majority vote - at EU level, it will be impossible for future UK governments to deregulate, should they decide they need to.
Politics Show
Libertas funding under European Parliament spotlight
EU Commissioners are due to visit Ireland this week for the first time since the Irish electorate rejected the Lisbon Treaty. Commission sources deny that the trip is designed as a 'love-bomb' to influence a future adoption of the treaty, and the EU Commission office in Dublin is quoted in the Irish Times claiming that the trip was organised "a long time ago".
Meanwhile, in the Sunday Times, Nicola Smith looked at the calls by some MEPs for an inquiry into whether Declan Ganley, Chairman of the Libertas group that campaigned against the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland, received funding from US intelligence and defence services. She writes: "First it was the sheer ingratitude of the Irish, then it was the failure of the Dublin government to mount a successful yes campaign. Now Brussels has found a new explanation as to why Ireland voted down the European Union treaty in June - a CIA and Pentagon-backed plot, devised by American neoconservatives to weaken the EU." A CIA spokesman is quoted saying, "The suggestion is not only wrong but ludicrous."
In a separate piece, Matt Cooper argued that "Ganley is being painted as a neocon loon." He writes, "There is far more innuendo and supposition than proof at this stage but Dick Roche, the European affairs minister, has been asked by the European parliament to 'investigate' Ganley... It's difficult to remember a more determined effort to render someone useless in future political debate, or to take retribution." He says: "I'm sure if you dug far enough you'd find that many Irish businessmen, including some on the Yes side in the Lisbon debate, have profitable relationships with the American establishment too. Peter Sutherland, one of the most vocal proponents of Yes, is treated with a degree of reverence in polite circles in Ireland. He is not just a director of Goldman Sachs, a "blue chip" Wall Street investment bank, but is a member of the Bilderberg Commission, an organisation devoted to exactly the type of right-wing policies Ganley is being damned for supporting."
Irish Times Sunday Times Times-Cooper Spiegel
ECB approves Benelux governments to bail out Fortis Bank - UK Government bails out B&B
The Belgian, Dutch and Luxemburg governments have partly nationalised Belgo-Dutch banking and insurance giant Fortis in an 11.2 billion euros bailout for a 49% stake. The rescue of Fortis makes it the biggest casualty of the banking crisis in continental Europe, where banks have largely avoided the wave of collapse and takeover that has affected their British and US counterparts since the start of the credit crunch. Reportedly, the presence of ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet at the bank rescue talks was unprecedented.
The Times reports that the UK Government officially nationalised large shares of Bradford & Bingley this morning, seizing £50 billion of assets and has provided funds for a "permanent lifeboat scheme" to ensure that 2.6 million depositors will not lose out. Spanish bank Banco Santander has bought the £20 billion deposit business and the network of 200 branches. Meanwhile, US congressional leaders yesterday reached an outline agreement on a $700 billion bank bailout after days of negotiations. The proposal will head to the House of Representatives for a vote as early as today.
The EUreferendum blog argues that plans by the Conservative Party to respond to the financial crisis by giving the Bank of England "sweeping new powers to rescue failing banks" and "a new role of monitoring both consumer and company debt" would likely to be in breach of EU law on financial regulation.
Independent Times Times Independent-Osborne Guardian DW Telegraph EU Observer EU Referendum FT
Cameron promises end to fortnightly bin collections
Saturday's Mail reported that David Cameron has promised to reinstate weekly bin collections if the Conservatives win power. He said he will tell councils to end fortnightly collections and offer them millions of pounds to do so. The Mail reports that the cost of moving back to weekly collections will be £121 million.
Comment: fortnightly bin collections have come about as a result of the EU's Landfill Directive, which obliges the UK to reduce the amount of landfill waste by 25% from 1995 levels by 2010, a 50% reduction by 2013 and a 65% reduction by 2020. Failure to meet the regulations will result in fines estimated by DEFRA at more than £200 million if targets are not met by 2013. In order to meet the regulations, and avoid EU fines, some local authorities in England have adopted an 'alternate weekly collection' system whereby waste is collected one week and recyclables the next. Whatever solution the Conservatives are proposing will have to conform to EU rules, otherwise the cost of moving back to weekly bin collections may be even higher.
EU seeks funding for Space Research Programme; Lib Dem MEP wants EU to search for aliens
At a recent meeting of the European Space Council, member states agreed to provide central EU funding for space exploration and research, although no figures were agreed in a so-called 'Statement of Ambition'.
The statement said that the EU intended to provide 'long-term financing for space infrastructures, particularly in the field of observation'. Liberal Democrat MEP, Bill Newton-Dunn, went further and argued that the EU should make the search for alien life a key part of this future budget, and was quoted by the European Voice saying that it was 'the next step for humanity'. Previously funding of the ESA was provided by individual member states.
European Voice
Far right parties win votes in Austrian elections
In the Austrian elections yesterday, the two far-right parties have won almost 30% of the national vote in sweeping gains. Both the established Freedom Party and the relatively newer Alliance for the Future of Austria campaigned on an anti-immigration and anti-EU platform, according to the Times. The two mainstream parties, the Social Democratic Party and the conservative People's Party suffered significant losses in the wake of their collapsed coalition which saw their combined popularity sink to its lowest level in the post-war period.
International Herald Tribune Times Independent EU Observer Irish Independent BBC Guardian
CSU loses long time absolute majority in Bavaria
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative allies in the southern state of Bavaria suffered heavy losses Sunday as the absolute majority held for decades by the Christian Social Union was swept away in a result that could have far-reaching consequences for the federal parliamentary poll next year. Big gainers from the CSU's defeat were the pro-business Free Democrats as concerns among CSU voters have been the high tax policies by the federal government coalition.
FAZ IHT
FTD: "euroscepticism" on the riseIn Financial Times Deutschland, political editor Andreas Theyssen argues that "euroscepticism" has become mainstream in Europe, as is shown by the election victory of the Austrian social democrats, the actions of Czech President Klaus and the success of Declan Ganley in Ireland and his plans to bring together likeminded partners in different member states. He calls for a reenergised defense of the EU project, ditching "petty" claims of "too much bureaucracy" and presenting the EU as a peacemaker, potential superpower and protector against "the excesses of globalisation". Theyssen also argues that if Declan Ganley has funded his campaign with US money it shows that "neocons in Washington take the EU more seriously than its own citizens". FTD
Russia calls for EU security pact
EUobserver reports that Russia has reiterated its call for a pan-European summit aimed at creating a "reliable collective security system" in Europe, arguing that existing structures "did not pass the strength test" during the conflict in South Caucasus last August.
EUobserver
EU gives extra 10 million euros aid to Zimbabwe.
EUbusiness
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson will join the US in challenging Chinese export taxes on key raw materials.
Times
In the parliamentary elections in Belarus, all 110 seats went to pro-government candidates, in what the opposition immediately labeled a flawed election. President Lukashenko maintains the vote was free and fair.
BBC News EUobserver
The Irish Justice Department is investigating whether the EU's 629m euros 'Return-Fund' can be used to encourage economic immigrants from within the EU to return to their country of origin.
Irish Independent
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Banksters to the gallows!
Re: No Amnesty For Wall Street
Instead of sending these banksters on extended vacations to the Bahamas with millions of taxpayer dollars in their pockets, we should be sending them straight to jail!
That would be too merciful to the cruel: send the treacherous bastards to the gallows! And when will folks stop beating around the bush and acknowlege the fact that most of these "international bankers" are globalist Jews (who give Torah-observant Jews a bad name) intent on forging a New World Order for their German-Jesuit masters?
David Ben-Ariel posted on 2008-09-26 22:11:56 ET Reply Trace
Instead of sending these banksters on extended vacations to the Bahamas with millions of taxpayer dollars in their pockets, we should be sending them straight to jail!
That would be too merciful to the cruel: send the treacherous bastards to the gallows! And when will folks stop beating around the bush and acknowlege the fact that most of these "international bankers" are globalist Jews (who give Torah-observant Jews a bad name) intent on forging a New World Order for their German-Jesuit masters?
David Ben-Ariel posted on 2008-09-26 22:11:56 ET Reply Trace
Open Europe press summary 26 September 2008
Europe
EU to bring forward new financial regulations within weeks; Germany unveils shopping list of new legislation
In a speech yesterday, Nicolas Sarkozy launched what Le Figaro describes as a "real crusade" against "speculators" and the "excesses of financial capitalism." He laid out a set of proposals including more regulation and control of banking activities and capping of the pay of the leaders of financial organisations. He said "self regulation is finished."
German Finance Minister Peer Steinbruck said the crisis marks the beginning of a multi-polar world, where the US is no longer a superpower. He blamed the "irresponsible" policies of the US for the crisis, claiming they were "simplistic" and "dangerous". Steinbruck yesterday outlined a series of "draconian" financial regulations, according to Eurointelligence. The article reports that he wants to make short-selling illegal, and to impose legislation forcing banks to take on 20% of the credit risk when selling on credit for securitisation. The FT notes that other proposals included a crackdown on variable pay for bankers. France and Germany will set up a working group to consider tougher regulation.
The EU Commission is also drafting legislation to force banks to retain some 10% of the credit risk. According to Eurointelligence, Jan Pieter Krahan, Professor of finance in Frankfurt, has argued that this is precisely the type of regulation we do not need, as the right level of risk sharing cannot be determined globally, but depends on the type of securitisation. Depending on how the package is construed, 20% can be either too little or too much, he argues.
A separate article in the FT says, "The next few weeks will be critical. That is when Brussels will bring forward legislative proposals to beef up the way cross-border banks are supervised", together with new rules for credit rating agencies. The banking sector claims the EU would be put at a competitive disadvantage, and the legislation has been attacked as too prescriptive. "There is a serious risk of producing regulation whose widespread ramifications have not been sufficiently thought through for lack of time", say German banking industry associations.
The Economist argues that "Mr Sarkozy's call to make high finance 'moral' has deep roots. When crisis management turns to a debate on new regulation, Americans and Europeans will start from different places."
FAZ Eurointelligence FT Le Figaro EUobserver Economist FT FT 2
Idea for UK amnesty for illegal immigrants could clash with new EU Immigration Pact
In the Independent, Anthony Browne, Director of Policy Exchange, argues that illegal immigrants who have been living in the UK for seven years should be offered an amnesty which allows them to register as residents, pay taxes and earn citizenship, instead of the Government "turning a blind eye to them". He argues that "Doing more to enforce immigration law, while accepting the reality that there are long term illegal immigrants who have settled well, would be far fairer, better for society and more economically efficient. All we need is for policy makers to accept reality."
Meanwhile, the BBC reports that EU ministers have agreed on a sweeping new Immigration Pact, which will make it harder for EU member states to grant mass amnesties for illegal migrants. The Pact, which has political rather than legal force, urges member states not to offer mass amnesties to illegal immigrants, as done in the past by Spain and Italy, and to ensure that foreigners without papers are removed.
EU ministers also agreed on an EU "blue card" scheme to attract workers in demand, such as engineers and nurses. Le Figaro describes the Blue Card as "the equivalent of the famous US 'green card'", but El Pais quotes French Immigration Minister Brice Hortefeux - who is pushing the scheme - as saying: "the blue card is not the US green card."
Independent-Browne Independent BBC El Pais
UK Government attacks EU targets for renewable energy
The UK Government is lobbying for important changes to the EU target of sourcing 20% of energy from renewable sources, according to the BBC. The Government says targets for renewables use in aviation are pointless while there is uncertainty over the use of biofuels. A BERR spokesman said that the rules demanding a percentage of renewables on new and refurbished homes were too prescriptive, arguing that it should be up to member states to decide on their own strategies for homes, so long as they stayed within the overall target. The same logic applied to the EU's proposed binding interim targets for renewables, he added.
Claude Turmes, the MEP leading negotiations on the renewable energy legislation for the European Parliament, told the BBC: "I find it outrageous. Prime Minister Brown came here and said he would stick to the 20%. Now his civil servants in Brussels are not following that. They are trying to dilute the target in the directive - they are attacking it."
BBC Economist Le Monde
Government unveils first UK ID cards - with EU design
There is wide coverage of yesterday's unveiling of Britain's first ID card, which will be issued to foreigners from outside the EU, initially those renewing their permission to stay in the UK as students or on the basis of marriage. Several papers report on the absence of the UK flag and the dominance of EU symbols on the card, noting that they adhere to a common design set by an EU directive. Open Europe's Lorraine Mullally is quoted in the Telegraph saying, "The use of EU symbols, instead of national ones, is part of a wider attempt to promote the idea of a common European citizenship, which EU federalists have been pushing for some time. The Government seems happy to buy into this."
Telegraph Mail Mirror Independent Independent-editorial Daily Mail
Austria: no compulsory referendum on future revisions of EU treaties
Agence Europe reports that just days ahead of the general election in Austria, the Social Democrat Party (SPÖ) has failed in its attempt to introduce
into the Austrian constitution compulsory referendums on any future substantial changes to the Treaty of the European Union. During the vote in the Austrian parliament this week, the proposal by the far right party (FPÖ) received the support of the SPÖ and an absolute majority of parliamentary representatives, but did not reach the two-thirds of votes required for any constitutional change. The Christian Democrat Party (ÖVP) and the Greens voted against. This week in parliament, the President of the Social Democrat Group, Josef Cap, justified the SPÖ's position by the "need to better integrate citizens in the process of European construction to avoid the gap between them and the decisions of the European Commission and government from growing still wider".
No link
EU countries to take up to 10,000 more Iraqi refugees
European Union countries, responding to appeals from the United Nations, are ready to take up to 10,000 more Iraqi refugees and will send a mission to the Middle East to identify the most vulnerable people as Iraq's neighbours struggle to house and feed the refugees. The European Commission declared yesterday it wants to set up an EU-wide scheme for the resettlement of Iraqi refugees.
AP European Voice DW HLN
Quinn: Irish political class trying to stifle opposition groups such as Libertas
The Irish Independent has a comment piece from David Quinn arguing that the Irish political class is attempting to ensure that no organisation like Libertas can ever appear on the scene again. He argues that these "moves are being advanced in the name of democracy but in fact they are deeply undemocratic in that they will make it harder than ever to challenge the existing political cartel."
Irish Independent
EU to ask US Congress about alleged American funding of Libertas
The European Parliament is to ask the US Congress about alleged US fundraising for the Irish anti-Lisbon Treaty lobby group Libertas, after MEPs raised concerns during a Parliament session earlier this week. The EP may send a delegation to the US and intends to "closely monitor" the issue of Libertas' funding, sending all information to the Irish "Standards in Public Office Commission" (Sipo). Reportedly, MEPs are concerned about the prospect of Libertas launching a campaign across the EU for next year's European parliamentary elections, as suggested by the group's Chairman, Declan Ganley.
Ganley said the EP's move was a throwback to an earlier period in history, while being quoted in the Irish Independent: "In the past, those that dared to defend freedom and democracy were forced to pay an inordinate price. The allegations are utterly baseless." Irish MEP Kathy Sinnott also criticised the move, saying that the delegation to the US could do better things than inquire about Libertas funding. The Irish Independent's David Quinn comments: "Now it looks like insanity has taken hold as well. Whether the insanity is temporary or permanent remains to be seen although I suspect the latter is the case."
Meanwhile, Agence Europe reports that the conference of presidents of the political groups of the European Parliament held a long debate yesterday on the financing of the Irish "no" campaign against the Lisbon Treaty, calling for all information on the origin of funds for Libertas to be forwarded to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) in Ireland.
Irish Times Irish Independent Irish Independent-Quinn Open Europe blog Dan Hannan blog
European Parliament rejects calls to regulate blogs but cracks down on blogging EP official
EUobserver reports that the European Parliament has rejected calls for the EU to initiate a process to regulate bloggers.
However, at the same time, Gawain Towler, Press Officer of the UK delegation to the Ind/Dem Group of the European Parliament, has posted his last blog on England Expects after being told by the Secretary General of the Parliament that his activities contravene the Staff Code of Conduct.
Iain Dale Open Europe blog England Expects Julien Frisch blog
Irish government complains about "marriages of convenience" and abuse of free movement rules
The Irish Independent reports that Ireland's immigration authorities' efforts to crack down on marriages of convenience have been hampered by a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on the Freedom of Movement directive. Irish officials say bogus marriages are sold for between 3,000 and 4,000 euros to illegal immigrants wishing to gain residence in Ireland. Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has criticised the ECJ's ruling, telling a meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers in Brussels yesterday, "It is clear that this sort of safety net will lead to increased abuse of the directive and undermines the work being done in respect of combating illegal migration." The Irish Times notes that the European Commission, Sweden, Portugal and Cyprus have come out strongly against reopening the directive, while Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic, the UK and Austria support the Irish government.
Irish Times Irish Independent
EU fishing quotas force struggling fisherman to waste fish stocks
The BBC reports that the Scottish Government estimates that one million tonnes of valuable fish are dumped annually as a result of EU laws, prompting the recent fishing industry conference to brand the current rules as "madness". The Scottish Environment Minister is quoted in the Scotsman calling the wastage "appalling".
The Scotsman highlights the fact that at a time of "high food prices and ...economic downturn" trawler men should be catching less and landing more.
BBC Scotsman
MEPs back tough stance on car pollution
Despite strong pressure from what the Guardian calls a 'Franco-German Pact', the EU Parliament has upheld ambitious plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars. The planned EU regulations, which would force car manufacturers to reduce emissions by 17% or face 'stringent' fines, were opposed by the powerful German car lobby and by current EU President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Ivan Hodac, the Secretary General of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, quoted in the International Herald Tribune, says that this "blow" to manufacturing "is bad news for Europe, especially with the overall economic circumstances deteriorating already".
Guardian WSJ IHT
Commission poll: 97% of British people are unaware of European elections.
Irish Times
Jörg Haider, the far-right politician who triggered EU sanctions against Austria when part of the 1999 government, is aiming for a surprise comeback in elections this weekend.
Independent
Ireland has become the first country of the eurozone to go into recession.
Telegraph
World
The front page of the Guardian notes that Israel was giving "serious thought" to attacking Iran this spring, but President Bush refused to give his approval for the move, wary of sparking all-out war.
Guardian
EU to bring forward new financial regulations within weeks; Germany unveils shopping list of new legislation
In a speech yesterday, Nicolas Sarkozy launched what Le Figaro describes as a "real crusade" against "speculators" and the "excesses of financial capitalism." He laid out a set of proposals including more regulation and control of banking activities and capping of the pay of the leaders of financial organisations. He said "self regulation is finished."
German Finance Minister Peer Steinbruck said the crisis marks the beginning of a multi-polar world, where the US is no longer a superpower. He blamed the "irresponsible" policies of the US for the crisis, claiming they were "simplistic" and "dangerous". Steinbruck yesterday outlined a series of "draconian" financial regulations, according to Eurointelligence. The article reports that he wants to make short-selling illegal, and to impose legislation forcing banks to take on 20% of the credit risk when selling on credit for securitisation. The FT notes that other proposals included a crackdown on variable pay for bankers. France and Germany will set up a working group to consider tougher regulation.
The EU Commission is also drafting legislation to force banks to retain some 10% of the credit risk. According to Eurointelligence, Jan Pieter Krahan, Professor of finance in Frankfurt, has argued that this is precisely the type of regulation we do not need, as the right level of risk sharing cannot be determined globally, but depends on the type of securitisation. Depending on how the package is construed, 20% can be either too little or too much, he argues.
A separate article in the FT says, "The next few weeks will be critical. That is when Brussels will bring forward legislative proposals to beef up the way cross-border banks are supervised", together with new rules for credit rating agencies. The banking sector claims the EU would be put at a competitive disadvantage, and the legislation has been attacked as too prescriptive. "There is a serious risk of producing regulation whose widespread ramifications have not been sufficiently thought through for lack of time", say German banking industry associations.
The Economist argues that "Mr Sarkozy's call to make high finance 'moral' has deep roots. When crisis management turns to a debate on new regulation, Americans and Europeans will start from different places."
FAZ Eurointelligence FT Le Figaro EUobserver Economist FT FT 2
Idea for UK amnesty for illegal immigrants could clash with new EU Immigration Pact
In the Independent, Anthony Browne, Director of Policy Exchange, argues that illegal immigrants who have been living in the UK for seven years should be offered an amnesty which allows them to register as residents, pay taxes and earn citizenship, instead of the Government "turning a blind eye to them". He argues that "Doing more to enforce immigration law, while accepting the reality that there are long term illegal immigrants who have settled well, would be far fairer, better for society and more economically efficient. All we need is for policy makers to accept reality."
Meanwhile, the BBC reports that EU ministers have agreed on a sweeping new Immigration Pact, which will make it harder for EU member states to grant mass amnesties for illegal migrants. The Pact, which has political rather than legal force, urges member states not to offer mass amnesties to illegal immigrants, as done in the past by Spain and Italy, and to ensure that foreigners without papers are removed.
EU ministers also agreed on an EU "blue card" scheme to attract workers in demand, such as engineers and nurses. Le Figaro describes the Blue Card as "the equivalent of the famous US 'green card'", but El Pais quotes French Immigration Minister Brice Hortefeux - who is pushing the scheme - as saying: "the blue card is not the US green card."
Independent-Browne Independent BBC El Pais
UK Government attacks EU targets for renewable energy
The UK Government is lobbying for important changes to the EU target of sourcing 20% of energy from renewable sources, according to the BBC. The Government says targets for renewables use in aviation are pointless while there is uncertainty over the use of biofuels. A BERR spokesman said that the rules demanding a percentage of renewables on new and refurbished homes were too prescriptive, arguing that it should be up to member states to decide on their own strategies for homes, so long as they stayed within the overall target. The same logic applied to the EU's proposed binding interim targets for renewables, he added.
Claude Turmes, the MEP leading negotiations on the renewable energy legislation for the European Parliament, told the BBC: "I find it outrageous. Prime Minister Brown came here and said he would stick to the 20%. Now his civil servants in Brussels are not following that. They are trying to dilute the target in the directive - they are attacking it."
BBC Economist Le Monde
Government unveils first UK ID cards - with EU design
There is wide coverage of yesterday's unveiling of Britain's first ID card, which will be issued to foreigners from outside the EU, initially those renewing their permission to stay in the UK as students or on the basis of marriage. Several papers report on the absence of the UK flag and the dominance of EU symbols on the card, noting that they adhere to a common design set by an EU directive. Open Europe's Lorraine Mullally is quoted in the Telegraph saying, "The use of EU symbols, instead of national ones, is part of a wider attempt to promote the idea of a common European citizenship, which EU federalists have been pushing for some time. The Government seems happy to buy into this."
Telegraph Mail Mirror Independent Independent-editorial Daily Mail
Austria: no compulsory referendum on future revisions of EU treaties
Agence Europe reports that just days ahead of the general election in Austria, the Social Democrat Party (SPÖ) has failed in its attempt to introduce
into the Austrian constitution compulsory referendums on any future substantial changes to the Treaty of the European Union. During the vote in the Austrian parliament this week, the proposal by the far right party (FPÖ) received the support of the SPÖ and an absolute majority of parliamentary representatives, but did not reach the two-thirds of votes required for any constitutional change. The Christian Democrat Party (ÖVP) and the Greens voted against. This week in parliament, the President of the Social Democrat Group, Josef Cap, justified the SPÖ's position by the "need to better integrate citizens in the process of European construction to avoid the gap between them and the decisions of the European Commission and government from growing still wider".
No link
EU countries to take up to 10,000 more Iraqi refugees
European Union countries, responding to appeals from the United Nations, are ready to take up to 10,000 more Iraqi refugees and will send a mission to the Middle East to identify the most vulnerable people as Iraq's neighbours struggle to house and feed the refugees. The European Commission declared yesterday it wants to set up an EU-wide scheme for the resettlement of Iraqi refugees.
AP European Voice DW HLN
Quinn: Irish political class trying to stifle opposition groups such as Libertas
The Irish Independent has a comment piece from David Quinn arguing that the Irish political class is attempting to ensure that no organisation like Libertas can ever appear on the scene again. He argues that these "moves are being advanced in the name of democracy but in fact they are deeply undemocratic in that they will make it harder than ever to challenge the existing political cartel."
Irish Independent
EU to ask US Congress about alleged American funding of Libertas
The European Parliament is to ask the US Congress about alleged US fundraising for the Irish anti-Lisbon Treaty lobby group Libertas, after MEPs raised concerns during a Parliament session earlier this week. The EP may send a delegation to the US and intends to "closely monitor" the issue of Libertas' funding, sending all information to the Irish "Standards in Public Office Commission" (Sipo). Reportedly, MEPs are concerned about the prospect of Libertas launching a campaign across the EU for next year's European parliamentary elections, as suggested by the group's Chairman, Declan Ganley.
Ganley said the EP's move was a throwback to an earlier period in history, while being quoted in the Irish Independent: "In the past, those that dared to defend freedom and democracy were forced to pay an inordinate price. The allegations are utterly baseless." Irish MEP Kathy Sinnott also criticised the move, saying that the delegation to the US could do better things than inquire about Libertas funding. The Irish Independent's David Quinn comments: "Now it looks like insanity has taken hold as well. Whether the insanity is temporary or permanent remains to be seen although I suspect the latter is the case."
Meanwhile, Agence Europe reports that the conference of presidents of the political groups of the European Parliament held a long debate yesterday on the financing of the Irish "no" campaign against the Lisbon Treaty, calling for all information on the origin of funds for Libertas to be forwarded to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) in Ireland.
Irish Times Irish Independent Irish Independent-Quinn Open Europe blog Dan Hannan blog
European Parliament rejects calls to regulate blogs but cracks down on blogging EP official
EUobserver reports that the European Parliament has rejected calls for the EU to initiate a process to regulate bloggers.
However, at the same time, Gawain Towler, Press Officer of the UK delegation to the Ind/Dem Group of the European Parliament, has posted his last blog on England Expects after being told by the Secretary General of the Parliament that his activities contravene the Staff Code of Conduct.
Iain Dale Open Europe blog England Expects Julien Frisch blog
Irish government complains about "marriages of convenience" and abuse of free movement rules
The Irish Independent reports that Ireland's immigration authorities' efforts to crack down on marriages of convenience have been hampered by a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on the Freedom of Movement directive. Irish officials say bogus marriages are sold for between 3,000 and 4,000 euros to illegal immigrants wishing to gain residence in Ireland. Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has criticised the ECJ's ruling, telling a meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers in Brussels yesterday, "It is clear that this sort of safety net will lead to increased abuse of the directive and undermines the work being done in respect of combating illegal migration." The Irish Times notes that the European Commission, Sweden, Portugal and Cyprus have come out strongly against reopening the directive, while Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic, the UK and Austria support the Irish government.
Irish Times Irish Independent
EU fishing quotas force struggling fisherman to waste fish stocks
The BBC reports that the Scottish Government estimates that one million tonnes of valuable fish are dumped annually as a result of EU laws, prompting the recent fishing industry conference to brand the current rules as "madness". The Scottish Environment Minister is quoted in the Scotsman calling the wastage "appalling".
The Scotsman highlights the fact that at a time of "high food prices and ...economic downturn" trawler men should be catching less and landing more.
BBC Scotsman
MEPs back tough stance on car pollution
Despite strong pressure from what the Guardian calls a 'Franco-German Pact', the EU Parliament has upheld ambitious plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars. The planned EU regulations, which would force car manufacturers to reduce emissions by 17% or face 'stringent' fines, were opposed by the powerful German car lobby and by current EU President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Ivan Hodac, the Secretary General of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, quoted in the International Herald Tribune, says that this "blow" to manufacturing "is bad news for Europe, especially with the overall economic circumstances deteriorating already".
Guardian WSJ IHT
Commission poll: 97% of British people are unaware of European elections.
Irish Times
Jörg Haider, the far-right politician who triggered EU sanctions against Austria when part of the 1999 government, is aiming for a surprise comeback in elections this weekend.
Independent
Ireland has become the first country of the eurozone to go into recession.
Telegraph
World
The front page of the Guardian notes that Israel was giving "serious thought" to attacking Iran this spring, but President Bush refused to give his approval for the move, wary of sparking all-out war.
Guardian
Thursday, September 25, 2008
EUobserver.com
HEADLINES
1. Latvian death penalty debate rumbles on
2. EU rules out US-style bailouts
3. EU cars to use daytime headlights from 2011
***** THE NEWS *************
1. Latvian death penalty debate rumbles on - 25.09.2008 - 09:29-
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The head of the Latvian parliament's human rights committee has called foran EU-wide debate on reinstating the death penalty, as a new capital punishment debate has emerged in the country following the murder of a young girl.
http://euobserver.com/9/26807/?rk=1
2. EU rules out US-style bailouts - 25.09.2008 - 09:25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There may be need for stricter financial monitoring worldwide, but inEurope in particular, US-style bank bailouts are not necessary at thisstage, EU officials told MEPs on Wednesday.
http://euobserver.com/9/26803/?rk=1
3. EU cars to use daytime headlights from 2011 - 25.09.2008 - 09:25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All cars in the EU will have to be equipped with headlights and rear-endlighting that shine in the daytime as of 7 February 2011, the EuropeanCommission said on Wednesday, with trucks and buses to follow by August2012. Aiming to increase road safety, the commission's plan has howeveralready drawn some criticism.
http://euobserver.com/9/26804/?rk=1
1. Latvian death penalty debate rumbles on
2. EU rules out US-style bailouts
3. EU cars to use daytime headlights from 2011
***** THE NEWS *************
1. Latvian death penalty debate rumbles on - 25.09.2008 - 09:29-
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The head of the Latvian parliament's human rights committee has called foran EU-wide debate on reinstating the death penalty, as a new capital punishment debate has emerged in the country following the murder of a young girl.
http://euobserver.com/9/26807/?rk=1
2. EU rules out US-style bailouts - 25.09.2008 - 09:25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There may be need for stricter financial monitoring worldwide, but inEurope in particular, US-style bank bailouts are not necessary at thisstage, EU officials told MEPs on Wednesday.
http://euobserver.com/9/26803/?rk=1
3. EU cars to use daytime headlights from 2011 - 25.09.2008 - 09:25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All cars in the EU will have to be equipped with headlights and rear-endlighting that shine in the daytime as of 7 February 2011, the EuropeanCommission said on Wednesday, with trucks and buses to follow by August2012. Aiming to increase road safety, the commission's plan has howeveralready drawn some criticism.
http://euobserver.com/9/26804/?rk=1
Open Europe press summary 25 September 2008
Europe
Audit Commission: EU waste law could add £30 to council tax bills
The Telegraph reports that the public spending watchdog, the Audit Commission, has said in a new study that EU rules on reducing landfill waste could cost councils up to £7 million each per year. This would equate to around £30 per household.
The article notes that under European Union Directives, councils must reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by half of 1995 levels by 2013 or face fines of up to £180 million per year. The report said the only way to reduce waste going to landfill was the controversial use of incinerators - despite huge cost and environmental concerns. Incinerators cost a minimum of £20 million, are often opposed by local residents.
Becky Slater, Friends of the Earth's Waste Campaigner, said incinerators would not be a good use of taxpayers' money. She said: "Burning rubbish contributes to climate change and sends valuable resources up in smoke - it's no wonder that they face powerful opposition from communities around the country."
Telegraph BBC
EU ministers are today set to adopt EU Immigration Pact;
Asylum laws to be harmonised
An immigration pact set to be adopted today by EU ministers urges EU countries to encourage highly qualified foreigners to come to the EU by making their working and living conditions more attractive. It foresees stricter rules on the unification of immigrants' families but it aims to make it easier for immigrants to send money to their native countries and ultimately to return home themselves.
The pact calls for decisive action by EU member states in applying measures such as expelling illegal immigrants, paying them to leave their countries voluntarily and agreeing deals with illegal immigrants' countries of origin to accept them back.
It aims to harmonise different asylum practices across EU member states, putting a clearer focus on resettling people who are deemed genuine refugees. At a meeting today, EU ministers responsible for immigration will also review a proposal for a European "blue card" - creating a single, EU-wide work and residence permit for skilled foreigners. In particular, labour mobility would be restricted because the owner of a blue card in one EU country would not have the right to move to another for work purposes.
FT
EU threatens Italy with legal action over plan to expel criminals from other EU countries
The European Commission has threatened Italy with legal action if it does not change its decree which would allow the automatic expulsion of other EU citizens condemned to more than two years of jail there, a measure which is part of the Italian immigration package. The European Commission, however, did not object earlier this month to Italian plans to fingerprint Roma, a decision fiercely criticised by human rights groups.
DW
AA says EU daytime car light could add £160 to family car costs
There is widespread coverage of the plans announced by EU Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen that all new cars will have to be fitted with automatic headlights by 2011. "The introduction of Daytime Running Light for cars, trucks and buses makes them more visible, which will increase road safety. This will make a positive contribution to our goal of reducing fatalities on European roads whilst being more fuel efficient then existing lights," said Verheugen.
The plans have come under severe criticism from car manufacturers, who point to the risk of drivers forgetting to switch on their headlights at night, confusion among road users between these lights and front fog lamps, and added carbon emissions. There are also concerns that the safety of motorbikes - which currently are subject to regulations on daytime running lights - would be jeopardised, as they no would no longer stand out and would therefore be harder to spot.
The Mail reports that the proposals would mean the fuel bill for a typical family car could rise by £68 per year, or £160 for less efficient models, according to the Automobile Association.
Mail AP Autoweek EU Referendum PA EUreferendum Telegraph Express Euobserver
Irish No campaign condemns "outrageous" claims from MEPs that it is a US-backed conspiracy
Declan Ganley, founder of the Irish anti-Lisbon Treaty group, Libertas, has made further disclosures of his campaign's finances, after being accused by MEPs of being part of a US-backed conspiracy against a stronger EU. Ganley told the Irish Times that he considered the remarks, made by EU Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering, to be "absolutely outrageous".
Bruno Waterfield argues on his Telegraph blog that "The EU fixation with the No campaign's finances and the role of Mr Ganley is a complete denial and inversion of the real political balance of forces in the Irish Lisbon referendum battle. The entire political establishment in Ireland, with the Pope's support, backed a Yes vote - a priceless coalition... It is not about the EU versus the US, this is nothing more than a smokescreen for the euro-reactionaries who believe that EU referendums should only have one answer, Yes."
Irish Times Irish Times Keena Telegraph Waterfield Liberation Quatremer Open Europe blog
European Parliament approves of extensive telecom package;
Opposes IP privacy infringement provisions
EUobserver reports that the European Parliament yesterday overwhelmingly voted in favour of a plan to separate the network operations from the services operations of previously state-owned telecommunications firms. It is reported that the telecoms operators have expressed their strong opposition to the move. MEPs also voted in favour of setting up a European telecoms regulatory group - the Body of European Regulators in Telecoms - which will comprise of regulators from all 27 EU member states, similar to the currently existing European Regulator's Group. EU Commissioner Viviane Reding had pushed for an independent EU telecoms regulator supported by EU funds, which would also include oversight of internet security. A proposal for measures to allow consumers to be able to switch their phone number to another operator within one day was also approved.
AFP notes that the Parliament also voted to include an amendment stating that it is not the responsibility of internet service providers to police clients' activities for anything illegal. The French government is pushing for measures to combat internet copyright piracy, and wanted a provision included in the package that would see warning messages sent to web surfers who download material illegally or even the suspension of Internet access.
EUobserver AFP NY Times Die Presse Euractiv
Fine Gael to head inquiry into the Lisbon referendum
The Irish government has agreed to an eight-week inquiry into the reasons for the No vote. Fine Gael will head a subcommittee of the Oireachtas Committee, whose membership will increase to include one representative of Sinn Féin and one of the Independents.
Meanwhile, activists who campaigned against the Treaty are asking elected representatives at local, national and European level to sign a "covenant" to oppose a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and any attempt at ratification through the Oireachtas.
The text declares that the signatory believes the Lisbon result "expressed the democratic will of the people of this State and must be fully respected" and recognises that the treaty "must be ratified by all member states before it can come into force". The document continues: "I therefore reject calls from whatever source to have a further referendum on the treaty or to ratify it by any other means."
Patricia McKenna, former Green MEP for Dublin, told a news conference in Dublin yesterday: "It is clear that both here and abroad there is an ongoing attempt to overthrow the decision of the Irish people and it's essential that those elected to serve the people of this country respect the will of the people of this country."
Irish Times
Prospect: Lisbon Treaty could have weakened response to Georgia crisis
Prospect's Brussels diary argues that the Lisbon Treaty could have weakened the EU in the Georgia crisis, because instead of being fronted by a heavyweight in Nicolas Sarkozy, the EU Presidency could well have been headed up by someone like Jean-Claude Juncker, Luxembourg PM, who would not be taken seriously by the Kremlin.
Prospect
EU national anthem restored by MEPs
MEP Daniel Hannan notes that the European Parliament's Constitutional Affairs Committee has just voted to restore emblems (such as the flag and anthem) that were originally included in the EU Constitution.
Telegraph Hannan
The BBC's Europe Correspondent Mark Mardell discusses "Germany's love of coal" on his blog, arguing that it may be difficult to reconcile with EU carbon emissions targets.
BBC Mardell
The FT notes that the German Christian Social Union risks losing its absolute majority in Bavaria for the first time in 46 years. The shake-up, if it happens, could have important implications for Angela Merkel, the Chancellor.
FT
EU rules out US-style bank bailouts
The EU has ruled out US-style bailouts for the banking sector. "The situation we face here in Europe is less acute and member states do not at this point consider that a US-style plan is needed," EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told the European Parliament.
EUobserver AFP Telegraph Evans Pritchard
World
Russia has pulled out of talks on sanctions against Iran.
Times
UK
A poll for the Sun shows Labour up seven points on 31 per cent, the Conservatives down three points on 41 per cent, and the Lib Dems on 16 per cent.
Sun
Audit Commission: EU waste law could add £30 to council tax bills
The Telegraph reports that the public spending watchdog, the Audit Commission, has said in a new study that EU rules on reducing landfill waste could cost councils up to £7 million each per year. This would equate to around £30 per household.
The article notes that under European Union Directives, councils must reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by half of 1995 levels by 2013 or face fines of up to £180 million per year. The report said the only way to reduce waste going to landfill was the controversial use of incinerators - despite huge cost and environmental concerns. Incinerators cost a minimum of £20 million, are often opposed by local residents.
Becky Slater, Friends of the Earth's Waste Campaigner, said incinerators would not be a good use of taxpayers' money. She said: "Burning rubbish contributes to climate change and sends valuable resources up in smoke - it's no wonder that they face powerful opposition from communities around the country."
Telegraph BBC
EU ministers are today set to adopt EU Immigration Pact;
Asylum laws to be harmonised
An immigration pact set to be adopted today by EU ministers urges EU countries to encourage highly qualified foreigners to come to the EU by making their working and living conditions more attractive. It foresees stricter rules on the unification of immigrants' families but it aims to make it easier for immigrants to send money to their native countries and ultimately to return home themselves.
The pact calls for decisive action by EU member states in applying measures such as expelling illegal immigrants, paying them to leave their countries voluntarily and agreeing deals with illegal immigrants' countries of origin to accept them back.
It aims to harmonise different asylum practices across EU member states, putting a clearer focus on resettling people who are deemed genuine refugees. At a meeting today, EU ministers responsible for immigration will also review a proposal for a European "blue card" - creating a single, EU-wide work and residence permit for skilled foreigners. In particular, labour mobility would be restricted because the owner of a blue card in one EU country would not have the right to move to another for work purposes.
FT
EU threatens Italy with legal action over plan to expel criminals from other EU countries
The European Commission has threatened Italy with legal action if it does not change its decree which would allow the automatic expulsion of other EU citizens condemned to more than two years of jail there, a measure which is part of the Italian immigration package. The European Commission, however, did not object earlier this month to Italian plans to fingerprint Roma, a decision fiercely criticised by human rights groups.
DW
AA says EU daytime car light could add £160 to family car costs
There is widespread coverage of the plans announced by EU Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen that all new cars will have to be fitted with automatic headlights by 2011. "The introduction of Daytime Running Light for cars, trucks and buses makes them more visible, which will increase road safety. This will make a positive contribution to our goal of reducing fatalities on European roads whilst being more fuel efficient then existing lights," said Verheugen.
The plans have come under severe criticism from car manufacturers, who point to the risk of drivers forgetting to switch on their headlights at night, confusion among road users between these lights and front fog lamps, and added carbon emissions. There are also concerns that the safety of motorbikes - which currently are subject to regulations on daytime running lights - would be jeopardised, as they no would no longer stand out and would therefore be harder to spot.
The Mail reports that the proposals would mean the fuel bill for a typical family car could rise by £68 per year, or £160 for less efficient models, according to the Automobile Association.
Mail AP Autoweek EU Referendum PA EUreferendum Telegraph Express Euobserver
Irish No campaign condemns "outrageous" claims from MEPs that it is a US-backed conspiracy
Declan Ganley, founder of the Irish anti-Lisbon Treaty group, Libertas, has made further disclosures of his campaign's finances, after being accused by MEPs of being part of a US-backed conspiracy against a stronger EU. Ganley told the Irish Times that he considered the remarks, made by EU Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering, to be "absolutely outrageous".
Bruno Waterfield argues on his Telegraph blog that "The EU fixation with the No campaign's finances and the role of Mr Ganley is a complete denial and inversion of the real political balance of forces in the Irish Lisbon referendum battle. The entire political establishment in Ireland, with the Pope's support, backed a Yes vote - a priceless coalition... It is not about the EU versus the US, this is nothing more than a smokescreen for the euro-reactionaries who believe that EU referendums should only have one answer, Yes."
Irish Times Irish Times Keena Telegraph Waterfield Liberation Quatremer Open Europe blog
European Parliament approves of extensive telecom package;
Opposes IP privacy infringement provisions
EUobserver reports that the European Parliament yesterday overwhelmingly voted in favour of a plan to separate the network operations from the services operations of previously state-owned telecommunications firms. It is reported that the telecoms operators have expressed their strong opposition to the move. MEPs also voted in favour of setting up a European telecoms regulatory group - the Body of European Regulators in Telecoms - which will comprise of regulators from all 27 EU member states, similar to the currently existing European Regulator's Group. EU Commissioner Viviane Reding had pushed for an independent EU telecoms regulator supported by EU funds, which would also include oversight of internet security. A proposal for measures to allow consumers to be able to switch their phone number to another operator within one day was also approved.
AFP notes that the Parliament also voted to include an amendment stating that it is not the responsibility of internet service providers to police clients' activities for anything illegal. The French government is pushing for measures to combat internet copyright piracy, and wanted a provision included in the package that would see warning messages sent to web surfers who download material illegally or even the suspension of Internet access.
EUobserver AFP NY Times Die Presse Euractiv
Fine Gael to head inquiry into the Lisbon referendum
The Irish government has agreed to an eight-week inquiry into the reasons for the No vote. Fine Gael will head a subcommittee of the Oireachtas Committee, whose membership will increase to include one representative of Sinn Féin and one of the Independents.
Meanwhile, activists who campaigned against the Treaty are asking elected representatives at local, national and European level to sign a "covenant" to oppose a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and any attempt at ratification through the Oireachtas.
The text declares that the signatory believes the Lisbon result "expressed the democratic will of the people of this State and must be fully respected" and recognises that the treaty "must be ratified by all member states before it can come into force". The document continues: "I therefore reject calls from whatever source to have a further referendum on the treaty or to ratify it by any other means."
Patricia McKenna, former Green MEP for Dublin, told a news conference in Dublin yesterday: "It is clear that both here and abroad there is an ongoing attempt to overthrow the decision of the Irish people and it's essential that those elected to serve the people of this country respect the will of the people of this country."
Irish Times
Prospect: Lisbon Treaty could have weakened response to Georgia crisis
Prospect's Brussels diary argues that the Lisbon Treaty could have weakened the EU in the Georgia crisis, because instead of being fronted by a heavyweight in Nicolas Sarkozy, the EU Presidency could well have been headed up by someone like Jean-Claude Juncker, Luxembourg PM, who would not be taken seriously by the Kremlin.
Prospect
EU national anthem restored by MEPs
MEP Daniel Hannan notes that the European Parliament's Constitutional Affairs Committee has just voted to restore emblems (such as the flag and anthem) that were originally included in the EU Constitution.
Telegraph Hannan
The BBC's Europe Correspondent Mark Mardell discusses "Germany's love of coal" on his blog, arguing that it may be difficult to reconcile with EU carbon emissions targets.
BBC Mardell
The FT notes that the German Christian Social Union risks losing its absolute majority in Bavaria for the first time in 46 years. The shake-up, if it happens, could have important implications for Angela Merkel, the Chancellor.
FT
EU rules out US-style bank bailouts
The EU has ruled out US-style bailouts for the banking sector. "The situation we face here in Europe is less acute and member states do not at this point consider that a US-style plan is needed," EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told the European Parliament.
EUobserver AFP Telegraph Evans Pritchard
World
Russia has pulled out of talks on sanctions against Iran.
Times
UK
A poll for the Sun shows Labour up seven points on 31 per cent, the Conservatives down three points on 41 per cent, and the Lib Dems on 16 per cent.
Sun
The Holocaust
The Holocaust is a Jewish issue?
Re: THE MAN WHO HID ANNE FRANK
You would do well to focus on what Kahane said about the family (and the rabbis say Jews are deserving of the leaders they get - so Kahane’s tough love, his criticism, wasn’t merely about “particular Jews”), since enough time has been wasted on wringing hands and blaming non-Jews in an attempt to extort guilt and divert attention from the shirked Jewish responsibilities. Enough is enough.
Comment by David BenAriel — September 25, 2008 @ 7:26 am
Double-minded Jews! The Holocaust is a Jewish issue, the Holocaust isn’t merely a Jewish issue (visit any of the many Holocaust museums and see how they’ve included every politically correct “persecuted” group), the non-Jews should have done more, the non-Jews didn’t do enough, but it’s a Jewish issue. Oy veh!
When Jews engage in a blood libel against Christians and every non-Jewish European, intelligent folk would expect a backlash, would expect such blanket condemnation would be utterly rejected, and not merely require Christians to hang our heads and suffer an imposed guilt that isn’t justified any more than blaming all Jews for the Jewish Communists and Socialists whose perverted secular messianism resulted in untold deaths, mass murder, of professing Christians in Russia and Eastern Europe and around the world.
Furthermore, how did you fail to notice the blame assigned for the Holocaust that I quoted was from MEIR KAHANE, a Jew, and a reference to another article about Jewish hypocrisy concerning the Holocaust written by another RABBI? I have merely shared and agree with their historical and biblical conclusions. Why does that make you uncomfortable?
Christian agenda? How absurd. You haven’t seen any “Christian agenda” on my part, just the plain truth of the Bible and history, but your imagination has run wild if you strangely consider noting the distinction between Jews and Israelites, as recorded in the Law and the Prophets, or making references to Meir Kahane and other rabbis concerning Jewish hypocrisy and the Holocaust as “Christian agenda.” Where’s your respect for reality?
Comment by David BenAriel — September 25, 2008 @ 7:43 am
********************
Liberal Jews are a disgrace and a humiliation
Where are Jews who denounce Jewish doctrines of destruction?
Counterfeit Christianity feeds Jewish stereotypes
Jewish Blood Libel Against Christianity
Christian Zionist Orde Wingate
Miriam Weiss of Ramat Yohanan
Re: THE MAN WHO HID ANNE FRANK
And what did Kahane say about the non-Jewish world at the time, regardless of
this criticism of particular Jews?
You would do well to focus on what Kahane said about the family (and the rabbis say Jews are deserving of the leaders they get - so Kahane’s tough love, his criticism, wasn’t merely about “particular Jews”), since enough time has been wasted on wringing hands and blaming non-Jews in an attempt to extort guilt and divert attention from the shirked Jewish responsibilities. Enough is enough.
Comment by David BenAriel — September 25, 2008 @ 7:26 am
“David Ben Ariel”, the Holocaust is a Jewish issue
Double-minded Jews! The Holocaust is a Jewish issue, the Holocaust isn’t merely a Jewish issue (visit any of the many Holocaust museums and see how they’ve included every politically correct “persecuted” group), the non-Jews should have done more, the non-Jews didn’t do enough, but it’s a Jewish issue. Oy veh!
and assigning responsibility is left to Jews. Not to you.
When Jews engage in a blood libel against Christians and every non-Jewish European, intelligent folk would expect a backlash, would expect such blanket condemnation would be utterly rejected, and not merely require Christians to hang our heads and suffer an imposed guilt that isn’t justified any more than blaming all Jews for the Jewish Communists and Socialists whose perverted secular messianism resulted in untold deaths, mass murder, of professing Christians in Russia and Eastern Europe and around the world.
Furthermore, how did you fail to notice the blame assigned for the Holocaust that I quoted was from MEIR KAHANE, a Jew, and a reference to another article about Jewish hypocrisy concerning the Holocaust written by another RABBI? I have merely shared and agree with their historical and biblical conclusions. Why does that make you uncomfortable?
Please show some respect on a Jewish site and leave your Christian agenda at the
door
Christian agenda? How absurd. You haven’t seen any “Christian agenda” on my part, just the plain truth of the Bible and history, but your imagination has run wild if you strangely consider noting the distinction between Jews and Israelites, as recorded in the Law and the Prophets, or making references to Meir Kahane and other rabbis concerning Jewish hypocrisy and the Holocaust as “Christian agenda.” Where’s your respect for reality?
Comment by David BenAriel — September 25, 2008 @ 7:43 am
********************
Liberal Jews are a disgrace and a humiliation
Where are Jews who denounce Jewish doctrines of destruction?
Counterfeit Christianity feeds Jewish stereotypes
Jewish Blood Libel Against Christianity
Christian Zionist Orde Wingate
Miriam Weiss of Ramat Yohanan
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