Re: Pope Removes Ban on British Holocaust Denier Bishop
Mordechai Lewy, Israeli ambassador to the Vatican, was actually right: Israel doesn't [and shouldn't] have any intentions to interfere in the internal workings of the Catholic Church.
Now, if only the Israeli government would demand the same respect from the accursed Vatican. But how is that possible when the bloody vulture Shimon Peres (and others of his treacherous ilk) are collaborating with Babylon to undermine Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem, especially the coveted Temple Mount?
Instead of wringing hands over real or imagined holocaust-deniers (or the questionable proportion of the holocaust), and how it could throw fuel on the fires of antisemitism, let Jews use their hands productively: pack your bags and go home to Israel where you belong!
Rome's final revival is imminent and Europe's New Crusade in near.
For Zion's sake,
David Ben-Ariel
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thank Israeli Soldiers
Watch This:
************
May the Israelis thank their soldiers by voting for Ketzaleh!
May Hashem bless the lands and lives of British Israelites and Jews and Israelis with repentance, peace and righteousness, and spare us from furthering suffering due to our sins (2 Chronicles 7:14, Daniel 9:11, Malachi 4:4).
Open Europe press summary: 26 January 2009
Europe
Clarke: Worst time for the UK to join euro
PA reports that newly appointed Shadow Business Secretary Ken Clarke has sought to play down his disagreements with David Cameron over the Conservatives' EU policies. Clarke told the BBC's Andrew Marr show that: "Of course, everyone knows that I don't agree with David and my colleagues on Europe entirely and you can easily look at speeches where I've been at odds with them. But compared with recent years, I do think the euro-scepticism settled policy of the party is moderate. I don't think anybody's going to change it and I'm not going to try to change it; I accept collective responsibility on the front bench and I accept that David is going to direct policy on euro-sceptic lines." He said that if the public found that he could not work with Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne due to "past disagreements over European issues that aren't actually topical at the moment", they would think the party had "lost all sense of proportion".
Clarke later said it would be the "worst time" for Britain to consider joining the Euro. "Politically, it's not going to be on the agenda in this country for many years. It's not real and it's probably not going to be a political issue in this country during my political lifetime," he said.
The Times notes that Ken Clarke also told the show that he did not think Britain could go bankrupt: "I don't think it is a realistic possibility although I am very gloomy myself, but it's not going to be calamitous," he said. According to the article, this seemed to contradict what David Cameron said on Friday, when he warned that Britain was running the risk of having to go to the IMF for loans.
Writing in the Independent the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, argues that "The euro should never be introduced in Britain without public consent confirmed in a referendum", but that Britain must be ready to "think anew" about answers to the current financial crisis.
Independent: Clegg Times Mail FT Sun Express Telegraph
EU Commission calculates the cost of combating climate change;
UK's climate envoy calls on the Government to subsidise renewable energy projects
The FT reports on a draft Commission document, which says that containing global warming will require an additional 175bn euros in annual investment by 2020. The Commission paper, which says much of the investment will have to be borne by the developed world, proposes raising those funds by requiring developed nations to pay for their annual carbon emissions, and levying taxes on aviation and maritime transportation. It also suggests that the EU should seek to expand its emissions trading system (ETS) into a global carbon market.
The final paper will be released by the Commission on Wednesday, setting out the EU's position ahead of world climate talks in Copenhagen this December. The FT notes that EU leaders endorsed a plan in December to reduce the 27-nation bloc's greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. In the Copenhagen talks, member states and other developed countries will be urged to increase that figure to 30 percent.
The Telegraph reports that the UK's largest energy analysts, Inenco, have forecast that wholesale electricity prices will be forced up by 20 percent under the EU's ETS. On Saturday the EUReferendum blog noted that German Economy Minister Michael Glos was expressing "serious misgivings" about the ETS last week, complaining that it could cost jobs if the next phase went ahead in its current form. It also noted that the German energy giant RWE has decided to build no more new power plants in western Europe, as the ETS has rendered new projects "unprofitable".
Meanwhile, the front page of the FT notes that the economics of the world's biggest offshore wind-farm project are "on a knife-edge". The Chief Executive of Eon UK said the viability of its London Array project, a planned 1,000MW wind farm in the Thames estuary, had been called into question by the falling prices of oil, gas and carbon dioxide emissions permits.
The paper notes that the UK Government's ambitions for renewable energy are "likely to intensify pressure from the industry for a more generous subsidy scheme. A huge expansion of renewable energy is vital to plans for hitting EU targets for greenhouse gas emissions."
The Guardian notes that the Government's climate change envoy, Elliot Morley MP, has said that energy companies should be able to tap the billions of pounds of state funding being used to bail out the banks in order to create a post-recession low-carbon economy.
EU Referendum blog FT AFP EurActiv Guardian FT
Sarkozy: "We will have to struggle to win in Ireland"
In a speech to the French UMP party over the weekend, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said, "When populations say 'no', we do not have the right to argue that they are wrong...Within this 'no', there was anxiety, there was disappointment about a Europe that had become, in the eyes of Europeans, indifferent to the difficulties of their lives and which promoted values that were not theirs."
"We will have to struggle to win in Ireland. I know that I had caused some controversy when I said to our Irish friends that they would need to re-vote, but I would say to them, in the same way, that it was the whole of Europe that came to their rescue when their banks were on their knees because of the financial crisis.
"After the six months of the French Presidency of the EU, I am convinced that was has been missing in Europe is a real objective. Why would you want twenty-seven governments to renounce defending some of their national interests if we do not propose an objective that transcends these national interests?"
Meanwhile, Le Monde notes that Sarkozy has spoken about the reinvigoration of the EU under his presidency, with an EU that protects and reassures its citizens during these troubled times. According to Michel Barnier, former French Foreign Minister and of the same party as Mr Sarkozy, "Europe and the Euro have now become, according to polls, words that reassure people."
Le Monde UMP
Münchau: Common eurozone debt market "could bring substantial benefits"
Wolfgang Munchau writes in the FT that a common eurozone market for government debt "could bring substantial financial and economic benefits." He also argues that joint issuance of bonds would not constitute an infringement of the Maastricht Treaty's no bail-out clause because there could be divided liabilities, but "common issuance cannot be a quick fix for rising spreads."
Jean Pisani-Ferry, Director of Brussels-based think-tank Bruegel, writes in European Voice that if a serious crisis were to erupt in the economy of a member state, the EU could turn to the IMF but it would be "a signal that Europe is economically impotent and politically weak." He goes on to say that, "The problem is that the euro-area was built for calm waters and has relied on the power of preventive mechanisms to ward off crises."
The WSJ writes that "It is no longer fanciful to imagine that a euro-zone member might struggle to sell its bonds."
FT: Leader FT: Münchau European Voice: Pisani-Ferry EU Referendum blog WSJ WSJ 2
Spanish daily Publico today covers Open Europe's recent publication: "The hard sell: EU communication policy and the campaign for hearts and minds."
Open Europe is holding a debate entitled "EU communication policy: biased propaganda?", on Tuesday 27 January 2009 from 7 until 8.30 pm, in the offices of Libertas, Avenue de Cortenbergh 71, 1000 Brussels.
Places are limited. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Pieter Cleppe at pieter@openeurope.org.uk or on 0032 477 68 46 08
Publico Open Europe research: The hard sell: EU communication policy and the campaign for hearts and minds Open Europe events
Lisbon Treaty to face new challenge with Constitutional Court in the Czech RepublicPrague Daily Monitor reports that several senators of the ruling Civic Democratic Party (ODS) plan to challenge the Lisbon Treaty again in the Czech Constitutional Court. The Chairwoman of the Constitutional Commission in the Senate, Jirina Rippelova said that a complaint against the Lisbon Treaty can be lodged only after the Treaty is approved by both houses of parliament. She noted that either 17 senators or 41 deputies or the President are needed to lodge a complaint, saying that she expects Czech President Vaclav Klaus to "definitely do so." Today, the Czech President will present a book he has written which is critical of the Lisbon Treaty, reports ABC Prague.
The News of the World reported on Vaclav Klaus' vow that during its EU Presidency "The Czech government will not lead Europe to an ever-closer union". Open Europe Director Lorraine Mullally was quoted welcoming the comments and saying "Out of 27 EU leaders he was the only one to respect the Irish 'no' vote. Gordon Brown and the others could do with taking a leaf out of his book."
Prague Daily Monitor Prague Daily Monitor 2 ABC Prague Eurotopics Respekt
UK taxpayers could be called on to bailout struggling EU states
The Mail on Sunday reported that the UK could be forced to contribute money to rescue countries in economic crisis, because of a clause in the EU treaties which gives the EU Commission the power to propose bailing out a state in "severe difficulties." Such help could be agreed by a majority vote meaning Britain would not have a veto. According to the paper "Britain disliked the proposal when it came up for negotiation and the Conservatives opposed it, but the Government gave way and agreed."
Financial Advice
On her blog, Mary Ellen Synon, argues that former Spanish PM José Maria Aznar is too honest to be a politician in Brussels for admitting, "I do not think it is a good idea to make a country re-vote [on the Lisbon Treaty] if it has said No until it says Yes."
Mail: Synon blog
The Mail on Sunday reported that more than two dozen civil servants enjoyed a £10,000 junket when last week's meeting of Permanent Secretaries was moved from Whitehall to Brussels. A Cabinet spokesperson said: "It is more important than ever that we work closely with our EU partners... This is a valuable opportunity for us to influence the EU agenda."
No link
Polish Foreign Minister: EU and Nato suffering from enlargement fatigue
The Telegraph reports that Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski has said that Nato is suffering from 'enlargement fatigue' and has no will to admit Georgia or Ukraine. Asked whether the will to admit Ukraine and Georgia existed, he replied: "Not at the moment. At the moment, there's a will to encourage them to reform themselves. But I believe all of our institutions, both the EU and Nato, suffer from enlargement fatigue."
Telegraph Telegraph: Leader
German Foreign Minister to present proposal for keeping cease-fire in Gaza
The IHT reports that in a desire to see the EU play a more active role in the Middle East, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to present proposals to strengthen the cease-fire in Gaza to his EU counterparts. One of the points in his proposal is to seek "a possible EU role with regard to the opening of Gaza-Israel crossing points."
IHT EurActiv Deutsche Welle
Icelandic economist's warning about joining the EU as country's government crisis grows
In an interview reported by Libération, Gunnar Haraldsson, Director of the Institute of Economic Studies in Iceland, warned that "Entering the EU would notably damage our fishing industry, which is one of the most profitable in the world." Meanwhile, Iceland's Commerce Minister has resigned amid rolling protests in recent weeks demanding the resignation of the government because of its handling of the economic crisis. The Icelandic Prime Minister has called early elections, saying he will step down in May.
Libération EUobserver WSJ
EU to create 185m euro milk dune
The Irish Sunday Independent reported that the EU is going to spend 69 million euros buying up 30,000 tonnes of butter to throw into storage. It will also spend more than 185 million euros to create a milk dune by buying up 109,000 tonnes of milk powder. The paper reported, "Figures from Europe show that it still maintains a ridiculously large 717,810 tonnes of cereal and grain, 41,442 tonnes of sugar and 2.3 million hectolitres of ghastly cheap wine."
Irish Independent
EU removes Iranian Mujahideen Movement from its terror list
The European Court of Justice has ruled that the People's Mujahideen Movement in Iran should be struck off the EU's list of terrorist organisations. A number of EU countries are, however, thinking of contesting the ruling. Iran has also objected to the removal of this organisation from the EU's list, since it is an opponent of the Iranian theocratic regime.
Bloomberg EUobserver Le Monde European Voice
EU hesitant to accept former Guantanamo prisoners
On his BBC blog, Mark Mardell writes that the first test of European leaders' support for President Obama may come today when EU foreign ministers meet and discuss the Portuguese proposal to house some of the Guantanamo Bay prisoners who cannot return home when the prison closes. Britain is so far the only EU country to have taken former detainees.
Le Figaro reports that the EU has not yet presented a common voice on what to do with former prisoners and PA quotes UK Labour MEP and human rights campaigner Richard Howitt arguing that, "There is clear precedent for a common EU stand on taking in non-nationals, and this is the time for Europe again to demonstrate its unity as well as its commitment."
Guardian European Voice BBC: Mardell blog Belga Welt Le Figaro
Details of MEPs' attendance in Parliamentary meetings are to be published on the European Parliament's website before the European elections in June, according to EurActiv.
EurActiv
UK Defence Secretary John Hutton has warned European countries to "step up to the plate" in Afghanistan. He said: "It is a fundamental test of Nato's resolve. We must prevail. It's time to stand up and be counted. European members of Nato have not done enough."
News of the World
The European Commission has suggested forming a special group to help solve the lengthy Croatia-Slovenia border dispute.
EUobserver Eurotopics
The Bulgarian parliament has given the government the go-ahead to start talks with the European Commission to restart two reactors at its nuclear power plant in Kozloduy.
European Voice
UK
A ComRes survey for the Independent puts the Conservatives on 43% (up four points on last month), Labour on 28% (down six), and the Liberal Democrats on 16% (unchanged).
Independent Independent: Leader
In the Sunday Express Neil Hamilton argued that Ken Clarke is "hopeless" on the gut issues that matter in politics.
Sunday Express
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Clarke: Worst time for the UK to join euro
PA reports that newly appointed Shadow Business Secretary Ken Clarke has sought to play down his disagreements with David Cameron over the Conservatives' EU policies. Clarke told the BBC's Andrew Marr show that: "Of course, everyone knows that I don't agree with David and my colleagues on Europe entirely and you can easily look at speeches where I've been at odds with them. But compared with recent years, I do think the euro-scepticism settled policy of the party is moderate. I don't think anybody's going to change it and I'm not going to try to change it; I accept collective responsibility on the front bench and I accept that David is going to direct policy on euro-sceptic lines." He said that if the public found that he could not work with Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne due to "past disagreements over European issues that aren't actually topical at the moment", they would think the party had "lost all sense of proportion".
Clarke later said it would be the "worst time" for Britain to consider joining the Euro. "Politically, it's not going to be on the agenda in this country for many years. It's not real and it's probably not going to be a political issue in this country during my political lifetime," he said.
The Times notes that Ken Clarke also told the show that he did not think Britain could go bankrupt: "I don't think it is a realistic possibility although I am very gloomy myself, but it's not going to be calamitous," he said. According to the article, this seemed to contradict what David Cameron said on Friday, when he warned that Britain was running the risk of having to go to the IMF for loans.
Writing in the Independent the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, argues that "The euro should never be introduced in Britain without public consent confirmed in a referendum", but that Britain must be ready to "think anew" about answers to the current financial crisis.
Independent: Clegg Times Mail FT Sun Express Telegraph
EU Commission calculates the cost of combating climate change;
UK's climate envoy calls on the Government to subsidise renewable energy projects
The FT reports on a draft Commission document, which says that containing global warming will require an additional 175bn euros in annual investment by 2020. The Commission paper, which says much of the investment will have to be borne by the developed world, proposes raising those funds by requiring developed nations to pay for their annual carbon emissions, and levying taxes on aviation and maritime transportation. It also suggests that the EU should seek to expand its emissions trading system (ETS) into a global carbon market.
The final paper will be released by the Commission on Wednesday, setting out the EU's position ahead of world climate talks in Copenhagen this December. The FT notes that EU leaders endorsed a plan in December to reduce the 27-nation bloc's greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. In the Copenhagen talks, member states and other developed countries will be urged to increase that figure to 30 percent.
The Telegraph reports that the UK's largest energy analysts, Inenco, have forecast that wholesale electricity prices will be forced up by 20 percent under the EU's ETS. On Saturday the EUReferendum blog noted that German Economy Minister Michael Glos was expressing "serious misgivings" about the ETS last week, complaining that it could cost jobs if the next phase went ahead in its current form. It also noted that the German energy giant RWE has decided to build no more new power plants in western Europe, as the ETS has rendered new projects "unprofitable".
Meanwhile, the front page of the FT notes that the economics of the world's biggest offshore wind-farm project are "on a knife-edge". The Chief Executive of Eon UK said the viability of its London Array project, a planned 1,000MW wind farm in the Thames estuary, had been called into question by the falling prices of oil, gas and carbon dioxide emissions permits.
The paper notes that the UK Government's ambitions for renewable energy are "likely to intensify pressure from the industry for a more generous subsidy scheme. A huge expansion of renewable energy is vital to plans for hitting EU targets for greenhouse gas emissions."
The Guardian notes that the Government's climate change envoy, Elliot Morley MP, has said that energy companies should be able to tap the billions of pounds of state funding being used to bail out the banks in order to create a post-recession low-carbon economy.
EU Referendum blog FT AFP EurActiv Guardian FT
Sarkozy: "We will have to struggle to win in Ireland"
In a speech to the French UMP party over the weekend, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said, "When populations say 'no', we do not have the right to argue that they are wrong...Within this 'no', there was anxiety, there was disappointment about a Europe that had become, in the eyes of Europeans, indifferent to the difficulties of their lives and which promoted values that were not theirs."
"We will have to struggle to win in Ireland. I know that I had caused some controversy when I said to our Irish friends that they would need to re-vote, but I would say to them, in the same way, that it was the whole of Europe that came to their rescue when their banks were on their knees because of the financial crisis.
"After the six months of the French Presidency of the EU, I am convinced that was has been missing in Europe is a real objective. Why would you want twenty-seven governments to renounce defending some of their national interests if we do not propose an objective that transcends these national interests?"
Meanwhile, Le Monde notes that Sarkozy has spoken about the reinvigoration of the EU under his presidency, with an EU that protects and reassures its citizens during these troubled times. According to Michel Barnier, former French Foreign Minister and of the same party as Mr Sarkozy, "Europe and the Euro have now become, according to polls, words that reassure people."
Le Monde UMP
Münchau: Common eurozone debt market "could bring substantial benefits"
Wolfgang Munchau writes in the FT that a common eurozone market for government debt "could bring substantial financial and economic benefits." He also argues that joint issuance of bonds would not constitute an infringement of the Maastricht Treaty's no bail-out clause because there could be divided liabilities, but "common issuance cannot be a quick fix for rising spreads."
Jean Pisani-Ferry, Director of Brussels-based think-tank Bruegel, writes in European Voice that if a serious crisis were to erupt in the economy of a member state, the EU could turn to the IMF but it would be "a signal that Europe is economically impotent and politically weak." He goes on to say that, "The problem is that the euro-area was built for calm waters and has relied on the power of preventive mechanisms to ward off crises."
The WSJ writes that "It is no longer fanciful to imagine that a euro-zone member might struggle to sell its bonds."
FT: Leader FT: Münchau European Voice: Pisani-Ferry EU Referendum blog WSJ WSJ 2
Spanish daily Publico today covers Open Europe's recent publication: "The hard sell: EU communication policy and the campaign for hearts and minds."
Open Europe is holding a debate entitled "EU communication policy: biased propaganda?", on Tuesday 27 January 2009 from 7 until 8.30 pm, in the offices of Libertas, Avenue de Cortenbergh 71, 1000 Brussels.
Places are limited. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Pieter Cleppe at pieter@openeurope.org.uk or on 0032 477 68 46 08
Publico Open Europe research: The hard sell: EU communication policy and the campaign for hearts and minds Open Europe events
Lisbon Treaty to face new challenge with Constitutional Court in the Czech RepublicPrague Daily Monitor reports that several senators of the ruling Civic Democratic Party (ODS) plan to challenge the Lisbon Treaty again in the Czech Constitutional Court. The Chairwoman of the Constitutional Commission in the Senate, Jirina Rippelova said that a complaint against the Lisbon Treaty can be lodged only after the Treaty is approved by both houses of parliament. She noted that either 17 senators or 41 deputies or the President are needed to lodge a complaint, saying that she expects Czech President Vaclav Klaus to "definitely do so." Today, the Czech President will present a book he has written which is critical of the Lisbon Treaty, reports ABC Prague.
The News of the World reported on Vaclav Klaus' vow that during its EU Presidency "The Czech government will not lead Europe to an ever-closer union". Open Europe Director Lorraine Mullally was quoted welcoming the comments and saying "Out of 27 EU leaders he was the only one to respect the Irish 'no' vote. Gordon Brown and the others could do with taking a leaf out of his book."
Prague Daily Monitor Prague Daily Monitor 2 ABC Prague Eurotopics Respekt
UK taxpayers could be called on to bailout struggling EU states
The Mail on Sunday reported that the UK could be forced to contribute money to rescue countries in economic crisis, because of a clause in the EU treaties which gives the EU Commission the power to propose bailing out a state in "severe difficulties." Such help could be agreed by a majority vote meaning Britain would not have a veto. According to the paper "Britain disliked the proposal when it came up for negotiation and the Conservatives opposed it, but the Government gave way and agreed."
Financial Advice
On her blog, Mary Ellen Synon, argues that former Spanish PM José Maria Aznar is too honest to be a politician in Brussels for admitting, "I do not think it is a good idea to make a country re-vote [on the Lisbon Treaty] if it has said No until it says Yes."
Mail: Synon blog
The Mail on Sunday reported that more than two dozen civil servants enjoyed a £10,000 junket when last week's meeting of Permanent Secretaries was moved from Whitehall to Brussels. A Cabinet spokesperson said: "It is more important than ever that we work closely with our EU partners... This is a valuable opportunity for us to influence the EU agenda."
No link
Polish Foreign Minister: EU and Nato suffering from enlargement fatigue
The Telegraph reports that Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski has said that Nato is suffering from 'enlargement fatigue' and has no will to admit Georgia or Ukraine. Asked whether the will to admit Ukraine and Georgia existed, he replied: "Not at the moment. At the moment, there's a will to encourage them to reform themselves. But I believe all of our institutions, both the EU and Nato, suffer from enlargement fatigue."
Telegraph Telegraph: Leader
German Foreign Minister to present proposal for keeping cease-fire in Gaza
The IHT reports that in a desire to see the EU play a more active role in the Middle East, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to present proposals to strengthen the cease-fire in Gaza to his EU counterparts. One of the points in his proposal is to seek "a possible EU role with regard to the opening of Gaza-Israel crossing points."
IHT EurActiv Deutsche Welle
Icelandic economist's warning about joining the EU as country's government crisis grows
In an interview reported by Libération, Gunnar Haraldsson, Director of the Institute of Economic Studies in Iceland, warned that "Entering the EU would notably damage our fishing industry, which is one of the most profitable in the world." Meanwhile, Iceland's Commerce Minister has resigned amid rolling protests in recent weeks demanding the resignation of the government because of its handling of the economic crisis. The Icelandic Prime Minister has called early elections, saying he will step down in May.
Libération EUobserver WSJ
EU to create 185m euro milk dune
The Irish Sunday Independent reported that the EU is going to spend 69 million euros buying up 30,000 tonnes of butter to throw into storage. It will also spend more than 185 million euros to create a milk dune by buying up 109,000 tonnes of milk powder. The paper reported, "Figures from Europe show that it still maintains a ridiculously large 717,810 tonnes of cereal and grain, 41,442 tonnes of sugar and 2.3 million hectolitres of ghastly cheap wine."
Irish Independent
EU removes Iranian Mujahideen Movement from its terror list
The European Court of Justice has ruled that the People's Mujahideen Movement in Iran should be struck off the EU's list of terrorist organisations. A number of EU countries are, however, thinking of contesting the ruling. Iran has also objected to the removal of this organisation from the EU's list, since it is an opponent of the Iranian theocratic regime.
Bloomberg EUobserver Le Monde European Voice
EU hesitant to accept former Guantanamo prisoners
On his BBC blog, Mark Mardell writes that the first test of European leaders' support for President Obama may come today when EU foreign ministers meet and discuss the Portuguese proposal to house some of the Guantanamo Bay prisoners who cannot return home when the prison closes. Britain is so far the only EU country to have taken former detainees.
Le Figaro reports that the EU has not yet presented a common voice on what to do with former prisoners and PA quotes UK Labour MEP and human rights campaigner Richard Howitt arguing that, "There is clear precedent for a common EU stand on taking in non-nationals, and this is the time for Europe again to demonstrate its unity as well as its commitment."
Guardian European Voice BBC: Mardell blog Belga Welt Le Figaro
Details of MEPs' attendance in Parliamentary meetings are to be published on the European Parliament's website before the European elections in June, according to EurActiv.
EurActiv
UK Defence Secretary John Hutton has warned European countries to "step up to the plate" in Afghanistan. He said: "It is a fundamental test of Nato's resolve. We must prevail. It's time to stand up and be counted. European members of Nato have not done enough."
News of the World
The European Commission has suggested forming a special group to help solve the lengthy Croatia-Slovenia border dispute.
EUobserver Eurotopics
The Bulgarian parliament has given the government the go-ahead to start talks with the European Commission to restart two reactors at its nuclear power plant in Kozloduy.
European Voice
UK
A ComRes survey for the Independent puts the Conservatives on 43% (up four points on last month), Labour on 28% (down six), and the Liberal Democrats on 16% (unchanged).
Independent Independent: Leader
In the Sunday Express Neil Hamilton argued that Ken Clarke is "hopeless" on the gut issues that matter in politics.
Sunday Express
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Speaking Terms
Speaking Terms
Now that the Main Stream Media has treated the world to a picture of Israel as out-of-control, inhumane, and indifferent to civilian casualties ...they'll be gearing up to cover the visit of President Obama's envoy to the area ...and the search for "peace". A good reason to revisit the Naive Newsman and his attempt to be accepted as a professional journalist.
-Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973
Containment Course (Gaza and Iran)
Containment Course (Gaza and Iran)
GAZA/BERLIN/TEHERAN(Own report) - The German government is resolutely pressing for rapid deployment of German repressive forces at the border of the Gaza Strip. In Berlin one has been hearing for days that a "team of experts" of the German federal police is ready to fly to the Middle East. Up to now, Egypt has refused to relinquish its sovereignty and allow German "advisors" to be involved in its border controls. The German Foreign Ministry's more far-reaching demand for a German military mission in Gaza, has also not been approved by the local authorities. But because of the struggle with Iran over hegemony, the German government is very attentive to questions of reconstruction. In the aftermath of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon in 2006, Teheran rendered tangible support to the local reconstruction effort and thereby, won sympathy. This runs contrary to Western Middle East policy and, if Berlin has its way, will not be repeated in the Gaza Strip. Government advisors are working out strategies for prohibiting the rise of Iran to become a leading Middle Eastern power, even beyond the current crisis.
Ready to Fly
The German government has reinforced its efforts to have German repressive forces sent to the Gaza Strip or to its borders. Just a few days ago, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gernot Erler (SPD), asserted that if both parties to the conflict agree, one should "seriously consider" the deployment of German soldiers in Gaza.[1] This "agreement" has not been forthcoming. Berlin is simultaneously seeking to obtain the accord for sending federal police officers to Gaza's borders. Since last week, one has been hearing almost daily that a "team of experts" is ready to fly. The Undersecretary of State in charge, August Hanning, is emphatically negotiating with the heads of the secret services of Egypt, Jordan and Israel, among others. Hanning was successful in effecting an exchange of prisoners between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah, already during his term of office as the President of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service. Egypt is still unwilling to allow German interference in its sovereign actions along its borders.
Against Iran
Berlin sees its deployment of police and customs officials in Lebanon as its model. Whereas the German Navy is using its deployment off the Lebanese coast under UN flag - UNIFIL - to setup a radar system - complete with command headquarters - for the surveillance of the country's maritime borders, in a second step, the German government has deployed officers along the Lebanese borders with Syria.[2] Still today, German federal police officers are actively "advising" Lebanese personnel. Also in this case, the official objective is the prevention of an influx of undesirable weapons, whose origin, as in Gaza, is thought to be Iran. Teheran is seeking both by way of the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas, to enhance its influence along the Mediterranean and is financially supporting them. But this does not mean a unilateral dependency. According to American sources, Hamas receives considerable financial assistance also from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Winner of the War
In its struggle with Iran over hegemony, the German government is now also intensifying its efforts for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. This is a lesson drawn from experiences with the Lebanon war, where soon after the end of the war in the summer of 2006, the reconstruction was already booming - with the help of Hezbollah's personnel and Iran's finances. Before long, Iranian companies were even participating in the reconstruction. Western political advisors have raised strong criticisms, not least of all, because of the sympathy Teheran won through these efforts. Already in September 2006, the Center for Applied Policy Research (CAP), in Munich analyzed the situation as follows: "at the moment, it seems evident that there was but one winner of the military confrontation between Israel and the Hezbollah, the Islamic Republic of Iran."[3]
Reconstruction Competition
To prevent a similar development in the Gaza Strip - Teheran has already earmarked aid measures for the population of Gaza - the German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has announced considerable activities to be undertaken by Germany and the EU. Berlin has already augmented this year's humanitarian aid budget from twelve to thirteen million Euros. Humanitarian aide and reconstruction measures constitute 2 aspects of the five point plan, which, in Steinmeier's eyes, forms the basis for the EU to intervene in the Gaza Strip. According to these guidelines, Berlin and Brussels would not only be furnishing emergency aid, but also organizing a reconstruction conference around the elimination of the war damage and not leave the benefits in prestige to Teheran.[4]
Strategic Partner
Saudi Arabia has already announced a US $1 billion donation for the reconstruction of Gaza.[5] Berlin's government advisors are recommending a closer cooperation with that country. Since the war waged by the US has eliminated Iraq, as an independent power factor in the Middle East area of resources, Iran's influence has persistently grown. This development is seen with disapproval by the Saudi rulers. "The containment of the Iranian hegemonic ambitions, not just in the Gulf region, but also in Palestinian areas, in Lebanon and in Syria has become Saudi Arabia's most important regional political objective," summarizes the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, suggesting a German-Saudi common approach to dealing with Teheran.[6] The aim is to limit Iran's influence, because Iran, as a predominating power at the Persian Gulf, would be able to tighten controls over the area's resources and make Western access more difficult. At the same time, Teheran should not be alienated, because it has its own wealth of resources. "The clever linkage of a course of containment with repeated offers of cooperation," writes the SWP, "could be the basis of a common Iran strategy for Americans, Europeans and pro-Western Arab states."
[1] "Einseitige Debatte völlig unverständlich"; Süddeutsche Zeitung 09.01.2009. See also Balance of Weaknesses and Margin of Maneuver in the Middle East
[2] Unterstützung für den Libanon wird fortgesetzt; www.auswaertiges-amt.de 01.06.2008. See also Zur Zusammenarbeit bringen and Independent Presence
[3] Nicola Pedde: Das iranische Dilemma; www.cap-lmu.de
[4] Gaza: Steinmeier schlägt Europäischen Arbeitsplan vor; www.auswaertiges-amt.de 20.01.2009
[5] Saudi-Arabien spendet eine Milliarde Dollar; Süddeutsche Zeitung 20.01.2009
[6] Guido Steinberg: Saudi-Arabien als Partner deutscher Nahostpolitik; SWP-Studie S 35, Dezember 2008
*********
The German-Jesuit EU hides behind Jewish shields and Roman wolves in sheep's clothing.
Europe to Take Out Iran For Jerusalem
As the United States called upon Israel to become their virtual protectorate during Operation Desert Storm, the European Union will offer Israel guarantees of peace and security. Europe, not the overextended and highly inflated United States, will take out Iran.
The German-EU threat to Israel
Jerusalem Under Siege!
Dangerous German Ambitions
GAZA/BERLIN/TEHERAN(Own report) - The German government is resolutely pressing for rapid deployment of German repressive forces at the border of the Gaza Strip. In Berlin one has been hearing for days that a "team of experts" of the German federal police is ready to fly to the Middle East. Up to now, Egypt has refused to relinquish its sovereignty and allow German "advisors" to be involved in its border controls. The German Foreign Ministry's more far-reaching demand for a German military mission in Gaza, has also not been approved by the local authorities. But because of the struggle with Iran over hegemony, the German government is very attentive to questions of reconstruction. In the aftermath of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon in 2006, Teheran rendered tangible support to the local reconstruction effort and thereby, won sympathy. This runs contrary to Western Middle East policy and, if Berlin has its way, will not be repeated in the Gaza Strip. Government advisors are working out strategies for prohibiting the rise of Iran to become a leading Middle Eastern power, even beyond the current crisis.
Ready to Fly
The German government has reinforced its efforts to have German repressive forces sent to the Gaza Strip or to its borders. Just a few days ago, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gernot Erler (SPD), asserted that if both parties to the conflict agree, one should "seriously consider" the deployment of German soldiers in Gaza.[1] This "agreement" has not been forthcoming. Berlin is simultaneously seeking to obtain the accord for sending federal police officers to Gaza's borders. Since last week, one has been hearing almost daily that a "team of experts" is ready to fly. The Undersecretary of State in charge, August Hanning, is emphatically negotiating with the heads of the secret services of Egypt, Jordan and Israel, among others. Hanning was successful in effecting an exchange of prisoners between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah, already during his term of office as the President of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service. Egypt is still unwilling to allow German interference in its sovereign actions along its borders.
Against Iran
Berlin sees its deployment of police and customs officials in Lebanon as its model. Whereas the German Navy is using its deployment off the Lebanese coast under UN flag - UNIFIL - to setup a radar system - complete with command headquarters - for the surveillance of the country's maritime borders, in a second step, the German government has deployed officers along the Lebanese borders with Syria.[2] Still today, German federal police officers are actively "advising" Lebanese personnel. Also in this case, the official objective is the prevention of an influx of undesirable weapons, whose origin, as in Gaza, is thought to be Iran. Teheran is seeking both by way of the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas, to enhance its influence along the Mediterranean and is financially supporting them. But this does not mean a unilateral dependency. According to American sources, Hamas receives considerable financial assistance also from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Winner of the War
In its struggle with Iran over hegemony, the German government is now also intensifying its efforts for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. This is a lesson drawn from experiences with the Lebanon war, where soon after the end of the war in the summer of 2006, the reconstruction was already booming - with the help of Hezbollah's personnel and Iran's finances. Before long, Iranian companies were even participating in the reconstruction. Western political advisors have raised strong criticisms, not least of all, because of the sympathy Teheran won through these efforts. Already in September 2006, the Center for Applied Policy Research (CAP), in Munich analyzed the situation as follows: "at the moment, it seems evident that there was but one winner of the military confrontation between Israel and the Hezbollah, the Islamic Republic of Iran."[3]
Reconstruction Competition
To prevent a similar development in the Gaza Strip - Teheran has already earmarked aid measures for the population of Gaza - the German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has announced considerable activities to be undertaken by Germany and the EU. Berlin has already augmented this year's humanitarian aid budget from twelve to thirteen million Euros. Humanitarian aide and reconstruction measures constitute 2 aspects of the five point plan, which, in Steinmeier's eyes, forms the basis for the EU to intervene in the Gaza Strip. According to these guidelines, Berlin and Brussels would not only be furnishing emergency aid, but also organizing a reconstruction conference around the elimination of the war damage and not leave the benefits in prestige to Teheran.[4]
Strategic Partner
Saudi Arabia has already announced a US $1 billion donation for the reconstruction of Gaza.[5] Berlin's government advisors are recommending a closer cooperation with that country. Since the war waged by the US has eliminated Iraq, as an independent power factor in the Middle East area of resources, Iran's influence has persistently grown. This development is seen with disapproval by the Saudi rulers. "The containment of the Iranian hegemonic ambitions, not just in the Gulf region, but also in Palestinian areas, in Lebanon and in Syria has become Saudi Arabia's most important regional political objective," summarizes the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, suggesting a German-Saudi common approach to dealing with Teheran.[6] The aim is to limit Iran's influence, because Iran, as a predominating power at the Persian Gulf, would be able to tighten controls over the area's resources and make Western access more difficult. At the same time, Teheran should not be alienated, because it has its own wealth of resources. "The clever linkage of a course of containment with repeated offers of cooperation," writes the SWP, "could be the basis of a common Iran strategy for Americans, Europeans and pro-Western Arab states."
[1] "Einseitige Debatte völlig unverständlich"; Süddeutsche Zeitung 09.01.2009. See also Balance of Weaknesses and Margin of Maneuver in the Middle East
[2] Unterstützung für den Libanon wird fortgesetzt; www.auswaertiges-amt.de 01.06.2008. See also Zur Zusammenarbeit bringen and Independent Presence
[3] Nicola Pedde: Das iranische Dilemma; www.cap-lmu.de
[4] Gaza: Steinmeier schlägt Europäischen Arbeitsplan vor; www.auswaertiges-amt.de 20.01.2009
[5] Saudi-Arabien spendet eine Milliarde Dollar; Süddeutsche Zeitung 20.01.2009
[6] Guido Steinberg: Saudi-Arabien als Partner deutscher Nahostpolitik; SWP-Studie S 35, Dezember 2008
*********
The German-Jesuit EU hides behind Jewish shields and Roman wolves in sheep's clothing.
Europe to Take Out Iran For Jerusalem
As the United States called upon Israel to become their virtual protectorate during Operation Desert Storm, the European Union will offer Israel guarantees of peace and security. Europe, not the overextended and highly inflated United States, will take out Iran.
The German-EU threat to Israel
Jerusalem Under Siege!
Dangerous German Ambitions
None dare call it a coup
Obama's African Coup in America
How will the president usurper act when they come to take him away? When the Constitution is again upheld and the laws of this land he has shown contempt for enforced? The fraud and foreigner, the African Obama, aided and abetted by treacherous politicians, justices, and conservative cowards, has led a coup against the Constitution of the United States.
Usurper Obama's coup is a dark episode in our American history, a black day in America, but it will soon be history, as justice demands. If acting president Barack Hussein Obama is not a fraud and a foreigner, a usurper, let him prove he is a natural born citizen and settle this case once and for all. Otherwise he remains illegitimate and none of his decisions binding, but rendered null and void as unconstitutional.
Imagine the first presidential library where they refuse to show an original birth certificate but present a dubious copy or cheap certification! Obama's records in the United States and Kenya are SEALED. What's Obama hiding?
The Obama emperor has no clothes - and some of us won't let folks forget it! No justice, no peace. We'll cry aloud and spare not until the might of right prevails, so help us God.
Demand proof Obama's a natural born citizen!
The people "have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge-- I mean of the character and conduct of their rulers."
-- John Adams (1735-1826)
If Obama is the usurper he appears to be, America has a BIG PROBLEM - regardless of whether or not those who have been Obamatized grasp the seriousness of the situation or others (who amount to conservative cowards) are afraid to state the emperor has no clothes.
Either Obama is a legitimate natural born citizen or he is a president usurper who needs to be dealt with swiftly, as the law of the land demands.
Every legitimate American must write and/or call their *representatives and demand proof Obama is a natural born citizen.
"It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brush fires of freedom in the minds of men." -- Samuel Adams (1722-1803)
David Ben-Ariel
*Click here to contact your elected officials
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Defend Geert Wilders and Freedom of Speech
Geert Wilders embattled Dutch PVV leader
The International Free Press Society
http://www.internationalfreepresssociety.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Defend Geert Wilders and Freedom of Speech
For more information, contact:
lhedegaard@freepressmonitor.com
Lars Hedegaard
President, IFPS
dwest@freepressmonitor.com
Diana West
Vice President
(301) 466-0248
January 22, 2009 - Washington, DC and Copenhagen, Denmark: A Dutch court yesterday ordered the criminal prosecution of Geert Wilders, Dutch parliamentarian and leader of the Freedom Party (PVV), for his statements - written, spoken and filmed -regarding Islam. The Amsterdam Court of Appeals has deemed such statements "insulting," declaring that they "substantially harm the religious esteem" of Muslims.
Clearly, the effect of this Dutch court order is to set new limits to public debate in Dutch society, in this case about the highly controversial but nonetheless crucially important subject of Islam. This makes the prosecution of Geert Wilders an unacceptable breach of the sanctity of freedom of speech in Western society.
Having ordered a criminal prosecution for the opinions of a duly elected leader of a legitimate political party, Dutch authorities have dealt a devastating blow to political expression. While Dutch prosecutors prepare their indictment and Geert Wilders' future hangs in limbo, who in The Netherlands will dare discuss political and cultural matters related to Islam - Islamic law, Islamic integration, Islamic crime, Islamic policy - openly, freely and fearlessly? The chilling effect is instantaneous. If, indeed, Wilders is ultimately convicted, free speech will cease to exist in the heart of Europe.
The International Free Press Society believes this court-ordered prosecution against Geert Wilders, a central figure in the fight against the Islamization of the West, amounts to a dangerous concession to the strictures of Islamic law, which prohibits all criticism of Islam, over Western traditions of, and rights to robust and unfettered debate. As such, it is tantamount to a surrender to totalitarian influences that undermine all Western freedoms. And as such, it must be resisted.
It is important to recall recent history. Two Dutchmen, Pim Fortuyn and Theo van Gogh, have been murdered for their outspoken opposition to Islamization in The Netherlands. Another Dutch politician, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, has been infamously forced into exile. Wilders alone now carries this debate over Islam in Dutch society forward - forcefully but logically, outspokenly but reasonably, and always peacefully. In order to do so, this member of Dutch parliament lives in a virtual prison, consigned to 24-hour guard by Islamic death threats against his life. Now, Dutch authorities have ordered him to be prosecuted for the Orwellian crime of committing "insulting" words.
As Wilders puts it, "If I have to stand trial, I will not stand trial alone, but also with the hundreds of thousands of Dutch people who reject the Islamization of The Netherlands." He will also stand trial with those in The Netherlands and beyond who reject government prosecutions of free speech. In recognition of this this dire situation, the IFPS immediately calls on every supporter of free speech to come to the aid of Geert Wilders.To assist in this effort, the IFPS has launched an international campaign in defense of Geert Wilders and his freedom of speech.
To support these efforts, we urge you to contribute to the Geert Wilders Defense Fund. Donation information can be found at the IFPS website at www.internationalfreepresssociety.org
We also urge defenders of free speech to sign this letter of protest against the Dutch Government
http://www.petitiononline.com/wilders/petition.html
Lars Hedegaard
President of the IFPS
lhedegaard@freepressmonitor.com
Diana West
Vice President
dwest@freepressmonitor.com
* * *
The International Free Press Society was established on January 1, 2009.
Read our Policy Statement here
http://www.sappho.dk/the-international-free-press-society-policy-statement.htm
The IFPS Board of Advisors
Asger Aamund
Bat Ye'or
Stephen Coughlin
Rachel Ehrenfeld
David Harris
Ole Hasselbalch
Hans Jansen
Ehsan Jami
Ibn Warraq
Philippe Karsenty
Roger Kimball
Ezra Levant
Andrew C. McCarthy
Nidra Poller
Kathy Shaidle
Roger Scruton
Robert Spencer
Mark Steyn
Allen West
Geert Wilders
The IFPS Board of Directors
Lars Hedegaard, President
Diana West, Vice President
Christine Brim. Secretary
Bjorn Larsen, Treasurer
Edward May, Outreach Coordinator
Paul Belien, Sergeant at Arms
The International Free Press Society
http://www.internationalfreepresssociety.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Defend Geert Wilders and Freedom of Speech
For more information, contact:
lhedegaard@freepressmonitor.com
Lars Hedegaard
President, IFPS
dwest@freepressmonitor.com
Diana West
Vice President
(301) 466-0248
January 22, 2009 - Washington, DC and Copenhagen, Denmark: A Dutch court yesterday ordered the criminal prosecution of Geert Wilders, Dutch parliamentarian and leader of the Freedom Party (PVV), for his statements - written, spoken and filmed -regarding Islam. The Amsterdam Court of Appeals has deemed such statements "insulting," declaring that they "substantially harm the religious esteem" of Muslims.
Clearly, the effect of this Dutch court order is to set new limits to public debate in Dutch society, in this case about the highly controversial but nonetheless crucially important subject of Islam. This makes the prosecution of Geert Wilders an unacceptable breach of the sanctity of freedom of speech in Western society.
Having ordered a criminal prosecution for the opinions of a duly elected leader of a legitimate political party, Dutch authorities have dealt a devastating blow to political expression. While Dutch prosecutors prepare their indictment and Geert Wilders' future hangs in limbo, who in The Netherlands will dare discuss political and cultural matters related to Islam - Islamic law, Islamic integration, Islamic crime, Islamic policy - openly, freely and fearlessly? The chilling effect is instantaneous. If, indeed, Wilders is ultimately convicted, free speech will cease to exist in the heart of Europe.
The International Free Press Society believes this court-ordered prosecution against Geert Wilders, a central figure in the fight against the Islamization of the West, amounts to a dangerous concession to the strictures of Islamic law, which prohibits all criticism of Islam, over Western traditions of, and rights to robust and unfettered debate. As such, it is tantamount to a surrender to totalitarian influences that undermine all Western freedoms. And as such, it must be resisted.
It is important to recall recent history. Two Dutchmen, Pim Fortuyn and Theo van Gogh, have been murdered for their outspoken opposition to Islamization in The Netherlands. Another Dutch politician, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, has been infamously forced into exile. Wilders alone now carries this debate over Islam in Dutch society forward - forcefully but logically, outspokenly but reasonably, and always peacefully. In order to do so, this member of Dutch parliament lives in a virtual prison, consigned to 24-hour guard by Islamic death threats against his life. Now, Dutch authorities have ordered him to be prosecuted for the Orwellian crime of committing "insulting" words.
As Wilders puts it, "If I have to stand trial, I will not stand trial alone, but also with the hundreds of thousands of Dutch people who reject the Islamization of The Netherlands." He will also stand trial with those in The Netherlands and beyond who reject government prosecutions of free speech. In recognition of this this dire situation, the IFPS immediately calls on every supporter of free speech to come to the aid of Geert Wilders.To assist in this effort, the IFPS has launched an international campaign in defense of Geert Wilders and his freedom of speech.
To support these efforts, we urge you to contribute to the Geert Wilders Defense Fund. Donation information can be found at the IFPS website at www.internationalfreepresssociety.org
We also urge defenders of free speech to sign this letter of protest against the Dutch Government
http://www.petitiononline.com/wilders/petition.html
Lars Hedegaard
President of the IFPS
lhedegaard@freepressmonitor.com
Diana West
Vice President
dwest@freepressmonitor.com
* * *
The International Free Press Society was established on January 1, 2009.
Read our Policy Statement here
http://www.sappho.dk/the-international-free-press-society-policy-statement.htm
The IFPS Board of Advisors
Asger Aamund
Bat Ye'or
Stephen Coughlin
Rachel Ehrenfeld
David Harris
Ole Hasselbalch
Hans Jansen
Ehsan Jami
Ibn Warraq
Philippe Karsenty
Roger Kimball
Ezra Levant
Andrew C. McCarthy
Nidra Poller
Kathy Shaidle
Roger Scruton
Robert Spencer
Mark Steyn
Allen West
Geert Wilders
The IFPS Board of Directors
Lars Hedegaard, President
Diana West, Vice President
Christine Brim. Secretary
Bjorn Larsen, Treasurer
Edward May, Outreach Coordinator
Paul Belien, Sergeant at Arms
Rush Limbaugh and Obama
Obama: unconscionable and unconstitutional?
Rush Limbaugh is one of those conservative cowards who FAILED to demand Obama prove he is a natural born citizen. It may come back to haunt such hypocrites if that fraud and foreigner, that president usurper, knocks them off the air. After all, the same Constitution that guarantees freedoms of speech and religion requires our president to be a natural born citizen.
We have seen no proof that Obama fulfills this Constitutional qualification of being a natural born citizen, and unconscionable Obama has failed to provide it, refuses to be open and honest - his records remain sealed - and therefore he rightly remains under a dark cloud of suspicion.
Illegitimate Obama appears to be an affirmative action president, plain and simple and unconstitutional.
David Ben-Ariel
Friday, January 23, 2009
Open Europe press summary: 23 January 2009
Open Europe is holding a debate entitled "EU communication policy: biased propaganda?", on Tuesday 27 January 2009 from 7 until 8.30 pm, in the offices of Libertas, Avenue de Cortenbergh 71, 1000 Brussels.
Places are limited. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Pieter Cleppe at pieter@openeurope.org.uk or on 0032 477 68 46 08.
Europe
Royal College of Surgeons: New EU working time rules will be "disastrous" for the NHS
Chief Fire Officer: EU working time rules will leave us "unable to provide the necessary cover"
The Royal College of Surgeons has warned that new EU rules that cap working hours for junior doctors at 48 hours will be "disastrous" for the NHS, the Telegraph reports. The restriction will come in to force in August under the EU's Working Time Directive (WTD).
The College warned that patients are being put at risk and the quality of their care is under threat as many hospitals are covering up failures to implement new rotas that comply with the Directive. It is calling for the Government to agree an opt-out to safeguard patient safety and highlighted that in America junior doctors work an 80-hour week and in Germany a 61-hour week has been agreed. In addition the College wants the EU's on-call rules, also part of the WTD, to change so sleeping at hospital does not count towards the working hours as it does currently.
A survey for the Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) found more than half of trainees felt under pressure to falsify their hours and 80 per cent of respondents would support an opt-out of the WTD to protect training. ASiT said that 65 hours a week is required to gain the necessary training opportunities for junior doctors.
John Black, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, said "There are simply not the surgeons in the UK to fill the gaps when every doctor's hours are cut to a 48 hour per week maximum. On the other, trainees are telling the college they cannot gain enough experience to progress on the shortened hours. The choice for the nation is clear - do we want patients of the future to be treated by a group of highly skilled and experienced surgeons; or be passed around a wider group of lower skilled surgeons with less experience?"
Alastair Henderson, Joint Director, NHS Employers, said that "compliance may not be possible by August 2009. In those circumstances arrangements which offer a derogation of up to 52 hours work per week for a limited time are being considered, subject to EU approval."
Separately, the BBC reports that Scotland's fire service is under threat from the potential end of the opt-out from the maximum 48 hour working week, which is currently being negotiated in the EU. Although also part of the WTD, this opt-out is a separate provision in the Directive to that of the working hours restriction for junior doctors.
Grampian Chief Fire Officer David Dalziel said the rules would prevent fire stations using retained staff, as most fire stations in Scotland are staffed by part-time fire fighters who have other jobs. He said, "A strict application of the directive will mean that they may often be left unable to provide the necessary cover. The stark fact is that in many of our remoter communities we simply don't have the critical mass of population that is required to maintain a full-time service. Surely it is wrong that the law of unintended consequences should be allowed to leave some communities without effective fire cover in this way."
Telegraph BBC
Former Spanish PM: "I do not think it is a good idea to make a country re-vote";
"The EU can function with its current institutions"
In an exclusive interview with Le Figaro, Spain's former Prime Minister José Maria Aznar states that the current economic crisis is "clearly not a failure of liberalism, but rather a breakdown of current regulatory mechanisms and of state intervention in a sector that is already highly regulated, the banking sector." He calls for, "more flexibility and freedom in the economy, lower taxes and expenses, more budgetary stability and less state intervention," while complaining that Europeans are doing the exact opposite, "which is why the USA will come out of the crisis before Europe."
When asked about whether Europeans should increase their military presence in Afghanistan, he answered that they should, as "one cannot be in an alliance, demand the benefits of the security it provides, and not contribute to it. Yet I don't think the Europeans will accept this invitation." On the possibility of establishing a European defence force, Aznar said "organising European defence outside of NATO is a pipe-dream. Better is one system which guarantees security, than two parallel systems which are a source of insecurity."
Le Figaro also raised the issue of the "No" vote to the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland, asking Aznar how he thinks the EU could come out of this crisis. He responded by saying, "I do not think it is a good idea to make a country re-vote if it has said 'No' until it says 'Yes.' Europe doesn't have an institutional problem, it is more a problem of political leadership. During the French Presidency, we were able to see that the EU can function with its current institutions on the condition that it has an able leader and a direction in which to go."
Le Figaro
EU's 'butter mountains' and farm export subsidies return costing taxpayers £237 million;
Oxfam: EU is undermining the possibility of finding global solutions to hunger
The IHT reports that, as the price of dairy products collapses, the EU is to buy 30,000 tons of butter at a guaranteed price of 2,299 euros a ton, and 109,000 tons of skimmed-milk powder at 1,698 euros a ton at taxpayers' expense. In addition, the EU will resume its highly controversial export subsidies for a range of agricultural goods. The article notes that "two years after it was supposed to have melted away for good, Europe's 'butter mountain' is back."
The move has sparked fears over a rise in protectionism as the EU's decision to increase farm subsidies could "trigger a damaging spiral of tit-for-tat" measures around the world, according to the Times. The article quotes Philip York of New Zealand's Federated Farmers, saying "People need to be reminded that the 1929 share market crash did not directly create the Great Depression but politicians did. Protectionist legislation, like America's infamous Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, became a template for protectionism copied around the world. Maybe we need to send all Euro MPs and their eurocrats some history books."
Elise Ford, Head of Oxfam International's EU office, said: "With such measures, the European Union is undermining the possibility of finding global solutions to hunger and to make agriculture work for the poor. It can unleash a series of responses from other countries that could be dangerous in the long-term.
The Telegraph notes that the resumption in subsidies will cost taxpayers £237 million.
IHT Express Times Telegraph
ECB Board Member: Exiting the Euro could imply exiting from the EU
The WSJ carried out an interview with ECB Executive Board Member Lorenzo Bini-Smaghi, who said the ECB had not contemplated the eventuality of default of a member state, but that if a country did want to exit the eurozone, "The cost would surely be higher than staying. It would not only be a huge economic cost because, for instance, the [sovereign] debt is in euro, so it would [likely] increase in value. It would also imply exiting from the European Union. So it is also a huge political issue. And in the end no country would be willing to face this."
In the Irish Times, Jim O'Leary writes, "A decision to leave the euro zone would be a repudiation of such a core element of the European project it would run the risk of expulsion from the EU."
In analysis in the Telegraph, Diplomatic Editor David Blair argues that for some eurozone members, the ECB's interest rate is still too high and, "The most logical option would be for Greece and Spain to leave the euro".
WSJ: Editorial Telegraph: Blair EU Referendum: Blog Telegraph FT Irish Times: O'Leary Mail: Synon blog FT: Leader WSJ FTD FT Economist Telegraph
Commission under pressure to scrap planned quotas for recreational fishermen
The Telegraph reports that pressure is mounting on the European Commission to shelve plans to make weekend anglers a part of the Common Fisheries Policy. The article notes that the idea is to include any "recreational" anglers fishing "on a vessel in Community waters" into EU fisheries policy.
MEPs on the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee are due to hold a preliminary vote on the plan in April - but yesterday opponents reportedly vowed to force it off the agenda before then.
Telegraph
Czech minister warns European Parliament that outside pressure won't help ratification of Lisbon Treaty
EUobserver reports that Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra has told the European Parliament that ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in the Czech Republic is a "domestic democratic process," and external pressure aimed at speeding up the process is not helping.
Mr Vondra stressed that Prague should not be pressured to speed up the process, as "the quality of the decision is the most important," rather than the timing. He added, "And any kind of pressure coming from outside is not helpful, I think. Give us a chance to go through that process." The article notes that the Czech parliament was expected to ratify the Lisbon Treaty at the beginning of February, but this timetable has slipped.
Europolitics notes that Mr Vonda also tried to reassure the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs that the comments made Czech PM Mirek Topolánek that the Lisbon Treaty was "worse" than the Treaty of Nice were simply an example of Czech humour.
EUobserver Prague Daily Monitor Le Monde
Economist: Iceland will be "bullied" if it applies to join the EU now
The Economist's Charlemagne column notes that, if Iceland is to apply to join the European Union then it is likely to do so before April because "As time passes, Iceland's chances may shrink". But, the article argues that if Iceland wants to join the European Union it may have to "move a bit" on the fisheries policy, and it will "be bullied, in subtle and unpleasant ways, if it applies to join the EU from its present position of weakness."
Economist: Charlemagne
Danish government could hold a referendum on the Euro in 2010
FT Deutschland reports that Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen will attempt to press ahead with a referendum over the Euro, probably at some point in 2010. Current polls suggest there is now a majority in favour of the Euro. Le Figaro reports that Christine Lagarde, French Minister of the Economy, was invited to Copenhagen as part of this drive, where she announced that, "The Euro had made Europe stronger during the crisis."
FTD Spiegel
European Commission threatens to block proposal for Northern Rock to step up lending
The Guardian reports that the European Commission is threatening to veto the UK Government's revised remit for Northern Rock. EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes and her senior officials believe that the Treasury's move to extend the 2011 deadline for Northern Rock to repay its debts to the taxpayer, increase its lending activities and take on more staff may breach EU state-aid rules.
Guardian Telegraph Reuters
A letter in the Birmingham Post cites Open Europe's transparency initiative when arguing that it would have been outrageous for MPs to exempt themselves from Freedom of Information laws.
No link
A BBC journalist who spent a week living the life of an MEP writes that "most MEPs hate coming to Strasbourg", but that it is "hard to see" the practice of moving the European Parliament between Strasbourg and Brussels ending soon.
BBC
Libertas faces electoral hurdle in the UK over party name
The Irish Times reports that Libertas' attempts to field candidates for the European elections in the UK has hit an unexpected hurdle because another political party has already registered Libertas UK with the Electoral Commission. Libertas are attempting to field candidates across Europe in an attempt to turn the elections into a proxy referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
Irish Times
PA reports that the UK is to receive £122 million from the EU to help smooth the integration of "third country nationals", as part of £700 million EU-wide integration plan.
No link
Lobby firm suspended from EU register
The FT reports that GPlus Europe, one of Brussels' most influential lobbying firms, is to be the first to be suspended from the EU's voluntary register. The firm, which lobbies for Gazprom, has been accused of failing to disclose the identity of three clients. GPlus Europe will be temporarily taken off the register, which was launched in June to promote greater transparency about the role of lobbyists in EU decision-making.FT
Deutsche Welle reports that the EU is in "disarray" over the relocation of prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. IHT EUobserver Deutsche Welle
UK
UK officially in recession as Cameron warns of spectre of IMF bailout
Conservative leader David Cameron has warned that Britain is "running the risk" of having to apply for a bailout from the IMF, reports the Independent, as the economy was officially declared in a recession. The Irish Independent reports that Merrill Lynch has warned that sterling is trading at levels that could threaten its credit rating and said "The market is now pricing the pound in expectation of a downgrade".
Independent Guardian Mail Irish Independent Guide Fawkes blog BBC
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: www.openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Places are limited. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Pieter Cleppe at pieter@openeurope.org.uk or on 0032 477 68 46 08.
Europe
Royal College of Surgeons: New EU working time rules will be "disastrous" for the NHS
Chief Fire Officer: EU working time rules will leave us "unable to provide the necessary cover"
The Royal College of Surgeons has warned that new EU rules that cap working hours for junior doctors at 48 hours will be "disastrous" for the NHS, the Telegraph reports. The restriction will come in to force in August under the EU's Working Time Directive (WTD).
The College warned that patients are being put at risk and the quality of their care is under threat as many hospitals are covering up failures to implement new rotas that comply with the Directive. It is calling for the Government to agree an opt-out to safeguard patient safety and highlighted that in America junior doctors work an 80-hour week and in Germany a 61-hour week has been agreed. In addition the College wants the EU's on-call rules, also part of the WTD, to change so sleeping at hospital does not count towards the working hours as it does currently.
A survey for the Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) found more than half of trainees felt under pressure to falsify their hours and 80 per cent of respondents would support an opt-out of the WTD to protect training. ASiT said that 65 hours a week is required to gain the necessary training opportunities for junior doctors.
John Black, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, said "There are simply not the surgeons in the UK to fill the gaps when every doctor's hours are cut to a 48 hour per week maximum. On the other, trainees are telling the college they cannot gain enough experience to progress on the shortened hours. The choice for the nation is clear - do we want patients of the future to be treated by a group of highly skilled and experienced surgeons; or be passed around a wider group of lower skilled surgeons with less experience?"
Alastair Henderson, Joint Director, NHS Employers, said that "compliance may not be possible by August 2009. In those circumstances arrangements which offer a derogation of up to 52 hours work per week for a limited time are being considered, subject to EU approval."
Separately, the BBC reports that Scotland's fire service is under threat from the potential end of the opt-out from the maximum 48 hour working week, which is currently being negotiated in the EU. Although also part of the WTD, this opt-out is a separate provision in the Directive to that of the working hours restriction for junior doctors.
Grampian Chief Fire Officer David Dalziel said the rules would prevent fire stations using retained staff, as most fire stations in Scotland are staffed by part-time fire fighters who have other jobs. He said, "A strict application of the directive will mean that they may often be left unable to provide the necessary cover. The stark fact is that in many of our remoter communities we simply don't have the critical mass of population that is required to maintain a full-time service. Surely it is wrong that the law of unintended consequences should be allowed to leave some communities without effective fire cover in this way."
Telegraph BBC
Former Spanish PM: "I do not think it is a good idea to make a country re-vote";
"The EU can function with its current institutions"
In an exclusive interview with Le Figaro, Spain's former Prime Minister José Maria Aznar states that the current economic crisis is "clearly not a failure of liberalism, but rather a breakdown of current regulatory mechanisms and of state intervention in a sector that is already highly regulated, the banking sector." He calls for, "more flexibility and freedom in the economy, lower taxes and expenses, more budgetary stability and less state intervention," while complaining that Europeans are doing the exact opposite, "which is why the USA will come out of the crisis before Europe."
When asked about whether Europeans should increase their military presence in Afghanistan, he answered that they should, as "one cannot be in an alliance, demand the benefits of the security it provides, and not contribute to it. Yet I don't think the Europeans will accept this invitation." On the possibility of establishing a European defence force, Aznar said "organising European defence outside of NATO is a pipe-dream. Better is one system which guarantees security, than two parallel systems which are a source of insecurity."
Le Figaro also raised the issue of the "No" vote to the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland, asking Aznar how he thinks the EU could come out of this crisis. He responded by saying, "I do not think it is a good idea to make a country re-vote if it has said 'No' until it says 'Yes.' Europe doesn't have an institutional problem, it is more a problem of political leadership. During the French Presidency, we were able to see that the EU can function with its current institutions on the condition that it has an able leader and a direction in which to go."
Le Figaro
EU's 'butter mountains' and farm export subsidies return costing taxpayers £237 million;
Oxfam: EU is undermining the possibility of finding global solutions to hunger
The IHT reports that, as the price of dairy products collapses, the EU is to buy 30,000 tons of butter at a guaranteed price of 2,299 euros a ton, and 109,000 tons of skimmed-milk powder at 1,698 euros a ton at taxpayers' expense. In addition, the EU will resume its highly controversial export subsidies for a range of agricultural goods. The article notes that "two years after it was supposed to have melted away for good, Europe's 'butter mountain' is back."
The move has sparked fears over a rise in protectionism as the EU's decision to increase farm subsidies could "trigger a damaging spiral of tit-for-tat" measures around the world, according to the Times. The article quotes Philip York of New Zealand's Federated Farmers, saying "People need to be reminded that the 1929 share market crash did not directly create the Great Depression but politicians did. Protectionist legislation, like America's infamous Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, became a template for protectionism copied around the world. Maybe we need to send all Euro MPs and their eurocrats some history books."
Elise Ford, Head of Oxfam International's EU office, said: "With such measures, the European Union is undermining the possibility of finding global solutions to hunger and to make agriculture work for the poor. It can unleash a series of responses from other countries that could be dangerous in the long-term.
The Telegraph notes that the resumption in subsidies will cost taxpayers £237 million.
IHT Express Times Telegraph
ECB Board Member: Exiting the Euro could imply exiting from the EU
The WSJ carried out an interview with ECB Executive Board Member Lorenzo Bini-Smaghi, who said the ECB had not contemplated the eventuality of default of a member state, but that if a country did want to exit the eurozone, "The cost would surely be higher than staying. It would not only be a huge economic cost because, for instance, the [sovereign] debt is in euro, so it would [likely] increase in value. It would also imply exiting from the European Union. So it is also a huge political issue. And in the end no country would be willing to face this."
In the Irish Times, Jim O'Leary writes, "A decision to leave the euro zone would be a repudiation of such a core element of the European project it would run the risk of expulsion from the EU."
In analysis in the Telegraph, Diplomatic Editor David Blair argues that for some eurozone members, the ECB's interest rate is still too high and, "The most logical option would be for Greece and Spain to leave the euro".
WSJ: Editorial Telegraph: Blair EU Referendum: Blog Telegraph FT Irish Times: O'Leary Mail: Synon blog FT: Leader WSJ FTD FT Economist Telegraph
Commission under pressure to scrap planned quotas for recreational fishermen
The Telegraph reports that pressure is mounting on the European Commission to shelve plans to make weekend anglers a part of the Common Fisheries Policy. The article notes that the idea is to include any "recreational" anglers fishing "on a vessel in Community waters" into EU fisheries policy.
MEPs on the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee are due to hold a preliminary vote on the plan in April - but yesterday opponents reportedly vowed to force it off the agenda before then.
Telegraph
Czech minister warns European Parliament that outside pressure won't help ratification of Lisbon Treaty
EUobserver reports that Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra has told the European Parliament that ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in the Czech Republic is a "domestic democratic process," and external pressure aimed at speeding up the process is not helping.
Mr Vondra stressed that Prague should not be pressured to speed up the process, as "the quality of the decision is the most important," rather than the timing. He added, "And any kind of pressure coming from outside is not helpful, I think. Give us a chance to go through that process." The article notes that the Czech parliament was expected to ratify the Lisbon Treaty at the beginning of February, but this timetable has slipped.
Europolitics notes that Mr Vonda also tried to reassure the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs that the comments made Czech PM Mirek Topolánek that the Lisbon Treaty was "worse" than the Treaty of Nice were simply an example of Czech humour.
EUobserver Prague Daily Monitor Le Monde
Economist: Iceland will be "bullied" if it applies to join the EU now
The Economist's Charlemagne column notes that, if Iceland is to apply to join the European Union then it is likely to do so before April because "As time passes, Iceland's chances may shrink". But, the article argues that if Iceland wants to join the European Union it may have to "move a bit" on the fisheries policy, and it will "be bullied, in subtle and unpleasant ways, if it applies to join the EU from its present position of weakness."
Economist: Charlemagne
Danish government could hold a referendum on the Euro in 2010
FT Deutschland reports that Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen will attempt to press ahead with a referendum over the Euro, probably at some point in 2010. Current polls suggest there is now a majority in favour of the Euro. Le Figaro reports that Christine Lagarde, French Minister of the Economy, was invited to Copenhagen as part of this drive, where she announced that, "The Euro had made Europe stronger during the crisis."
FTD Spiegel
European Commission threatens to block proposal for Northern Rock to step up lending
The Guardian reports that the European Commission is threatening to veto the UK Government's revised remit for Northern Rock. EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes and her senior officials believe that the Treasury's move to extend the 2011 deadline for Northern Rock to repay its debts to the taxpayer, increase its lending activities and take on more staff may breach EU state-aid rules.
Guardian Telegraph Reuters
A letter in the Birmingham Post cites Open Europe's transparency initiative when arguing that it would have been outrageous for MPs to exempt themselves from Freedom of Information laws.
No link
A BBC journalist who spent a week living the life of an MEP writes that "most MEPs hate coming to Strasbourg", but that it is "hard to see" the practice of moving the European Parliament between Strasbourg and Brussels ending soon.
BBC
Libertas faces electoral hurdle in the UK over party name
The Irish Times reports that Libertas' attempts to field candidates for the European elections in the UK has hit an unexpected hurdle because another political party has already registered Libertas UK with the Electoral Commission. Libertas are attempting to field candidates across Europe in an attempt to turn the elections into a proxy referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
Irish Times
PA reports that the UK is to receive £122 million from the EU to help smooth the integration of "third country nationals", as part of £700 million EU-wide integration plan.
No link
Lobby firm suspended from EU register
The FT reports that GPlus Europe, one of Brussels' most influential lobbying firms, is to be the first to be suspended from the EU's voluntary register. The firm, which lobbies for Gazprom, has been accused of failing to disclose the identity of three clients. GPlus Europe will be temporarily taken off the register, which was launched in June to promote greater transparency about the role of lobbyists in EU decision-making.FT
Deutsche Welle reports that the EU is in "disarray" over the relocation of prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. IHT EUobserver Deutsche Welle
UK
UK officially in recession as Cameron warns of spectre of IMF bailout
Conservative leader David Cameron has warned that Britain is "running the risk" of having to apply for a bailout from the IMF, reports the Independent, as the economy was officially declared in a recession. The Irish Independent reports that Merrill Lynch has warned that sterling is trading at levels that could threaten its credit rating and said "The market is now pricing the pound in expectation of a downgrade".
Independent Guardian Mail Irish Independent Guide Fawkes blog BBC
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: www.openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Jerusalem Conference
The German-EU threat to Israel
Re: 'Bogey' Ya'alon to Address 6th Jerusalem Conference Monday
1) Will the Jerusalem Conference address the threat the German-dominated EU poses to Israeli security? Will they beware Europe's NEW CRUSADE for peace in the Middle East, as driven by the bloody Vatican?
Jerusalem Under Siege!
2) Will the Jerusalem Conference demand the religious rights of Jews and Christians to worship upon the Temple Mount must be respected and protected?
Jews Must Demand Rights to Temple Mount
3) Will the Jerusalem Conference recognize and embrace British Israelites as Joseph, hastening the process of redemption?
Joseph isn't Jewish!
4) Will the Jerusalem Conference hear the cries of Yitzhak Rabin's blood for justice and reopen the incriminating Rabin files, acknowledging Shimon Peres came to power over Rabin's dead body?
Shimon Peres Came to Power Over Rabin's Dead Body
5) Will the Jerusalem Conference demand an end to the ethnic cleansing of Jews and call for Israel to remove the Arab threat?
Don't Expel Jews From Gaza!
6) Will the Jerusalem Conference expose how corrupt and influential the Israeli oligarchy remains, slaves to their German-Jesuit EU masters?
EU to Conquer Anglo-Saxons and Jews
7) Will the Jerusalem Conference lift the unjust ban against David Ben-Ariel who yearns to return to Zion?
Israel's Unjust Deportation of David Ben-Ariel
1) Will the Jerusalem Conference address the threat the German-dominated EU poses to Israeli security? Will they beware Europe's NEW CRUSADE for peace in the Middle East, as driven by the bloody Vatican?
Jerusalem Under Siege!
2) Will the Jerusalem Conference demand the religious rights of Jews and Christians to worship upon the Temple Mount must be respected and protected?
Jews Must Demand Rights to Temple Mount
3) Will the Jerusalem Conference recognize and embrace British Israelites as Joseph, hastening the process of redemption?
Joseph isn't Jewish!
4) Will the Jerusalem Conference hear the cries of Yitzhak Rabin's blood for justice and reopen the incriminating Rabin files, acknowledging Shimon Peres came to power over Rabin's dead body?
Shimon Peres Came to Power Over Rabin's Dead Body
5) Will the Jerusalem Conference demand an end to the ethnic cleansing of Jews and call for Israel to remove the Arab threat?
Don't Expel Jews From Gaza!
6) Will the Jerusalem Conference expose how corrupt and influential the Israeli oligarchy remains, slaves to their German-Jesuit EU masters?
EU to Conquer Anglo-Saxons and Jews
7) Will the Jerusalem Conference lift the unjust ban against David Ben-Ariel who yearns to return to Zion?
Israel's Unjust Deportation of David Ben-Ariel
www.davidbenariel.org
Open Europe press summary: 22 January 2009
Europe
Government lobbies MEPs to water down EU directive on power plant emissions;
Proposed directive could shut down a quarter of UK's energy capacity in 2015
The Guardian reports that the UK Government is lobbying MEPs to water down proposed EU legislation to impose tough new emission limits on power plants. The Government fears that the legislation will threaten Britain's energy security and increase electricity prices. Tomorrow, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament will vote on more than 500 amendments tabled to the proposed new legislation - the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive. The paper notes that the proposed IPPC Directive would pose a serious threat to the construction of the Kingsnorth power station in Kent - the UK's first new coal plant for three decades.
The article notes that the IPPC Directive incorporates changes to current legislation such as the large combustion plant directive (LCPD) and lays out tighter limits, for example on sulphur dioxide emissions. A four-page leaked Whitehall briefing note prepared for MEPs says that the LCPD "raises potentially serious issues about security of electricity supply" and could even damage "moves to low-carbon electricity generation".
The LCPD allows power stations that are not fitted with equipment to remove sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide to operate for a limited period each day, but only until 2015. This affects around a seventh (10.5GW) of Britain's electricity generation capacity. Whitehall says that up to a further 8GW of generating capacity may close if the proposed tougher rules in the IPPC Directive are applied - meaning that in 2015 around a quarter of capacity would shut at the same time.
The Government is calling for greater flexibility to be introduced into the proposed IPPC Directive, so that UK electricity and gas supplies are not threatened. The paper notes that it has won some backing from other EU countries which would like the new law to take effect from 2020.
Guardian
EU's carbon trading scheme creates cash windfall for heavy industry
Reuters reports that European factories are cashing in on an unexpected benefit from falling output, selling surplus EU carbon emissions permits worth about 1 billion euros to raise funds on the carbon market. The ETS is meant to limit greenhouse gases by giving industry a fixed quota of carbon permits that can be traded, creating a 'carbon price'. The present surplus in permits has arisen from falling emissions caused by the recession. Heavy industries have been able to profit because, unlike other polluters, they get their quota for free rather than having to buy them at auction.
The EUReferendum blog notes that by selling off their surplus permits, heavy industry is "depressing the price of 'carbon' and completely defeating the whole object of the EU's scheme."
Meanwhile, European Voice reports that EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas has said that the EU should seek to build a carbon market among developed countries by 2015 at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen in December.
Reuters EU Referendum blog European Voice
Labour plays up Clarke's EU comments;
Caroline Flint: Cameron must choose between giving up policy on Europe or give up special relationship with the US
The FT reports that "Labour on Wednesday night attempted to make mischief with Ken Clarke's return to the Conservative frontbench" by seizing on remarks made by Clarke last month at a debate at Nottingham University. According to the publicservice.co.uk website, Clarke, addressing the Conservatives' policy on EU and UK-US relations, said, "A lot will depend on relations with Europe, because [President Barack] Obama doesn't want his strongest European ally led by a rightwing nationalist. He wants them to be a key player inside Europe, and he'll start looking at whoever is in Germany or France if we start being isolationist. I think the need to be working with Obama will influence my party on Europe. It is still firmly Eurosceptic but it's now moderate, harmless Euroscepticism. It's a bit silly sometimes, like which group do you join in the European parliament, but full-blooded stuff like renegotiating the treaty of accession is as dead as a dodo."
The BBC quotes Europe Minister Caroline Flint saying: "Ken Clarke is absolutely right to warn David Cameron that his European policy would only serve to isolate Britain from the US. It's a straightforward test for David Cameron: give up your policy on Europe, as Ken Clarke says, or give up the special relationship."
A Conservative Party spokesman said: "He was not referring to David Cameron but talking in entirely hypothetical terms - he has never and would never describe David Cameron in that way. This is no more than a desperate attempt by Labour to try to distract attention from their catastrophic handling of the economy. As far as the position on Europe is concerned, Ken's views are well known, but, as he said when he was appointed, he accepts that the Conservative Party has a settled view on European matters and he will not oppose the direction David Cameron will set on European policies in the future."
In a Spectator article looking at the Shadow Cabinet reshuffle, Fraser Nelson notes that "Much Tory policymaking is carried out in almost touching ignorance of the extent to which Brussels now ties the hands of British prime ministers".
Spectator: Nelson Times Sun Telegraph FT Mail BBC
Mary Ellen Synon: Top EU judge had no experience as a judge before he joined ECJ
On the Mail Online, Mary Ellen Synon looks at Tuesday's ruling by the European Court of Justice, which said that employees on long-term sick leave are entitled to paid holidays no matter how long they are off work. She notes that "Now any worker who is on extended sick leave - even for years - is entitled to holiday pay when he returns to his job, or even if he leaves his job and never returns to work." Open Europe is quoted saying the ruling "shows how once Britain has lost control over a policy area to the EU, the European court can really go to town with it."
The piece goes on to explore the role and powers of EU judges - noting that the President of the ECJ, Vassilios Skouris, is an academic who never worked as a judge until he was appointed to the ECJ in 1999. After just four years experience, he was made president of the court. Synon cites four other judges who were also never judges before they were appointed to the ECJ, and says, "what is even more striking is that, in going over the qualifications and experience of each of the judges, it appears not one of the 27 has ever run a business or worked in industry." She notes: "It is typical of the way in which all dissenting opinion is suppressed in EU institutions that we are not allowed to know whether yesterday's judgement was a split decision or unanimous."
Mail
Trichet plays down eurozone troubles;
Portugal becomes third eurozone member to have credit rating downgraded
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet yesterday rejected the idea that the eurozone was under threat of deflation and said "There is presently no threat of deflation . . . What we are currently witnessing is a process of disinflation, driven in particular by a sharp decline in commodity prices". However, he went on to say that "Of course in the financial markets banks have to determine their own level of risks...Governments remain responsible, they have to do all [that is] necessary to cope with the situation", reports the Irish Times.
Portugal became the third eurozone country this month to have its credit rating downgraded by the rating agency Standard and Poor's. The WSJ reports that, on the online betting site Intrade, gamblers are wagering that there is at least a 20% chance a country will announce it plans to exit the eurozone by the end of next year.
Eurointelligence reports that Greek bond spreads reached a record high yesterday.
Meanwhile, the French Finance Minister, Christine Lagarde, yesterday criticised the Bank of England for allowing sterling to fall to its lowest level since 1985, saying "its monetary policy and management of rates... have not been particularly efficient for supporting the currency", reports the Telegraph.
Telegraph FTD 1 FTD 2 Irish Times Irish Independent FT European Voice FTD 3 FT 2 Elsevier blog Eurointelligence WSJ
An article in Dutch magazine Elsevier looks extensively at Open Europe's recent publication on EU propaganda, citing the figure of 2.4 billion euros per year which the EU spends on selling itself.
Open Europe research
EU presses Livni to open Gaza
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni visited Brussels last night with European Foreign Ministers keen to ask that Gaza be opened up. There was, however, sharp division over whether to blame Israel for its bombing of UN schools and other buildings during the war, according to EUobserver. Germany, Italy or Romania were against any motion to call for an investigation of alleged war crimes, whereas Belgium, Sweden, Greece or Ireland were demanding such an investigation within the week.
EU Observer Irish Times
European plans for a financial supervisory system hit snag over London
The FT reports that plans for a European financial supervisory system are running into problems on how to take account of the fact that Britain is not part of the eurozone. The article also reports that some national regulators are sceptical about ceding their powers to the European Central Bank. The panel drawing up the proposals, headed by former Banque de France Governor Jacques de Larosière, could therefore back alternative proposals, according to the paper.
A separate FT article reports that Jean-Claude Trichet yesterday said that he "stood ready" to take on responsibilities for supervision of European banks and that there would be a "great advantage" to using a clause in the Maastricht Treaty to grant the ECB powers to act as a bank supervisor, according to the FT.
FT FT 2
German daily Die Welt reports that the European Parliament has its own TV station, costing at least 24 million euros per year, and very few viewers.
Welt
Europe's divisions show as it welcomes Obama era
Le Monde writes that Europeans will need to show greater unity if the West is to remain an important pole in world politics with the Americans. The IHT notes that there is little sign of this however, as European countries have been unable to agree on a venue to host the first summit between European leaders and the new US President. While the Czechs wanted it hosted in Prague, as the seat of the current EU Presidency, some EU diplomats were wary of the EU-critical Czech President Vaclav Klaus and fearful of giving him too much influence at the summit.
Le Monde IHT BBC: Today programme
Croatia's EU accession threatened by border dispute
EUobserver reports that Croatia's on-going border dispute with Slovenia must be solved within the next few weeks or the country is unlikely to conclude EU talks by the end of 2009 as planned, the MEP in charge of the dossier has warned. Austrian MEP Hannes Swoboda told EUobserver that "in the official report we want to give a clear message that this is still possible," in reality this date is becoming increasingly "difficult to reach."
EUobserver
Hannan: proposed EU rules for recreational fishing will "ruin" skippers for a second time
On his blog, Dan Hannan notes that the EU's proposal to extend the Common Fisheries Policy is likely to "ruin" fishing boat owners for a second time: "The CFP put most of the skippers in my constituency out of business years ago. Some of them turned to tourism, making a new living by taking anglers out in their boats. Now, the CFP threatens to ruin them a second time, bringing to amateur fishermen the same destruction that it brought to professionals."
Telegraph: Hannan blog
Dutch PM Jan Peter Balkenende is being touted as the next President of the European Commission.
Elsevier
Businesses concerned over revision of ePrivacy Directive
Companies that operate online are pressing MEPs not to demand excessive burdens of data privacy in current discussions to revisions of the ePrivacy Directive, reports European Voice. They are concerned about the scope of the demands that might be made on them if they lose customers' data.
European Voice
EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton is to make a four-day trip to the US to try to restart trade talks.
European Voice
Libertas leader Declan Ganley has recruited Czech MEP Vladimír %u017Delezný to set up a Libertas branch in the Czech Republic ahead of this year's EU elections.
Irish Times
Russia has said that the Nord Stream gas pipeline connecting Russia to Germany will be up and running by 2011.
EUobserver
UK
Government reverses plans to block details of MPs' expenses
The Times reports that the Government performed a U-turn yesterday and abandoned its plans for a vote to block the publication of receipts for MPs' expenses. The Guardian writes that a full breakdown of MPs' expenses since 2005 will now likely be published by July.
Times Independent Independent: Leader Guardian Telegraph FT Mail Mail: Oborne Mail: Brogan blog
In a letter to the FT, Anthony Bamford argues that the Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn, should make food self-sufficiency a priority.
FT
Government lobbies MEPs to water down EU directive on power plant emissions;
Proposed directive could shut down a quarter of UK's energy capacity in 2015
The Guardian reports that the UK Government is lobbying MEPs to water down proposed EU legislation to impose tough new emission limits on power plants. The Government fears that the legislation will threaten Britain's energy security and increase electricity prices. Tomorrow, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament will vote on more than 500 amendments tabled to the proposed new legislation - the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive. The paper notes that the proposed IPPC Directive would pose a serious threat to the construction of the Kingsnorth power station in Kent - the UK's first new coal plant for three decades.
The article notes that the IPPC Directive incorporates changes to current legislation such as the large combustion plant directive (LCPD) and lays out tighter limits, for example on sulphur dioxide emissions. A four-page leaked Whitehall briefing note prepared for MEPs says that the LCPD "raises potentially serious issues about security of electricity supply" and could even damage "moves to low-carbon electricity generation".
The LCPD allows power stations that are not fitted with equipment to remove sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide to operate for a limited period each day, but only until 2015. This affects around a seventh (10.5GW) of Britain's electricity generation capacity. Whitehall says that up to a further 8GW of generating capacity may close if the proposed tougher rules in the IPPC Directive are applied - meaning that in 2015 around a quarter of capacity would shut at the same time.
The Government is calling for greater flexibility to be introduced into the proposed IPPC Directive, so that UK electricity and gas supplies are not threatened. The paper notes that it has won some backing from other EU countries which would like the new law to take effect from 2020.
Guardian
EU's carbon trading scheme creates cash windfall for heavy industry
Reuters reports that European factories are cashing in on an unexpected benefit from falling output, selling surplus EU carbon emissions permits worth about 1 billion euros to raise funds on the carbon market. The ETS is meant to limit greenhouse gases by giving industry a fixed quota of carbon permits that can be traded, creating a 'carbon price'. The present surplus in permits has arisen from falling emissions caused by the recession. Heavy industries have been able to profit because, unlike other polluters, they get their quota for free rather than having to buy them at auction.
The EUReferendum blog notes that by selling off their surplus permits, heavy industry is "depressing the price of 'carbon' and completely defeating the whole object of the EU's scheme."
Meanwhile, European Voice reports that EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas has said that the EU should seek to build a carbon market among developed countries by 2015 at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen in December.
Reuters EU Referendum blog European Voice
Labour plays up Clarke's EU comments;
Caroline Flint: Cameron must choose between giving up policy on Europe or give up special relationship with the US
The FT reports that "Labour on Wednesday night attempted to make mischief with Ken Clarke's return to the Conservative frontbench" by seizing on remarks made by Clarke last month at a debate at Nottingham University. According to the publicservice.co.uk website, Clarke, addressing the Conservatives' policy on EU and UK-US relations, said, "A lot will depend on relations with Europe, because [President Barack] Obama doesn't want his strongest European ally led by a rightwing nationalist. He wants them to be a key player inside Europe, and he'll start looking at whoever is in Germany or France if we start being isolationist. I think the need to be working with Obama will influence my party on Europe. It is still firmly Eurosceptic but it's now moderate, harmless Euroscepticism. It's a bit silly sometimes, like which group do you join in the European parliament, but full-blooded stuff like renegotiating the treaty of accession is as dead as a dodo."
The BBC quotes Europe Minister Caroline Flint saying: "Ken Clarke is absolutely right to warn David Cameron that his European policy would only serve to isolate Britain from the US. It's a straightforward test for David Cameron: give up your policy on Europe, as Ken Clarke says, or give up the special relationship."
A Conservative Party spokesman said: "He was not referring to David Cameron but talking in entirely hypothetical terms - he has never and would never describe David Cameron in that way. This is no more than a desperate attempt by Labour to try to distract attention from their catastrophic handling of the economy. As far as the position on Europe is concerned, Ken's views are well known, but, as he said when he was appointed, he accepts that the Conservative Party has a settled view on European matters and he will not oppose the direction David Cameron will set on European policies in the future."
In a Spectator article looking at the Shadow Cabinet reshuffle, Fraser Nelson notes that "Much Tory policymaking is carried out in almost touching ignorance of the extent to which Brussels now ties the hands of British prime ministers".
Spectator: Nelson Times Sun Telegraph FT Mail BBC
Mary Ellen Synon: Top EU judge had no experience as a judge before he joined ECJ
On the Mail Online, Mary Ellen Synon looks at Tuesday's ruling by the European Court of Justice, which said that employees on long-term sick leave are entitled to paid holidays no matter how long they are off work. She notes that "Now any worker who is on extended sick leave - even for years - is entitled to holiday pay when he returns to his job, or even if he leaves his job and never returns to work." Open Europe is quoted saying the ruling "shows how once Britain has lost control over a policy area to the EU, the European court can really go to town with it."
The piece goes on to explore the role and powers of EU judges - noting that the President of the ECJ, Vassilios Skouris, is an academic who never worked as a judge until he was appointed to the ECJ in 1999. After just four years experience, he was made president of the court. Synon cites four other judges who were also never judges before they were appointed to the ECJ, and says, "what is even more striking is that, in going over the qualifications and experience of each of the judges, it appears not one of the 27 has ever run a business or worked in industry." She notes: "It is typical of the way in which all dissenting opinion is suppressed in EU institutions that we are not allowed to know whether yesterday's judgement was a split decision or unanimous."
Trichet plays down eurozone troubles;
Portugal becomes third eurozone member to have credit rating downgraded
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet yesterday rejected the idea that the eurozone was under threat of deflation and said "There is presently no threat of deflation . . . What we are currently witnessing is a process of disinflation, driven in particular by a sharp decline in commodity prices". However, he went on to say that "Of course in the financial markets banks have to determine their own level of risks...Governments remain responsible, they have to do all [that is] necessary to cope with the situation", reports the Irish Times.
Portugal became the third eurozone country this month to have its credit rating downgraded by the rating agency Standard and Poor's. The WSJ reports that, on the online betting site Intrade, gamblers are wagering that there is at least a 20% chance a country will announce it plans to exit the eurozone by the end of next year.
Eurointelligence reports that Greek bond spreads reached a record high yesterday.
Meanwhile, the French Finance Minister, Christine Lagarde, yesterday criticised the Bank of England for allowing sterling to fall to its lowest level since 1985, saying "its monetary policy and management of rates... have not been particularly efficient for supporting the currency", reports the Telegraph.
Telegraph FTD 1 FTD 2 Irish Times Irish Independent FT European Voice FTD 3 FT 2 Elsevier blog Eurointelligence WSJ
An article in Dutch magazine Elsevier looks extensively at Open Europe's recent publication on EU propaganda, citing the figure of 2.4 billion euros per year which the EU spends on selling itself.
Open Europe research
EU presses Livni to open Gaza
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni visited Brussels last night with European Foreign Ministers keen to ask that Gaza be opened up. There was, however, sharp division over whether to blame Israel for its bombing of UN schools and other buildings during the war, according to EUobserver. Germany, Italy or Romania were against any motion to call for an investigation of alleged war crimes, whereas Belgium, Sweden, Greece or Ireland were demanding such an investigation within the week.
EU Observer Irish Times
European plans for a financial supervisory system hit snag over London
The FT reports that plans for a European financial supervisory system are running into problems on how to take account of the fact that Britain is not part of the eurozone. The article also reports that some national regulators are sceptical about ceding their powers to the European Central Bank. The panel drawing up the proposals, headed by former Banque de France Governor Jacques de Larosière, could therefore back alternative proposals, according to the paper.
A separate FT article reports that Jean-Claude Trichet yesterday said that he "stood ready" to take on responsibilities for supervision of European banks and that there would be a "great advantage" to using a clause in the Maastricht Treaty to grant the ECB powers to act as a bank supervisor, according to the FT.
FT FT 2
German daily Die Welt reports that the European Parliament has its own TV station, costing at least 24 million euros per year, and very few viewers.
Welt
Europe's divisions show as it welcomes Obama era
Le Monde writes that Europeans will need to show greater unity if the West is to remain an important pole in world politics with the Americans. The IHT notes that there is little sign of this however, as European countries have been unable to agree on a venue to host the first summit between European leaders and the new US President. While the Czechs wanted it hosted in Prague, as the seat of the current EU Presidency, some EU diplomats were wary of the EU-critical Czech President Vaclav Klaus and fearful of giving him too much influence at the summit.
Le Monde IHT BBC: Today programme
Croatia's EU accession threatened by border dispute
EUobserver reports that Croatia's on-going border dispute with Slovenia must be solved within the next few weeks or the country is unlikely to conclude EU talks by the end of 2009 as planned, the MEP in charge of the dossier has warned. Austrian MEP Hannes Swoboda told EUobserver that "in the official report we want to give a clear message that this is still possible," in reality this date is becoming increasingly "difficult to reach."
EUobserver
Hannan: proposed EU rules for recreational fishing will "ruin" skippers for a second time
On his blog, Dan Hannan notes that the EU's proposal to extend the Common Fisheries Policy is likely to "ruin" fishing boat owners for a second time: "The CFP put most of the skippers in my constituency out of business years ago. Some of them turned to tourism, making a new living by taking anglers out in their boats. Now, the CFP threatens to ruin them a second time, bringing to amateur fishermen the same destruction that it brought to professionals."
Telegraph: Hannan blog
Dutch PM Jan Peter Balkenende is being touted as the next President of the European Commission.
Elsevier
Businesses concerned over revision of ePrivacy Directive
Companies that operate online are pressing MEPs not to demand excessive burdens of data privacy in current discussions to revisions of the ePrivacy Directive, reports European Voice. They are concerned about the scope of the demands that might be made on them if they lose customers' data.
European Voice
EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton is to make a four-day trip to the US to try to restart trade talks.
European Voice
Libertas leader Declan Ganley has recruited Czech MEP Vladimír %u017Delezný to set up a Libertas branch in the Czech Republic ahead of this year's EU elections.
Irish Times
Russia has said that the Nord Stream gas pipeline connecting Russia to Germany will be up and running by 2011.
EUobserver
UK
Government reverses plans to block details of MPs' expenses
The Times reports that the Government performed a U-turn yesterday and abandoned its plans for a vote to block the publication of receipts for MPs' expenses. The Guardian writes that a full breakdown of MPs' expenses since 2005 will now likely be published by July.
Times Independent Independent: Leader Guardian Telegraph FT Mail Mail: Oborne Mail: Brogan blog
In a letter to the FT, Anthony Bamford argues that the Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn, should make food self-sufficiency a priority.
FT
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