European Tribune

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Straight from the horse's toxic mouth... ;)

When locusts move on, they leave nothing behind
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 07:10:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Doesn't this
The involvement of the EU is unnecessary and would effectively kill any hope of a deal. Poland, the Czech Republic, and the United States must give zero consideration to involving the EU at any level. 
remind you of Colman's

That would be this military and intelligence community:

As EU governments focus on securing ratification of the proposed Lisbon Reform Treaty in 2008, United States policymakers are concerned its provisions could present serious challenges to transatlantic intelligence and homeland security co-operation. The main US reservation is that, by transferring additional law and justice functions from the individual EU member states to EU institutions, the treaty could disrupt existing bilateral relations between US and EU governments without establishing anything better.(Janes)
Fertile ground for a conspiracy theory, wouldn't you say?


When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 07:34:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Of course. The only thing that has kept Washington at some distance from EU involvement is a condescending belief that the EU is already tame, and doesn't matter anyway.

The EU and Washington in its current toxic state are natural enemies. In the longer term EU alignment  with Moscow is more likely than EU involvement with Washington.

Washington hasn't realised this, and probably won't until it's too late.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 07:59:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The only thing that has kept Washington at some distance from EU involvement is a condescending belief that the EU is already tame

In what way are they mistaken ?

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 08:48:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]
A tame animal requires some sort of consideration to remain tame.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 08:53:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The bananas are handed out in bilateral negotiations.

When locusts move on, they leave nothing behind
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 09:48:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Didn't the EU just lose a WTO dispute on bananas?

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Apr 12th, 2008 at 02:45:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]
when you say this about the EU. EU leaders and politicians are tame, but the Eu itself, not so much.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 09:47:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Oh, really? What exactly is "the EU itself" going to do to change the situation?
by asdf on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 10:01:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]
You know, I visited the European Commission last November and heard a 50-minute briefing from someone from the "US desk". I couldn't believe how cynical the attitude of the Commission was on the possibility of an understanding with the US government on a wide range of issues. If only the European Council allowed the civil service to carry out a joint foreign policy the transatlantic rift would be very clear for all to see.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 12:14:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]
That is somewhat hair-splitting.

EU policy is, to a greater extent, an expression of our collective national politics If our respective lords and masters bend the knee to Washington, then the EU defers as well.

Whilst I'd agree with you that there are areas of difference, particularly with the ECB. But it is equally true that there are significant matters where the realitonship is supine and grovelling.

I didn't know that cynicism was a particularly British trait. Most of the complaints I receive are from fellow Brits who wish I'd stop being so monotonously negative about British politics and our lapdog relationship with the US. But seeing as I've already been called a pretentious git by your good self I'm just accumulating insults these days.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Fri Apr 11th, 2008 at 10:17:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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