Tony Blair should be made head of a stronger European Union that would be able to compete with China and the United States on the world stage, the Foreign Secretary said yesterday. David Miliband said that the new EU president needed to be someone who "stopped the traffic" in Washington and Beijing and was guaranteed the highest access to world leaders. With EU leaders preparing to start talking about Mr Blair's prospects this week, his supporters have begun a sustained campaign to showcase the advantages he would bring to the role. The behind the scenes battle is becoming increasingly fraught, with some of the smaller EU countries combining in a "Stop Blair" effort. So far he is the only politician to be backed publicly for the role.
David Miliband said that the new EU president needed to be someone who "stopped the traffic" in Washington and Beijing and was guaranteed the highest access to world leaders.
With EU leaders preparing to start talking about Mr Blair's prospects this week, his supporters have begun a sustained campaign to showcase the advantages he would bring to the role. The behind the scenes battle is becoming increasingly fraught, with some of the smaller EU countries combining in a "Stop Blair" effort. So far he is the only politician to be backed publicly for the role.
Every country in the world is debating whether and how to fashion a global role. When I took China's top foreign policy official, State Councillor Dai Bingguo, to the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum last weekend, he relayed his recent conversation with one of the most eminent American foreign policy heavyweights. "Britain punches above its weight," he had been told. He asked me why. This is what I told him. Our outlook, influence and power today reflects history but does not rest on it. Instead, four factors are key. First, we embrace the internationalism of the modern world, with its new powers and new threats. Britain is a leading contributor of people and money in tackling the great challenges of the world. Our Armed Forces are trained, equipped and flexible. And we are willing to deploy them in the toughest places. Our intelligence services are exceptionally effective -- as their involvement in the revelation of secret Iranian nuclear facilities has shown. We are world leaders when it comes to development assistance. And with 261 diplomatic missions in more than 160 countries, our foreign service gives us insight and influence the world over. Government is only part of the story. British businesses export British goods, values and working practices all over the world. Two of the big eight humanitarian charities -- Save the Children and Oxfam -- started life in Britain. The diversity of our society gives us diaspora networks that stretch across the world.
Our outlook, influence and power today reflects history but does not rest on it. Instead, four factors are key.
First, we embrace the internationalism of the modern world, with its new powers and new threats. Britain is a leading contributor of people and money in tackling the great challenges of the world. Our Armed Forces are trained, equipped and flexible. And we are willing to deploy them in the toughest places. Our intelligence services are exceptionally effective -- as their involvement in the revelation of secret Iranian nuclear facilities has shown. We are world leaders when it comes to development assistance. And with 261 diplomatic missions in more than 160 countries, our foreign service gives us insight and influence the world over.
Government is only part of the story. British businesses export British goods, values and working practices all over the world. Two of the big eight humanitarian charities -- Save the Children and Oxfam -- started life in Britain. The diversity of our society gives us diaspora networks that stretch across the world.
Not just Blair and Miliband: Britain.
(..... no, words fail me.........)
A (jewish)columnist once proposed there should be a "jew" test. Whenever somebody found themselves speaking in favour of some ban or legislation that would primarily affect one group of people (however defined), that society should ask "how would I feel if we used the word "jew" instead of said group ?"
I think whenever somebody considers speaking internationally in praise of Britain, they should use the "France" or "Germany" test. If it isn't toe-curdling when applied to another country then it's okay. keep to the Fen Causeway
"Europe can only exist on the "world stage" thanks to France." or "Europe can only exist on the "world stage" thanks to Germany." make a lot more sense than "Europe can only exist on the "world stage" thanks to Britain." "Few can believe that suffering, especially by others, is in vain. - Galbraith"
Another official recalled dining with Mr Blair. "He got used to being British leader in the front rank and was clear he would not take the European job if it meant standing behind heads of government when summit photographs are taken." So, the final countdown has begun in earnest. Will we be seeing a magisterial motorcade for a statesman of Mr Blair's international stature, or a more modest form of transport befitting a politician who could not stop the traffic in his own back yard? Or, as one Blairite ally puts it: "Do they want a president who has the red carpet rolled out in Beijing or one who waits in the queue at immigration because no one recognises him? That is the test."
Another official recalled dining with Mr Blair. "He got used to being British leader in the front rank and was clear he would not take the European job if it meant standing behind heads of government when summit photographs are taken."
So, the final countdown has begun in earnest. Will we be seeing a magisterial motorcade for a statesman of Mr Blair's international stature, or a more modest form of transport befitting a politician who could not stop the traffic in his own back yard?
Or, as one Blairite ally puts it: "Do they want a president who has the red carpet rolled out in Beijing or one who waits in the queue at immigration because no one recognises him? That is the test."
There is something fishy about the race to fill two of the biggest jobs going in Europe - the first long-term presidency of the European Union, and the post of EU foreign policy chief. The closer the EU gets to decision time, the more various unofficial candidates are ruling themselves out or running into difficulties. As far as concerns the presidency, the latest person to say she doesn't want to be considered for the job is Mary Robinson, the former Irish head of state. In some ways, it's a shame. The politically independent Robinson commands much respect across Europe and beyond - more than certain candidates I could mention from Belgium and Luxembourg. It would also be a clever move on the part of the EU's 27 leaders to put a woman in the presidency and so boost the EU's profile in the eyes of its citizens.
In some ways, it's a shame. The politically independent Robinson commands much respect across Europe and beyond - more than certain candidates I could mention from Belgium and Luxembourg. It would also be a clever move on the part of the EU's 27 leaders to put a woman in the presidency and so boost the EU's profile in the eyes of its citizens.
more than certain candidates I could mention from Belgium and Luxembourg.
The British establishment continues to look down on the BeNeLux. At this point, I shall note that such propaganda won't result in mnore than heads shaked in disbelief from Eurozone PMs, who know at least Juncker as the Euro group head... *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
However, seeing as we only have one vote out of 27, who on earth is he trying to convince with this nationalist idiocy ? keep to the Fen Causeway
Blair is an expert at the kind of behind-the-scenes battling that got London the Olympics, for example. It's the one who fights hardest and nastiest in the final stages who wins. The media barrage may only be in Britain (though it will probably start to get through to other countries' media), but it's there to do the softening-up. It always was, and still is, about creating an aura of inevitability around the "only candidate".
See Jake S's Blair Scorecard for the voting weights within the European Council.
The Swedish EU Presidency is likely to convene an extraordinary summit of EU leaders in mid-November. It hopes the Lisbon Treaty will be fully ratified by then, paving the way for open discussions on candidates for the EU 'top jobs' and members of the new European Commission. European Council sources told EurActiv that the "extra" summit, to be held only a couple of weeks after the 29-30 October Council meeting, is "likely, but has not been confirmed". A final decision would only become possible once the Czech Republic has completed the country's ratification procedure by signing the Lisbon Treaty into law.
European Council sources told EurActiv that the "extra" summit, to be held only a couple of weeks after the 29-30 October Council meeting, is "likely, but has not been confirmed".
A final decision would only become possible once the Czech Republic has completed the country's ratification procedure by signing the Lisbon Treaty into law.
Côté citoyen, une pétition en ligne "Stop Blair" mobilise très efficacement sur le net et a déjà recueilli plus de 40.000 signatures.
Number 10 has dismissed as speculation reports that Gordon Brown has asked senior officials to lobby in Europe for Tony Blair to become its new president.The Guardian says Europe adviser John Cunliffe and EU ambassador Kim Darroch are discreetly taking soundings. But the prime minister simply said he would back Mr Blair if he put himself forward for the role.
Number 10 has dismissed as speculation reports that Gordon Brown has asked senior officials to lobby in Europe for Tony Blair to become its new president.
The Guardian says Europe adviser John Cunliffe and EU ambassador Kim Darroch are discreetly taking soundings.
But the prime minister simply said he would back Mr Blair if he put himself forward for the role.
The interesting thing is that this silly play has been "leaked". This is wheels within wheels stuff, where you can argue that differnet factions in number 10 are both gung ho for Tony and quietly determined to sabotage him. keep to the Fen Causeway
LUXEMBOURG -- London officially launched its campaign to see former premier Tony Blair installed as European Union president, as EU foreign ministers gathered in Luxembourg on Monday.After a weekend media fightback amid growing continental opposition to the former prime minister taking the reins, ministers were to discuss the kind of leadership they want for Europe in the world.While Czech President Vaclav Klaus has still to sign the Lisbon Treaty that creates the post of full-time EU president, Foreign Secretary David Miliband told journalists that the bloc needs "a strong voice."Miliband, who ruled himself out as a candidate for a second new post of foreign policy supremo, said if Europe "doesn't get its act together," the rest of the world will "conclude that the EU is not ready" to play a global role.
LUXEMBOURG -- London officially launched its campaign to see former premier Tony Blair installed as European Union president, as EU foreign ministers gathered in Luxembourg on Monday.
After a weekend media fightback amid growing continental opposition to the former prime minister taking the reins, ministers were to discuss the kind of leadership they want for Europe in the world.
While Czech President Vaclav Klaus has still to sign the Lisbon Treaty that creates the post of full-time EU president, Foreign Secretary David Miliband told journalists that the bloc needs "a strong voice."
Miliband, who ruled himself out as a candidate for a second new post of foreign policy supremo, said if Europe "doesn't get its act together," the rest of the world will "conclude that the EU is not ready" to play a global role.
It's not his undoubted powers of persuasion that have swayed me, nor the motorcade factor which clinched it for David Miliband, who claims that no one else could stop the traffic in Beijing or Washington or Moscow). I have a different interest. [...] Blair has the distinction, which is a source of national pride in some quarters, of being one of the two greatest living mass murderers. That he commissioned a crime of aggression (waging an unprovoked war, described by the Nuremberg Tribunal as "the supreme international crime") looks incontestable. [...] Within the UK, there is no means of prosecuting Mr Blair. In 2006 the law lords decided that the international crime of aggression has not been incorporated into domestic law. But elsewhere in the world it has been.
Basically, the point is that Blair, in that position, would have to travel to countries where the crime has been incorporated into domestic law, and that people would know when he does.
Clearly, the only place for Blair is in prison. How to get him there is the tricky bit. "Few can believe that suffering, especially by others, is in vain. - Galbraith"
The other being Bush, I suppose? Surely there are worse mass murderers in the Congo that both of these (probably more than 4 million killed over the last decade).
A draft review of the European Union's budget has shocked contributors such as France as spending priorities are shifted from farm policy to the EU's economic renewal, climate change and energy as well as foreign relations. The European Commission's draft budget review, a copy of which was obtained by EurActiv, is raising eyebrows in EU circles. The proposal seeks a "root and branch reform" of the 130 billion euro annual budget, which currently devotes 45% of spending to agricultural policies.
The European Commission's draft budget review, a copy of which was obtained by EurActiv, is raising eyebrows in EU circles.
The proposal seeks a "root and branch reform" of the 130 billion euro annual budget, which currently devotes 45% of spending to agricultural policies.
I hope that'll be the CW. Just common sense policy changes. Boring. Been on the agenda for ages.
Maybe they'll manage to squeeze in a common rebate mechanism while no one's watching.
Widespread derision Monday greeted German Chancellor Angela Merkel's choice of a little-known local politician with a controversial past as the country's representative on the European Commission. The reported reaction of Jose Manuel Barroso, the commission's president, summed up the disbelief in Berlin and Brussels at the appointment of Guenther Oettinger. Barroso rang up German colleagues to ask: "What is that all about?" Apparently, the appointment also came as somewhat of a surprise to Oettinger himself, the 56-year-old head of the Baden-Wuerttemberg regional government in southwest Germany, but he nevertheless leapt at the unexpected chance. "It was impossible to turn down such an offer ... I had to jump now or never," Oettinger said in an interview with the Hamburger Abendblatt daily.
The reported reaction of Jose Manuel Barroso, the commission's president, summed up the disbelief in Berlin and Brussels at the appointment of Guenther Oettinger. Barroso rang up German colleagues to ask: "What is that all about?"
Apparently, the appointment also came as somewhat of a surprise to Oettinger himself, the 56-year-old head of the Baden-Wuerttemberg regional government in southwest Germany, but he nevertheless leapt at the unexpected chance.
"It was impossible to turn down such an offer ... I had to jump now or never," Oettinger said in an interview with the Hamburger Abendblatt daily.
An unnamed politician from the opposition centre-left Social Democrats gleefully mocked Merkel's decision. "Germany is sending a player from the local leagues to the European Champions League," this politician told the Tagesspiegel daily.The mockery is not limited to Berlin. Jean-Dominique Giuliani from the Schuman Foundation, a European think tank, told AFP: "The nomination has caused a bit of consternation in Brussels." He said the appointment was more to do with internal politics in Merkel's CDU party than a disdain of Brussels, although he acknowledged: "One could also interpret it like that." A senior German European parliamentarian, Martin Schulz, expressed doubts that Oettinger would survive his confirmation hearing at the European Parliament. "His hearing will be a difficult thing for him," he said.
"Germany is sending a player from the local leagues to the European Champions League," this politician told the Tagesspiegel daily.
The mockery is not limited to Berlin. Jean-Dominique Giuliani from the Schuman Foundation, a European think tank, told AFP: "The nomination has caused a bit of consternation in Brussels."
He said the appointment was more to do with internal politics in Merkel's CDU party than a disdain of Brussels, although he acknowledged: "One could also interpret it like that."
A senior German European parliamentarian, Martin Schulz, expressed doubts that Oettinger would survive his confirmation hearing at the European Parliament.
"His hearing will be a difficult thing for him," he said.
Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has failed to appear at his trial on 11 charges including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Mr Karadzic denies the charges, which relate to the Bosnian war of the 1990s. The judge adjourned the case for a day, and requested Mr Karadzic, who is representing himself, to appear.
Mr Karadzic denies the charges, which relate to the Bosnian war of the 1990s.
The judge adjourned the case for a day, and requested Mr Karadzic, who is representing himself, to appear.
A clutch of far-right political parties have cobbled together an alliance of convenience to represent their interests in the European Parliament, the leader of Hungary's extreme nationalist grouping, Jobbik, announced in Budapest over the weekend. Far-right monitoring groups however say that the coalition is made up for the most part of ultra-right wing groupuscules that have no representation in Strasbourg, meaning they will not be able to draw on any public funding for staff or research. Gabor Vona, the Jobbik party chairman, announced in Budapest on Saturday (24 October) the founding of the "Alliance of European Nationalist Movements," in a declaration of common goals drafted by the British National Party's (BNP) leader, Nick Griffin.
Far-right monitoring groups however say that the coalition is made up for the most part of ultra-right wing groupuscules that have no representation in Strasbourg, meaning they will not be able to draw on any public funding for staff or research.
Gabor Vona, the Jobbik party chairman, announced in Budapest on Saturday (24 October) the founding of the "Alliance of European Nationalist Movements," in a declaration of common goals drafted by the British National Party's (BNP) leader, Nick Griffin.
Hm. True of the Belgian, Italian and Swedish members. But not of the Hungarian and French, nor the expected British and Austrian members. Three out of seven, that's certainly not "most".
Dismiss them at your own peril. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
The funny is already there:
Competing visions of national supremacy have in the past presented a difficult hurdle for forming a far-right group in the parliament. [...] Notably, in the new grouping there is no representation from the Greater Romania Party, Ataka, from Bulgaria's rightist extremists or from the Slovak National Party. "We will not participate in any alliance with any party that is chauvinist towards ethnic Hungarians," said Mr Balczo, "and the Romanians and the Slovaks are very, very strongly against ethnic Hungarians."
Notably, in the new grouping there is no representation from the Greater Romania Party, Ataka, from Bulgaria's rightist extremists or from the Slovak National Party.
"We will not participate in any alliance with any party that is chauvinist towards ethnic Hungarians," said Mr Balczo, "and the Romanians and the Slovaks are very, very strongly against ethnic Hungarians."
WWII comparisons are often of limited value. Nations coalescing in the struggle between two regional hegemons is to be expected, especially if those who stay neutral (Poland, Finland, the Baltics, Yugoslavia) get invaded by either of the two hegemons, or both.
I recall that Vlaams Belang doesn't want to associate with this bunch; now I wonder if the Walloon FN has anything to do with it: what's the relation between the two? *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
As France finally passes its harsh anti-piracy law and Britain readies its own bill to tackle illegal file-sharing, the European Parliament in a major U-turn has dropped its opposition to cutting internet access to scofflaw downloaders. Representatives of the house have rowed back from insisting on the maintenance of an amendment to a package of telecoms laws that would have ruled out such manoeuvres. On Thursday (22 October), representatives of the parliament and the member states announced that at the beginning of November, they will hold formal talks along with the European Commission to resolve differences between the sides over the telecoms package.
Representatives of the house have rowed back from insisting on the maintenance of an amendment to a package of telecoms laws that would have ruled out such manoeuvres.
On Thursday (22 October), representatives of the parliament and the member states announced that at the beginning of November, they will hold formal talks along with the European Commission to resolve differences between the sides over the telecoms package.
I see little I can add to that analysis other than that the Conciliation Committee doesn't seem to have the sharpest knives from the PES or ALDE (e.g. Silvana Koch-Merin). The PES rapporteur is being useless in the moment where she can do most. Another strike against the PES and another strike against the Parti Socialiste.
Next thing you know they'll start trying to pass software patents again.
Background:
European Commission: Codecision La Quadrature du Net: Telecoms Package - Conciliation Committe-Parliament Delegation
Guido Westerwelle is a blank slate in Washington. The new foreign minister's demands that US nuclear weapons be removed from Germany may be popular at home. But Berlin's Western allies could be asking themselves if Westerwelle has any new ideas for dealing with today's problems. A foreign minister in Germany, particularly one who is a member of the Free Democrats (FDP), has to have his own foreign policy issue. Any issue. A topic that can somehow overshadow a chancellor who has become accustomed to the world's international conferences. An issue that can wipe the noble smile off the face of rising political star Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg's face and take current Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier by surprise. An issue that provokes collective nods of approval. A theme that doesn't cost a lot but that is sure to make the headlines.
A foreign minister in Germany, particularly one who is a member of the Free Democrats (FDP), has to have his own foreign policy issue. Any issue.
A topic that can somehow overshadow a chancellor who has become accustomed to the world's international conferences. An issue that can wipe the noble smile off the face of rising political star Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg's face and take current Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier by surprise. An issue that provokes collective nods of approval. A theme that doesn't cost a lot but that is sure to make the headlines.
Many thought that Merkel's new governing coalition, which pairs her with the business-friendly Free Democrats, would be heavy on the reform and light on concern for Germany's socially needy. Instead, after three weeks of bickering, the new coalition has produced status quo -- just radically more expensive. It was a campaign poster that neatly summed up the fears many Germans held prior to the country's September general elections. The Social Democrats plastered warnings in cities and towns across the country that a governing coalition pairing Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives with the business-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP) would result in a leadership characterized by cold, unfeeling economic liberalism. Both Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Guido Westerwelle's FDP, so went the message, wanted to slash social programs and shower benefits on the rich. Indeed, it was Westerwelle, in particular, who had presented himself as a worthy target for the left side of Germany's political spectrum. During the campaign, he promised hefty tax cuts, a rethinking of the country's only-recently introduced health care reforms and a loosening of employment laws to make it easier for companies to jettison unwanted employees.
It was a campaign poster that neatly summed up the fears many Germans held prior to the country's September general elections. The Social Democrats plastered warnings in cities and towns across the country that a governing coalition pairing Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives with the business-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP) would result in a leadership characterized by cold, unfeeling economic liberalism. Both Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Guido Westerwelle's FDP, so went the message, wanted to slash social programs and shower benefits on the rich.
Indeed, it was Westerwelle, in particular, who had presented himself as a worthy target for the left side of Germany's political spectrum. During the campaign, he promised hefty tax cuts, a rethinking of the country's only-recently introduced health care reforms and a loosening of employment laws to make it easier for companies to jettison unwanted employees.
Pierluigi Bersani, an ex-industry minister, will lead the political opposition to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi after winning yesterday's Democratic Party primary. Bersani won more than 50 percent of the vote, defeating Dario Franceschini, who has been interim leader of the party since former Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni resigned in February after the Democrats lost a regional election to Berlusconi's People of Liberty party. Franceschini and Ignazio Marino, a senator who was the third candidate, both conceded before the release of official results. "The Democratic Party will be an alternative party more than just an opposition party, because alternative implies opposition but opposition doesn't always mean an alternative," Bersani said at a press conference in Rome. Bersani, 58, will try to unite a party that has failed to close the gap with Berlusconi even as the premier's popularity has stumbled over a series of sex scandals and his handling of the worst recession in 60 years. In October, Berlusconi's approval rating slipped to 45 percent, the lowest since his election in April 2008. Still, People of Liberty led the Democrats by 7 percentage points in the IPR Marketing poll released on Oct. 15.
Bersani won more than 50 percent of the vote, defeating Dario Franceschini, who has been interim leader of the party since former Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni resigned in February after the Democrats lost a regional election to Berlusconi's People of Liberty party. Franceschini and Ignazio Marino, a senator who was the third candidate, both conceded before the release of official results.
"The Democratic Party will be an alternative party more than just an opposition party, because alternative implies opposition but opposition doesn't always mean an alternative," Bersani said at a press conference in Rome.
Bersani, 58, will try to unite a party that has failed to close the gap with Berlusconi even as the premier's popularity has stumbled over a series of sex scandals and his handling of the worst recession in 60 years. In October, Berlusconi's approval rating slipped to 45 percent, the lowest since his election in April 2008. Still, People of Liberty led the Democrats by 7 percentage points in the IPR Marketing poll released on Oct. 15.
On 22 October, the Polish senate decided on more severe punishments for sex offenders, with only one abstention. Chemical castration already exists as an option for sex offenders in Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, Sweden, and, more controversially, in the Czech RepublicThere was astonishingly little comment in the Polish press after the senate's decision to pass a law - with only one abstention - radically tightening the punishments for sex offenders on Thursday. Yet the altered law can't be uncontroversial: it makes it obligatory to chemically treat paedophiles and allows for more severe punishments for serious sex offences. Future jail terms would be for three to fifteen years, instead of the previous two to twelve years. Poland would be the only country in Europe with compulsory medical treatment. Similar laws against child abuse otherwise only exist in some states in the USA.
There was astonishingly little comment in the Polish press after the senate's decision to pass a law - with only one abstention - radically tightening the punishments for sex offenders on Thursday. Yet the altered law can't be uncontroversial: it makes it obligatory to chemically treat paedophiles and allows for more severe punishments for serious sex offences. Future jail terms would be for three to fifteen years, instead of the previous two to twelve years. Poland would be the only country in Europe with compulsory medical treatment. Similar laws against child abuse otherwise only exist in some states in the USA.
On the other hand, more severe punishments for serious sex offences, about time. Rape is often punished at the same level as common burglary... *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Chemical castration is the administration of medication designed to reduce libido and sexual activity, usually in the hope of preventing rapists, child molesters and other sex offenders from re-offending. Unlike surgical castration, where the testes are removed through an incision in the scrotum,[1] chemical castration does not actually castrate the person, nor is it a form of sterilization, hence the term "chemical castration" has been called a misnomer.[2]. Chemical castration is generally considered reversible when treatment is discontinued; in the case of Depo Provera, "no permanent physical change is wrought in the body."[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_castration
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_castration
I've read testimony from offenders that chemical castration helps if they genuinely want to stop offending. It reduces the drive. However I've read one who said that it was only actual castration that really gave him peace.
I just don't know. Afaik paedophiles cannot be cured, they are at best like alcoholics taking it one day at a time. But really in our society it must be like being an alcoholic living in a pub. Almost impossible, almost unbearable.
I think they should be offered an island, not a harsh environment, but a controlled one where they can live freely. Work for a living, learn skills, associate as they will, communicate as they will. But never leave. keep to the Fen Causeway
/snark ~Government budget deficits are not nearly as dangerous as the deficits we have created in vital and complex natural systems.~ Naomi Klein.
AFP - Turkey's prime minister accused Western powers of treating Iran unfairly over its nuclear programme, in an interview Monday in which he referred to the Iranian president as a "friend".Speaking to The Guardian newspaper, Recep Tayyip Erdogan downplayed Western concerns that Iran wants to build nuclear weapons as "gossip", and implied that the accusers were guilty of hypocrisy."There is a style of approach which is not very fair because those (who accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons) have very strong nuclear infrastructures and they don't deny that," he said."The permanent members of the UN Security Council all have nuclear arsenals and then there are countries which are not members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which also have nuclear weapons.
AFP - Turkey's prime minister accused Western powers of treating Iran unfairly over its nuclear programme, in an interview Monday in which he referred to the Iranian president as a "friend".
Speaking to The Guardian newspaper, Recep Tayyip Erdogan downplayed Western concerns that Iran wants to build nuclear weapons as "gossip", and implied that the accusers were guilty of hypocrisy.
"There is a style of approach which is not very fair because those (who accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons) have very strong nuclear infrastructures and they don't deny that," he said.
"The permanent members of the UN Security Council all have nuclear arsenals and then there are countries which are not members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which also have nuclear weapons.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ruffled some EU feathers today by saying Iran and its president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are "friends" and that fears over Iran's nuclear program are mere "gossip". Dutch MEP Sophie in `t Veld told Radio Netherlands Worldwide these comments are "worrying" and "provocative". Mr Erdogan is visiting neighbouring Iran today to strengthen the already stable relationship between the two countries. Turkey has been steadily improving relationships with its Middle East neighbours lately, while the relations with the EU became more and more strained. No interference In an interview with British newspaper The Guardian on the eve of his trip to Tehran, Mr Erdogan said he would not raise any of the politically delicate issues, such as Iran's post-election crackdown on protesters or its nuclear programme. Mr Erdogan said he doesn't want to interfere with Iran's internal affairs. Worrying Dutch MEP Sophie in `t Veld of the liberal D66 party, who is in Ankara this week with an EU delegation, says Mr Erdogan's comments are worrying. "But there's also a background to this", she adds. "Turkey rightfully points out that if it cannot join the EU, it has other allies it can turn to. It may not be allies we like, but if we don't want Turkey to be pushed into the arms of Mr Ahmadinejad, then we should make sure our relations with Turkey improve". But she admits Turkey's accession talks are a very slow process. "Europe continues to be ambiguous about it, saying things like `Even if Turkey meets the criteria, we're still not sure' or `We'll see when we get there'. We, the EU, must be clear that we negotiate on membership and nothing else".
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ruffled some EU feathers today by saying Iran and its president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are "friends" and that fears over Iran's nuclear program are mere "gossip". Dutch MEP Sophie in `t Veld told Radio Netherlands Worldwide these comments are "worrying" and "provocative".
Mr Erdogan is visiting neighbouring Iran today to strengthen the already stable relationship between the two countries. Turkey has been steadily improving relationships with its Middle East neighbours lately, while the relations with the EU became more and more strained. No interference In an interview with British newspaper The Guardian on the eve of his trip to Tehran, Mr Erdogan said he would not raise any of the politically delicate issues, such as Iran's post-election crackdown on protesters or its nuclear programme. Mr Erdogan said he doesn't want to interfere with Iran's internal affairs. Worrying Dutch MEP Sophie in `t Veld of the liberal D66 party, who is in Ankara this week with an EU delegation, says Mr Erdogan's comments are worrying. "But there's also a background to this", she adds. "Turkey rightfully points out that if it cannot join the EU, it has other allies it can turn to. It may not be allies we like, but if we don't want Turkey to be pushed into the arms of Mr Ahmadinejad, then we should make sure our relations with Turkey improve".
But she admits Turkey's accession talks are a very slow process. "Europe continues to be ambiguous about it, saying things like `Even if Turkey meets the criteria, we're still not sure' or `We'll see when we get there'. We, the EU, must be clear that we negotiate on membership and nothing else".
A French judge will decide this week whether to pursue corruption charges against former President Jacques Chirac, who is accused of misusing city funds while he was Paris mayor. AFP - A French judge will this week decide whether to pursue corruption charges against former president Jacques Chirac, who is accused of misusing city funds when he was Paris mayor, a report said Sunday. Judge Xaviere Simeoni will decide by Friday at the latest whether she wants to bring the case to court to decide if municipal funds were used to give "ghost jobs" to members of Chirac's RPR party, the Journal du Dimanche said. The now 77-year-old Chirac was charged in November 2007 in the case along with five former city hall chiefs of staff and a dozen other people, becoming the first former French president to be put under judicial investigation.
AFP - A French judge will this week decide whether to pursue corruption charges against former president Jacques Chirac, who is accused of misusing city funds when he was Paris mayor, a report said Sunday. Judge Xaviere Simeoni will decide by Friday at the latest whether she wants to bring the case to court to decide if municipal funds were used to give "ghost jobs" to members of Chirac's RPR party, the Journal du Dimanche said. The now 77-year-old Chirac was charged in November 2007 in the case along with five former city hall chiefs of staff and a dozen other people, becoming the first former French president to be put under judicial investigation.
David Mills, the estranged husband of the Labour minister Tessa Jowell, has lost his appeal against a conviction on bribery charges in Italy.He was convicted of accepting £400,000 from the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in 1997.
David Mills, the estranged husband of the Labour minister Tessa Jowell, has lost his appeal against a conviction on bribery charges in Italy.
He was convicted of accepting £400,000 from the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in 1997.
