Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
European Union ministers have called for Jerusalem to serve as the capital of both Israel and a future Palestinian state as part of a negotiated peace.The foreign ministers dropped an earlier reference stating explicitly that East Jerusalem should be the capital of a Palestinian state. Palestinians welcomed the statement. Israel said it contained "nothing new". Jerusalem's status is one of the most sensitive and complex issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "If there is to be a genuine peace, a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states," the statement from EU foreign minsters said.
European Union ministers have called for Jerusalem to serve as the capital of both Israel and a future Palestinian state as part of a negotiated peace.
The foreign ministers dropped an earlier reference stating explicitly that East Jerusalem should be the capital of a Palestinian state.
Palestinians welcomed the statement. Israel said it contained "nothing new".
Jerusalem's status is one of the most sensitive and complex issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"If there is to be a genuine peace, a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states," the statement from EU foreign minsters said.
... cos sooner or later they're gonna come up against an end stop of nowhere for the displaced people to go.
Simple solution: Kill them all off if they won't leave voluntarily. Show me the data that proves that this is not the unofficial policy being pursued. In the end, might makes right. Nothing has changed since the caveman.
That this policy is not credible ...
Why so? People Do die; proven fact. In fact, I think the super-wealthy are looking at the Israeli/Palestinian "situation" as a dry run for what they'll want to do with ALL of the world's poor.
And good morning. In the end, might makes right. Nothing has changed since the caveman.
Rhodri Morgan has tendered his resignation as first minister to the Queen after nearly 10 years in the job, and received all-party tributes.He said the "self confidence" Wales had achieved over the previous decade "bodes well" for the next 20 years. The Conservatives said Mr Morgan, 70, had made an "outstanding contribution". Presiding officer Lord Elis Thomas said he had kept the trust of the Welsh people and brought a "dignity and your unique trait to the office".
Rhodri Morgan has tendered his resignation as first minister to the Queen after nearly 10 years in the job, and received all-party tributes.
He said the "self confidence" Wales had achieved over the previous decade "bodes well" for the next 20 years.
The Conservatives said Mr Morgan, 70, had made an "outstanding contribution".
Presiding officer Lord Elis Thomas said he had kept the trust of the Welsh people and brought a "dignity and your unique trait to the office".
An Irish bishop flew to Rome yesterday to hand in his resignation after days of angry and intense pressure over his handling of cases of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Donal Murray, Bishop of Limerick (pictured), gave every sign of acting with great reluctance, after spending some days apparently playing for time in the hope of keeping his post. But the wave of shock and horror which followed publication of a damning report, which revealed a systematic high-level church cover-up of the abuse of children by priests, is in effect sweeping him from office.
Donal Murray, Bishop of Limerick (pictured), gave every sign of acting with great reluctance, after spending some days apparently playing for time in the hope of keeping his post. But the wave of shock and horror which followed publication of a damning report, which revealed a systematic high-level church cover-up of the abuse of children by priests, is in effect sweeping him from office.
He's not gonna suffer materially, even if he loses a bit of face. Nobody is gonna do any time for their disgusting behaviour, nobody is gonna suffer discomfort. Only little people do that and they are expendable if the church is threatened in any way.
It's what hte policy of Mental Reservation is about
One of the most fascinating discoveries in the Dublin Archdiocese report was that of the concept of "mental reservation" which allows clerics mislead people without believing they are lying. According to the Commission of Investigation report, "mental reservation is a concept developed and much discussed over the centuries, which permits a church man knowingly to convey a misleading impression to another person without being guilty of lying". It gives an example. "John calls to the parish priest to make a complaint about the behaviour of one of his curates. The parish priest sees him coming but does not want to see him because he considers John to be a troublemaker. He sends another of his curates to answer the door. John asks the curate if the parish priest is in. The curate replies that he is not." The commission added: "This is clearly untrue but in the Church's view it is not a lie because, when the curate told John that the parish priest was not in, he mentally reserved the words '...to you'."
According to the Commission of Investigation report, "mental reservation is a concept developed and much discussed over the centuries, which permits a church man knowingly to convey a misleading impression to another person without being guilty of lying".
It gives an example. "John calls to the parish priest to make a complaint about the behaviour of one of his curates. The parish priest sees him coming but does not want to see him because he considers John to be a troublemaker. He sends another of his curates to answer the door. John asks the curate if the parish priest is in. The curate replies that he is not."
The commission added: "This is clearly untrue but in the Church's view it is not a lie because, when the curate told John that the parish priest was not in, he mentally reserved the words '...to you'."
Politically, it would certainly be expedient to throw a few former employees under the popemobile. The Vatican could claim they were exceptional, justice has been served, draw a line under the whole affair, etc.
RESIGNATION Can. 187 Anyone responsible for oneself (sui compos) can resign from an ecclesiastical ofWce for a just cause. Can. 188 A resignation made out of grave fear that is inflicted unjustly or out of malice, substantial error, or simony is invalid by the law itself. Can. 189 §1. To be valid, a resignation, whether it requires acceptance or not, must be made to the authority to whom it pertains to make provision of the office in question; this must be done either in writing, or orally in the presence of two witnesses. §2. The authority is not to accept a resignation which is not based on a just and proportionate cause. §3. A resignation which requires acceptance lacks all force if it is not accepted within three months; one which does not require acceptance takes effect when it has been communicated by the one resigning according to the norm of law. §4. A resignation can be revoked by the one resigning as long as it has not taken effect; once it has taken effect it cannot be revoked, but the one who resigned can obtain the office by some other title.
Can. 187 Anyone responsible for oneself (sui compos) can resign from an ecclesiastical ofWce for a just cause.
Can. 188 A resignation made out of grave fear that is inflicted unjustly or out of malice, substantial error, or simony is invalid by the law itself.
Can. 189 §1. To be valid, a resignation, whether it requires acceptance or not, must be made to the authority to whom it pertains to make provision of the office in question; this must be done either in writing, or orally in the presence of two witnesses.
§2. The authority is not to accept a resignation which is not based on a just and proportionate cause.
§3. A resignation which requires acceptance lacks all force if it is not accepted within three months; one which does not require acceptance takes effect when it has been communicated by the one resigning according to the norm of law.
§4. A resignation can be revoked by the one resigning as long as it has not taken effect; once it has taken effect it cannot be revoked, but the one who resigned can obtain the office by some other title.
Retired French accountant André Bamberski waited more than a quarter of a century for the man he believed had killed his daughter to be brought to justice. Exactly 27 years and 99 days after Kalinka Bamberski, 14, died, her father took the law into his own hands, judges heard as his court case started today. The man he blamed for killing her, German cardiologist Dieter Krombach, was abducted from his home in Bavaria in October, beaten, bound and gagged. He was then driven across the border to France where he was left near a courthouse in the eastern city of Mulhouse.
Exactly 27 years and 99 days after Kalinka Bamberski, 14, died, her father took the law into his own hands, judges heard as his court case started today.
The man he blamed for killing her, German cardiologist Dieter Krombach, was abducted from his home in Bavaria in October, beaten, bound and gagged. He was then driven across the border to France where he was left near a courthouse in the eastern city of Mulhouse.
Turkey's Constitutional Court is considering whether to ban the country's leading Kurdish party. Prosecutors accuse the Democratic Society Party (DTP), which holds 21 seats in the 550-member parliament, of supporting Kurdish separatist rebels. The 11 judges are expected to take days or weeks to reach their verdict. Tension in the mainly Kurdish south-east of Turkey has risen in recent months despite a government drive to improve ties with the Kurdish minority. Analysts say if the court decides to close down the DTP, it could derail Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's effort to broaden the rights of Kurdish citizens.
Prosecutors accuse the Democratic Society Party (DTP), which holds 21 seats in the 550-member parliament, of supporting Kurdish separatist rebels.
The 11 judges are expected to take days or weeks to reach their verdict.
Tension in the mainly Kurdish south-east of Turkey has risen in recent months despite a government drive to improve ties with the Kurdish minority.
Analysts say if the court decides to close down the DTP, it could derail Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's effort to broaden the rights of Kurdish citizens.
Skopje had been hoping for a different outcome from a meeting of the union's foreign ministers on Monday. But after mulling it over, the diplomats decided it was best to revisit the issue of Macedonian accession when Spain picks up the reins of the rotating presidency next year. Greece is opposed to starting talks with the ex-Yugoslav republic on the grounds that Macedonia is the name of a Greek province and that as such it ought not be adopted by anyone else.
Greece is opposed to starting talks with the ex-Yugoslav republic on the grounds that Macedonia is the name of a Greek province and that as such it ought not be adopted by anyone else.
Shouldn't they also break off relations with the U.S. until Ohio renames Macedonia, OH?
Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
When is the last time Macedonia, Ohio invaded and tried to dismember Greece? Does Macedonia still pine for Northern Greece? Anything that gives FYROM a legal right by proxy to make claims on Greece should be absolutely forestalled prior to their entering the Union.
The naming of the country as Macedonia allows it to make claims on Greece in a variety of ways. I know it's easy to comment on this as an irrational issue, but the details are a lot stickier.
From what I can tell, international arbitrators are not wholesome and fair all the time. Croatia may be in for a rude awakening.
And when Greece complains about an EU event at which "Macedonian salad" was served (which I remember well because it happened when I was visiting Greece at the time), the temptation to make fun of the whole thing is irresistible.
Bretagne doesn't have the recent history of war and invasion that Greek Macedonia does.
I wrote a comment a while back on the issue that whataboutbob elevated to the front page. Here it is:
http://www.eurotrib.com/story/2009/3/20/112726/173
Cave now and go to court for the next few decades with a northern neighbor.
Greece has already endured the enmity of NATO at Bucharest and now the EU.
They paid a price.
It would be highly surprising to see them move from what I believe is a red-line position, i.e. (pick a name, any name).
I would also say that suspicion on both dies is a prime motivator. Seriously, if a single politician in the north could utter the words, Greek Macedonia, it might go a long way toward assuaging fears. And north of the border to fear is that "the wolves" are at the gate again, there to finish off the job from previous losses. That's why this is about much more than a name, it's about history from 60 years ago.
DW reported on a heated exchange between German parliamentarian Angelika Beer and Greek MP Micias Marutkiotis. Beer's reaction came after Marutkiotis wrapped up a speech of how helpful his country had been in the EU integration process of Balkan countries adding "Greece had helped the economy of each Balkan country" This could be a new investment model: a bankrupt country helping others. Walter Kolbo, former MP and head of the "Macedonian Greek Partnership" reminded his Greek colleague that the German Bundestag had passed a resolution back in 2003 asking Athens to cease their obstructions towards Macedonia, adding Macedonians and Greeks are "Europeans", there is no need for blocking neighbors from getting into NATO and the EU.MP Angelika Beer, in comparison to Mr. Kolbo, was somewhat sharper and clearer in her reply to the Greek delegation: "You must decide how far you like to push your policies against the wishes of the Europeans. It would be best for you to decide whether you wish to stick to your policies or leave the European Union."
Walter Kolbo, former MP and head of the "Macedonian Greek Partnership" reminded his Greek colleague that the German Bundestag had passed a resolution back in 2003 asking Athens to cease their obstructions towards Macedonia, adding Macedonians and Greeks are "Europeans", there is no need for blocking neighbors from getting into NATO and the EU.MP Angelika Beer, in comparison to Mr. Kolbo, was somewhat sharper and clearer in her reply to the Greek delegation: "You must decide how far you like to push your policies against the wishes of the Europeans. It would be best for you to decide whether you wish to stick to your policies or leave the European Union."
Sofia Echo [BG]: EU membership talks delay means `disappointment but not surprise' in Macedonia
The decision not to decide a date was taken to give Skopje and Athens time to resolve their dispute about the use of the name Macedonia, the EU's top envoy to Macedonia, Erwan Fouere, was reported as saying. Fouere said that the December 8 decision by the EU Council of Ministers should not be likened to the decision at a Nato summit in Bucharest in 2008 not to invite Macedonia to join the military alliance. Greece was behind the decision not to invite Macedonia to join Nato, against the urging of major members of the alliance including the United States. Fouere said that the EU decision was made to extend an opportunity for the continuation of name talks with Greece, Balkan Insight said. European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that "silent diplomacy" was being conducted about the name dispute, adding that the recommendation of the EU foreign ministers was not discouraging, Macedonia's Utrinski Vesnik said, according to Bulgarian news agency Focus.
Fouere said that the EU decision was made to extend an opportunity for the continuation of name talks with Greece, Balkan Insight said.
European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that "silent diplomacy" was being conducted about the name dispute, adding that the recommendation of the EU foreign ministers was not discouraging, Macedonia's Utrinski Vesnik said, according to Bulgarian news agency Focus.
Cyprus would be solved instantly if Merkel announces tonight that Germany supports Turkey in the EU.
Seemingly, one's identity should be sacrosanct, and I personally acknowledge the Macedonian right to refer to themselves as they wish, but it's a principle that should come with many caveats. Scratch the service in this case and you ask yourself, what if the identity in question was produced and reinforced as a means to dismember territory from another country? What if this same people held an aggrieved sense of injustice from the outcomes of WW1, WW2, the Greek Civil War, and for these reasons had instituted a propaganda campaign meant to brainwash the populace with totally indefensible propaganda that usurped a neighbor's history (Bulgaria has the same problem with FYROM)? What if the top politicians of this country often referred to the stealing of territory at the whims of the great powers? What if the rights to intervene in neighbor's affairs to protect Macedonians living in Greece were writ into the country's constitution? What if the symbol of the city of Saloniki was stamped on the money of that nation? etc.
Check out these state-sponsored newly issued encyclopedias & ads:
http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/macedonia-embroiled-encyclopaedia-row/article-186333
http://www.rferl.org/content/Macedonian_Encyclopedia_Sparks_Balkan_Ethnic_Row/1830215.html
http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/8264/45/
This is a transcript of a 5 minute ad on state-sponsored television:
Divine blessing for you, my Macedonians. I have waited for thousands of years to be called by you. From always with you, from eternity I am coming, I am already among you because here neither time nor space exists. Here, at my place, the time is still. But at your place, the time is now, for me to explain. Your mother earth I have inhabited with three races: the White-Macedonoids, the Yellow-Mongoloids and the Black-Negroids. The rest-all are mulattoes. From you, Macedonians, the descendants of Macedon, I have impregnated the White race and everything began from you, to the Sea of Japan. All White people are your brothers because they carry Macedonian gene. And all the migrations started from your place towards the north. Kokino, Porodin, Radobor, Angelci, Barutnica, Govrlevo, wherever you dig you shall find the truth who you are, why you are and from where are you. Evil diabolic souls obscured the truth for thousands of years and lied to the world.
You couple this sort of thing with scientific "proof" presented that Greeks are sub-Saharan Africans, Albanians a nomadic tribe new to the scene, Bulgarians as falsifiers, etc., and what do you have? This comes from the country's intelligentsia and political leadership. That's not to say there aren't Greek bigots and racists and nationalists, but George Papandreou is not going to give seed money to the next Leni Riefenstahl.
So, to answer you, on the one hand you have the acknowledged history: The vast majority of historical Macedonia exists within Greece.
Whose Macedonia existed first? Greece's did. And I'm not talking about ancient history. You can read research that shows all sorts of Macedonian cultural associations in the area were Greek in the mid to late 19th century.
The Slavic Macedonian consciousness movement which came later was a response to battles between groups that formerly identified as Bulgarians.
And then, after you look at the history, the context for Macedonian identity is troubled. The seemingly innocuous principle of self-identification perturbs when that identity was constructed purposely in a propaganda war against a neighbor, an identity that was concocted initially for irredentist aspirations, and subsequently reinforced to cloak those same aspirations.
Either way, this will not end pretty.
The European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg has agreed, six votes to one, with a Spanish woman of gypsy origin after she was denied a widow's pension by the Spanish state. It ruled that article 14 which prohibits discrimination, and article 1 on the protection of property of the European Convention on Human Rights had both been violated. The Spanish Government has said that her marriage, under the gyspey (sic) rites at the age of 15, was not valid in law. But despite the fact that gypsy weddings are not legal in Spain the court in Strasbourg recognised the arguments of the woman, Maria Luisa Muñoz, known as `la Nena'. She had six children with her husband who died in the year 2000, and was left without any payments despite the fact that her husband, a labourer, had paid into the Spanish social security system for more than 19 years.
The Spanish Government has said that her marriage, under the gyspey (sic) rites at the age of 15, was not valid in law.
But despite the fact that gypsy weddings are not legal in Spain the court in Strasbourg recognised the arguments of the woman, Maria Luisa Muñoz, known as `la Nena'. She had six children with her husband who died in the year 2000, and was left without any payments despite the fact that her husband, a labourer, had paid into the Spanish social security system for more than 19 years.
Banks will be hit by a 50 per cent tax on bonus pay-outs, Alistair Darling, the chancellor, said in his pre-Budget report, in a move that will inflame bankers but is likely to be welcomed by the general public.The first £25,000 of bonuses will be exempt from the tax.The Treasury estimates that the measure - which comes into immediate effect and runs until April 5 next year - will affect 20,000 bankers. Lord Myners, the City minister, recently estimated that 5,000 bankers earn more than £1m in bonuses."We hope it will be a disincentive for banks to pay bonuses," said one Treasury official.The windfall tax - which politicians argue is justified, as banks have generated excess profits as a direct, or indirect, result of the bail-out of the banking system - will apply to all banks and building societies, including groups that operate in the UK under a European Union branch system.
The first £25,000 of bonuses will be exempt from the tax.
The Treasury estimates that the measure - which comes into immediate effect and runs until April 5 next year - will affect 20,000 bankers. Lord Myners, the City minister, recently estimated that 5,000 bankers earn more than £1m in bonuses.
"We hope it will be a disincentive for banks to pay bonuses," said one Treasury official.
The windfall tax - which politicians argue is justified, as banks have generated excess profits as a direct, or indirect, result of the bail-out of the banking system - will apply to all banks and building societies, including groups that operate in the UK under a European Union branch system.
