The British National Party's senior members have voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of allowing a party-wide ballot on membership rules.A change in constitution would bring the BNP in line with the recent Equality Bill, and would allow non-white people to join.On the first day of the party's annual conference in Wigan, delegates debated whether its membership policy should discriminate on the grounds of race or religion.The BNP's leader Nick Griffin was present at the "closed for business" debate, at the Legends Bar in Hindley Green.
The British National Party's senior members have voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of allowing a party-wide ballot on membership rules.
A change in constitution would bring the BNP in line with the recent Equality Bill, and would allow non-white people to join.
On the first day of the party's annual conference in Wigan, delegates debated whether its membership policy should discriminate on the grounds of race or religion.
The BNP's leader Nick Griffin was present at the "closed for business" debate, at the Legends Bar in Hindley Green.
Several politicians due to speak at the conference, organised by the Palestinian Return Centre (PRC), were alarmed to learn the background of fellow speaker Krisztina Morvai, a Hungarian MEP and leader of the far-right Jobbik party in the European parliament.The fledgling party, which recently formed an alliance with the BNP, has attracted fierce criticism for its links to a grassroots militia and the controversial views expressed by some of its supporters towards gay people and and Jews.But it is Jobbik's attitude towards Hungarian Gypsies that has attracted the most controversy. During this year's European elections, the party blamed the country's Romany population for the decline in Hungary's living standards, and says on its website that "voters have had plenty enough of Gypsy crime".The Hungarian Guard militia, which is backed by Jobbik, has marched through Romany ghettoes in Hungary, increasing community tensions. Militia members wear uniforms emblazoned with a striped red-and-white symbol, a version of which was used by the Arrow Cross, a pro-Nazi party that ruled Hungary for a brief but brutal period towards the end of the Second World War. Morvai has been photographed wearing the uniform of the militia, an organisation ruled illegal by a Hungarian court and described as "Hungary's shame" by a former prime minister of the country, Ferenc Gyurcsány.
Several politicians due to speak at the conference, organised by the Palestinian Return Centre (PRC), were alarmed to learn the background of fellow speaker Krisztina Morvai, a Hungarian MEP and leader of the far-right Jobbik party in the European parliament.
The fledgling party, which recently formed an alliance with the BNP, has attracted fierce criticism for its links to a grassroots militia and the controversial views expressed by some of its supporters towards gay people and and Jews.
But it is Jobbik's attitude towards Hungarian Gypsies that has attracted the most controversy. During this year's European elections, the party blamed the country's Romany population for the decline in Hungary's living standards, and says on its website that "voters have had plenty enough of Gypsy crime".
The Hungarian Guard militia, which is backed by Jobbik, has marched through Romany ghettoes in Hungary, increasing community tensions. Militia members wear uniforms emblazoned with a striped red-and-white symbol, a version of which was used by the Arrow Cross, a pro-Nazi party that ruled Hungary for a brief but brutal period towards the end of the Second World War. Morvai has been photographed wearing the uniform of the militia, an organisation ruled illegal by a Hungarian court and described as "Hungary's shame" by a former prime minister of the country, Ferenc Gyurcsány.
("Gypsy crime" should be "Gypsycrime": a neologism created by an associated webpage. And the Hungarian Guard was created by Jobbik, though claiming organisational independence was a legal fiction they tried to use when the Hungarian Guard was banned.) *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
The Swedish leader would like to arrive at the dinner next week with one name for both key jobs, but that is ambitious. There is still no agreement as to the kind of person they want as president. Do they want a bland consensus-builder or do they want someone who can sit at the same table as the Chinese and American presidents? That has not been settled. Neither should Tony Blair be ruled out. He was the clear front-runner but was regarded as damaged by his support for the invasion of Iraq and the fact that Britain was not a member of the euro. In the way that jobs are carved up in Brussels, the Socialist group of leaders indicated that they wanted someone of their political persuasion in the foreign minister's role, not the presidency. But this is now a game about power. Despite the ambitions of the Lisbon Treaty many leaders don't want to be overshadowed by a strong president. That would count against Blair. The French and the Germans are said to have settled on the Belgian Prime Minister, Herman Van Rompuy, as a compromise candidate. He is clearly the current favourite and if the dinner were held tonight he would most likely be chosen. However, the impression that Paris and Berlin are carving this up would almost certainly cause opposition elsewhere and could persuade others to come behind Tony Blair. Even though the French and the Germans are regarded as the power-brokers what happens if Britain and Italy fight for Tony Blair? Who will break the deadlock? It opens the way for deals and horse-trading and the emergence of a candidate that may not yet be in the field.
The Swedish leader would like to arrive at the dinner next week with one name for both key jobs, but that is ambitious. There is still no agreement as to the kind of person they want as president. Do they want a bland consensus-builder or do they want someone who can sit at the same table as the Chinese and American presidents?
That has not been settled. Neither should Tony Blair be ruled out. He was the clear front-runner but was regarded as damaged by his support for the invasion of Iraq and the fact that Britain was not a member of the euro. In the way that jobs are carved up in Brussels, the Socialist group of leaders indicated that they wanted someone of their political persuasion in the foreign minister's role, not the presidency.
But this is now a game about power. Despite the ambitions of the Lisbon Treaty many leaders don't want to be overshadowed by a strong president. That would count against Blair. The French and the Germans are said to have settled on the Belgian Prime Minister, Herman Van Rompuy, as a compromise candidate. He is clearly the current favourite and if the dinner were held tonight he would most likely be chosen. However, the impression that Paris and Berlin are carving this up would almost certainly cause opposition elsewhere and could persuade others to come behind Tony Blair.
Even though the French and the Germans are regarded as the power-brokers what happens if Britain and Italy fight for Tony Blair? Who will break the deadlock? It opens the way for deals and horse-trading and the emergence of a candidate that may not yet be in the field.
Latest estimates show that the EU is set to overshoot its collective emission reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol, the European Commission said yesterday (12 November). A progress report released by the European Environment Agency (EEA) foresees a 13% drop in greenhouse gas emissions below levels in a chosen base year, most often 1990. This would go beyond the collective 8% target of the 15 countries that were EU members at the time of the Kyoto Protocol signature in 1997. In addition, ten of the twelve member states that joined the Union since the Protocol came into being have since signed up to individual commitments, except for Malta and Cyprus. The report expects that all EU countries except for Austria will meet their individual targets. The EEA estimates that emissions from the 15 'old' member states fell to 6.2% below Kyoto base-year levels last year. For the entire 27-member bloc, the cuts would amount to 13.6%. But these figures are boosted by diminished industrial activity due to the financial crisis
A progress report released by the European Environment Agency (EEA) foresees a 13% drop in greenhouse gas emissions below levels in a chosen base year, most often 1990. This would go beyond the collective 8% target of the 15 countries that were EU members at the time of the Kyoto Protocol signature in 1997.
In addition, ten of the twelve member states that joined the Union since the Protocol came into being have since signed up to individual commitments, except for Malta and Cyprus. The report expects that all EU countries except for Austria will meet their individual targets.
The EEA estimates that emissions from the 15 'old' member states fell to 6.2% below Kyoto base-year levels last year. For the entire 27-member bloc, the cuts would amount to 13.6%. But these figures are boosted by diminished industrial activity due to the financial crisis
The report expects that all EU countries except for Austria will meet their individual targets.
Spain, Italy too? *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
The Russian government expressed its surprise on 4 November at the decision by US car giant General Motors to hold onto its European subsidiary Opel and not to sell it. Dmitry Peskov, Interfax quoted a spokesman for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as saying the decision had caused astonishment in Russia and in particular in the Russian government. Putin had previously been keen about the prospect of the Russian company Sberbank buying into Opel
French carmaker Renault will not invest more money in troubled Russian market leader AvtoVAZ, despite a threat by Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin to dilute Renault's 25% stake in the company should it refuse to do so. Russian media reports on 3 November cited Christian Esteve, a member of Renault's management committee, as well as the board of directors of AvtoVAZ, saying that Renault would supply technology to help modernize the Russian auto giant, but not more money.
Some time ago, I have already given an answer on why I blog, but I think there might be some interest in knowing how to actually become a Euroblogger - in 10 steps, because anything can be done in 10 steps. 1. You need to become crazy. If you are not crazy yet, start reading the consolidated Lisbon Treaty from the first to the large page. If you finished reading and you are still not crazy, please apply for a job in one of the EU institutions. 2. You need to make the first and most important choice. If you finished reading the Lisbon Treaty, you think it is crap and you don't like the EU because of that, you need to call yourself a "eurosceptic". If you think it is crap and you still like the EU you are now called "federalist". As a Euroblogger you will belong in one of the two categories, and officially there is nothing in between.
Hungarians and Slovaks are too good at listing their grievances and too bad at tracking change. The row is over but the problems remain. Amid an outcry from neighbouring Hungary, and discreet pressure from other outsiders, Slovakia's government has backed away, for the moment, from implementing its badly drafted and intrusive-sounding new language law. Despite this, hopes that membership of the European Union and NATO would bring a permanent end to central Europe's tribal conflicts and historical grudges now look over-optimistic. It would be good if all concerned - the Slovak government, Hungarians in Slovakia and Hungary's political parties - paused for reflection about the troubling issues that divide them. But the economic crisis, and the likely victory of the tough-talking Viktor Orbán and his right-of-centre Fidesz party in Hungary's parliamentary elections next year, are among the reasons for expecting another flare-up sooner rather than later. A short list of Hungarian grievances would go like this.
The row is over but the problems remain. Amid an outcry from neighbouring Hungary, and discreet pressure from other outsiders, Slovakia's government has backed away, for the moment, from implementing its badly drafted and intrusive-sounding new language law.
Despite this, hopes that membership of the European Union and NATO would bring a permanent end to central Europe's tribal conflicts and historical grudges now look over-optimistic. It would be good if all concerned - the Slovak government, Hungarians in Slovakia and Hungary's political parties - paused for reflection about the troubling issues that divide them. But the economic crisis, and the likely victory of the tough-talking Viktor Orbán and his right-of-centre Fidesz party in Hungary's parliamentary elections next year, are among the reasons for expecting another flare-up sooner rather than later.
A short list of Hungarian grievances would go like this.
What and whose hope was that? Reasons for conflicts were swept under the rug during accession talks. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
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A new study has found that anti-foreigner sentiments are widespread in the EU, although it appears in various forms from country to country. The best way to get rid of it? Friendship, researchers say. One in two Europeans believes there are too many immigrants in Europe. But if you look more closely, it is clear that opinions vary broadly across the continent. In Italy, 62 percent of respondents agree there are too many immigrants, while in Poland, which has very few foreigners, only 27 percent think so. But, when it comes to jobs, three in four Poles say those born in the country should be given preferential treatment. Another example from the study, of a seemingly contradictory nature, comes from the Netherlands. The Dutch are tolerant when it comes to jobs - only one in four of the 8,000 respondents think natives should be favored over immigrants. But, on the other hand, they are the least willing to invest in neighborhoods inhabited by immigrants.
One in two Europeans believes there are too many immigrants in Europe. But if you look more closely, it is clear that opinions vary broadly across the continent.
In Italy, 62 percent of respondents agree there are too many immigrants, while in Poland, which has very few foreigners, only 27 percent think so. But, when it comes to jobs, three in four Poles say those born in the country should be given preferential treatment.
Another example from the study, of a seemingly contradictory nature, comes from the Netherlands. The Dutch are tolerant when it comes to jobs - only one in four of the 8,000 respondents think natives should be favored over immigrants. But, on the other hand, they are the least willing to invest in neighborhoods inhabited by immigrants.
France's Mistral amphibious assault ship will arrive on an official visit to St. Petersburg on November 23.Russia is seeking to buy a Mistral-class helicopter carrier worth 400-500 million euros (around $600-$750 mln). The Russian Navy and defense industry experts will be able to inspect the ship during the visit.
On Sunday (November 15th), Kosovo will hold its first local elections since becoming an independent country. Before the February 2008 unilateral declaration of independence, the OSCE was running the election process and certifying results for the Serbian province. Elections in the country will now be overseen by a Central Election Commission (CEC), led by Nesrin Lushta. She was appointed by President Fatmir Sejdiu in May. The commission has put together a list that includes 1.6 million registered voters in 36 municipalities. There will be 2,256 polling stations. Southeast European Times: The upcoming elections are the first to be conducted by the Kosovo authorities. What major challenges are you facing at this point? Nesrin Lushta: The still not functioning of the Elections Commission for Complaints and Submissions -- an institution independent from the Kosovo Central Election Commission that [makes decisions on] the complaints and the submissions in the electoral process -- the new Kosovo municipalities [and the] late task completion of the Central Election Commission Secretariat are just some of the challenges we are facing at the moment.
On Sunday (November 15th), Kosovo will hold its first local elections since becoming an independent country. Before the February 2008 unilateral declaration of independence, the OSCE was running the election process and certifying results for the Serbian province. Elections in the country will now be overseen by a Central Election Commission (CEC), led by Nesrin Lushta. She was appointed by President Fatmir Sejdiu in May.
The commission has put together a list that includes 1.6 million registered voters in 36 municipalities. There will be 2,256 polling stations.
Southeast European Times: The upcoming elections are the first to be conducted by the Kosovo authorities. What major challenges are you facing at this point?
Nesrin Lushta: The still not functioning of the Elections Commission for Complaints and Submissions -- an institution independent from the Kosovo Central Election Commission that [makes decisions on] the complaints and the submissions in the electoral process -- the new Kosovo municipalities [and the] late task completion of the Central Election Commission Secretariat are just some of the challenges we are facing at the moment.
This past week I have been in Europe to help commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I went into this trip with a great deal of enthusiasm and an expectation that the heroes responsible for that momentous event be justly recognized. Sadly, I was instead reminded of how much we have willingly forgotten. Over the past several months, the Reagan Legacy Foundation has been working hard to ensure that Berliners remember the vital role my father played in bringing down the wall and defeating communism. Amazingly, there are no major statues, memorials or tributes to Ronald Reagan -- the president, the man who sided with freedom over tyranny. Thankfully, in partnering with the "Checkpoint Charlie" museum, we have now unveiled a Ronald Reagan permanent exhibit to help educate Berliners and their international guests of what would have been an unpardonable omission in modern historical analysis of that period. During these ceremonies I fully expected the legends of this period to be honored, or to at least be mentioned. But over the course of this celebration that included fireworks and a re-enactment of the fall of the wall, I heard nary a mention of Ronald Reagan or Margaret Thatcher. This was both frustrating and alarming.
Over the past several months, the Reagan Legacy Foundation has been working hard to ensure that Berliners remember the vital role my father played in bringing down the wall and defeating communism. Amazingly, there are no major statues, memorials or tributes to Ronald Reagan -- the president, the man who sided with freedom over tyranny.
Thankfully, in partnering with the "Checkpoint Charlie" museum, we have now unveiled a Ronald Reagan permanent exhibit to help educate Berliners and their international guests of what would have been an unpardonable omission in modern historical analysis of that period.
During these ceremonies I fully expected the legends of this period to be honored, or to at least be mentioned. But over the course of this celebration that included fireworks and a re-enactment of the fall of the wall, I heard nary a mention of Ronald Reagan or Margaret Thatcher. This was both frustrating and alarming.
I should think the whole of Europe should be full of giant Reagan and Thatcher statues. Why don't we start a petition?
a nice nude of pat buchanan would look fetching outside the houses of parliament on the thames bank too.
why stop there? reagan memorials should be on postal stampage, coinage, currency banknotes anywhere we can feel the trickle down of his blessed era. ~Government budget deficits are not nearly as dangerous as the deficits we have created in vital and complex natural systems.~ Naomi Klein.
(of course not as big a fortune as if you had the actual politicians) Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
Thatcher went as far as pleading the USSR off the record to ignore the official Western position and stop Reunification; Thatcher favoured the survival of the Warshaw Pact (take that, Václav Klaus!);
Amazing that the Berliners has not built her any statues.
And while lacking a quote from the Raygun himself, here is his handler speaking:
DoDo:
Bush: As strange as it would seem but on this question you are in the same boat with our Nato allies. The most conservative of them welcome your approach. At the same time, they have to think about that time when such concepts as the FRG and the GDR will become part of the past. In this question, I will be acting with great care. Let our Democrats accuse me in being timid but I am not going to jump on the wall because there is too much at stake here.
Bush:
As strange as it would seem but on this question you are in the same boat with our Nato allies. The most conservative of them welcome your approach. At the same time, they have to think about that time when such concepts as the FRG and the GDR will become part of the past. In this question, I will be acting with great care. Let our Democrats accuse me in being timid but I am not going to jump on the wall because there is too much at stake here.
Providing various innocuous-sounding courses to people unaware of the sect connection is one of their less well known methods. And I wonder how many people have been forced into it by bosses. (I was aware of the courses in Budapest from their advertisements, but this is the first story I read.) *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Does Biased News Have a 'Time Bomb' Effect? Michael Bruter, a senior lecturer in European politics at the school, fed a steady diet of slanted newsletters ... Bruter calls this the "time bomb" effect of one-sided news. His study paints a blunt picture of how cynicism, far from inoculating citizens to resist political persuasion, merely delays the impact.
Michael Bruter, a senior lecturer in European politics at the school, fed a steady diet of slanted newsletters ...
Bruter calls this the "time bomb" effect of one-sided news. His study paints a blunt picture of how cynicism, far from inoculating citizens to resist political persuasion, merely delays the impact.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
