The first concern is that this could develop into the "Empty Chair" crisis of the 1960's, which stymied European integration for a decade.

This attempt to destroy the Lisbon Treaty by the neo-cons through "referendums" is following a well crafted course.

Fold inserted, lazy linking corrected.

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

Voting "no" to the Lisbon Treaty is like voting "yes" to the continuance of the Cold War order of an American-NATO domination of Europe and the international system.

This game plan of demanding "referendums" on the Lisbon Treaty, especially in Britain, is being actively promoted by the neo-cons of the Heritage Foundation and the Thatchrites of the Thatcher Center for Freedom. These people find the Lisbon Treaty a BIG TIME threat to the NATO-American order in Europe, the "special relationship" between the US and UK, and a threat to American dominance of the international order.

...

RECALLING that the common security and defence policy of the Union respects the obligations under the Nor th Atlantic Treaty of those Member States which see their common defence realised in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which remains the foundation of the collective defence of its members, and is compatible with the common security and defence policy established within that framework,

CONVINCED that a more assertive Union role in security and defence matters will contribute to the vitality of a renewed Atlantic Alliance, in accordance with the Berlin Plus arrangements,

...

The public should not be voting on European treaties, and this episode just demonstrates how right the French and Dutch were in changing their ratification process. As we well know, European treaties are often a couple of hundred pages long and are intended to amend the treaties before it. Most in the European public are apathetic to the operation and purpose of European integration and the Union. This means that the Irish electorate has to rely on media coverage, which we know is often skewed in an anti-Europe direction.

The thing is, European "treaties" are establishing much more than your standard treaty institution - the European Union is being established as a superstate. With legislative, executive and judiciary branches, that indeed supersede most legislative activities in local parliaments, and becomes court of last resort over any court decision.

Such an important body needs legitimacy and approval from citizens ; without being asked for it, many will feel manipulated and dictated too, normal sentiments played upon by national media and unscrupulous politicians. Strong constitutional changes need popular approval.

Democratic institutions needs at some points to appeal to popular approval, at least to found their legitimacy. That's why Europe will need an EU-wide popular assent, or states will continue to undermine it, like for example Sarkozy regularly does.  A body of treaties that has been repeatedly refused needs to be changed - a message the governments don't want to hear.

The approval needs not be a referendum ; but an European Parliament elected with constitutional powers as an major campaigning point could have that legitimacies. Governments, which are still systematically elected on national platforms, with EU policies an afterthought, don't have that legitimacy.

Auferre, trucidare, rapere, falsis nominibus imperium; atque, ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.