Bear with a sore head. | 61 comments (61 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Bear with a sore head. (none / 1)

Convincing the countries of the former Eastern bloc that NATO membership was a co-requisite of EU membership must count as one of the most successful misinformation camapigns of European history. However, it has been used successfully on other countries such as Spain and Portugal, I think.

For some reason, Ireland and Finland have been immune to this.

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 05:32:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bear with a sore head. (none / 1)

Ireland wouldn't sign on for a military alliance that included the UK. At this stage military neutrality has become an article of faith here.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 05:34:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bear with a sore head. (4.00 / 2)

After Bush II, I wonder why anyone would still want to be part of a military alliance that includes the US.

But, even on this front, Bush is just a symptom, not the disease. That's what Atlanticists have a hard time realising.

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 05:37:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bear with a sore head. (none / 0)

Oh, really? So if Putin or Ahmadinejad wanted to fly their captives through Shannon to be tortured, the Irish would let them?

Interesting concept of "neutrality"!

by Matt in NYC on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 08:06:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bear with a sore head. (none / 0)

WTF?

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 08:08:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bear with a sore head. (none / 1)

What I'm saying: the CIA certainly doesn't think of Ireland as a "neutral" country.

by Matt in NYC on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 08:24:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bear with a sore head. (none / 1)

Probably, if the price was right. Putin, no problem. Ahmadinejad maybe.

Aeroflot always operated through Shannon.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 08:13:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bear with a sore head. (none / 1)

At least the Russians would stop for a drink.....

"The future is already here -- it's just not very evenly distributed" William Gibson

by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 08:15:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bear with a sore head. (4.00 / 2)

Oh, it was always neutral against the Commies, but that's another matter.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 08:16:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bear with a sore head. (none / 1)

Finland waits for new EU treaty before NATO membership review.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 06:10:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bear with a sore head. (none / 0)

"The general public opinion [in Finland] would be for a European security solution instead of NATO. But the politicians don't hold out much hope for this - the EU is not a military alliance and any security guarantees given by the EU states are not such as could offer real defence," she added.

I have an idea: let's put a Finn in charge of the European Defence Agency.

Hmmm, the head of the EDA is the HR for the CFSP, which is Javier Solana of NATO Serbia bombing campaign fame.

I was going to suggest Martti Ahtisaari [no other Finnish diplomats come to mind, sorry] to succeed Solana, but he's gotten himself embroiled in the Kosovo mess on the NATO side, so I don't know.

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Apr 27th, 2007 at 06:20:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Bear with a sore head. | 61 comments (61 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Top Diaries

What's Next, After the Slam?

Shock Election Loss Rutte IV In Senate Race

Honduras Establishes Close Ties with China

A Return to Normalcy?

A Grand Slam for Ireland?

NI Protocol: It's all over bar the shouting?

Chinese peace principles for the war in Ukraine

The Windsor Framework

Recent Diaries

Neo-Nazi Marches Across Europe

Fascism Unites America, Israel and EU Neo-Nazis

What's Next, After the Slam?

Settler Extremism Blessed by Jerusalem Leaders

US Interference In Lebanon-Syria-Ira
q

City Agriculture - March 17, 2023

Shock Election Loss Rutte IV In Senate Race

Stalemate Endures, Pessimism Grows, Deaths Mount

Honduras Establishes Close Ties with China

A Grand Slam for Ireland?

Living In Spain and Social-Democracy

USA Censorship Act to Kill Disinformation

Flying Fortresses and Nuclear Threat

Universal Criticism Asylum Threshold EU Fortress

China Trade and Relations

SBU As a Terror Network

A Return to Normalcy?

Georgia and Foreign Agents or Spy Law

Nord Stream Blasts Timeline of Denial

Crimea As Endgame Before Going M.A.D.

Occasional Series