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○ Incoming EU chief von der Leyen says 'we don't want a hard Brexit' | Reuters | ○ Germany's von der Leyen supports Brexit extension | DW | ○ Von der Leyen: EU could trigger emergency funding to protect countries hit by a no-deal Brexit | Politico !
Related reading ...
○ The Free State of Bavaria and its party: the CSU ○ Germany's Greens hit poll high, ahead of Merkel's bloc: survey ○ What Amsterdam's First Green, Female Mayor Means for the City
A Green Wave in Western Europe is only possible by positive economic news ... get rid of Trump and the universal U.S. sanctions and economic warfare to push capitalism of greed.
Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act and Nord Stream II - targeting German firms ...
○ U.S. warns German companies of possible sanctions over Russian pipeline
Let's get rid of all the barriers. Let's open the door. Let's finally complete the Capital Markets Union. Our small and medium-sized businesses deserve it. pic.twitter.com/MdGtjpNfFO— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 16, 2019
Let's get rid of all the barriers. Let's open the door. Let's finally complete the Capital Markets Union. Our small and medium-sized businesses deserve it. pic.twitter.com/MdGtjpNfFO
○ Von der Leyen's Green Deal isn't just a plan for the environment
The Dutch with long-time serving PM Rutte at the helm is missing out on progressive issues and the environment - TIME FOR CHANGE!
The Dutch not meeting the EU standard on emissions and air quality while permitting Schiphol Airport to expand! Not even mentioning the expansion of Lelystad airport for holiday flights. 'Sapere aude'
A predilection to please, to over compensate for sketchy competence in the EC, might or might not prove problematic for the Clowncil. < reckless eyeballing > Where's Selmayr? Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
According to Jean Quatremer (article in French): Selmayr's departure was demanded by heads of state/government at the 2 July European Council. Why? Juncker had practically handed over the reins of power to Selmayr, who had become acting ComPres. And Selmayr crossed a red line when, end of June, he agitated against Timmermans by stirring up the V4 + Romania + Croatia against him, and in favour of his candidate, Croatian PM Plenkovic; and also VdL wanted him immediately out after he arranged feeble advisers for her in preparation for the EP group hearings she blew, at the same time as he was working the EP against her, still hoping to end up with Plenkovic as ComPres.
Wanted: New Job for Martin Selmayr | Politico | POLITICO has obtained this letter of recommendation written on Selmayr's behalf as part of the severance package. To whom it may concern, I have worked with Martin Selmayr over the last five years and can highly recommend him as a valuable addition to your team. In fact, once you hire Martin, you won't even need the rest of the team. With most new employees, you expect a certain period of getting-up-to-speed and learning-the-ropes. This is not an issue with Martin. Before his contract is even signed, he'll be running the place. What are his strengths and weaknesses? Strengths: Martin is an energetic self-starter who doesn't take No for an answer -- even from himself. His attention to detail is talked about in hushed tones in the Berlaymont. Just about everyone in the Commission could count on him to add track changes to whatever speech or piece of legislation or internal memo they were working on. They didn't even have to ask for help -- or for the Bertelsmann angle they hadn't previously considered. [...]
POLITICO has obtained this letter of recommendation written on Selmayr's behalf as part of the severance package.
I have worked with Martin Selmayr over the last five years and can highly recommend him as a valuable addition to your team. In fact, once you hire Martin, you won't even need the rest of the team.
With most new employees, you expect a certain period of getting-up-to-speed and learning-the-ropes. This is not an issue with Martin. Before his contract is even signed, he'll be running the place.
What are his strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths: Martin is an energetic self-starter who doesn't take No for an answer -- even from himself.
His attention to detail is talked about in hushed tones in the Berlaymont. Just about everyone in the Commission could count on him to add track changes to whatever speech or piece of legislation or internal memo they were working on. They didn't even have to ask for help -- or for the Bertelsmann angle they hadn't previously considered.
[...]
More @ #selmayr
Controversially appointed EU Commission top official Martin #Selmayr would have overplayed his hand in his schemes against #vonderleyen so badly that EU leaders want him to go now, instead of in fall. He'd now be trying to become @ECB secretary general... (_link)— Pieter Cleppe (@pietercleppe) July 18, 2019
Controversially appointed EU Commission top official Martin #Selmayr would have overplayed his hand in his schemes against #vonderleyen so badly that EU leaders want him to go now, instead of in fall. He'd now be trying to become @ECB secretary general... (_link)
In preparation for #EPplenary and vote, Ursula #vonderLeyen has presented a list of commitments to S&D - here . 'Sapere aude'
Ms Merkel said: "The way I understand it is that Ursula von der Leyen said if there is the wish for more time coming from the UK she will grant it.
"That's how we acted in the past already. If the UK needs more time we will give it to them, if not then that's OK."
If the UK is determined to leave, even without a deal, the EU cannot force them to another extension.
Then again, Boris has flipped-flopped more times than your average Brussels waffle; might very well pull something else out of his, er, hat.
London protest today 'Sapere aude'
And that's the truth. Things are going to slide, slide in all directions Won't be nothing Nothing you can measure anymore L. Cohen
This looks bad. UK-flagged tanker "Stena Impero" has taken a very sudden turn in to Iranian waters. It is listed as going to Saudi Arabia. @thinkdefence @UKDefJournal @ELINTNews @DefenceSenseUK @air_intel @AuroraIntel pic.twitter.com/1FHg2oc8bh— The Brit (@TheBrit96) July 19, 2019
This looks bad. UK-flagged tanker "Stena Impero" has taken a very sudden turn in to Iranian waters. It is listed as going to Saudi Arabia. @thinkdefence @UKDefJournal @ELINTNews @DefenceSenseUK @air_intel @AuroraIntel pic.twitter.com/1FHg2oc8bh
Iran claims to have seized British oil tanker in strait of Hormuz | The Guardian | Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim to have seized a British oil tanker, the Stena Impero, which suddenly veered off course and headed into Iranian waters. The ship's owners issued a statement saying it had been "approached by unidentified small crafts and a helicopter during transit of the Strait of Hormuz while the vessel was in international waters." "We are presently unable to contact the vessel which is now heading north towards Iran," the owners, Stena Bulk, and the ship's managers, Northern Marine, said in the statement. The UK ministry of defence said it was urgently looking into what had happened to the Stena Impero, a 30,000 tonne British-flagged ship, which was heading for Saudi Arabia when it abruptly left the international sea lanes through the strait of Hormuz and tracking data showed it heading north towards the Iranian island of Qeshm, where the Iran's Revolutionary Guard has a substantial base.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim to have seized a British oil tanker, the Stena Impero, which suddenly veered off course and headed into Iranian waters.
The ship's owners issued a statement saying it had been "approached by unidentified small crafts and a helicopter during transit of the Strait of Hormuz while the vessel was in international waters."
"We are presently unable to contact the vessel which is now heading north towards Iran," the owners, Stena Bulk, and the ship's managers, Northern Marine, said in the statement.
The UK ministry of defence said it was urgently looking into what had happened to the Stena Impero, a 30,000 tonne British-flagged ship, which was heading for Saudi Arabia when it abruptly left the international sea lanes through the strait of Hormuz and tracking data showed it heading north towards the Iranian island of Qeshm, where the Iran's Revolutionary Guard has a substantial base.
○ British flagged tanker seized by Iran | UK Defence Journal | ○ IRGC says captures British oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz | PressTV - Iran |
○ Iran nuclear deal at threat over UK seizure of oil tanker in Gibraltar | The Independent | ○ Iran threatens to seize UK ship over Gibraltar incident | DW | 'Sapere aude'
Iran has seized a second tanker, the Liberian-flagged MV Mesdar, according to a US official. The order of seizure of this one and the British-flagged tanker isn't clear at this time. (_link) pic.twitter.com/h7mXiIWTRN— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) July 19, 2019
Iran has seized a second tanker, the Liberian-flagged MV Mesdar, according to a US official. The order of seizure of this one and the British-flagged tanker isn't clear at this time. (_link) pic.twitter.com/h7mXiIWTRN
○ Mesdar Liberia crude oil tanker - tracker
British foreign minister 'extremely concerned' by Iran's seizure of two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz | CNBC | British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he is concerned by the seizure of two ships by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.K. is attempting to resolve the situation in Tehran and with international partners. "I'm extremely concerned by the seizure of two naval vessels by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz," said Hunt. "I will shortly attend a COBRA meeting to review what we know and what we can do to swiftly secure the release of the two vessels -- a British-flagged vessel and a Liberian-flagged vessel."
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he is concerned by the seizure of two ships by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.K. is attempting to resolve the situation in Tehran and with international partners.
"I'm extremely concerned by the seizure of two naval vessels by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz," said Hunt.
"I will shortly attend a COBRA meeting to review what we know and what we can do to swiftly secure the release of the two vessels -- a British-flagged vessel and a Liberian-flagged vessel."
○ "I like him. I like Boris Johnson. I spoke to him yesterday," Trump. 'Sapere aude'
BREAKING: EU Commission's First Vice-President Frans Timmermans: "UK ministers were running around like idiots" when they arrived to negotiate #Brexit in 2017 (BBC Panorama)— Antonello Guerrera (@antoguerrera) July 17, 2019
BREAKING: EU Commission's First Vice-President Frans Timmermans: "UK ministers were running around like idiots" when they arrived to negotiate #Brexit in 2017 (BBC Panorama)
David Lidington revealed that a senior EU official made a secret offer to the UK to put Brexit on hold for five years and negotiate a "new deal for Europe".
We cannot risk giving the keys of the EU's future to a Boris Johnson, or a Michael Gove, the architects of this #Brexit disaster. A long extension would do exactly that. pic.twitter.com/TyFX2lepic— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) April 3, 2019
We cannot risk giving the keys of the EU's future to a Boris Johnson, or a Michael Gove, the architects of this #Brexit disaster. A long extension would do exactly that. pic.twitter.com/TyFX2lepic
○ EU officials don't relish the idea of no deal - but they are prepared to play hardball | The Guardian Opinion - Charles Grant | ○ EU picks divided how to handle Brexit | FT |
Boris, the Isle of Man is not bound to the #EU 'pointless and damaging' red tape in #foodsafety that we are proud of because it protects consumers.You omitted to say that the Isle of Man is not in the EU. This packaging - #uk competence.Yet another smoke. #fakenews (_link) — Vytenis Andriukaitis (@V_Andriukaitis) July 18, 2019
Boris, the Isle of Man is not bound to the #EU 'pointless and damaging' red tape in #foodsafety that we are proud of because it protects consumers.You omitted to say that the Isle of Man is not in the EU. This packaging - #uk competence.Yet another smoke. #fakenews (_link)
Boris will lead the UK next week in the North Atlantic aggression against Iran? Circling the wagons with the NATO emblem. 'Sapere aude'
"The posted picture, even more than the bacon and eggs, appeared to be the point of the event." https://t.co/TANz99oNgo— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) July 11, 2019
"The posted picture, even more than the bacon and eggs, appeared to be the point of the event." https://t.co/TANz99oNgo
The only thing you could see on TV was Trump talking about the Iranians and the tankers. I then idly looked at the flunkies surrounding him and, well, isn't that Mark Rutte on the right? And isn't there a Dutch flag blending in the background (just like the hapless PM)?
This was unlucky timing for Rutte, but had he read Kim Darroch's "6 ways to manipulate Trump"? The D-Day battle flag was way too subtle.
○ British government invites Saudi Arabia to world's largest arms fair despite court ruling sales are unlawful
Piracy on the coast of Gibraltar ...
○ The detention of an Iranian oil tanker is a test case for Western hypocrisy about the global order | SCMP | ○ HM Government of Gibraltar announces the extension of the detained Grace 1 | News GI - July 19, 2019 |
The Iranian super tanker Grace 1 carried two million barrels of crude oil when entered by British Marines.
○ How Trump's arch-hawk lured Britain into a dangerous trap to punish Iran | The Guardian Opinion |
○ Iran official calls tanker seizure 'reciprocal'; FM: Vessel broke maritime rules | Times of Israel |
As expected, the tit-for-tat ...
1/2 Yesterday's action in Gulf shows worrying signs Iran may be choosing a dangerous path of illegal and destabilising behaviour after Gibraltar's LEGAL detention of oil bound for Syria.— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) July 20, 2019
1/2 Yesterday's action in Gulf shows worrying signs Iran may be choosing a dangerous path of illegal and destabilising behaviour after Gibraltar's LEGAL detention of oil bound for Syria.
Jeremy Hunt set to freeze Iran assets after it taunts UK over seized tanker | The Telegraph / Reuters | Ministers are drawing up plans to target the Iranian regime with sanctions after its forces seized a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf. Jeremy Hunt is expected to use a Commons statement on Sunday to announce a package of diplomatic and economic measures, including possible asset freezes, in response to the capture of the Stena Impero. The UK could also push for European Union and United Nations sanctions to be reimposed on the regime after they were lifted in 2016 as part of a deal on Iran's nuclear programme, which saw billions of dollars of assets unfrozen and allowed the country's oil to be sold internationally.
Ministers are drawing up plans to target the Iranian regime with sanctions after its forces seized a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf.
Jeremy Hunt is expected to use a Commons statement on Sunday to announce a package of diplomatic and economic measures, including possible asset freezes, in response to the capture of the Stena Impero.
The UK could also push for European Union and United Nations sanctions to be reimposed on the regime after they were lifted in 2016 as part of a deal on Iran's nuclear programme, which saw billions of dollars of assets unfrozen and allowed the country's oil to be sold internationally.
○ UK Foreign Minister Hunt: Syria's Assad Will Be Around for a While | Jan. 2019 | ○ Jeremy Hunt rebuked by EU after Soviet prison comparison ○ Brexit represents an opportunity for Britain to boost its global military standing and "enhance our lethality" ○ British Royal Navy in ports around the globe, renewal of Empire 'Sapere aude'
○ Britain mulls sanctions in response to Iran tanker seizure, report says | France24 | 'Sapere aude'
○ Britain calls emergency meeting to weigh response to Iran's tanker seizure | France24 |
UK to seek European maritime mission to counter Iran's 'piracy' | The Guardian - 1 hr ago | The British foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has proposed a European-led maritime protection force in the Gulf - spurning separate American plans for a US-led force to protect commercial shipping from Iranian interference. Speaking to MPs, Hunt said the maritime security force would protect crew and cargo from what he described as "wholly illegal acts of state piracy by Iran". [...] In a sign of how the operation has been scrambled together in the past 48 hours, Hunt said he would be speaking to his European allies, and others later in the week to discuss how the operation might work. Hunt admitted the US had first requested the UK to contribute to a US-led maritime protection force on 24 June leading to a formal request on 30 June. There were signs that his decision, a big geo-strategic call in favour of Europe's continued support for the nuclear deal, may not prove popular with Atlanticist supporters of the expected incoming prime minister, Boris Johnson.
The British foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has proposed a European-led maritime protection force in the Gulf - spurning separate American plans for a US-led force to protect commercial shipping from Iranian interference.
Speaking to MPs, Hunt said the maritime security force would protect crew and cargo from what he described as "wholly illegal acts of state piracy by Iran".
In a sign of how the operation has been scrambled together in the past 48 hours, Hunt said he would be speaking to his European allies, and others later in the week to discuss how the operation might work.
Hunt admitted the US had first requested the UK to contribute to a US-led maritime protection force on 24 June leading to a formal request on 30 June.
There were signs that his decision, a big geo-strategic call in favour of Europe's continued support for the nuclear deal, may not prove popular with Atlanticist supporters of the expected incoming prime minister, Boris Johnson.
○ Royal Marines seize Iranian supertanker suspected of carrying oil to Syria | The Guardian - July 4, 2019 |
Over one year ago, Trump and U.S. Congress beating the war drums ...
The Iran Deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know what will happen. In just a short time, the world's leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world's most dangerous weapons.... pic.twitter.com/58qwBLzxIH— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2018
The Iran Deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know what will happen. In just a short time, the world's leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world's most dangerous weapons.... pic.twitter.com/58qwBLzxIH
○ Trump's hawks ramp up campaign to shred last part of Iran nuclear deal | Politico - June 27, 2019 | ○ Trump Challenges Europeans Over Iran Deal | Arms Control - Nov. 2018 | ○ Israel's PM Office Claims Victory In Iran Nuclear Deal Defeat linked in diary of May 3, 2018
My earlier diary ...
○ Coalition of the Willing Against Iran: US Justice Dept, Ungar, UANI and Mossad by Oui @EuroTrib on Aug. 2, 2014
Website United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) 'Sapere aude'
The UK must be responsible for the safety of its own ships in the Gulf, the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has said. His remarks reflect unresolved tensions between Britain and the US over Donald Trump's plans for a US-led military convoy to protect international shipping operating off the Iranian coast.
His remarks reflect unresolved tensions between Britain and the US over Donald Trump's plans for a US-led military convoy to protect international shipping operating off the Iranian coast.
I spoke of Jeroen Dijsselbloem and the IMF vacancy after Lagarde was positioned at the ECB.
○ Dijsselbloem Floated for Top IMF Job by the Dutch Government [cached] ○ Olli Rehn strong candidate for IMF top job
WhoIs Macron's 'compromise' candidate Ms Georgieva from Bulgaria?
○ The Contradictions of Macronism 'Sapere aude'
Israeli group seeks sale of seized Iranian tanker over damages for Hamas attack | Times of Israel | An Israeli NGO petitioned Gibraltar's top court Tuesday to sell an impounded Iranian oil tanker to compensate parents of an Israeli child allegedly killed by the Iran-backed Palestinian terror group Hamas. Chaya Zissel Braun, a 3-month-old baby killed in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem on October 22, 2014 Shurat HaDin, which wages legal battles worldwide on behalf of terror victims, won a $178.5 million US court judgement against Iran and Syria in 2017 over the death of an American infant killed in an attack in Jerusalem. The case was filed in a US court because the baby, her parents and grandparents all hold American citizenship. Shurat Hadin founder Nitzana Darshan-Leitner [link with Mossad - - WikiLeaks] told AFP that the vessel's sale, if ordered by the Gibraltar Supreme Court, would not raise more than a fraction of the District of Columbia District Court's award, but it could pave the way for the seizure of other Iranian assets.
An Israeli NGO petitioned Gibraltar's top court Tuesday to sell an impounded Iranian oil tanker to compensate parents of an Israeli child allegedly killed by the Iran-backed Palestinian terror group Hamas.
Shurat HaDin, which wages legal battles worldwide on behalf of terror victims, won a $178.5 million US court judgement against Iran and Syria in 2017 over the death of an American infant killed in an attack in Jerusalem.
The case was filed in a US court because the baby, her parents and grandparents all hold American citizenship.
Shurat Hadin founder Nitzana Darshan-Leitner [link with Mossad - - WikiLeaks] told AFP that the vessel's sale, if ordered by the Gibraltar Supreme Court, would not raise more than a fraction of the District of Columbia District Court's award, but it could pave the way for the seizure of other Iranian assets.
'The New York Times' throws another sop to lovers of Israel | Mondoweiss - Jan. 2015 | In selecting and filing stories about the conflict, New York Times reporters have to be as politically sensitive as former members of the old Soviet Writers Union: they have to send the right signals to powerful groups that monitor their every move. That semi-official role helps explain the long profile of a rightwing Israeli lawyer published by Jerusalem bureau chief Jodi Rudoren [NY Times]. The headline lets you know that Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, 40, who pursues cases against attackers and critics of Israel in international fora is something of a loose cannon: "Crusading for Israel in a Way Some Say Is Misguided."
In selecting and filing stories about the conflict, New York Times reporters have to be as politically sensitive as former members of the old Soviet Writers Union: they have to send the right signals to powerful groups that monitor their every move.
That semi-official role helps explain the long profile of a rightwing Israeli lawyer published by Jerusalem bureau chief Jodi Rudoren [NY Times]. The headline lets you know that Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, 40, who pursues cases against attackers and critics of Israel in international fora is something of a loose cannon: "Crusading for Israel in a Way Some Say Is Misguided."
○ New York Times Caves to Anti-Semitism Police, Censors Cartoon
So, an agent provocateur for Israel ...
Break the Gaza Siege | Tikun Olam - Aug. 6, 2008 | My good friend and peace ally, Shamai Leibowitz, who has defended human rights cases in Israel, has tangled with the legal brains behind this outfit, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner. He writes of her: She's a known right-wing lawyer, and a provocateur-cum-media-darling who enjoys harassing and intimidating human rights activists, and actually makes a living off doing that. I've had the privilege of fighting her in court, and she's as fire-and-brimstone as they get. Her letter is so full of crap that it causes me to think its only purpose is to attract media attention. I believe that's exactly what FGM needs right now, don't you think? They would do well to publicize this, with a resounding rejoinder, of course, and saying we are proudly abiding by internaional treaties...
My good friend and peace ally, Shamai Leibowitz, who has defended human rights cases in Israel, has tangled with the legal brains behind this outfit, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner. He writes of her:
Her letter is so full of crap that it causes me to think its only purpose is to attract media attention. I believe that's exactly what FGM needs right now, don't you think? They would do well to publicize this, with a resounding rejoinder, of course, and saying we are proudly abiding by internaional treaties...
○ Shamai Leibowitz leaked FBI's wiretaps of Israeli embassy in effort to stop Iran strike | Mondoweiss - Sept. 6, 2011 |
Today's article in Tikun Olam ...
○ Former Board of Deputies President Calls for Corbyn Assassination
Recent diary about Shurat HaDin ...
○ A Coordinated Attack On Labour and Corbyn 'Sapere aude'
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