Skeptic on the Inside Undercuts European Union - NYTimes »
Posted By gamahuche 3 months, 2 weeks ago in Political News
When the European Union and Russia held their most recent summit meeting in May, the Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, stunned European diplomats when he passed out copies of his book denouncing the fight against global warming — a central policy of the 27-nation bloc he was supposed to lead.
Czech Republic's President Vaclav Klaus prepared to cast his vote during the European Parliament election in Prague on June 6, 2009.
Just before the summit meeting, Mr. Klaus, whose country held the rotating presidency of the European Union, warned his European colleagues that they should take greater heed of Russian concerns than those of “small Estonia or Lithuania” — two former Soviet republics that are now, like the Czech Republic, members of the union.
The European Union is the world’s biggest political and economic bloc, and it often aspires to global leadership. But Mr. Klaus, a contrarian agitator who is also the head of state of one of Eastern Europe’s wealthiest democracies, does not agree with many things the European Union espouses — or even that Europe should have a strong union. He declined to display its gold-starred flag in his office during his nation’s presidential term.
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gamahuche
"I would rather be a square peg than fit in a pigeon hole" -
an essay which won me the "Lamb Essay Prize" at the Religious ...
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gamahuche3 months, 2 weeks ago
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FTA: [subtitle - how Klaus could still really f*** things up!
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Soon Mr. Klaus may have the opportunity for the ultimate act of sabotage. In a few months he will be asked to sign the Lisbon Treaty, which aims to enhance the bloc’s role on the world stage by creating, among other things, a permanent European presidency. The treaty has finally approached ratification after years of setbacks, but Mr. Klaus, one of its fiercest critics, has warned that it will create a centralized “superstate.”
In order to be ratified, the treaty must be signed by all 27 nations, including Ireland, which rejected it in a referendum last summer and will vote again in October. Should the Irish vote “yes,” as they are expected to do after receiving generous concessions, Mr. Klaus could prove to be the last holdout, and bring the postwar project of European integration tumbling down.
“Klaus is the ultimate provocateur and would relish the opportunity to create a mess and to see Brussels officials go ballistic,” said Jaroslav Plesl, deputy editor of the Czech daily Lidove Noviny, who has spent more than a decade covering Mr. Klaus.-
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hyperbola3 months, 2 weeks ago
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What would be the Czech reaction if the EU simply told them to get lost if Klaus will not sign?
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Apart from that, the "new" structure of Europe is not all positive. Too easy to highjack into excessively "centralized" structures that are subject to abuse. Don't forget that the "plan" was laregly written by some pretty "right-wing" governments and emphasizes "corporate" power at the expense of "people" power.
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berkeley3 months, 2 weeks ago
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while i generally respect gama's positions, i must differ here.
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the mission and tactics of the EU are strongly against transparency in all its forms. it is also for legal uniformity across the board. local traditions and control will be swept aside.
there are many other ways people can learn cooperation beside through this corporate- takeover model. if the EU is dumped, then the table will be open again for something more human.
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joeblowe3 months, 2 weeks ago
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I think this is a guy I would be proud to call a fellow American if he were from here. He seems to be AGAINST a strong central government - and AGAINST the simple-minded adherence to whatever policy some foolish governmental/political agency SAYS he should adhere to. Sounds like a good guy to me. I applaud him and wish him well.
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