Lisbon Secrets?
A tip o’ the hat goes out to the blog Eurealist for this post about the secret European Union plans to establish a diplomatic corps and create their own embassies at 160 locations throughout the world. The UK Telegraph story goes on to say that these arrangements are being "held behind closed doors" for "fear of political fallout" that may erupt prior to the Irish referendum on the 12th of June.
The Brussels Journal has reported that "a secret Interior Ministry" will be developed only after the Treaty is voted upon in Ireland.
On March 16th the Sunday Post online ran a story about corruption in the ranks of the officials within the EU Parliament. The article quotes Brian Cowen, Irish Minister of Finance and soon to be the leader of our government, as saying, "For those who believe in a democratic Europe, Yes is the only way to vote.", and then further goes on to describe the secret investigation and the internal audit "cover up".
Benita Ferrero-Waldner is the European Commissioner for External Affairs who made a speech to the College of Europe, Bruges, on the 7th of April in which she described the need to implement the Lisbon Treaty and that "But of course what you don’t know, what indeed none of us yet know, is exactly how this will work out in practice."
Does the question "What else don’t we know?" pop into anyones mind?
That is an awesome picture that you have at the top of the post!
Comment by April — May 3, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
Thanks April!
Comment by Cao — May 3, 2008 @ 8:28 pm
Well, the stories would lose their conspiratorial appeal if they were content to report that the basic treaty provisions require more detailed implementing decisions, being prepared.
Comment by Ralf Grahn — May 4, 2008 @ 6:55 am
“Being prepared” Ralf doesn’t seem to be in the EU government’s lexicon. Probably more interesting than any of the conspiratorial accusations hurled in their direction is the fact that they seem so ill prepared and unsure where this will lead.
Thanks for your input and all the great work you’re doing on your website!
Comment by Cao — May 4, 2008 @ 10:18 am
I looked at Ralf Grahn’s website (nice!) No wonder Brussels has three times the bureaucrats than does Washington D.C. (and Belgium only has a few million compared to 300 Americans) This EU looks like a paper jungle paradise especially created for lawyers and bureaucrats, that guarantees them lifetime paperwork employment security!
Comment by EuroYank — May 5, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
I was wondering Euro if the complexity and detail of the new Treaty is an attempt to anticipate legal challenges to the “constitutionality” of certains laws. Some constitutions are vague and rely on the judiciary to make findings of legality, these lads seem to want a bullet-proof document that they can implement without court challenges.
Indeed, Ralf Grahn has done a splendid job of analyzing the laws and has put a lot of effort into his project!
Comment by Cao — May 5, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
The last EU constitution that was voted down (was also bullet-proof) but, it did not stop them from drafting a new version. Even though most EU citizens do not want an EU Constitution! (I wonder how many times they have to keep drafting one, or maybe they will just put it into force without a vote this time!)
Comment by EuroYank — May 5, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
The EU started off as treaties for peace among the nations with economic and social associations and benefits, it has grown since then into it’s own form of government with it’s own currency, it’s own laws, and it’s own army! It’s as if they are saying, “Damn the people, full speed ahead!”
Comment by Cao — May 5, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
Cao, I thought you were from Dublin not Belfast and here is a patriotic Irish video just for you A Nation Once Again
Chin up laddies!
Comment by EuroYank — May 5, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
By the way that patriotic Irish video is the EU version!
Comment by EuroYank — May 5, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
Very nice video link Euro! Funny you should pick that particular one, my previous post “Bottom Line on Lisbon” was originally going to be called “A Colony Once Again!” but I decided to use a less sensational title!
Comment by Cao — May 5, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
Gosh I do belive that there is secrets everywhere we do not know exactly sometimes what they are hiding from us, But I do can imagine what kind of things do evil minds and is not funny specially in this time, as some one said, I don’t even want to know! just kidding, I want to know everything that’s why I read and meditate
Comment by Shine — May 7, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
Secrets in governments Shine and laws made in secret make me nervous! I want to know everything they do too!
Comment by Cao — May 7, 2008 @ 9:39 pm
Ahhh, I feel right at home now with this post! Are you sure you aren’t living in America?!
Obviously, it doesn’t matter WHERE one lives these days. There’s always coverups, covert-ness, secretism. All the world’s indeed a stage, and we (its citizens) are merely players - performers and portrayers … so sad.
I long for the simpler days when life was carefree and easy.
But being the responsible adult that I am - I realize those days are long gone.
(BTW - Bruins are out of it. Sorry, sweet!)
Comment by kimbathewhitelioness — May 9, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
No Kimba, it doesn’t seem to make any difference anymore where we live, elected officials are only concerned with one thing, remaining in office, all else is secondary.
Comment by Cao — May 9, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
I found this most interesting. And the discussion back and forth between you and Euro is very informative. I also have to agree with Kimba. We Americans have long since lost any true freedom. Our entire government is nothing but one lie and cover up after another. I love Euro to death. He tells it like it is. But, I have to admit that sometimes I do get a wee defensive. I know he is exposing the truth. But, still that old patriotism sneaks up on me and I snap. I always go back later and try to correct that. He is most brilliant. That is clearly obvious. Thanks Cao for keeping us informed.
Comment by Shinade — May 10, 2008 @ 1:22 am
Hi Shinade, governments can lie but they cannot hide. The internet is a constant light shining on their activities and a nearly infinite library of recordings and documentation to expose hypocracies, this Big Brother business works both ways!
Comment by Cao — May 10, 2008 @ 10:13 am
You think this is a secret??/ I’m stuck here in Romania and I know this to be true. Most of Europe knows these things are happening but the habit is to close their eyes and let the chips fall. You see government activities are left to the corrupt politicians. People here know they will lose their nationality when this happens but the EU has a stranglehold of control that cant be avoided. They are told that this is a good thing and they accept it. There are only 3 Categories of people in control where I am-Politicians, priests and bandits.
There is injustice all around the globe. I get mad when Romanians bash Americans. Then America goes and does something stupid like the Ford Motor Company hiring the biggest bank robber bandit in the country to run it’s new factory here and sometimes I think we deserve some bashing. So us simple people gotta blog away and hope someone is listening.
Comment by Katherine Bors — May 11, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
Thanks and well said Katherine, the corruption is everywhere and seems to be getting stronger, hopefully blogging will make people aware of the trouble we are getting into!
Comment by Cao — May 11, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
A small addition on EU secrecy. Have you thought about the fact that the ‘black hole’ of transparency often is the Council, i.e. the deal-making between governments (the intergovernmental cooperation), of which, more often than not, we get to see only the final agreement?
The workings of the European Parliament are, in my view, less than perfect, but co-legislation by the EP forces the questions out in the open, committee reports offer (a semblance of) reasons for proposed amendments and the process leaves a paper trail, open to scrutiny.
Comment by Ralf Grahn — May 12, 2008 @ 5:40 am
Thanks Ralf, the co-legislation process will allow for scrutiny; but, will they be open to criticism? The incredible events of the last few days only suggests to me that by the time any legal action can be taken the deeds will be done, the policies implemented, and the paper trail will only be accessible to lawyers and historians. I hope I am proved wrong!
Comment by Cao — May 12, 2008 @ 6:14 am
Cao, you are quite right to put the question. I don’t know enough about the aid decision to Sudan to know if there are guarantees in place to aid the people instead of fattening the Swiss (or other) bank accounts of government ministers, but I sincerely hope there are.
In these questions the EU institutions responsible should be much quicker to respond to real concerns of citizens, for instance by reacting to debates, doubts and outright lies, as the case may be.
Generally, I think that one of the advantages of improved parliamentary scrutiny is that many potential problems can be addressed in real time, before disasters occur, and that citizens are able to follow and to debate the issues before the decisions are taken.
Naturally, we can only strive towards perfection, but it is better to deal with mishaps fairly quickly, before the historians have produced their volumes, perhaps in time for our children.
Comment by Ralf Grahn — May 12, 2008 @ 11:19 am
The way I see it Ralf is that there are going to be decisions like this made on a daily basis by the EU and none of us will be any the wiser until we hear it announced at a press conference. Challenging them on this Treaty referendum is one way to raise the awareness of the public and put the politicians on notice that we will not accept these secret policy plans and decisions, the whole system needs more transparency and accountability for me to be comfortable with it, the obscurely written treaty we are being asked to vote for is just a symptom of the dangers. Sorry for the late response but I was away all week with visitors!
Comment by Cao — May 17, 2008 @ 9:59 am
I just wanted to come back and thank SHINADE for her brilliant comments about me, and naturally also your great post Cao!
Comment by EuroYank — June 10, 2008 @ 11:26 am
Thanks for dropping by Euro, have you been on holidays?
Comment by Cao — June 10, 2008 @ 11:49 am
Yes and am still on holiday for a while. Going to Switzerland next.
Comment by EuroYank — June 10, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
Sounds great! Have a wonderful time!
Comment by Cao — June 10, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
BTW even with the Lisbon Treaty the EU won’t have an army of its own. The soldiers etc are those of the Member States, and they decide on how many of them are allowed to participate in a possible battle in the end. It’s like with the UNO - they do not have an army of their own, they depend on what their Member States offer.
I think this story about diplomatic corps is not really new and also not totally untrue. Usually only states or international organisations that have - let’s call them - embedded diplomats can send out diplomats to different countries. The EU does not have a legal personality, therefore I think it’s been a problem sending out diplomats so far, but that could be possible with the Lisbon Treaty. As far as I know the EU already has sent out people to e.g. Washington, I’m not sure what it’s called now though, but there are already people who are similar to diplomats.
But I do not find it outrageous at all, even if people call it a “secret”, which makes you feel like it’s outrageous. Diplomats are in general a good thing during peace talks and to discuss treaties in the name of the organisation etc. The UNO has diplomats, too.
It definitely is difficult trying to keep up with what’s going on in the European Union. Two years ago I had the chance to sit in a session of the European Parliament, and it was like at an auction. Someone in the front throws numbers and letters and people raise hands or don’t. Sometimes they vote on two regulations within a minute. It’s not even funny.
Comment by European Union Law Blog — June 11, 2008 @ 11:46 pm
EU Law: With the recent threatening tones used by the French and German governments towards the Irish electorate it seems there are high stakes involved. I hope those that have a blind faith and trust in the belief that the European Government will be representative of the people are proved right. In 24 hours it will all be different, one way or another, what differences this day makes is yet to be determined.
Cheers and Thanks!
Comment by Cao — June 12, 2008 @ 12:32 am
Why didn’t you post this on NowPublic? what a discussion that might have inspired. Secret plans?!? It’s not too late. see np now for Irish load.
René
Comment by René — June 19, 2008 @ 10:40 pm