"Ireland is given time on EU pact; Czech Republic, Poland also delay ratification votes" by Jonathan Saul, Reuters | June 20, 2008
BRUSSELS - European Union leaders agreed at a summit yesterday to give Ireland time to digest a "no" vote to the EU's reform treaty after Prime Minister Brian Cowen said it was too soon to suggest a way out.
Remember that expression, "Doesn't take no for an answer?"
Remember how you began feeling about that person after a while?
After Britain raised EU spirits by ratifying the treaty in parliament, most of the other eight countries still to endorse it vowed to go ahead. But delays in the Czech Republic and Poland cast further doubt on a pact that backers say is vital to overhaul the bloc's institutions.
GLOBALISTS!
Hans Gert Poettering, president of the European Parliament, appealed for the next EU summit in October to plot the way forward so a solution can be implemented in time for European elections in June 2009. But Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin played down any prospect of a rescue package so soon....
Watch it, Martin! You are going to screw up their timetable!
Earlier, Cowen and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Ireland should not be pushed into a corner on the treaty.
As they go about PUSHING Ireland into a corner!!!!!
"We also agreed it is necessary for Ireland to have time now to analyze last week's vote and explore options," Cowen said. "It is far too early yet for anybody to put forward proposals."
But we are GETTING THEM READY!
The 27 leaders were determined to show voters the EU is not paralyzed and is addressing their key concerns at the summit, notably surging food and oil prices, although no immediate policy decisions were likely.
"The most important issue here is that Europe is tackling the real problems of real people," said Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, whose proposal for an EU tax on commodity speculation was one of several ideas on the table.
France has complained that perceived EU inaction on the distress of fishermen, farmers, and truckers was a factor in the Irish vote, but a call by President Nicolas Sarkozy for a cap on fuel tax was widely dismissed.
The treaty, designed to give the Union stronger leadership, a more efficient decision-making system, and a bigger global say, can only take effect if ratified by all 27 members.
Options considered include offering assurances to the Irish that the Lisbon Treaty will not undermine their cherished neutrality, deprive them of a commissioner in Brussels, make abortions easier, or raise taxes - and then asking them to vote again, as happened once before over an earlier EU treaty....
Translation: You will vote the way WE TELL YOU TO VOTE (see Gaza)!
The way ahead is uncertain, with the Czech Republic having stalled ratification pending a constitutional court ruling not due before October, and Poland's president holding up signing the bill approved by parliament."
Oh, so the PEOPLE of EUROPE really don't like the GLOBALIST PLANS, huh?
Imagine my (lack of) surprise!
