EU is becoming the 'European government', says bullish Prodi

By Stephen Castle in Brussels and Andrew Grice Link 4 February 2000 Romano Prodi, the European Commission president, said yesterday that Europe was forging its own government and army, and challenged the EU's big states to join together or "disappear from the history books". In a strong challenge to British Eurosceptics, Mr Prodi argued that the European Commission was gradually evolving into a fledgling government. Those who disputed that a European military force was being created were splitting hairs, he suggested in an interview with The Independent. "You need time, but step by step – as in the Austrian case – the European Commission takes a political decision and behaves like a growing government," he said. "When I was talking about the European army I was not joking. If you don't want to call it a European army, don't call it a European army. You can call it 'Margaret', you can call it 'Mary-Ann', you can find any name, but it is a joint effort for peace-keeping missions – the first time you have a joint, not bilateral, effort at European level." Mr Prodi's comments will be seized on by the Tories and will alarm Tony Blair. They could undermine his attempts to swing public opinion behind the EU as the first step towards winning support for British entry into the single currency. Today, the British Government will reject a federal Europe when it publishes a policy statement on this year's review of EU institutions, drawn up with the Liberal Democrats. Mr Prodi also challenged Europe's big countries to co-operate with him in the interests of their own survival. "If, in the new globalisation, our strong nation states don't join the effort [they] will disappear or will have only a marginal role," he said. He added: "It is clear: either we stick together or we disappear from the history books." Mr Prodi argued that the tide of history was on Europe's side and that the EU was the "only thing that will enable us to close definitely the tragedies of the 20th century". Today's Lib-Lab policy document will say: "By integrating in specific policy areas with our European partners we are stronger and better able to meet our shared objectives. This does not mean becoming part of a centralised superstate." The statement will endorse a modest increase in the powers of the European Parliament and in majority voting by EU ministers. But where key national interests were involved, such as defence, taxation, social security and border controls, unanimity amongst EU member states should be required.

-- Possible Impact (posim@hotmail.com), February 04, 2000

Answers

Sounds like the Borg have landed.

-- Possible Impact (posim@hotmail.com), February 04, 2000.

THIS IS INTERESTING!

What he means by those particular words will become clear in his actions over the next year.

Good catch PI!

-- (Kurt.Borzel@gems8.gov.bc.ca), February 04, 2000.

Romano Prodi, the European Commission president, said yesterday that Europe was forging its own government and army, and challenged the EU's big states to join together or "disappear from the history books".

Hmm, seems to me we've heard this before. I'm sure I'll leave a few out but there were the Romans, Charlemagne, Napoleon, Hitler, who else? All of them tried it, some succeeded more or less for a time but none of them truly managed to unite Europe, except by sheer force of arms, of course.

"Walk wide o' the Widow o' Windsor, for half of Creation she owns. We've bought her the same with the sword an' the flame an' salted it down with our bones." - Rudyard Kipling. (The British were more interested in other parts of Creation, but it's the same sentiment.)

...........Alan.

The Prudent Food Storage FAQ, v3.5

http://www.providenceco-op.com

-- A.T. Hagan (athagan@netsape.net), February 04, 2000.