BBC scoop on French EU military plans

[Helium Three]

Confirmation that the French are itching to get going. From Jamie Smyth, Irish Times, June 7:

An Irish No would be a disaster for the upcoming French presidency of the union, which is due to start in July. Paris has an ambitious legislative agenda and wants to oversee the appointment of several top EU jobs. All this would be placed on hold if the treaty is rejected, ruining Sarkozy's opportunity to shine on the European stage.

[sackville]

The European Defence Agency withstands the forensic efforts of the Irish media. For another few days anyway.

Jamie Smyth today in the Times:

'I can't answer any questions about Lisbon' pleaded Alexander Weis, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency recently when the Irish Times and RTÉ turned up to ask about Irish neutrality'.

you'd almost swear they'd somethink to hide.

"Public opinion will be led to adopt, without knowing it, the proposals that we dare not present to them directly ... All the earlier proposals will be in the new text, but will be hidden and disguised in some way ... What was [ already] difficult to understand will become utterly incomprehensible, but the substance has been retained."

Karel de Gucht, Belgium's foreign minister, helpfully adds: "The aim of this treaty is to be unreadable ... The constitution aimed to be clear, whereas this treaty had to be unclear... It is a success."

hardly

[Helium Three]

[quote=sackville]

The European Defence Agency withstands the forensic efforts of the Irish media. For another few days anyway.

Jamie Smyth today in the Times:

'I can't answer any questions about Lisbon' pleaded Alexander Weis, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency recently when the Irish Times and RTÉ turned up to ask about Irish neutrality'.

you'd almost swear they'd somethink to hide.

"Public opinion will be led to adopt, without knowing it, the proposals that we dare not present to them directly ... All the earlier proposals will be in the new text, but will be hidden and disguised in some way ... What was [ already] difficult to understand will become utterly incomprehensible, but the substance has been retained."

Karel de Gucht, Belgium's foreign minister, helpfully adds: "The aim of this treaty is to be unreadable ... The constitution aimed to be clear, whereas this treaty had to be unclear... It is a success."

hardly [/quote:3vltfldq]

Has any Irish media outlet picked up on the French plans?

Until then we can occupy ourselves with this croissant story

[myksav]

[quote=Helium Three][quote=sackville]

The European Defence Agency withstands the forensic efforts of the Irish media. For another few days anyway.

Jamie Smyth today in the Times:

'I can't answer any questions about Lisbon' pleaded Alexander Weis, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency recently when the Irish Times and RTÉ turned up to ask about Irish neutrality'.

you'd almost swear they'd somethink to hide.

"Public opinion will be led to adopt, without knowing it, the proposals that we dare not present to them directly ... All the earlier proposals will be in the new text, but will be hidden and disguised in some way ... What was [ already] difficult to understand will become utterly incomprehensible, but the substance has been retained."

Karel de Gucht, Belgium's foreign minister, helpfully adds: "The aim of this treaty is to be unreadable ... The constitution aimed to be clear, whereas this treaty had to be unclear... It is a success."

hardly [/quote:1kpakw5d]

Has any Irish media outlet picked up on the French plans?

Until then we can occupy ourselves with this croissant story[/quote:1kpakw5d]

Dayum, that was almost Shakespearean.

[Helium Three]

The French Foreign Minister has today shown that Shane Ross is a man ahead of his time.