The Telegraph : EU trains a new diplomatic corps without waiting for Lisbon Treaty

[arnaudherve]

Apparently this article has not been discussed here yet.

Personally, I liked the last paragraph:

"Privately, officials are concerned that disclosure of the EU's pre-emptive moves could sway Irish voters and make a "Yes" vote in the referendum harder to achieve. Secret minutes on the EEAS negotiations recognise the need "to remain cautious in presenting these issues" ahead of the second Irish vote."

[geraghd]

What's your take on it?

[CookieMonster]

If that was the only thing they were doing in anticipation of shoving a yes vote through we'd be lucky!

[arnaudherve]

Sometimes you meet individuals who are very polite to you, and it is only with your intelligence that you understand that they are very hostile to you.

Presently I cannot even fathom the depth of contempt of Brussels towards Irish choices.

I suppose that after a Yes you will become something between the Orkneys and the Faroes.

[ibis]

To call this "old news" would be to do it far too much of a favour - here's "the People's Movement" in July 2005 complaining about work being done on the External Action Service:

Ten areas in which provisions of the draft EU Constitution are already (July 2005) being implemented:
I European External Action Service (III-296 Constitution)

Unlike the Telegraph, they are at least honest enough to admit that the EEAS does not actually require the Treaty:

According to the present treaties, a European External Action Service (EEAS)
(diplomatic service) can be established on the basis of delegation by the Commission and
the liaison offices of the Council. However, the following problems remain:

So, really, the question would be "why has the Telegraph chosen to bring this up now?" - and that is something to which the answer is obvious.

[marmurr1916]

I suppose that after a Yes you will become something between the Orkneys and the Faroes.

No. We'll still be fully independent and sovereign: after a Yes vote, there'll be a defined procedure for withdrawal from the EU.

We could withdraw now or at any time if we felt like it: Lisbon just defines the procedure.

The Orkneys couldn't withdraw from the UK without the permission of the UK.

Don't know about the Faroes: I know they've got home rule, but I don't know if that allows them a unilateral right of withdrawal from Danish rule.

[McDave]

Sometimes you meet individuals who are very polite to you, and it is only with your intelligence that you understand that they are very hostile to you.

Presently I cannot even fathom the depth of contempt of Brussels towards Irish choices.

I suppose that after a Yes you will become something between the Orkneys and the Faroes.

I personally cannot fathom the contempt of London from where the Telegraph and Times stables importuned their Irish readers to vote No to Lisbon.

Concerning geographic location and political relevance, somewhere between the Isle of Man and Rockall is where we figured when we were part of the UK.

[arnaudherve]

Old movies can be good.

I like to see the Irish government trying to get people to change their sovereign vote, in favour of the power that presently challenges its diplomatic representation, and publishes notes declaring that the consequences of the Yes must be hidden from the sovereign people.

It's better than Babylon A.D., with Vin Diesel.

Workin on the railroad
For a dollar a day
Gotta get my money
Gotta get my pay

Take this hammer
Take it to the Captain
Take this hammer
Tell him I'm gone

If he asks you
Was I laughing
Tell him I was crying
Tell him I was crying

[bugibba]

We'll still be fully independent and sovereign.

Still? LOL

You are ruled from and by Brussels. As is the UK.

[arnaudherve]

No. We'll still be fully independent and sovereign

Prize of the funny guy today.