WTO report - World economy expected to grow by 3.5 percent in 2006

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WTO report - World economy expected to grow by 3.5 percent in 2006

The world economy is projected to grow by 3.5 percent in 2006 despite uncertainties at the beginning of the year, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said on Tuesday in its annual report. There are a number of uncertainties on the horizon for 2006, with signs of a stronger investment climate mixed with fragile prospects for consumption and employment, particularly in Europe, according to the World Trade 2005, Prospects for 2006 report. In developed countries, the broadly improved financial situation of the corporate sector and the rise in stock markets are indicators suggesting that the long awaited recovery of investment in Europe will eventually materialize and trigger broader economic growth. However, the recovery of private consumption will remain fragile if the employment situation does not improve and energy costs continue to rise, the report says.

While the U.S. economy is expected to grow slightly slower compared with the previous year, its expansion rate could still reach 3 percent to 3.5 percent in 2006, ahead of those in the European Union and Japan.

The Herald: Why flashy Silvio’s demise holds a warning for Blair - by Ian Mcwhirter

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Why flashy Silvio’s demise holds a warning for Blair - by Ian Mcwhirter

First lesson: don't insult the electorate. Silvio Berlusconi's fate was surely sealed when he called voters "dickheads" – at least those who didn't agree with his tax cuts – at the height of the Italian election campaign. Mind you, that was relatively mild from the former prime minister of Italy. Earlier in the campaign, he'd called opposition supporters "coglioni" – literally "testicles". Well, it seems that enough of them had the balls to get rid of their prime minister – the latest in a long line of right-wing clowns going back to Mussolini. And yes, Berlusconi had a soft spot for Il Duce, insisting, against all evidence, that the Italian dictator had never killed anyone. Don Silvio compared himself to Napoleon and Jesus Christ and said he was the most dynamic leader in the world. So dynamic, in fact, that 90 court actions have been taken against him, ranging from bribing judges to tax evasion. Berlusconi was – is – one of the shadiest characters in modern European politics. He survived numerous prosecutions only because they lapsed under new statutes of limitation which Berlusconi introduced into Italian law

Berlusconi was elected by a cynical electorate which believed the modern myth that businessmen were better at running things than politicians simply because they have made lots of money. Running a country is not like running a business; the bottom line is very different for a start. It involves reconciling competing interests, not mastering them.

ekathimerini.com : Europe and its social realities

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Europe and its social realities

The inglorious end to the French government’s attempts to reform labor relations affecting that nation’s young people raises some extremely serious issues, particularly considering the intense protests by millions of citizens and widespread social unrest that was sparked by this initiative. Despite this, European leaders have declared their intention to push through structural changes to the economy so that the European Union will be better equipped to perform within an increasingly competitive world economic environment.But European governments are handling the prospect of change in a clumsy, timid and politically shallow way. As a result, large social groups in certain European countries have adopted a negative stance and have been moved to protest.European citizens have refused to disclaim the foundations of the welfare state, at least up until now, and strongly oppose its abolition.

Leaders of the 25 EU states cannot overlook this political reality. It is their duty to plan and implement a policy that will combine — to as great an extent as possible — the needs of the European economy in today’s extremely competitive international environment with the promotion of required changes using political innovations, thus creating a much-needed network of social support for the poorer social strata.

Radio Polonia: What ever happened to ‘New Europe’? - by Peter Gentle

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What ever happened to ‘New Europe’? - by Peter Gentle

A couple of years ago there was a lot of talk about Poland and rest of Central Europe being a haven of free market, entrepreneurial, anti-protectionism, as opposed to the more ‘social European’ model of France of Germany. But those voices have gone rather quiet of late. US Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsefeld, was claiming that a divide had opened up within Europe – between Old Europe (by which he meant, mainly, France and Germany) and New Europe, made up of countries like Poland, with their trans-Atlantic foreign policy and support for the war in Iraq.But only a year or so after joining the EU Poles voted in the general and presidential elections for representatives of the Law and Justice party, who stood on a prgram of limiting the free market and increasing protectionism. In fact, the reality of politics in this part of the world is very different from the neo-liberal fantasy. In last September’s general election only one party stood on a free market liberalizing program: Civic Platform. They got just 24% of the vote. That means 76% said 'No thanks" to economic liberalism. All the other parties, including the winner, Law and Justice, stood on a ticket that included a relativly leftist economic program.

So sorry Cato Institute, but its time for your highly respected commentators to go back to the drawing board. New Europe is very much like the Old Europe, only poorer and more frightened.

Los Angeles Times: Prodi Beats Berlusconi in Italy's Tight Race - by Tracy Wilkinson,

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Prodi Beats Berlusconi in Italy's Tight Race- by Tracy Wilkinson

The center-left coalition led by economist Romano Prodi narrowly won both houses of the Italian parliament in hotly contested national elections, official tallies showed Tuesday, but Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi refused to concede defeat. Prodi and his coalition won by margins so minuscule that nagging questions remain about whether the center-left will have the political capital to govern and enact crucial economic reforms.

How Much Do the EU and Russia Care about Iran?

Washington Institute for Near East Policy

"How Much Do the EU and Russia Care about Iran?
Featuring Walter Posch, Vladimir Esveev, and Patrick Clawson
April 11, 2006

On April 3, 2006, Walter Posch, Vladimir Esveev, and Patrick Clawson addressed The Washington Institute’s Special Policy Forum. Walter Posch is a research fellow at the European Union’s Institute for Security Studies in Paris. Vladimir Esveev is a senior associate at the Center for International Security at the Institute for World Economy and International Relations in Moscow. Patrick Clawson, a senior fellow and deputy director for research at The Washington Institute, is coauthor with Michael Rubin of Eternal Iran: Continuity and Chaos (Palgrave, 2005). The following is a rapporteur’s summary of their remarks."

YaleGlobal online: Europe’s Next Immigration Crisis

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Europe’s Next Immigration Crisis

The last decade has been a dangerous period for many of Western Europe’s new arrivals in Germany, England and France. We’ve heard about the fire bombings of immigrant hostels, racially motivated attacks in small German towns, immigrant riots on the streets of Britain and so on. Anti-immigrant feelings have also manifested themselves in semi-official expression with the election, or near election, of right-wing demagogues like Jörg Haider in Austria, Jean-Marie Le Pen in France or Pym Fortuyn in the Netherlands. In each case, a combination of three factors helps stoke anti-immigrant feelings: first, the total number of immigrants; second, the pace at which they come; and third, a sense of economic insecurity in the local population. Not surprisingly, the regions with the highest percentage of foreign-born residents are the most developed, namely North America (13 percent) and Europe (7.7 percent) – as people move where there is economic opportunity. And the gap between rich and poor countries is growing ever wider. According to the United Nations, in 1913 the richest countries on earth were 10 times wealthier than the poorest. In 2000, the difference was 71 times.

Marketwatch: Online job availability still rising in Europe

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Online job availability still rising in Europe

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- European companies are increasing their headcount as the economy continues to improve, Web-based job recruiter Monster Worldwide (MNST) said Tuesday.
In its latest survey based on online recruitment Web sites in the U.K., France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, Monster said online job availability across the five countries as a whole had edged higher in March. The Monster Employment Index Europe rose to 117 for March compared with 116 in February. That is the highest level for the index since it started at a base level of 100 in December 2004. Monster Worldwide Europe Chief Executive Peter Dolphin said the uptick in recruitment intentions was consistent with evidence from the European Commission that the business outlook is improving in the E.U. He pointed in particular to Germany, which saw its second straight rise on the Monster index in March.

"Business confidence appears to be on the rise in Europe's largest economy," Dolphin said.

Dutch want break on EU enlargement

EUobserver.com

"Dutch want break on EU enlargement
11.04.2006 - 09:41 CET | By Mark Beunderman
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The Netherlands wants to impose the toughest-ever safeguards in possible EU accession negotiations with the western Balkans states, while vowing to keep states like Ukraine and Moldova out of the union.

The Dutch parliament is set to hold a debate on Tuesday (11 April) on EU enlargement amid increasing uneasiness in the Netherlands about further expansion of the bloc.

The Hague, unlike Paris, has not publicly blamed enlargement for the 'no' vote to the EU constitution in its referendum last year.
"

Reuters.com: Dutch Christian floats idea of replica Noah's Ark - by Reed Stevenson

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Dutch Christian floats idea of replica Noah's Ark - by Reed Stevenson

SCHAGEN, Netherlands (Reuters) - It seems appropriate that Johan Huibers is building a modern version of Noah's Ark in the Netherlands, where two-thirds of the land would be under water were it not for dikes and levees holding back the North Sea. The 47-year-old Christian is pouring his time and energy into recreating a ready-to-sail replica of the ship mentioned in the Bible. However, he is counting not on 40 days and 40 nights of rain, but on floods of children -- and their parents with cash in their wallets -- to visit the ship and learn about the Christian faith. Huibers, who said the idea of building the huge vessel came to him in a dream 30 years ago, lamented that children were no longer being taught the story of Noah's Ark.Huibers began building the ship, docked at a small harbor 50 km (31 miles) north of Amsterdam, three months ago with help from friends and his 17-year-old son and expects to spend 1 million euros ($1.2 million) on it, mainly from bank loans. Huiber's plan is to launch the ark in September and sail it through the canals and waterways that crisscross the Netherlands so that visitors can see it in their own towns.

Asked if he feared another biblical flood, Huibers said he expected more like the one that ravaged New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina but noted that in the Bible, God promised Noah never to send another flood to destroy mankind. "I want to tell people that there is a God and that he is there," Huibers said.

Chicago Tribune: Prodi claims cliffhanger win in Italy election - by Liz Sly

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Prodi claims cliffhanger win in Italy election - by Liz Sly

In a photo finish to the bitterly divisive campaign, results in the race to control the Chamber of Deputies showed that Prodi had won by a sliver, with 49.79 percent of the vote to Berlusconi's 49.73 percent, a difference of just 25,224 votes out of nearly 38 million cast.

BBC NEWS: France to replace youth job law

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France to replace youth job law

French President Jacques Chirac has announced that the new youth employment law that sparked weeks of sometimes violent protests will be scrapped. He said it would be replaced by other measures to tackle youth unemployment. Millions of students and union members have taken to the streets over the last month in protest against the law, which made it easier to fire young workers. Union and student leaders said it was a "great victory" but it is not clear if protests set for Tuesday are still on.

ekathimerini.com: Greece-China ship lane open

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Greece-China ship lane open

A direct shipping route linking Greece with China was inaugurated Saturday in an agreement aimed at boosting commercial ties between the two nations. The cargo ship River Elegance, owned by the shipping company Cosco, reached the port of Piraeus on Saturday with 580 containers on board from China. The new route is the result of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis’s January trip to China, where he met with top business and diplomatic officials. Greece hopes to integrate its ports into the path of Chinese goods making their way to southeastern Europe and the Balkans.

Der Spiegel: Italian Elections: Polls Show Prodi Ousting Berlusconi

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Polls Show Prodi Ousting Berlusconi

Exit polls released Monday afternoon showed the center-left alliance of Romano Prodi sweeping to victory in Italian elections. The first exit poll showed Prodi's alliance gaining between 50 and 54 percent of the votes in both houses of parliament, compared to only 45 to 49 percent for the center-right coalition led by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Sun-Sentinel: Gaming the coming war - by Douglas Herman

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Gaming the coming war - by Douglas Herman

Somewhere in the recesses of the Pentagon, U.S. and Israeli military generals have been given the task of war-gaming a likely attack on Iran. A predicable response to any unilateral or joint U.S./Israeli attack is an Iranian counterattack. Has anyone in the Pentagon calculated the possibility that Iran already possesses a nuclear device? Or maybe two? Rather than make a nuclear weapon, suppose Iran simply bought one or more surplus nukes from Russia or China years ago? Rumors have it that Ukraine may have sold several nukes to Iran already. An attack on Iran is going to eventually result in conflict with Russia, China and Korea. It is unavoidable."

US-EU economic relations and the challenge of China - Turkish Daily News Apr 10, 2006

US-EU economic relations and the challenge of China - Turkish Daily News Apr 10, 2006

"US-EU economic relations and the challenge of China
Monday, April 10, 2006
Opinion by Doğu ERGİL
A brief look at statistics will easily reveal that transatlantic commercial ties have never been stronger. In fact, this close relationship is one of the leading forces of globalization. The transatlantic economy accounts for 42 percent of the world economy, 24 percent of world exports, 31 percent of world imports and 62 percent of the stock of foreign direct investment."

Reuters.co.india: European Imams aim to link Islamic, Western values

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European Imams aim to link Islamic, Western values

More than 130 prayer leaders from across the continent, whose meeting was sponsored by Austria as current European Union president, agreed Islamic theologians in Europe must do more to establish that their faith does not clash with Western values. Their declaration published on Sunday amounted to a catalogue of home-grown moderate views that Western politicians have been urging Muslim leaders to draw up as a bulwark against radical Islamist ideologies coming from the Middle East. He said European Imams were issuing fatwas (religious edicts) dealing with modern challenges, such as condemning terrorism, instead of leaving the field open to radical Middle Eastern preachers who glorify violence on the Internet. "We have shown how to protect ourselves from fatwas from other countries," he said. "We have fatwas from Imams living in Europe and they speak for themselves." Imams, who lead Friday prayers in mosques, play an important role in Islam because the faithful often ask their advice on what the faith allows or forbids Muslims to do."This Conference of European Imams aimed to strengthen moderate voices sometimes drowned out in Muslim discussions by radical anti-Western preachers whose sermons and writings on the Internet inspire small groups of radical Muslims in Europe. "Muslims in Europe are making history," said Mouddar Khouja, a senior official of the Islamic Community in Austria, which organised the two-day meeting where several speakers urged "new thinking" to develop a theological basis for Islam in Europe."

HP: Recycle - Getting rid of Europe's e-waste

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Recycling "Starting this year, there will be a lot less e-waste in Europe. Electronic waste consists of washing machines, TVs, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, mobile phones and, of course, computers. The average person in the UK, for example, will throw away over 3 tonnes in a lifetime. A new European Union directive called WEEE — Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment — that mandates the collection and recycling of e-waste has been launched. The WEEE directive has a clear principle, based on Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR). Each producer is responsible for their own products shipped after August 2005. Joining forces with Sony Europe, Braun and Electrolux, HP has created ERP (European Recycling Platform) — a common platform for recycling electrical and electronic waste at a pan-European level. The ERP was formed to ensure that competition will be used to increase the quality of recycling and to lower the customer's cost.

Other companies such as Samsung, Logitech and Remington are now participating in the effort to address the e-waste challenge on a European basis rather than seeking national solutions.

Orlando Sentinel : Garbage goes high-tech - by Wes Smith

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Garbage goes high-tech-by Wes Smith

In Central Florida, even garbage is a growth industry.Take the "e-waste" phenomenon. Rapidly advancing technology makes our high-tech tools and toys obsolete faster than ever before, adding new layers of complexity to the trash pile, said biochemist David Gregory, solid-waste manager for Seminole County. In fiscal year 2001, Seminole County didn't bother to count the few computers residents had tossed out. Last year, however, more than 4,000 personal computers were junked, adding 88,868 pounds -- and untold gigabytes -- to the scrap heap. Orange County residents deleted an additional 89,000 pounds of computers last year. The new wave of trash, also known in the industry as "e-scrap," includes laptops, computer keyboards and mice, cell phones and remote controls -- most of which contain lead and other heavy metals considered potentially hazardous.,Television sets, which average 5 pounds of lead each, also are being dumped as consumers replace them with plasma and high-definition models.As with tires, paper and plastics, aggressive recycling of e-waste helps extend the lives of landfills as the population grows.

The average person generates 4.4 pounds of garbage a day, and that is expected to grow. But even at that rate, the region will produce nearly 31 million pounds of daily refuse by 2050.

REPORTER.GR:Romania: needs political stability, says Rehn

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Romania: needs political stability, says Rehn

The European commissioner for enlargement, Olli Rehn, says reforms, which have been applied in Romania, should also show results. "Romania made significant progress in the last year especially as regards the reform of the judicial system and the establishment of the infrastructure for the combat of corruption and organized crime," Rehn told a press conference organized at the Intercontinental Hotel. The European official specified that in the report to be issued on May 16, the Commission "will fully acknowledge" the sectors where considerable progress was made, but that it will also highlight the areas where further efforts are needed.

Based on the assessment of the European Commission, the European Council will reach a "carefully calibrated" decision referring to the accession date, seeking to make sure that reform will also continue after Romania joins the EU, said Rehn. He also warns that now, a few weeks before the preliminary report CE will send to the European Parliament on Romania’s accession to EU, Bucharest should prove the political environment is a stable one.

JTW News - Denmark-based Roj TV Calls for Violence and Riots in Turkey

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Denmark-based Roj TV Calls for Violence and Riots in Turkey

Denmark-based Roj TV has called for violent rioting on the streets of Diyarbakir, the funerals for 4 of the 14 terrorist PKK members killed in clashes became an opportunity to attack the civilian and police targets in Diyarbakir city. Yesterday, a call to shop and business owners to "close their shutters and roll down their metal blinds" in deference to the funerals led to violence by PKK supporters on the streets of Diyarbakir against up to 70 shops, 3 banks, and one health clinic that chose not to heed the Roj TY broadcasted warning from the PKK. Supporters of the outlawed terrorist group threw molotov cocktails at unshuttered businesses, and some banks' ATMs were destroyed. It is believed that the Roj TV has been financed by the PKK which is on the list of terrorist organizations in the US, EU, Australia and with the NATO. The TV channel is also said to be used for money laundering and other illegal business. Denmark, a member of the EU has so far rejected to close down the station. The PKK’s previous TV stations MED TV and MEDYA TV were closed by the UK and France.

Persian Journal: Gul: Iran and Syria to Confront PKK Kurdish terrorists

For the full report go to Persian News or click on this linkGul: Iran and Syria to Confront PKK Kurdish terrorists

Turkey's Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday night in an interview with Turkey's state television, TRT1, that both Iran and Syrian have pledged to confront the forces of the Kurdish PKK party, a well-known Kurdish terrorist group. Gul who was taking part in a TV political debate program also said that Iran and Syria have been confronting the PKK forces throughout the past couple of years and the three countries' intelligence agencies have been cooperating closely in many fields, including on PKK issue.The Turkish FM said that in a recent phone talk with his Danish counterpart Per Stig Mueller he had asked him to interfere and halt the broadcasting of the programs of the 'terrorist' Copenhagen based Rouge TV, that is affiliated to the PKK.

The Kurdish PKK organization is a classified terrorist organization by the European Union, the United States and Australia.

Chron.com: EU Economy Chief Says Europe's Debt Fell

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EU Economy Chief Says Europe's Debt Fell

Europe's overall public debt fell last year, a senior EU budget official said Friday. The budget deficit for the 12-nation euro area was on average 2.4 percent of gross domestic product last year _ down from 2.7 percent in 2004, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told reporters at an EU finance ministers' meeting in Vienna. For the entire EU, public debt fell to 2.3 percent in 2005 from 2.6 percent the previous year, he said. The European Commission will publish the full set of figures on April 24.

Almunia said it was a clear improvement, but European governments should build on recent growth and continue to slim down their budget deficits.

FT.com: Italian elections 2006 - Italians go to the polls with Prodi favourite to win - by Tony Barber in Rome

For the full report go to FT.com or click on this link - by Tony Barber in Rome

Millions of Italians cast ballots on Sunday in a general election that may put Romano Prodi and the centre-left opposition in power and reshape the landscape of Italian politics.About 50.3m people were eligible to vote in the two-day election, which pits Silvio Berlusconi, prime minister, and his centre-right government against Mr Prodi and his allies. By midday on Sunday, 17.6 per cent of the electorate had voted.

The polling booths close at 3pm Italian time on Monday and the first exit polls will be released immediately afterwards.

IHT: In France, a devotion to quasi-socialist ideals - by Craig S.Smith

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In France, a devotion to quasi-socialist ideals - by Craig S.Smith

Standing amid the chaos of the protests here last week, Omar Sylla, 22, tried to explain why the French are so angry about what seems to many people like such a small thing: the French government's attempt to loosen labor laws a bit by allowing employers the right to fire young workers without cause during a trial period on the job. Even after President Jacques Chirac promised to shorten the period from two years to one, the protests continued.While most of the world struggles to cope with the shifting threats and opportunities of an increasingly global economy, much of Europe, and France in particular, remains devoted to a quasi-socialist ideal.

Bad as France's recent unrest has been, for example, some people argue it has never reached the level of violence seen during periods of unrest in American cities. A more equitable social welfare system could be one reason, they say. France's defenders argue that its great successes are overlooked; the country continues to draw large amounts of foreign direct investment - in 2003, it received more than the United States, Britain, Germany or Japan, according to figures from the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation. The organization also ranked France at the top in terms of productivity - economic output per hour worked - among the Group of 7 industrialized nations in 2004. The World Health Organization rated the French health care system the best of any of its members in 2000.

Townhall.com : Angela Merkel's Orwellian plan for the EU Constitution-by Dan Mitchell

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Angela Merkel's Orwellian plan for the EU Constitution-by Dan Mitchell

Germany wants to have the EU constitution ratified across the EU by 2009, suggesting a change in the name of the charter to "Basic treaty for Europe," according to a German daily. Not content with raising both income tax rates and the value-added tax, Germany's Chancellor now wants to resuscitate the EU Constitution. But rather than fix the flaws in the agreement, including pervasive statism, Merkel's brilliant new idea is to call the document a treaty rather than a constitution. Germany wants to have the EU constitution ratified across the EU by 2009, suggesting a change in the name of the charter to "Basic treaty for Europe," according to a German daily.

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION ROOM - with a report from The New Yorker on the US Plans for Iran and Europe's position on these plans - by Semour M. Hersh

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THE EUROPEAN SITUATION ROOM - with a report from The New Yorker on the US Plans for Iran and Europe's position on these plans - by Semour M. Hersh

The Bush Administration, while publicly advocating diplomacy in order to stop Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon, has increased clandestine activities inside Iran and intensified planning for a possible major air attack. Current and former American military and intelligence officials said that Air Force planning groups are drawing up lists of targets, and teams of American combat troops have been ordered into Iran, under cover, to collect targeting data and to establish contact with anti-government ethnic-minority groups. The officials say that President Bush is determined to deny the Iranian regime the opportunity to begin a pilot program, planned for this spring, to enrich uranium. American and European intelligence agencies, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.), agree that Iran is intent on developing the capability to produce nuclear weapons. But there are widely differing estimates of how long that will take, and whether diplomacy, sanctions, or military action is the best way to prevent it.There is a growing conviction among members of the United States military, and in the international community, that President Bush’s ultimate goal in the nuclear confrontation with Iran is regime change.

The US Administration’s case against Iran is compromised by its history of promoting false intelligence on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. In a recent essay on the Foreign Policy Web site, entitled “Fool Me Twice,” Joseph Cirincione, the director for nonproliferation at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote, “The unfolding administration strategy appears to be an effort to repeat its successful campaign for the Iraq war.” The Europeans are rattled, however, by their growing perception that President Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney believe a bombing campaign will be needed, and that their real goal is regime change. “Everyone is on the same page about the Iranian bomb, but the United States wants regime change,” a European diplomatic adviser told me. He added, “The Europeans have a role to play as long as they don’t have to choose between going along with the Russians and the Chinese or going along with Washington on something they don’t want. Their policy is to keep the Americans engaged in something the Europeans can live with. It may be untenable.”Other European officials expressed similar skepticism about the value of an American bombing campaign. “The Iranian economy is in bad shape, and Ahmadinejad is in bad shape politically,” the European intelligence official told me. “Ahmadinejad will benefit politically from American bombing. You can do it, but the results will be worse.” An American attack, he said, would alienate ordinary Iranians, including those who might be sympathetic to the U.S.

CANOE -- Berlusconi, Prodi wrap up campaign

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Berlusconi, Prodi wrap up campaign

ROME (AP) - Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, calling his supporters an "army of freedom," asked for five more years in office Friday as he and his centre-left rival wrapped up a bitter campaign ahead of a general election Sunday and Monday. Both leaders held final rallies in Italian piazzas before thousands of cheering, flag-waving supporters.

Thousands of people streamed into Rome's Piazza del Popolo for the centre-left rally. Some used the cover of The Economist magazine - which featured a picture of Berlusconi and the world "Basta" (Enough) - as a poster. "That's exactly how we feel, we're fed up with him," said 38-year-old Simone Frattari, who was at the rally.

EUobserver.com: Italy's elections could change EU policy

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Italy's elections could change EU policy

BRUSSELS - A possible change in government after this weekend's Italian elections could also mean a change in Italy's approach to the European Union. During the past years, current prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition has insisted on the importance of Italy's relations with the United States, while the centre-left opposition, which opposed the war in Iraq, has vowed to bring Italy closer to its traditional European partners France and Germany. Being a former European Commission President, centre-left contender Romano Prodi would as a prime minister be more involved and interested in the EU process, according to James Walston, a political science professor at the American University in Rome. "The style of relation with the EU will certainly change dramatically if a Prodi government is elected."

ABC News: Europe Gets a Name in Cyberspace

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Europe Gets a Name in Cyberspace

For the millions of Internet users in Europe, this is an exciting time, because the new .eu domain became available today to any European Union resident or any organization or company established within the EU. The European Commission is preparing for the official launch of this top-level domain, which is intended to supplement, rather than replace, existing domain names. Until the launch of .eu, Europeans starting an Internet site had to choose either a dot-com domain, which many around the world associate with the United States, or a national domain such as .uk for residents of the United Kingdom. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN — which manages Internet domains — has given the official go-ahead. The negotiations between ICANN and the European Registry of Internet Domain Names, or EURid, lasted nearly six months, though no one can explain what took so long. Until recently, ICANN had favored a strict limitation on new domain names.

CNS News: Soldiers Build Wheelchairs for Iraqis - by Nathan Burchfiel

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Soldiers Build Wheelchairs for Iraqis - by Nathan Burchfiel

U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq have distributed more than 1,000 free wheelchairs to disabled Iraqis since July 2005, according to a non-profit group that donates the chairs. Jonathan Abramson, a spokesman for the California-based Free Wheelchair Mission, said his group has worked with the U.S. military and the governments of Iraq and Kuwait to make the chairs available to needy disabled people. The specially-designed chairs are made from modified plastic patio chairs, mountain bike wheels, and steel frames. Each chair costs less than $45 for parts and shipping. Soldiers and other volunteers use their free time to participate in the program. Soldiers assemble the chairs and distribute them to Iraqis of all ages who have debilitating diseases like cerebral palsy and injuries that limit mobility.

Since its founding in 1999, the Free Wheelchair Mission has distributed more than 92,000 wheelchairs to more than 45 countries, according to the group's website. The group's founder, Don Schoendorfer, is one of 11 nominees for the Reader's Digest 2005 Hero of the Year award. For more information go to www.freewheelchairmission.org

EP to Blacklist Most Corrupt Governments

JTW News

"EP to Blacklist Most Corrupt Governments
The European Union should set up a blacklist of corrupt governments to prevent development aid being diverted from its intended recipients, EU lawmakers agreed.

The MEPs called for tighter measures in fight against corruption and more effective aid from the European Union for the developing countries.

Underlining that losses from corruption in Africa annually reach 25% of the GDP, MEPs urged all EU members to implemented the UN and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development conventions for corruption.

They also called for the bloc to set up an international system of blacklisting to prevent banks from lending large sums of money to corrupt regimes or individuals representing a government.

In the report by Dutch Member of European Parliament Margrietus Van den Berg, EP also demanded more transparency in the massive development budget of the EU, the biggest provider of aid in the world.
"

FinFacts: Euro-zone unemployment down to 8.2%; EU25 unchanged at 8.5%; Ireland's rate lowest at 4.3%

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Euro-zone1 seasonally-adjusted unemployment stood at 8.2% in February 2006, compared to 8.3% in January3. It was 8.8% in February 2005. The EU25 unemployment rate was 8.5% in February 2006, unchanged compared to January3. It was 8.9% in February 2005. In February 2006, the lowest rates were registered in Ireland (4.3%), Denmark and the Netherlands (both 4.4%), the United Kingdom (4.9% in December) and Austria (5.1%). Unemployment rates were highest in Poland (17.0%), Slovakia (15.8%), Greece (9.6% in the fourth quarter 2005), France (9.1%) and Germany5 (8.9%).

PlanetSave - EU takes nations to task over environment

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EU takes nations to task over environment

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) _ European Union authorities Thursday warned 17 of the bloc's 25 member nations that they could face legal action for failing to apply EU environment protection laws in areas ranging from dirty beaches to reserves for wild birds.
The European Commission sent warning letters to 11 nations for removing beaches from their official lists of authorized bathing spots to avoid applying EU rules on clean water. A statement said Germany had taken over 45 percent of its coastal bathing spots off the list of beaches subject to EU controls. The Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Denmark, France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal and Greece also had removed beaches from their lists, the Commission said in a statement.

Scenta: The view from Westminster – Political roundup

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The view from Westminster – Political roundup

This week the European Commission (EC) gave Britain a grave warning on legal action against 17 member states for not opening their energy markets.The UK received a ‘letter of formal notice’ relating to the failure to properly implement EU directives.
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Sweden and Slovakia also received notice. Energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs said: "The member states must implement the directives on gas and electricity quickly and in full, not only in form but also in substance.

Flight: The Eurofighter 4 in talks with NATO over capability enhancements

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The Eurofighter 4 in talks with NATO over capability enhancements

The Eurofighter 4 in talks with NATO over capability enhancements.Eurofighter partner companies Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems, EADS Casa and EADS Deutschland had delivered 73 production Typhoons and five instrumented production aircraft by late last month, including 25 operational aircraft to the UK, 21 to Germany, 14 to Italy and 13 to Spain. The Typhoon fleet has now amassed over 10,500 flight hours, including 6,350h flown by the partner air forces by late January. The programme’s four partner nations have signed a framework contract for 620 Typhoons and 90 options and signed firm orders for an initial two tranches totalling 384 aircraft.

The Typhoon’s first export customer, Austria, will meanwhile receive its first of 18 single-seat fighters in May next year. Current export targets for the consortium include Greece, India, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Turkey.

EU-DIGEST: Mrs. Margot Wallström, Vice President of the European Commission speaks at the University of Miami

EU-DIGEST

Miami, April 6, Some 150 students and a small number of invited guests listened attentively as Mrs. Margot Wallström, Vice President of the European Commission passionately lectured on the urgency of reversing the unsustainable trends we are seeing in Europe and around the world. "The EU is the largest provider of Overseas Development assistance and it wants to honor the commitment made in Mexico to reach 0.39% of GDP in development assistance", said Mrs.Wallström. "But, despite our status as the world's largest donor, we were unable to convince the G77 group of developing countries to join us on several of the key sustainability challenges. On several issues,they preferred to side with the US. "The probable reason", said Mrs.Wallström, "is that it is difficult for a country to start cutting down on pollution emissions when it sees some of the industrialized nations with much higher levels of pollution doing very little in bringing these levels down. Mrs. Wallström noted that the EU has consistently advocated that there should be a close link between the Implementation Plan and the new partnerships for sustainable development. This has been recognized even though the EU would have liked a clearer follow-up mechanisms and guiding principles for partnerships. The UN Commission on Sustainable Development is now serving as the focal point for future discussion of partnerships, including sharing lessons learned, progress made and best practices. "In fifty years time, nine billion people will live on the planet and world output will quadruple, said Mrs. Wallstrom, "and it is clear that unless we cut the link between economic growth and the degradation of the environment, we will simply not be able to sustain ourselves." On globalization, Mrs. Wallstrom suggested the role of trade for sustainable development must be better defined,for example by encouraging trade in environmentally friendly and organic products from developing countries and by strengthening international action for corporate responsibility. The interesting presentation was concluded by an animated 30 minute question and answer period.

As we listened to the fascinating speech by Mrs. Wallström, the VP of the EU, we could not help but compare her to Dick Cheney, the US VP, if he would be giving the same speech at the same location. We quickly came to the conclusion that Mrs. Wallström would win this contest hands down, given the circumstances. Could anyone imagine dragging Mr. Cheney up three flights of stairs to a University conference room and have him give a speech to 150 university students, without a EU/US flag proudly displayed, press handouts, and significant TV and Press coverage. Or what Mr. Cheney would do to his staff if invited guests had to return to their home or office, because the invitation to his event had no clear instructions on how to get there --and if those who were able to figure it out could not find a parking space in overcrowded parking lots.

Mandelson revives EU constitution debate

Guardian Unlimited Politics:

"Mandelson revives EU constitution debate

Matthew Tempest, political correspondent
Thursday April 6, 2006

Peter Mandelson resurrected the prospects for the EU constitution this morning, saying Europe still needed many of its proposed rules as the continent continued to enlarge.

The treaty was dramatically rejected in referendums in both France and the Netherlands last year, leading other countries to cancel their planned polls on the treaty, which would have seen the appointment of an EU foreign minister and streamlined voting procedures.

However, when Austria took over the rotating EU presidency this year, it declared the constitution was 'not dead', simply 'not in force'."

REPORTER.GR: Turkey's Efforts to EU Entry is Solid Example of Enlargement Policy

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Turkey's Efforts to EU Entry is Solid Example of Enlargement Policy

Pierre Mirel, Director of European Commision’s Candidate Countries Enlargement Department stated that enlargement is potentially the most powerful foreign policies of the EU and praised its successful course thus far in integrating countries while speaking at the Economist conference, adding that Turkey's eligibility to become an EU member will prove a solid example of this successful policy of enlargement. He pointed out that the last enlargement was a turning point for bringing peace between Central and Eastern Europe mentioning, however, the necessity to closely monitor the alignment of the countries that prepare to join EU with regulations which has proven to help in the successful transformation of Central European countries to contemporary democracies. Recently, there have been successful reforms in Turkey and Western Balkans. An important aspect of the preparedness course towards EU entry is the screening process that Turkey currently undergoes.

Painted Black: a study of the EU unsafe airlines ban

Painted London-Flight International

"Painted Black: a study of the EU unsafe airlines ban

Just over 90 airlines have been named, shamed and banned – until their safety improves – from EU skies, while pressure grows for an international blacklist

As soon as the night time noise restrictions lifted, an ageing McDonnell Douglas DC-8-62 freighter taxied out of a Brussels airport hangar into the dawn calm of a cold March morning to start an ignominious return home.
"

The Birth of “EU Light”

Focus English News

"The Birth of “EU Light”

6 April 2006 | 21:36
Der Standard

Romania and Bulgaria will become the first EU member states that have more limited rights. It doesn’t matter when exactly they will join the EU – in 2007 or 2008, because behind the numerous formulations and safeguard clauses about the shortening of certain deadlines under the accession treaty, there is a simple exclusion of EU member states from the market of agrarian products or the economic “core” of the union, from the common market and the related right of votes – by the time the countries implement the EU membership criteria. With a view to that, the EU will have to give up the idea that it is a union of states with equal rights and obligations, in which the full-fledged membership is a priority of the states. A state that has joined the EU gives the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament governing opportunities, and the thought that the attempt at implementing even a project of a larger scale, such as the accession of Turkey, is becoming more and more clearer. In the meantime, the so-called “EU Light” is a step backwards from the political union toward the direction of a more liberalized economic cooperation."

Chicago Tribune: Panel bars increase in foreign say on airlines - Aviation Pact with EU at risk

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Panel bars increase in foreign say on airlines - Aviation Pact with EU at risk

A Senate committee on Tuesday voted to block the Bush administration from issuing a rule that would give foreign investors more say in U.S. airline operations, threatening an aviation agreement with the European Union. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment that would bar President Bush from issuing the rule through Sept. 30. The amendment was added to legislation to fund the Iraq war effort and hurricane recovery. "There are too many questions still unanswered" about the rule, said Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), who sponsored the amendment. The Bush administration wants to allow foreigners more authority in airline decisions, such as where to fly and which aircraft to buy. The administration has said blocking the rule would torpedo a broader, tentative aviation accord with the European Union that would expand service between the continent and the U.S.

Bloomberg.com: EU Backs China's Gradual Yuan Moves, Splits With U.S.

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EU Backs China's Gradual Yuan Moves, Splits With U.S.

The European Commission backed China's policy of switching to a more flexible exchange-rate system at its own pace, rebuffing U.S. calls for faster steps to boost the yuan, according to a confidential document. The commission, the European Union's Brussels-based economic watchdog, warned that sudden moves to strengthen the Chinese yuan as demanded by some U.S. officials could further weaken the dollar against the euro.

Noticias - EU: MEPs see Europe's economy getting back on track

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EU: MEPs see Europe's economy getting back on track

Parliament debated the outcome of the Spring European Council meeting held in Brussels on 23 and 24 March. Many MEPs welcomed important progress in the area of a common energy policy. On the services directive, there was a welcome for the backing of the European Parliament position. Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang SCHÜSSEL, President-in-Office of the Council, began by quoting Robert Schuman, who said that Europe would be build by deeds, not by rhetoric. He spoke of the very specific goals for economic policy, including the creation of 10 million new jobs and a package of measure to ensure all young people would be offered an apprenticeship, a job or further education within six months of leaving school. The Council had also agreed to the Commission's proposal of a European globalisation fund. He stressed the importance of focussing on SMEs by cutting red tape and bureaucracy – by, for example, making it possible to set up a company within a week with only one government office to deal with all the process.

He pointed out that each Member State had now put forward individual plans to reach a goal of investing 3 per cent of GDP in research and development – success would mean an extra €100 billion from national budgets and the private sector. He noted that the Council had also supported the idea of a European Institute for Technology, as proposed by Mr Barroso. This would not be a duplication of existing institutions, but would aim to be “a perfect network working with Member States' institutions” to improve the link between universities and business. He welcomed moves to create better national ownership of the Lisbon reform plans.

The Nation News: Barbados 'not waiting on EU' for sugar help - by Trevor Yearwood

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Barbados 'not waiting on EU' for sugar help - by Trevor Yearwood

WHETHER OR NOT the European Union (EU) comes up with financing, Barbados will push ahead with a plan for transforming the sugar industry. Minister of Agriculture and Rural development, Senator Erskine Griffith, made this comment Tuesday during a media conference at Island Inn Hotel. He said Europe, which for many years had been a major buyer of Barbados bulk sugar, was losing its significance to the island's economy. Griffith spoke against the backdropof the European Union's (EU) plans for a gradual reduction in preferential rates for bulk sugar shipped by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of nations. In the interim, the EU has allocated about $96.6 million to the group for 2006 for coping with the coming loss – provided the countries meet a deadline for submission of plans for a viable sugar industry – or what Griffith calls "an adaptation strategy document".

M&C News: German, Russian ministers at odds over Belarus vote outcome

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German, Russian ministers at odds over Belarus vote outcome

Berlin - The foreign ministers of Germany and Russia differed Wednesday in their assessment of the outcome of last month's controversial election in Belarus which saw President Alexander Lukashenko returned to power with 83 per cent of the vote. 'The will of the Belarus people as well as those in Ukraine must form the basis of relations with these sovereign states,' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin. Steinmeier said the March 19 vote in Belarus did not meet international standards whereas the polls in Ukraine a week later did. Western observers widely condemned the election in Belarus as fraudulent. The two ministers did agree that a solution had to come through diplomacy and not through confrontation.

Reuters.com: US sees threat from European Islamic militants - by Caroline Drees

For the full report go to Reuters.com or click on this linkUS sees threat from European Islamic militants - by Caroline Drees

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Islamic militants in Europe pose a direct threat to U.S. national security, more than 4-1/2 years after Europe-based plotters planned much of the September 11 attacks, senior U.S. officials said on Wednesday. While small in number, pockets of Islamic extremists exist across Europe and have generated militants such as convicted shoe-bomber Richard Reid, September 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui, and those behind bombings in London and Madrid, said Daniel Fried, assistant secretary of State for European affairs. "It is now well known that the terrorist cell that conducted the 9/11 attacks did much of its planning from a base in Europe," said Henry Crumpton, the State Department's counterterrorism coordinator who spoke at the Senate foreign relations committee alongside Fried.

"Five years later, and despite many counterterrorism successes, violent Islamic extremism in Europe continues to pose a threat to the national security of the United States and our allies," Crumpton said.

Angus Reid: Gyurcsany's Socialists Lead in Hungary

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Gyurcsany's Socialists Lead in Hungary

The governing Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) holds a slight edge heading into this weekend’s legislative election, according to a poll by Szonda Ipsos 46 per cent of decided voters would vote for the Socialists, while 43 per cent would support the opposition Citizens Party (Fidesz).

The Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) is third with five per cent, followed by the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) with three per cent. Support for the Socialists increased by three points since February, while backing for the other parties remained stable.

EUROPA - Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission speaks in Miami on "Governance and Democracy for a Sustainable Europe"

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Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission speaks in Miami on "Governance and Democracy for a Sustainable Europe"

The Jean Monnet Chair, in cooperation with the Miami-Florida European Union Center of Excellence, the University of Miami Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy and School of Law will be hosting Mrs. Margot Wallström tomorrow April 6. Mrs. Wallström will be speaking on "Governance and Democracy for a Sustainable Europe".

The European Commission recently launched an internet discussion in 20 languages on the future of Europe. This discussion, in which all citizens were invited to join, is part of the Commission’s "Plan D" for Dialogue, Debate and Democracy in response to a call by the European Council for a period of reflection following the negative votes in France and the Netherlands on the proposed Constitutional Treaty. In a podcast message which can de downloaded from the site, Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission with responsibility for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy, said: “I often hear people say that they have lost confidence in the European Union because they feel that it has taken on too many responsibilities and has become very complex and difficult to understand. At the same time when we ask Europeans in opinion polls, they want the European Union to deal with - for example - issues such as unemployment globalisation, pensions, healthcare, education and environmental issues. We want to know what YOUR hopes for Europe are and what worries YOU as a European?” The feedback of this discussion will be fed into the Commission’s report from the period of reflection.If you are interested in the discussion go to: http://europa.eu.int/debateeurope/. For more information on Mrs. Wallström background and activities go to: http://europa.eu.int/comm/commission_barroso/wallstrom/press/press_en.htm

Monday Morning: European Union: Despite pledges, Europe still battling to reform

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European Union: Despite pledges, Europe still battling to reform

After their meeting in Brussels, European Union leaders returned home last week pledging to finally “turn commitments into concrete action” aimed at giving a new impetus to the continent’s long-flagging economy. They also repeatedly denied tensions over resurgent protectionism in the 25-country bloc, fueled by a string of recent tussles between EU governments like France, Spain and Italy over industrial takeover bids. But the well-crafted sound bites in Brussels about redynamizing the EU’s so-called Lisbon Agenda -- a six-year-old growth drive which has so far produced few tangible results -- failed to convince many. And nobody expects Europe’s reforms suddenly to take off any time soon as a result of deliberations in Brussels. “If you want to know why Europe’s governments have been so hopelessly slow at reforming their economies, waste no time assessing the platitudes about the Lisbon Agenda”, wrote The Economist. Instead it pointed to events like those which have gripped France in recent days: protests against a proposed youth labor law which have increasingly turned nasty, with cars set alight and windows smashed in Paris.

For many, the French law -- a contract for young people allowing them to be fired during a two-year trial period without explanation -- embodies the kind of reform needed if the EU is to be competitive in the global economy.

Radio Free Europe: EU - Netherlands Leading Trend To More Stringent Immigration Rules

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EU-Netherlands Leading Trend To More Stringent Immigration Rules

If you don't speak Dutch, and the thought of nude beaches or homosexual marriage makes you uncomfortable, then the Netherlands is not for you. That's the message from Dutch immigration authorities, who have just instituted some of Europe's most stringent requirements for would-be immigrants. Several other European states are following suit, as European politicians react to growing anti-immigration sentiment among voters.Dutch Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk says there are over 600,000 people in her country who don't speak proper Dutch and are mostly unemployed. Verdonk argues that the Netherlands can no longer afford to welcome immigrants who will not integrate into mainstream society, which is why she has advocated a new restrictive visa system.

Under the new policy, which went into effect last month, would-be immigrants seeking a residency visa will have to pass a "civic-integration examination" before they arrive in the Netherlands. Applicants will have to pass a Dutch-language test administered at the Dutch Embassy in their country of origin.

Washington Post: Chirac's party meets French unions on jobs law - by Tom Heneghan

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Chirac's party meets French unions on jobs law - by Tom Heneghan

French unions were to meet senior figures from President Jacques Chirac's ruling right for talks on Wednesday on a contested youth jobs law, bolstered by huge street protests demanding a new hire-and-fire law be scrapped. Conservative parliamentarians, drafted in after Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin failed to rush the reform past stiff public opposition, have offered no-holds-barred talks on the First Job Contract (CPE) but not suggested scrapping it.The 12 main unions are to discuss strategy on Wednesday morning before the first meeting with leaders of Chirac's Union for a Popular Majority (UMP) in the afternoon.

BBC: Press reflects French desperation

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Press reflects French desperation

The continuing unrest in France over the controversial youth jobs law has prompted an intense bout of soul searching in the French press. A sense of desperation pervades some newspapers, with commentators expressing serious concern over the opportunities available to French youth and the state of the nation. There is a widespread belief that the government is on the back foot and will be forced to revise its plans.

Seattlepi.com: Berlusconi uses vulgarity during speech - by ALESSANDRA RIZZO

For the full report go to seattlepi or click on this linkBerlusconi uses vulgarity during speech - by ALESSANDRA RIZZO

Premier Silvio Berlusconi used an Italian obscenity to describe those planning to vote his opponent, drawing criticism on Tuesday from opposition parties who called the leader "vulgar and coarse." Speaking to an association of Italian retailers, Berlusconi said he was certain he would win re-election on April 9-10. "I have too much respect for the intelligence of Italians to believe that there are so many 'coglioni' around to vote against their best interest," he said. The word "coglioni" is a vulgar equivalent for "idiot" or "cretin." It is common in colloquial Italian but virtually unheard of in political speeches or business settings. "Pardon this rough, but effective language," the premier addded.

Poland's stressing of U.S. ties irks EU - by Andrew Borowiec

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Poland's stressing of U.S. ties irks EU - by Andrew Borowiec

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- A new conservative government in Poland is annoying its EU partners with an assertive anti-Russian, pro-American foreign policy that is seen to undermine EU efforts to "speak with one voice." Polish officials say the United States is much better able than the European Union to offer military security to Poland and other former Warsaw Pact members -- an idea that appeals to countries long exposed to Russian domination. Diplomats say Warsaw has been stressing ties with NATO and the Bush administration at the expense of its relationship with Brussels since the election in the fall of President Lech Kaczynski and the formation of a conservative government backed by the Catholic Church.

EUobserver.com: EU could withhold cash to Sofia and Bucharest after membership-by Mark Beunderman

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EU could withhold cash to Sofia and Bucharest after membership - by Mark Beunderman

BRUSSELS - The European Commission could withhold EU cash to Romania and Bulgaria to push for further reform even after they become members of the bloc, EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn has indicated. The commissioner met members of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee on Monday evening (3 April), some six weeks before a crucial commission report on the two countries' EU bid. The report could recommend a one-year membership postponement from 2007 to 2008 for both countries if entry preparations in key areas such as corruption and the judiciary fall short.

EurActive: Europe must work more towards international standards, say accountants | European Union Financial Services

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Europe must work more towards international standards, say accountants

The Federation of European Accountants (FEE) has issued a report urging the Commission to do more towards convergence of EU and US reporting standards.The report, "Financial Reporting: Convergence, Equivalence and Mutual Recognition", published on 27 March, states that "it is only through substantive European input to the IASB [International Accounting Standards Board] work programme, enhanced coordination and greater transparency that real progress can be achieved." The FEE sees it as essential that the "costly reconciliation requirements" for European companies listed in the US to comply with both the international reporting standards and the US GAAP standards, be eliminated. In April 2005, the EU and the US came to an agreement on reconciliation of the two standards by 2007 if possible but by 2009 at the latest.

RTTNews: European Manufacturing Sector Grows At Fastest Rate In Five Years

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European Manufacturing Sector Grows At Fastest Rate In Five Years

The euro zone's manufacturing activity accelerated at its fastest rate in five and a half years in March as the closely watched measure, the manufacturing sector purchasing manager's index or PMI climbed, reports said. Separately, among the various European countries PMI reportedly rose in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Sweden, while declined in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, reports added.

CNN: Real Estate-The JetBlue effect - by Les Christie

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Real Estate-The JetBlue effect - by Les Christie

In a survey last year, Escapehomes.com found that 60 percent of respondents planning to buy a second home were looking more than 500 miles away from their primary residence

Although some of the fare deals sound pretty great, American carriers are still way behind the Europeans. In Europe, low air fares are transforming the vacation-home market. It's now possible to fly from one European country to another for less than the cost of riding the bus to the airport.

The UK's Abbey National Bank estimates that some 1.2 million Brits now own second homes in France and on the Iberian Peninsula. Germans own some 300,000 homes in Spain. The French are even buying homes in Britain, to the tune of about 20,000. "Europeans are also buying numerous properties in the US. Special areas of interest are Florida, the Carolina's,California and in the North East.

DTT-NET.COM: EU to cut troops in Bosnia after October elections

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EU to cut troops in Bosnia after October elections

EU is planning to cut its 7000 troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the October scheduled parliamentary elections in the country. EU’s chief of diplomacy Javier Solana said on Monday that 25-nation bloc would most likely reduce the current number of soldiers, stationed in the country in December 2004 when the European force replaced NATO soldiers to help Bosnia and Herzegovina improve its security.

Money News: UK PM set for high level EU economy summit

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UK PM set for high level EU economy summit

Tony Blair is set for a high-level meeting with his French and German counterparts to discuss means of cutting red tape and boosting economic growth prospects in the European Union.

The prime minister, Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder are scheduled to meet in Berlin, along with key senior ministers, to assess the ramifications for the union as 10 new accession countries enter the Union on May 1st. The trilateral "mini" summit also comes ahead of next month's spring.

The European constitution, the Common Agricultural Policy, EU defense, and the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan are also likely to be discussed during the summit, according to analysts.

Independent Onlinw: West accused of fiddling figures on Iraq aid - by Stephen Castle

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Britain and other Western nations are using huge debt write-offs to Iraq to boost development aid statistics and give a misleading impression of their generosity to the Third World, campaigners say. The UK, France, Germany and Italy have all bracketed debt cancellations to Iraq as part of their assistance to the world's poorest nations. Figures released today by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development are expected to show that most, if not all, of the 15 nations in the EU before its 2004 expansion increased aid contributions.

EUROTOPIA: Bayonets bared for Europe's military future-by Enzo Mangini

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Bayonets bared for Europe's military future-by Enzo Mangini

You can do anything with bayonets but sit on them,’ Napoleon’s foreign minister, Talleyrand, once famously observed. The EU is discussing the shape of its bayonets and how to make them well in advance of deciding what to do with them.

On 21 November last year, an Associated Press report announced: ’EU adopts plan to open Euro 35 billion arms market.’ It referred to a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels, which decided to introduce a new code of conduct for the industry. This code, which takes effect in July, will open the European arms market and military procurement to the sort of deregulated market policies that the EU is now pursuing in every possible sphere. A particular cause for concern is that this deregulation coincides with a concerted process of merger and consolidation within the industry, whereby the ’free’ market is leading to increasing domination by the biggest companies. Since this particular market involves tanks, aircraft carriers and electronic surveillance, and not underwear or oranges, the concerns are correspondingly larger. In the past ten years, the wave of mergers and acquisitions in the European military industry has reduced the number of players and increased the size of those who remain - notably in key sectors such as missiles, aircraft and helicopters, with further mergers ahead in shipbuilding and the manufacture of ground vehicles.

Today, the military market in the EU is dominated by a handful of big conglomerates: BAE Systems (UK), EADS (France-Germany and Spain), Thales (France) and Finmeccanica (Italy), to name the biggest. Governments and corporate lobbyists are pushing for another wave, which would further reduce the number of firms. This is one of the specified aims of the EDA, clearly stated in its mandate when it was established in 2004. The degree of concentration is reaching US proportions. A 2003 Pentagon report found that the 50 largest defence suppliers of the early 1980s had been transmogrified into the top five contractors today. Indeed, competitive pressure from the US is the main driving force cited by European industry CEOs and politicians alike when it comes to explaining the merger fever. The need to stand up to the US military-industrial complex and preserve European political autonomy is also often given as the reason to support the idea of a ’strong’ Europe.

National - or European - pride can help this militarisation on its way. A lot of our fellow citizens, even on the left, are proud of challenging the US - of being better ’peace-keepers’ - though probably not so many would like to admit it openly.

SpinWatch - The Deadly Embrace: Political Public Relations and Journalism in Election Campaigns - by Nicolas Jones

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The Deadly Embrace: Political Public Relations and Journalism in Election Campaigns - by Nicolas Jones

More often than not today's election campaigns are fought out on a battleground which is being determined and controlled almost entirely by the news media. Newspapers, radio, television -- and now websites on the Internet -- provide the stage on which the politicians have to perform and try to win the attention of an increasingly sceptical, and sometimes hostile, electorate. Political public relations advisers and journalists tend to be locked together in an ever-closer embrace, a relationship which can lead to unhealthy collusion and a lowering of editorial standards.

Political parties and the news media need each other more than ever. Politicians have few other effective ways to communicate with the public except through the news media and, for their part, journalists know they cannot ignore the drama and significance of an election campaign. After all the proposition -- “Who Governs the Country?” -- is a question which is of vital importance to most readers, viewers and listeners. The prospect that political power might change hands -- and therefore put the future direction of the country at stake -- is enough to excite any journalist but it also provides a temptation for media proprietors to interfere. The British experience is that while newspapers still retain considerable influence in shaping the daily political agenda, it is still what voters see and hear -- on television and radio -- which is likely to have the greatest influence in determining which political leader and which party they are most likely to support. The impact of websites -- and especially web logs where voters can participate and express themselves -- is being felt more and more. For example, in the last British general election in May 2005, the Internet was the first source of political information for a third of all young people. That proportion is bound to increase and the emergence of yet another battleground for the political parties reinforces the pressure on political propagandists to make sure they know how best to compete for attention. There is a paramount need, therefore, for political public relations to keep abreast of the ways in which the media is expanding and adapting. Recent trends in Britain are not encouraging: media proprietors are changing their political allegiances with greater frequency than before and invariably for crude advantage; they trade the political support of their newspapers in return for a commercial benefit.

Chinadaily: US, EU protectionists stuck in wrong gear

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US, EU protectionists stuck in wrong gear

By turning to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to settle a row about China's new auto-parts tariffs, the United States and the European Union have made a slightly better move than other protectionist measures they have recently saber-rattled. Yet, it is still regrettable. Instead of challenging escalating protectionism at home, policy makers from these developed economies have wrongfully and unyieldingly directed their fire at China. As a first step towards filing a formal WTO complaint, the EU and the US both requested to engage in formal talks with China about its upcoming import tariffs on car parts. Starting July 1, China will place a higher tariff on imported auto parts valued at 60 per cent or more of the complete vehicle's total price.

This is the first time the EU has taken China to the global trading body since it joined in 2001, and it is the second time the US has made such a move. Undoubtedly, the filing comes at a time of rising trade tensions between China and rich countries on both sides of the Atlantic. A soaring deficit with China has driven some US politicians to urge actions, fair or not, against Chinese exports. The EU's recent endorsement of anti-dumping duties on Chinese shoes merely betrayed a lack of resolve among EU trade officials to resist protectionist pressure.

TODAYonline: Germany regaining its mantle as Europe's driving force

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Germany regaining its mantle as Europe's driving force

Germany has finally turned the corner and appears to be on the way to regaining its role as the motor of the European economy, analysts say. Clear signs have emerged in recent days that the biggest economy in the European Union is emerging from several sluggish years. Business confidence hit a 15-year high and unemployment dipped below the five-million mark. The most spectacular indication of a sustained upswing came from the Ifo business climate index, which surged business climate index, which surged to 105.4 points in March -- the highest since April 1991, the year after German unification, and up from 103.4 points in February. The positive domestic picture was underpinned by data from Europe as a whole.

The number of jobless fell to 4.976 million this month from 5.048 million in February, the equivalent of dropping to 12.0 percent from 12.2 percent.

Miami Herald : Two countries cope with globalization - by Trudy Rubin

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Two countries cope with globalization - by Trudy Rubin

Huge demonstrations have taken place last week in both France and in America that highlight the very different ways the two countries cope with globalization. Whether you are Francophile or -phobe, the French demos should make you nervous. On the other hand, the American protests add a bit of brightness to a gloomy month. First to France. Hundreds of thousands of students and workers have taken to the streets and shut down schools, trains, air service, and even the Eiffel Tower. Bands of masked youths, apparently from suburban slums, have burst into downtown Paris, smashing windows and setting cars alight. The demonstrators' grievance? They are protesting a new labor law that would make it easier to hire unemployed youth, including alienated Muslim immigrants who set slums ablaze in days of violent demonstrations last fall. The demonstrators in Paris have no answer for this dangerous problem, which also concerns us.

This brings me to the contrasting demonstrations that have sent hundreds of thousands into the streets of more than 10 American cities. Around 500,000 U.S. immigrants, both legal and illegal and mostly Hispanic, marched in downtown Los Angeles. Unlike their counterparts in France, the Angelenos were demanding the right to keep on working -- many at low-level jobs for low pay. Specifically, they were protesting the passage by the House of Representatives of a tough immigration bill that would make it a criminal offense to live here as an illegal immigrant. The Senate Judiciary Committee has just passed a very different bill that would create a guest-worker system and allow illegal immigrants a path toward legitimate work status.

In France, the students are marching to keep privileges that the country can't afford and keep the labor system rigid, while immigrant youth are lashing out at a system they despise. Down that path lies danger. In America, workers are concerned but realistic about globalization's challenges, while immigrants want to join the system. Such realism doesn't eliminate problems, but offers some chance to resolve them.

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION ROOM - INFIDELS TO OUR OWN BELIEFS? by Rick Morren

EU-Digest

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION ROOM - A weekly EU-Digest editorial column

INFIDELS TO OUR OWN BELIEFS?
By Rick Morren

For centuries some Muslims have been calling Christians Infidels, but most of us either brushed it aside as just another battle cry coming from radical Muslims, or something we rather did not want to deal with.

But what is the literal meaning of Infidel. A dictionary will tell you that In´fi`del - is a person who does not acknowledge or know God's ways.

That definition sets you to thinking, because it also seems to indicate we are talking about different Gods and different moral standards … theirs and ours. Now that’s fine, but if there are several distinct Gods and moral standards, are we in the so-called western world true to the standards of our “own God”?

Does any preacher in the western world ever protest to what is going on in our market driven society, as we relate it to what Christians are commanded to do in the Ten Commandments (Exodus, verse 20) of the Bible? From Stockholm to Rome, and Amsterdam to Budapest, people seem to be suffering from a “bottom-line" mentality that judges every action as productive, only if it produces more money and power. Do corporations, regardless of the fact that some of their corporate officers bravely go to church every Sunday, really give one hoot about the Commandment “you shall not steal”? It also seems strange in this context that the EU, proclaimed by the Vatican and right-wing politicians as the bastion of the Judeo – Christian movement, now has more shopping malls, bars and porno shops, than schools, libraries or places of worship?

In the area of family and inter-personal relationships, do we really “honor our father and Mother, that our days may be long upon the land, which the Lord your God is giving you”. Many of today’s families are based on one parent, who provide their spoiled and obese children everything they don’t really need. Do we ever seriously consider taking care of the old and the sick, instead of letting them fade away. Some do, most people can’t care less.

Do we celebrate and “remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy”, when we visit 24 hour super stores, and overcharge our credit cards, or, when we pray, “ for God to make us win the one million Euros Lotto”, instead of praying for someone other than ourselves.

We all believe “You shall not murder“, but how come some of us will condemn abortion, but still find it the most normal thing in the world to indiscriminately drop bombs on our so called enemies, killing large numbers of innocent civilians? Unfortunately we have become the Infidels to our own beliefs and call that democracy.

Europe needs to find a “new way”, where all beliefs and cultures adhere to a different bottom line, replacing the empty culture of materialism, selfishness and hypocracy, with compasion, generosity, forgiveness and love.

The Post.IE: Chirac in a bind over new labour laws - by Thomas Hubert

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Chirac in a bind over new labour laws - by Thomas Hubert

French president Jacques Chirac is on the frontline. For more than two months, he had left the difficult task of implementing a reform of labour regulation to French prime minister Dominique de Villepin. Despite growing opposition to the proposal, the French constitutional court has ruled that the bill is legal. The bill was approved by the parliament and can now come into force any day Chirac decides to sign it. In a televised address on Friday, Chirac said he would ratify the piece of legislation.

‘‘The parliament has passed the law and the constitutional council has just found it to be in accordance with the principles and values of the Republic,” he said. ‘‘In a democracy, this has a strong meaning.”

Los Angeles Times: Protests Continue for Rice in Britain

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Protests Continue for Rice in Britain

BLACKBURN, England — A second day of loud antiwar protests greeted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Saturday, and the top U.S. diplomat heard more subtle pleas for peace and tolerance from Christian and Muslim leaders in this multiethnic but divided northern town. Early today, she and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw arrived in Baghdad, said a British Embassy spokesperson there. At a meeting with Muslim community leaders they expressed to Rice their opposition to the war in Iraq. They also raised concerns about the Guantanamo prison and U.S. policies in the Palestinian territories, a Muslim businessman said afterward.

Kam Kothia, of the Blackburn Asian Business Federation, said he and other leaders gave Rice the same message of opposition to U.S. policies voiced in less polite tones outside.

BillOReilly.com: Entitlement culture undermines ambition

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Entitlement culture undermines ambition - by Bill O'Reilly

We have seen the possible future of America—and it is France! This week thousands of young French citizens took to the streets to demand job security and more guaranteed entitlements, as if they don't already have enough. If you get a job in France, you immediately get more than seven weeks vacation each year, and five of those weeks are guaranteed between May and October. Also, short of executing your coworkers or something, the company that hires you cannot fire you. They are stuck with you for as long as you show up. The result of this insane labor policy is that many French companies simply will not hire young people who don't have solid references and an experienced track record. It's just too risky. So the unemployment rate for workers from 18 to 26 is an astounding 24%. Overall, French unemployment stands at 10% as opposed to less than 5% in the USA.

So, in order to encourage job expansion, the French government proposed a law that would give employers a little room. A company would be allowed to lay off anyone under the age of 26 for cause within two years of their first day on the job. After that, Jacques and Marie are almost guaranteed a lifetime job, provided the company stays solvent. Sounds reasonable, right? But for the young French, this is an abomination! This is an insult! They believe they are entitled to a good job no matter how they perform. So they took to the streets.The French government is now a giant colossus that employs more than 25% of the entire French population! Paris pays for health care, provides lucrative pensions, subsidizes a lot of housing, and has set up a 35-hour work week. In fact, it is illegal in France for any company employee to work more than 44 hours a week.

China, US and EU in tariffs row

JTW News

"China, US and EU in tariffs row
China has said it 'regrets' a decision by the US and European Union (EU) to step up a row over car parts imports.
The US and EU have accused China of imposing illegal tariffs to prevent foreign components being imported for use in Chinese car assembly plants.

The two have now turned to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to open up the $19bn (£10.8bn) auto parts market.

The row is the latest in a series of disputes triggered by China's growing muscle in the global trade market.

Brussels and Washington have now taken formal steps to resolve the row. "

EUobserver.com: No cherry-picking of EU constitution, say Europe's conservatives by Lucia Kubosova

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No cherry-picking of EU constitution, say Europe's conservatives by Lucia Kubosova

ROME - The biggest pan-European political party has called for continued ratification of the EU constitution and strongly rejected cherry-picking from its proposals. But, despite this, several leading centre-right politicians have hinted that at least slight changes may be necessary to revive the treaty. The European People's Party on Friday (31 March) agreed a manifesto following its party congress in Rome, which argues that the bloc's current "political problems and institutional weaknesses...will persist and grow" unless the constitution is brought into force.

"Therefore the EPP proposes that the process leading to the ratification of a European Constitutional Treaty should be continued after the period of reflection," states the document.

The OpenOffice.org Newsletter: Visibooks publishes new illustration-based textbooks on OpenOffice.org

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Visibooks publishes new illustration-based textbooks on OpenOffice.org

"Visibooks, LLC, a publisher of illustration-based computer class textbooks, has published the first school textbooks on OpenOffice.org.

An increasing number of schools worldwide are using and teaching OpenOffice.org, a free, open-source suite of word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and database programs. To serve these schools, Visibooks has published the first series of textbooks that help students learn OpenOffice.org programs.

OpenOffice.org is both a fully-featured office suite compatible with leading office products including Microsoft Office, and a virtual community working through OpenOffice.org's numerous projects. The community comes together at www.openoffice.org to develop, support, and promote the use of OpenOffice.org. OpenOffice.org is an Open Source project. This means, first, that it offers not only a product but a process, and second, that it depend upon the contributions of developers and endusers to make that process happen. The easiest way for you to help Open Office is to join by registering. Once you have registered, you are entitled to join particular projects, file issues, bugs, patches, or comment on already filed issues. In a nutshell, once you join, you are a contributor.To join, go to the "Join page" at http://about.openoffice.org/index.html#joining and follow the instructions.

To download your own free copy of Open Office in a variety of language versions go to http://download.openoffice.org/2.0.2/index.html.

Radio New Zealand - European Union ready to back Pacific Plan

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European Union ready to back Pacific Plan

The European Commission is enthusiastic about the Pacific's move towards regionalism and intends committing additional funding for the Pacific Plan. The EC's director general for development, Stefano Manservisi, is in New Zealand to assess the impact of past aid spending and to consider new approaches. He says the countries in the region cannot work in isolation.

Mr Manservisi says the EC wants to work more closely with Australia and New Zealand through the Pacific islands Forum.

NYT: U.S. Asks European Union to Be Fair in Microsoft Case by Paul Meller

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U.S. Asks European Union to Be Fair in Microsoft Case- by Paul Meller

The United States government has intervened in Microsoft's antitrust dispute with the European Commission, urging it and the 25 national governments in the European Union to be fair to the company, American diplomats and European officials said on Thursday. Microsoft has complained frequently in recent months that it has been denied the right to a fair defense in the continuing antitrust case with the European Commission. It has also accused the commission of collaborating with its rivals in the software industry and denying it access to what it contends are vital documents it needs to prepare its defense.

A memo written by unidentified government officials in Washington stated that Microsoft's complaints raise "substantial concerns" about the way Microsoft is being treated, according to a person close to the commission who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the memo. The memo was distributed this week through embassies in Europe and through the United States mission to the European Union in Brussels.

European Parliament - April Plenary session: State of Europe's economy high on agenda

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The state of Europe's economy will feature prominently this week. On Tuesday MEPs will debate economic guidelines for the EU and the Commission will unveil their revisions to the Services Directive. Wednesday sees Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel debate the EU's Spring economic Summit, while EP President Borrell and leaders of the political groups will make statements on the results of negotiations on the EU's financial perspective. Elections in Ukraine and Belarus also feature.

MEPs gather for their April Strasbourg plenary session to deal with issues from the opening of labour markets to the new Member States, and to the future of the Middle East after the Israeli elections. The major debates of Monday evening focus on trans-European energy networks and on measures to increase the openness and transparency of the EU institutions in general and the Council of Ministers in particular. Michael CASHMAN's (PES, UK) report on public access to EU documents will be part of this latter debate. MEPs will also debate progress on the WTO talks and the state of EU competition policy. The report by Alain LIPIETZ (Greens/EFA, FR) on competition policy (2004) will be the second point on the agenda. The third item on the agenda will be a debate and Commission statement with resolution on the situation regarding refugee camps in Malta.

Reuters.co.za:EU approves new type of genetically modified maize

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EU approves new type of genetically modified maize

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission on Friday authorised the marketing of a new type of genetically modified (GMO) maize, known as pioneer line 1507, despite a deadlock among EU member states. "The authorisation means that this maize type will now be allowed to be marketed in the EU as food, food ingredients or derived products, such as oil and starch," Commission spokesman for health and consumer protection Philip Tod told a briefing.

"In line with EU labelling and traceability rules, any product containing it will have to clearly indicate its genetically modified nature," he said.mThe executive Commission was forced to make the decision after European Union member states failed to reach agreement on the issue in December.

The maize is jointly made by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a subsidiary of US DuPont Co., and Dow AgroSciences unit Mycogen Seeds.

Neoliberalism; Myths and Reality - by Martin Hart-Landsberg

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Neo-liberalism: Myths and Reality: by Martin Hart-Landsberg

Agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) have enhanced transnational capitalist power and profits at the cost of growing economic instability and deteriorating working and living conditions. Despite this reality, neoliberal claims that liberalization, deregulation, and privatization produce unrivaled benefits have been repeated so often that many working people accept them as unchallengeable truths. Thus, business and political leaders in the United States and other developed capitalist countries routinely defend their efforts to expand the WTO and secure new agreements like the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) as necessary to ensure a brighter future for the world’s people, especially those living in poverty.In 2001, Drusilla Brown, Alan Deardoff, and Robert Stern published a study that claimed that a WTO-sponsored elimination of all trade barriers would add $1.9 trillion to the world’s gross economic product by 2005. Their study was widely showcased in media stories that appeared before the November 2001 start of WTO negotiations in Doha, Qatar.This focus on trade hides what is in fact a much broader political-economic agenda: the expansion and enhancement of corporate profit making opportunities. In the case of the WTO, this agenda has been pursued through a variety of agreements that are explicitly designed to limit or actually block public regulation of economic activity in contexts that have little to do with trade as normally understood.

Info Please: April Fools' Day: Origin and History

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April Fools' Day: Origin and History

Ancient cultures, including those as varied as the Romans and the Hindus, celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. It closely follows the vernal equinox (March 20th or March 21st.) In medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the Feast of Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1. According to a popular explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe.

April Fools' Day is observed throughout the Western world. The French call April 1 Poisson d'Avril, or "April Fish." French children sometimes tape a picture of a fish on the back of their schoolmates, crying "Poisson d'Avril" when the prank is discovered.

Daily Times - Don’t Muslims like the opera in Europe? — by Farish A Noor

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Don’t Muslims like the opera in Europe? — by Farish A Noor

Muslims have much to contribute to Europe. Indeed, they already have. This contribution comes in all forms, from the material and economic to the cultural and discursive. Yet as a minority they need to be made secure and to feel that their contribution is worthy of them and valued by others. Today there is much heated debate over whether the Muslims of Europe can or cannot be part of mainstream European culture. Not surprisingly, such questions are often asked by liberal intellectuals who seem oddly blind to their own class and social status and the subject-positions they occupy in the heart of mainstream European society. Well-paid and fully tenured professors of social science ask questions like “Why do European Muslims not take part in social life? Why are they absent from cultural events? Why do they not visit art galleries or the opera?”

These are loaded questions and speak volumes about the cultural solipsism of those raising them. If European Muslims rarely go to the opera, it is not because they harbour a disdain for Wagner for reasons of political correctness; it is simply because they cannot afford to go there in the first place. And while we digest this simple fact, let us also take into account the fact that an overwhelming majority of ordinary non-Muslim Europeans too cannot afford to go to the opera, visit art galleries and the like.

For a European Islam to develop and come to terms with its environs, Europeans must come to terms with the fact that they now live in a globalising world. It is multicultural and diverse. Muslims have much to contribute to Europe. Indeed they already have. This contribution comes in all forms, from the material and economic to the cultural and discursive. Yet as a minority they need to be made secure and to feel that their contribution is worthy of them and valued by others. In this context the role of history books, education and popular culture is important. The same demands need to be met for other minorities as well.