Blair faces battle over EU defence

[T_i_B]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/24/weu24.xml&sSheet=/portal/2003/11/24/ixportal.html&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=8060

Tony Blair will come under pressure from France today to sign up to new European defence arrangements outside Nato, which could increase transatlantic tensions between the European Union and the United States.

Three days after bidding farewell to President George W Bush, Mr Blair will attempt to resolve a deepening dispute over Franco-German ambitions for an EU military operational command, which would exclude America.

Mr Blair signed up to Franco-German defence ambitions at a Berlin summit with M Chirac and Gerhard Schroder, the German chancellor, in September, accepting the principle of an EU operational command separate from Nato and the idea of an EU defence vanguard - known as "structured co-operation".

The deal stunned Washington and prompted fears that Britain was turning its back on the Atlantic alliance in a radical change in defence strategy. The US ambassador to Nato, Nicholas Burns, called the proposals "the most significant threat to Nato's future".

[Paschall]

1. How do you read public sentiment on this in Britain, TIB?

I'm looking very favorably on this project for two reasonse: (1) It would mean greater EU autonomy from the US which I consider a good thing, and (2) if properly carried through it could translate into major economies of scale for defense spending across the Union.

[Spentastic]

2. I'm not TiB

Actually, I'd call myself "Unfortunately in Britain".

Argghhh. It's Monday and it has rained for 48 hrs straight.

As for public opinion, I fear in the main it will be against this initiative. There's nothing more the Brits hate than having those foreigners (Yanks don't count) running our army. There will be a "back off Brussels" mentality. Additionally contrary to the scenes last week there are many people in the U.K who would want closer ties to the U.S rather than fewer.

Personally, I think it is essential that the EU becomes independent of U.S defense (ha ha ha).

[T_i_B]

3. yeah my username sucks

What can I say? It's been my DU moniker since April/May 2001. Still, at least we won the rugby eh folks? :evilgrin:

I would agree that public opinion will be against this. regardless of the anti-Iraq war sentiment euro-sceptics always have the upper hand in debates concerning the EU over here. Blair is not going to be able to persuade people to back this, particularly considering his poodling of late.

I bumped into a right old brussels-basher at the weekend and, like most of his kin he was most up in arms about the proposed EU constitution. That is the big EU debate at present and again, "new" labour is taking a bit of a pasting from the RW press on that one. Personally I think that there is to be a referendum on that matter it should be for the whole of the EU, not just one or two countries but there ya go.

[Spentastic]

4. I think a federal Europe

Unfortunately is the only possible outcome of integration. The corps would love it. It's not the way it's being sold, but I can't see vested interests letting an evolved Europe prosper.

Well at least we won the Rugby World Cup!

[T_i_B]

5. In order for the EU to be acceptable...

...it would have to be a LOT more accountable and a LOT more more democratic. The EU is in dire need of reform.

Plus the CAP is a bit of bad policy IMHO. And I cannot see Britain joining the Euro anytime soon. The EU needs to get into much better shape before many of us will consider becoming Euro-philes.

P.S. Notice how we both posted about the rugby at the same time! And I got to start my day's drinking at 9am on Saturday to boot! :evilgrin:

[emad]

6. Yep we won the Rugby so, to coina phrase, it's up yours Delors!

Hope none of you jubilant Wilko worshippers was watching/celebrating at the new Australian sports bar on the Finchley Road this Saturday morning where there were more Oz tears of anguish spilt than pints of 4XXXX downed and recycled into the NW3 sewerage system, hehe.....