newsitems

G.Papandreou to "hijack" Cannes' G20 Summit ?

Written by ACM

Tuesday, 01 November 2011

*Cannes-G20 Summit/Angelo Marcopolo/- Thousands of well-trained Policemen, Sea Divers, etc, intelligent Security Plans, added to a Democratic welcome to peaceful Global NGOs and Popular/Citizens' movements in meetings and Forums' debates from Paris up to nearby Nice city, extending a Global Popular Protest Network from New York and Wash. DC up to Frankfurt, etc., even a vibrant Political call by G20 Chairman, French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Change the Global Financial System by multilateral Monetary Reforms, Energy and Food Prices Stability, etc., boosting Development against Poverty also as a means to stimulate much needed Growth for advanced Countries at this crucial moment of getting out of the Global Crisis, (see "EuroFora"s previous, relevant NewsReports), won't be enough for Chiefs of State/Government, International Organizations, Diplomats, Experts, Journalists, etc, to seize a rare opportunity to work efficiently for the General Interest of the World in Cannes' Seaside Oxygen during the next 2 or 3 Days, if Media's attention is threatened to be "hijacked" by an already experienced "troublemaker" who has even escaped until now the most sophisticated "Wanted" lists in anti-terrorist, anti-violence and other Security Services "Red" lists : Mr. Giorgos Papandreou : An already experienced "Hijacker" of EU's Brussels Summits during the last 3 Years (2009-2011)..

The current holder of the Prime Minister job in Greece, facing a growing Popular and Political, even Military (See infra) uprow against the way that he and his party (PASOK) have handled the issue of the huge Debt provoked to the Greek State, which arrived at an unexpected Hight on October 28, National Anniversary of the "No" to Fascism back in 1940 : a move to delay Hitler's rush towards Middle-East Energy sources, giving precious Time to the Allies during the Anti-Nazi 2nd World War, suddenly threatened to throw the deal he negotiated with the EU and IMF during last weeks in Athens and in Brussels to the hasardous outcome of a Referendum which many fear that it risks to be formulated as a kind of hard Black-mail, limiting voters "choice" between Schyla and Charybdi, (i.e. swallow PASOK chief, G.Papandreou's deal, or get out of €urozone, etc), upsetting Stock Markets, and even Cannes' Agenda :

Papandreou's move, strongly denounced by the main opposition party "New Democracy" and other critics inside Greece and outside, as a "dangerous and unsrcupulous" manoeuver, even if it faces opposition also inside a fragile, 2-votes thin "Majority" of his PASOK ("Socialisst") party, obliged Sarkozy to change his already heavy Agenda and hastily organize an EU - IMF briefing, together with German Chancellor Merkel, followed by a meeting with G.Papandreou, placed just before and after a landmark Sarkozy- Hu Jintao, France - China bilateral Summit in Cannes, earlier scheduled for tomorow Wednesday November 2, evening in Cannes.

So that, after practically "Hijacking" most EU and €uroZone Summits, from December 2009, (initially scheduled, by many EU Decisions since 2005/2006+, to be a critical "Moment of Truth", with probable Sanctions if things turned nasty, for Turkey's controversial and Unpopular EU bid, by checking Ankara's compliance, or not, with the commitment it undertook when EU decided too start accession Negotiations, back on 2004, to stop Discriminating against EU Member Cyprus' hosted Ships and Airplanes, etc), up to October 2011, now, the USA-born George Papandreou even threatens to "Hijack" also Cannes' G-20 Summit, initially due, according to some experienced observers, to be a crucial opportunity to try to boost a more Democratic, Multilateral, and New Global Economic Governance, adequately reforming its Monetary system, starting to really act for Regulation of Global Financial and Oil or Food Markets, and using Development as a tool to stimulate much needed Growth Momentum in the foreseable Future.

However, Sarkozy clearly distinguished between the G20 Summit itself, which starts officially only the day after tomorrow, on Thursday, November 3, and the different, preliminary and unofficial contacts on the sidelines with G.Papandreou a.o. scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday evening, November 2, so that the Global Multilateral event may have a chance to start "PASOK-free"..

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- While accepting willingly the General Principle that "it's always Legitimate to let the People speak", French President Sarkozy critically obseved, in a Statement made this afternoon, the fact that, in G.Papandreou's case, "all Europe was surprised" by "the initiative taken Yesterday (Monday, 31st of October) by the Prime Minister of Greece, to anounce a Referendum", (as he said for a move for which not even G.Papandreou's Economy Minister, Venizelos, wasn't reportedly aware !), concerning a "Plan adopted last Thursday (27th of October, i.e. the previous week), Unanimously, (i.e. including by G.P. himself), by the 17 States of €urozone" as "the only possible way to solve the problem" commonly known as "Greek Debt".

Without going into concrete details, Sarkozy also reminded to G.Papandreou that, naturally, the Principle of "Solidarity among all €urozone Countries wouldn't act without eachone consenting to necessary efforts", (i.e. leaving apparently open the specific question how, in practice, Greece might find one or another particular way to reduce Debt and honour its commitments vis a vis the EU and IMF. -That's why, "Germany and France (also) took the initiative to bring together the European Institutions, as well as the IMF, before the G20 Summit, in order "to check with the Prime Minister of Greece", G.Papandreou, the conditions in which, the undertaken commitments will be kept", he officialy anounced, after speaking together with Merkel.

In fact, €uro-Summit Heads of State/Government, earlier in Brussels, endorsing with a few relatively minor modifications a formula initially proposed by the Franco-German EU motor, personified by Sarkozy and Merkel, have wisely focused, in their latest Decisions on Greece, only on the Financial Outline, including the sharing of the overall Cost, Guarantees, etc, main amounts of Money involved, percentages of Debt, Timetables, etc., without yet entering into concrete details, f.ex. concerning the "burning" issue on how Greece might realize the required Economies, find the money needed, etc., that they carefuly avoided, apparently leaving it to Technical Experts for proposals while Political decisions were postponed for later-on, may be even for December, (See "Eurofora"s earlier premonitory NewsReport on that point).

But, both Economico-Socially, and Politically, the main thing is the concrete substance of any EU - IMF eventual deal with Greece, i.e. HOW these or othert Numbers for Economies, etc. can be really achieved in practice :

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In this regard, Giorgos Papandreou has never changed, during all the last 3 Years, from 2009 up to 2011, his initial insistance that "it's Not by Cutting Salaries, nor Retirements" of its staff that the Greek State would pay the Debt notoriously provoked by a massive Clientelism of PASOK's a.o. nepotist Governments who had hired a lot of their own abusive cronies at cushy jobs in State-controlled sectors, back since the 1980s, Hidding afterwards the Desastrous effects it had on the Country's Finances since 1999-2000, as he had already anounced from the outset in reply to "EuroFora"s question at his 1st participation as Prime Minister to EU Summits in Brussels on December 2009, (See our question and G.Papandreou's reply then, from the spot).

Thus, he was led, during all these 2009-2011 years of negotiations with EU - IMF a.o. to focus Austerity mainly to the detriment of Production and/or of Poor People's economies, to the point that he notoriously, both failed to reduce the Debt, (because he brought Recession, limiting State revenues), and provoked anger from Businessmen (who saw ther investments jeopardized), as well as from Poor People, (who saw Unjust and heavy restrictions threatening even basic education, health and survival of their families), with a growing opposition, even revolt, throughout almostt all other parts of the political spectrum, from his Right up to his Left...

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Meanwhile, by the excessive Noise that he had made, since November 2009, when he started to reveal to Greek People that the Economic and Social Revival he had promissed a Month earlier in order to snatch the Elections from out-going Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis, a ChristianDemocrat/EPP, (who had, on the contrary, told the Truth to the People about necessary Hard Economies and mainly Structural Reforms), was, in fact, impossible to achieve because of the Huge Debt accumulated since the 1980ies, G.Papandreou was also accused by Caramanlis' successor, Samaras a.o. to have seriously aggravated the situation by provoking a tremendous Augmentation of Interest Rates for lending to Greece, also exploited by Global Financial Markets in excessive heights of credit costs augmenting the Debt in tragic proportions, against both Greece and €urozone.

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Things got really nasty, f.ex. on October 28, National Anniversary of the Historic 1940 "No" to Fascism, just after the latest Brussels' EU Summit, when, after realizing that G. Papandreou had large Crouds of People were gathered throughout all the Country's main Cities, crying ther anger against what they strongly felt as a "Corrupted" Government and PASOK a.o. Establishment Politcians who "betrayed" them, as they said, targetting with Tomatoes, Eggs and/or Insults PASOK Goverment's Officials, who run to escape, cancelling many traditional national parades at the last minute, in a never seen before spectacle, which included even Greek Army groups parading spotanteously in front of Simple Greek People, to whom they gave the Honors usually reserved to Chiefs of State/Goverment, applauded by astonished bypassers, (as f.ex. it happened in Thessaloniki's seaside, the 2nd largest city of the Country, host of a 2003 EU Summit, and Historic birthplace of King Alexander the Great, related also to a part of French President Sarkozy's Family)... PASOK Government reacted by an unprecedented move of suddenly changing all Heads of the Greek Army's Etat Major, dismissing all the previous Army Chiefs and replacing them by PASOK faithful staff, which surprised everyone, and was strongy denounced by main opposition party "New Democracy" (ChristianDemocrats/EPP), who anounced that it will never recognize such a change..

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Many Simple People were, indeed, revolted, when they saw that, according to Mr. Giorgos Papandreou's controversial EU/IMF Deals, their Country, Businesses and/or Family were threatened to suffer Heavy Economic Restrictions, without any other Hope than to find themselves and all the country, on 2020 with the same Debt as Greece alreeay had, back on 2009, i.e. before PASOK's latest rise to power, more than a Decade of Hard Efforts threatened to go down in ashes, (Debt, recently propulsed up to 165% of GDP, being just brought back to its 2009 level of 120% of the GDP)...
Popular Anger was also boosted by the fact that People were obliged suffer Heavy Resrtictions in their lives, already almost sacriificing a whole Generation, in order to pay ... even early Retirement schemes to PASOK Government's Cronies and other Cushy Job Holders in the State-controlled sector, after some 30 Years of abuses by several oppressive Nepotists, among whom Noone was fired and/or otherwise punished, not even one, not even the more Corrupted !..

Paradoxically, this seems also to clearly indicate the Direction that could and should take a Real Solution to the so-called "Greek Debt" issue, (in fact a Turkish Problem, provoked by a Network of former "Socialist" Officials and others abusing of any means to push Ankarars controversial and unpopular EU bid, in order to undermine Europe's role in the World, by provoking various contradictions inside it : Comp. supra) :

- Joining Economic and Financial Efficiency, with the Dynamic Momentum of at least a great part of Honest, Simple People's bitter feeling of UnJustice, it's obviously by launching a Decisive and consequent Fight against Corruption and other Crimes committed by unscupulous, abusive and unpopular Politicians, Officials, Cronies and/or Cushy job honders appointed by Nepotist PASOK a.o. Governments in Greekl State controlled Jobs during the crucial period of 1980-2010, (or even 1974-2011 if need be, as the main opposition party "New Democracy" and others have already accepted), that Justice can be done, Sanctions imposed to all those Responsible for various Scandals during the last 30 Years, many unpopular, abusive and Counter-Productive cashy and useless job holders Fired from Public Sector payrolls, thereby Drastically Reducing Greece's Debt, without harming Production (which could be relaunched, prividing Tax a.o. Revenues to the Greek State), nor imposing unjust restrictions to Poor People's economies, but, on the contrary, giving them a Chance to Hope for Justice to be done vis a vis any serious Crimes of the Past related to PASOK Governments' abusive Cronies, and a better Future, if they work hard, (See earlier "EuroFora"s NewsReports, from 12/2009 from Bonn/Germany, up to October 2011 Strasbourg/France, etc).

An adequate Anti-Corruption and anti-Crime campaign, without artificial Time limits to investigations, (as it has already been done in various other Countries, such as f.ex. Croatia, Argentina, or Italy of famous former Judge Di Pietro, etc, and as even CoE's Anti-Corruption watchdog GRECO's Head, the experienced Drago Kos, has recently told "EuroFora : See earlier NewsReports with Statements by Kos and Di Pietro to "EuroFora", etc), could obviously be the only "Ciment" able to unite a large Political Majority in Greece, from the Right up to the Left, able and willing to lead the Country out of the provoked Crisis, and free the €uroarea from an articificial but heavy problem provoked by some Anti-Democratic and Anti-Europezan networks (Comp. supra).

Moreover, Greece seems to have good Oil/Gas potential Resources in the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea, which could help pay any justified Debts, if EU and others convinced Turkey to respect the International Law of the Sea and stop Military Threats.

Will there be left enough productive Time and consciousness of what is really at stake in Cannes' seaside Oxygen in order to clear out these last-minute attempts to throw, without any Warning, a vague "Referendum" threat, at the last minute, before starting to deal with the World's most serious, Historic issues at this 2011 G20 Summit ?

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At any case, overnight News arriving from Greek sources, suggested that this controversial "Referendum" last minute threat, might not even find enough support to be officially tabled, (before the end of the Year, for Vote on January 2012), since several among PASOk Government's 2 MPs thin majority have reportedly criticized the move, some even agreeing with the Calls launched by all, various Opposition Parties in Greece, from the Right to the Left side of the Political spectrum, to form a National Unity Government, or, even better, urgently organize National Elections, in order to have a New Government soon, able to tackle the Crisis with Efficiency and Justice, for Europe's best interests, allowing the EU to play an important role in the World by usefully contributing to solve Urgent and serious Global Problems, instead of slyly undermining it for dark, Anti-European interests.

***

€uroarea eco-pol. Integration decided collectively=> EU asks to free Global Growth potential via G20

Written by ACM

Thursday, 27 October 2011

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€uroarea's Integration, in economic Governance and at a political, Heads of State/Government level, initialy proposed by French President Sarkozy and German Chancellor Merkel since August 2011, (see relevant "EuroFora"s NewsReport from Elysee palace), was collectively decided this last week of October 2011 by the latest €uroarea's Summits in Brussels and warmly endorsed by a 2/3 large Majority of EU Parliament's leaders today in Strasbourg, opening, at the same time, an emerging EU move towards creating the conditions which could liberate Growth potential Worldwide, including Development, via the forthcoming G20 Summit at the beginning of November in Cannes.

Meanwhile, EU also decided several New Measures to definitively deal with Sovereign Debt issues of the Past in a few countries, including innovative ways to multiply the European Stablity Fund up to 400% until 1.400 Billions $, stricter €uroarea Budgets' Supervision, etc, as well as an overall deal on the specific, Financial-Political issue affecting Greece in fact since 1980-2010, (particularly after the 1999-2000 deal for Freece's early entry in €uroarea in axchange of Turkey's controversial EU bid : See previous, reelvant "EuroFora"s publications), with a restructuration "haircut" of 50% in agreement with Banks, which were given guarantees and recapitalisation support, allowing a deeper review of concrete details on Structural Reforms and ways to find larger Political support before the end of 2011.

At the same time that EU's political leaders fixed as target to boost G-20 action for adequate Changes in the Global Monetary system, against extreme volatility of Oil and Food products (particularly by speculation on financial derivatives, etc), inside a wider move aiming to set at least some Basic Rules on Global Financial transactions, including a Tax, so that they could focus less on speculation and more on Real Economy's development, to meet the needs dramatically highlighted by Lower Growth prospects Worldwide than previously expected, and by a growing Global Popular Movement, from Tunisia, Syria, Madrid and Athens up to Chicago, California, Boston and N.Y.'s Wall Street, (comp. "EuroFora"s NewsReport on the preparatory G20 Ministerial Summit in Paris, October 15).
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(A) On deepening €uroarea :
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Stressing from the outset that "€uro is at the Core of our European project", not only for Economic and Financial "Stability and Prosperity", but also for "Peace", the Official Communiqué of the 17 Heads of State/Government clearly anounced their "unawavering Determination .... to take all the necessary steps towards a Deeper Economic Union", (also in order to "improve Competitiveness, thereby achieving further Convergence of policies to promote Growth and Employment").

The Collective Agreement included Sarkozy and Merkel's historic proposal to "regularly" hold €uroArea 17's Heads of State/Government Summits, "at least twice" a year, in addition to EU 27's traditional Summits, i.e. accepting an inevitably Political (and, therefore, unpredictable) dimension to the €-move.. "Additional" "€uro Summits" "can be called ... if necessary". All of them "will define Strategic orientations for the conduct of economic policies and for improved Competitiveness and increased Convergence in the €uro area". Before mid-2012 €uroArea leaders will decide whether they will have a "Full-time President based in Brussels", or if he/she should be elected among the 17 Heads of State/Government of €uroarea Member Countries.At any case, the Presidents of €uroSummit, EU Commission and €uroGroup "will meet regularly, at least once a Month".

Already, €uroarea decided to bring soon into play "a significant strengthening of economic and fiscal Coordination and Surveillance", putting in place "a set of
very specific Measures, going beyond and above the recently adopted package on economic governance", (See "EuroFora"s June and July 2011 relevant NewsReports), in addition to other "10 Measures to improve the Governance of the Euro area". They also asked Van Rompuy, Barroso and Juncker, (Presidents of EU Council, EU Commission and €uroGroup, respectively), "to identify possible steps to strengthen the economic union, including" by "limited Treaty changes", on which they expect 2 Reports, between December 2011 - March 2012, on "Orientations" and their "Implementation". .

Among "additional Measures"; "building on the .. European Semester and the EuroPlus Pact, just adopted", are also the "adoption, by each ... Member State" of the "Golden Rule" (aka : "Debt Brake") "on Balanced Budget, .. preferably at Constitutional level or equivalent, by the end of 2012", (See "EuroFora"s August 16 NewsReport from the Franco-German Summit), the "commitment to stick to EU Commission's Recommendations on the conduct of Economic and Budgetary Policies" of each Member State, (which can be issued even "before the adoption of National Draft Budgets" concerning "States in excessive Deficit procedure", as Van Rompuy noted in EU Parliament in Strasbourg), etc.
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   After adequate "Political Decisions" were taken, marking a "Breakthrough" due to be completed by Legal/Technical follow-up, now, "the Tough Task Ahead" is to "Monitor Implementation" by Member States, in order to really achieve the desired result of "Deepening" €uroarea, concluded Van Rompuy, after debating with MEPs in EU Parliament's plenary in Strasbourg.

   - "For more than a Year", (3/2010-10/2011) in addition to "taking Emergency Action", we have "also (been) putting together; step by step, a New Economic Governance", he observed earlier.

   + But, "these Last Months" there was an "Acceleration", because of "Market Speculation" and "growing Volatility" since July, given also that "Global Economic Growth is Slowing Dramatically, not only to Europe but also in the USA and in some Emerging Countries"; he warned. That's why, "Stimulating Growth is an Essential part of the package", since, "in the end, Sustaind Economic Growth can bring back Confidence, create Jobs and absorb Debts", Van Rompuy pointed out.

   "Monetary policy alone is not enough" : "We cannot have a Common Currency, (and) Monetary policy", but "leave everything else to the States" ; On the contrary, we (€uroarea) have to go Further", he stressed, "while also keeping the Integrity of the Single Market between our 27 States of the EU, so that we could have "the 2 Configurations".
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British Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking earlier this week at the House of Commons, highlighted in substance the fact that, by sticking to the 27 Countries' strong Single Market and trying to freeze EU's Budgets, (according to his earlier, joint Letter, co-signed also by German Chancelor Merkel and French President Sarkozy), while €uroarea's 17 Member Countries are now Moving towards Deeper Integration, a New GeoPolitical reality may emerge soon in Europe, which might satisfy both EU-sceptics and supporters of a progressive or faster confederation, even federation at another horizon...

French President Sarkozy, 2011 Chairman of G20-G8, expressed in Brussels his satisfaction for the fact that "extremely heavy decisions, that nobody would have imagined before 1,5 Year", were taken by an €uroarea Summit of Heads of State/Government, a body who "didn't even exist 2 Years earlier", according to the wish of those (including France) who were always in favor of the creation of an "Economic Government" for €urozone.

+ Sarkozy also stressed, in an exceptional TV interview in Paris later tonight, that France and Germany intend to spearhead, at EU's core, a strong and growing €uroarea's integration developing an innovative and competitive economy able to play an important role at a Global level.

Meanwhile, the French President made it clear, replying to Journalists' questions, that €uroarea's integration "will need also other steps, but, next time, they won't have to be necessarily Institutional", unlike the present ones. They will rather be "based on Fiscal Convergence, Economic Competitiveness' convergence, and, in general "in Policy content", he highlighted, after qualifying the "Decisions taken" this week as "Historic".
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+ This is in addition to the present French and German leaders' care for an €uroarea action in order to find urgent practical solutions, for Countries as Greece, etc., in which there are "sufferings, demonstrations and social problems", "raising also Democratic problems, since we are asked to take decisions in favor of countries for which we weren't elected", as he noted in reply to another, critical question, denouncing the fact that "there wasn't Mrs Merkel or myself among those who had asked, in the Past, to "Soften" the Stability Pact", so that "they could push inside certain Countries which were Not Ready yet for €uroZone and droped (financial) discipline", so that "they didn't meet then the required Conditions", mainly because of "choices that they had made to get indebted", leaving also "Debts accumulate since 30 Years", when "others were responsible", (as Sarkozy rightfuly criticized for the "Socialist" former Governments in Germany, France, the UK and Italy (as Schroeder;, Jospin, Blair, Alema, etc), including in EU Commission (with Prodi as former Head), during the crucial 1999-2001 era, when they notoriously had closed their eyes, f.ex. on Greece's need to make structural Reforms before entering €urozone, in exchange of Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, despite the fact that it didn't, no more, meet EU's conditions on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law respect, nor even European identity, History, Geography and Culture, etc. : See previous, relevant "EuroFora"s publications on this point. A fact that, progressively, also other key EU Politicians start to denounce, including, f.ex. the Historic long-time former German Chancellor, and "father" of EU's ReUnification, Helmut Kohl, recently).

- "That's another reason for which €urozone must prepare also the Protection of all other Countries, since things are interlinked" in practice, "and we want to learn how to Work Better and otherwise in the Future.... That's something New, without any precedent, a new situation inside a Monetary zone as €uroarea, so that no Expert could tell us which is the 100% safe solution. But we have the Responsibility not only to act with Courage, but also to measure well the consequences for Tomorrow", so that "we must Advance step by step, finding out what could be the Next Stage", Sarkozy concluded.

- "This is not a "Big Bang", but an Important Package on the road towards Stability and Union", which has "a lot of Substance" and "a Multi-Dimensional" aspecy, added German Chancellor Merkel in her Press Conference in Brussels.
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(B) => on G 20 :
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The G-20 Chairman, strongly supported by German Chancellor Merkel, as well as by a large Majority in €urozone and the whole EU, went on to confirm Europe's call to the forthcoming G-20 Heads of State/Government Summit at Cannes (France, 3-4 November 2011), for the establishment of a Financial Transactions' Tax, Worldwide, while it has become today obvious that "the Financial sector must be Regulated, and invited to undertake its own Responsibilities, since the whole World is there where it is now, (i.e. with Low Growth, after a Global Economic and Financial Crisis), naturally because there were too many Debts, but also because there was a (Global) Financial System which didn't obey to any Rule", as Sarkozy denounced, (while Popular Demonstrations are recently mushrooming throughout all over the World, from the USa also to the EU, etc.

- "We must definitively turn the page of that kind of World of the Past, (mainly) by opposing a certain number of Regulations, able to prevent the same causes provoke the same results", the 2011 G-20 Chairman warned, calling all involved to drop criticising eachother and better "focus on finding Solutions" to problems, as he said.

-"This is really a Moral, Political and Economic duty", stressed Sarkozy, "absolutely supported" by Merkel.
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- "G 20 Countries are due to take Crucial Decisions", in "a great Rendez-vous", stressed earlier Sarkozy, while "confirming France's involvement in favor of (Global) Development", in a landmark speech in Paris.

- "We all know Today, as the Global Crisis reminds us, that there is a Community of Fate over Global balances", so that "All Countries are now concerned by the issue of Development, regardless if they receive or provide some Aide, whether they've just got out of Pauverty, or recently threatened by it : All must present their proposals in order to build a Stable, Sustainable and prosper Model", he pointed out.

- Also because "the G 20 must become an incarnation of the General Interest", with "Multilateralism", "Transparency",and "Openess to Civil Society", said from the outset the French President, who is also due to meet with NGO's representatives personally in Paris at the eve of the Cannes' G 20 Summit.

- "G 20 brought Responses to the Global Economic Crisis of 2008 and 2009", while "now we face a Debt Crisis among Advanced (developed) Countries", but "we must not forget also to look at the Future, for Sustainable Development", since, "while acting together to respond to Crisis, we must also prepare profound Reforms able to ensure the sustainable Growth that we need in the Futture, .. by rectifying the Global Economy's misfunctionings, and by setting up New Motors for Growth", the 2011 G 20 Chairman dynamicaly outlined.

- Because, today, "there is no more a Sustainable Future Growth for the Global Economy, without a shared Development", Sarkozy strongly underlined.

- "For more than 50 Years the Public Opinion points to scandalous Inequalities throughout the Globe, but Today things evolved : The old Distinction between North and South is no more pertinent", and "we must have a New View on evolving Continents such as Asia, Latin American, but mainly Africa", in "a New World where imbalances changed locations.. Thus, Development is No more a balance to be found between two Groups of Countries, but a Collective Involvement of All for the General Interest", he reiterated.

=> Because "the Aid to Developing Countries becomes a Major element for Global Economy's stimulation and relaunch: The Global Revival comes through an Augmentation of the Consumption and of Investment in Developing Countries, including, even, of low revenue". By boosting Growth in Poor Countries, by Stimulating domestic Demand, reducng Inequalities, etc; we can give to Developing Countries a Momentum able to pull upwards the enttire Global Economy", Sarkozy innovated ambitiously

- "Food Security, Infrastructures, Social Protection and the hard Question of how to Fund Development", are the "4 main areas" where the French 2011 G20 Presidency wants to "prepare concrete Projects and Priority Actions", he noted, "because we want a New Face of Globalisation, which will be no more limited to immediate gain, as that which brought the World near a Catastrophe, but a Nexw Globalisation, able to respond to Global Challenges and anticipate what is at stake in the Futiure".

(../..)

Indeed, "EU, united all together, will push at the forthcoming G 20 Summit for an ambitious Action Plan able to redress what is hindering the potential of Growth at Global level, stressed today EU Commission's President Barroso, speaking at EU Parliament in Strasbourg.

- "Europe strives to lead the Global Crisis Response at the G20", and "it"s the 1st constituency in the G20 to have proposed a Financial Transactions Tax, which ..can be used to face Global Challenges, such as to Fight Poverty, etc, he added, among others.

- "The Protest Movements,; we have witnessed in recent weeks, from Madrid to Manhattan, show that this is the kind of action People expect from their Leaders", (including, fex; to ensure that Financial sector and Banks also contribute to Society", Barroso concluded, applauded by several MEPs.

***

EU Parliament biggest group head Daul to EuroFora: Anti-Corruption + Greek Debt: Decision December ?

Written by ACM

Tuesday, 25 October 2011

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The President of EU Parliament's greatest Political Group of MEPs, that of ChristianDFeemocrats/EPP, French MEP Joseph Daul, speaking exclusively to "EuroFora", did not exclude that the dynamics of an Anti-Corruption approach (as advised by "EuroFora" since 12/2009 : See f.ex. our NewsReport of 21/10/2011) might be considered during the currently culminating efforts to search the Right Solution for the huge Debt provoked on Greece, and related €uroZone issues, considering, on the contrary, that the question remains Open, because Facts really need a Better Analysis, including at a Political level, so that a Final and thorough decision would need more Time, in both exchanges of views, contacts and thought, so that a complete settlement of this issue might take "4 Weeks" and even be postponed, if not entirely at least partially, until the next EU Summit scheduled for the Beginning of "December"... (9/12/2011).

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"On the matters which probably remain still open for settlement about the Debt in Greece, do you think that it might be possible to succeed to take with us at least a part of the Citizens' Movement, in order to make Real, Structural Reforms ? F.ex. concerning the notoriously large number of individuals who got various cushy jobs in the State or the wider public sector by Nepotism during the 1980-2000 period, mainly by former PASOK's Governments, whose salaries are now paid by Greek Citizens and the whole EU, as long as they remain hired, since it's their Salary Mass which provokes problems, and now, they are even searching to get Retirement benefits !", "EUROFORA" denounced in our question to Daul.

- "In this regard, do you think that the issue of the ANti-Corruption struggle could help to attract at least part of the Popular Movement, which declares itself strongly against Corruption, for what happened in the period 1980-2010, in order to join together with those who wish Really Efficient Structural Reforms in the State/Public sector, i.e. without cripling the Productive Economy, nor putting excessive burdens over Poor People ?"
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Daul, speaking Carefuly, did not exclude anything at this moment, but prefered to wait even up to December EU Summit...

On the contrary, he revealed that he guessed, and probably understood, that the matter needs further Analysis, an overall view, and certainly a conscious Political choice of an efficient strategy :

>>> "You are right", he replied to "EuroFora", "it's (a) very complicated issue", (i.e. not only "Technical", but also Political), Daul acknowledged.

=> Therefore, "for Greece, I'm still Waiting", the President of the biggest Group in EU Parliament prefered to say.

- This might take "3 or 4 Weeks", (i.e. almost a Month), he estimated extensively.

+ -"Because now, they are still trying to see" concrete details. So that, "with the Delegations that we have sent, the (EU )Commission and others", "I'm waiting for (further) Information" on some points, Daul added, but without revealing yet precisely what he meant exactly), "and that they give us" a thorough overview.

>>> Thus, "we (EU Parliament) shall see, Afterwards", he appeared satisfied with an at least partial postponement.

- At any case, "they (EU Heads of State/Government) cannot decide everything tomorrow" (Wednesday, October 26, at the complementary Brussels' €uroZone Summit), he estimated.

In fact,, this may take even longer than just a few "Days or Weeks" as "EuroFora" initially supposed :

- "No, in my view, this might take up to (the beginning of) Decembert" 2011, Daul surprised "EuroFora" by anouncing as plausible.

- Because, "in the meantime, there are a lot of things" to do, "such as a Report, the COOPER, and all that, etc", he added, without entering into concrete details.

=> So, "it will almost certainly be on December"s EU Summit, scheduled at the beginning of the Month, on Friday, 9/12/2011, he speculated in conclusion.

This may also give Time for more clear throughts and analysis of the situation about Greece, its real causes and the best solutions, he agreed.
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In fact, Daul seems to understand that a crystal-clear "DEBATE" on the Debt provoked to Greece "must take place" :

-"Of course, we (EU) should be more proactive", he replied earlier to another Journalist's question during this morning's Press Conference. "Because "Businessmen and Markets are".

question_a_daul_400

- "But, here, we are speaking of Heads of State/Government, who have also to find the Money needed".

- So, even if it's true that "Delays would cost us more, at the end", "however, that's the price for Democracy !", he stressed.

- "The EPP (ChristianDemocrat Group) never was for Dictatorship, and this Debate must take place !", Daul concluded, using an interesting formula, astonishingly close to "EuroFora"s main analysis (Comp. supra).
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- "We are living an Important moment", Daul anounced from the outset, since the beginning of his Press Conference, earlier this morning.

-"I don't believe that there will be a Miracle tomorrow (at the Heads of State/Government Summit), even among ChristianDemocrats miracles are rare today", he joked. "But I think that we shall advance on the Plan for the way out of the Crisis".

- "It's not €uro's Crisis, otherwise the rate of exchange from €uro to the Dollar wouldn't remain at 1,35, 1.40 or 1.80", the MEPs' leader critically observed, agreeing with several other analysts, (including, f.ex., former French President and former Chairman of EU's constitutional Convention, Valery Giscard d'Estaing : See ptrevious "EuroFora"s NewsReport with Giscard's statements).

=> The Head of the greatest Group of MEPs since the 2009 EU Elections also "saluted the work done by the Franco-German couple", and reminded an observation by German Chancellor Angie Merkel, who had noted, in this regard, that "we don't hinder anyone to make proposals. But, if others have different proposals to make, where are they ?"... "So, I think that now, (EU Commission's) President Barroso should take into account the proposals which are already on the table, examine them, and make us some Joint, common Proposals the soonest", he advised.
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Meanwhile, apparently supporting the controversial stance of the unstable "Socialist" Government currently in Athens, a Journalist from Greece wanted to know whether the Criticism expressed by the ChristianDemocrat/EPP Opposition leader Antonis Samaras was muzzled, or not, by some among his pairs in Brussels :

- Thus, he asked Daul "if, during the last EPP meeting in Brussels, you spoke to the (Greek) Opposition Leader and if you convinced him to change his mind ?" (He obviously meant former Foreign Minister and MEP, Samaras, recently elected New President of the main Opposition party in Greece, "New Democracy", which is surfing now at the Highest rang in People's preferences according to Polls, and repeatedly called for Elections in order to change Government and Strategy in the talks with the EU - IMF Troika Experts on the Plan for the Greek Economy, in vain, given the persistent Refusal of the incubent PASOK Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou...

- "We are analyzing the real situation in Greece, where we recently sent some representatives, and with whom we are closely in touch", replied Daul.

- Now, we'd better leave 2 or 3 weeks to the Experts the technical work, and, afterwards, we must react on a Political level". Because "I think that Political Decisions are needed for Greece, which must be applied".

daul_pol_decisions_should_be_applied_in_greece_400

- "And , in order to be applied, it should be done like in Portugal or Ireland, i.e. they must have a Majority in order to apply these Decisions. And we are working firmly on that", Daul concluded, (as if he meant that a Political Change, in order to find a Large and Stable Majority, might be better for Greece)..

Indeed, Daul said that at a moment when the controversial current PASOK Government has no more than only a ...3 votes thin "Majority", with one MP already warning that she will not support anew such moves, while Polls largely give a winning percentage to the main Opposition, the ChristianDemocrats/EPP of "Nouvelle Democratie", whose leader Samaras has repeatedly asked recently for Elections, until now refused by the governing PASOK.

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- "Now it's important to win Trust anew", added earlier the experienced French Governing party's MEP Jean Paul Gauzes.

+ Speaking "on the "Technical" issue", Gauzes, observed that "the Difficulty to restructure Greece's Debt is not the Height, because it can be supported. The problem is not to leave a Bad Signal to the Markets by giving the impression that what happens in Greece might happen also for any other Country !"

- "The situation in Greece is absolutely unique", he reiterated, almost approaching "EuroFora"s analysis.

- "And we should regret that on May 2010 we (EU)associated the Debt in Greece with a so-called €uro Problem, which does not exist". "But that's the Past", and it's always easier afterwards to criticize".

- "However, the real question now is how to find a Mechanism to isolate the problem existing in Greece, so that nobody believes that it might be afterwards duplicated for any other country, i.e. the so-called "Domino" effect, Because, if we reason in such terms, then, the Dimension of the Stability Fund willl never be sufficient, if some add the total of all Debts of all €uro area Countries, arriving nowhere..

- "So, we must made it clear that Greece's case is very Specific,, Portugal's and Ireland's cases being very Different", as Daul also observed, (NB : on the existence of a clear Political Majority agreing on a Strategy of Reforms, contrary to Greece, where PASOK has been notoriously isolated, with only a fragile 3 votes thin "majority" in the National Parliament),

- "Greece is a special case. We must settle it with special responses to a particular situation. At any case, the Plan due to be adopted won't be applicable but only after 2013", the experienced Gauzes also pointed out...

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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s SUbscribers/Donors. Watch out for a possible Final Version, more accurate and complete, asap).

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EU Commissioner Barnier to EuroFora: Busines'Transparency for Ethical Growth, against Social Dumping

Written by ACM

Tuesday, 25 October 2011

barnier_replies_to_agg_quest_h_400

Trustworthy vis a vis EU Citizens and Ethical, i.e. Responsible Business, practicing rules of Transparency which might also help avoid Corruption and/or Social Dumping by violations of Social and Human Rights in 3rd Countries, f.ex. on Natural Resources' extraction and Forestry, can better boost a European Model of Sustainable Growth, replied in susbtance experienced EU Commissioner in charge of the Common Market, and former Minister, Michel Barnier, to "EuroFora"s question, during EU Parliament's plenary in Strasbourg, at the eve of an important EU Summit in Brussels due to design the dynamics of an EU Economic Strategy out of the Global Crisis.

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- "On a particular aspect, in substance, this package, if we understood well, going well beyond a careful way to Simplify things for SMEs, concerns much more Big Corporations, many with an International or even Global chain of production, which extends in various Countries", "EuroFora" observed in our question from the outset.

=> "In this regard, could we conclude that a useful contribution of this package for "Responsible Business" might also be to help avoid what is called "Social Dumping" (and/or abusive Outsourcing), when, eventually, grave Violations of Social and/or Human Rights , eventually, exist in some 3rd Countries ?", we asked.

+ I.e "something which might also help EU Growth by avoiding Unfair Competition", "EuroFora" pointed out, speaking at the eve of a crucial EU Summit, tomorrow Wednesday in Brussels, notoriously due to search ways to relaunch EU Economy in a sustainable way.
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BARNIER :
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The experienced, long-time EU Commissioner and former Minister, Michel Barnier, started to reply to "'EuroFora"s question with an Overall view allowing to better situate its particular target, (after Tajani sharply invited him to reply in the name of all 3 EU Commissioners involved by the adopted package) :

- "This is a great project on the Social Responsibility of Businesses, that (EU Commission's vice-President) Antonio Tajani has led with (EU Commissioner) Mr. Andors and that I supported, which is also intelligently monitored by (British Socialist MEP) Mr. Howitt at an International level, not only European, since it implies the definition of (Global) Criteria", Barnier smiled looking at Howitt sitting right in front of "EuroFora", and obviously guessing that we had spoken before formulating our question...

>>> - " It concerns the issue of the place and role of Businesses in Society, (including) what a corporation does inside it, and outside, f.ex. for the Environment, the level of Salaries, the Quality of Social Dialogue, what affects the challenge of Climate, etc., and, then, I think that there is also Transparency", observed Barnier, pointing closer towards "EuroFora"'s specific question, (Comp. supra).

- I.e. "the Duty for Transparency, the Duty to Fight for an Ethical Behavior, reduce all Risks of Corruption", etc., since "we are in this project for the Social and Environmental Responsibility of European Businesses", EU Commissioner Barnier stressed, apparetly replying Positively to our query.

- Thus, "probably we can link here what I present as a big Project on Transparency for mining or forestry Industries", Barnier revealed, becoming more concrete :

=> In practice, some "600 European Corporations, registered in Stock Markets among Big Industries, will be concerned by this aim of Transparency", he anounced.

Transparency should go both "Country by Country", and "Project by Project, so that we may know how much each (Big Industrial Corporation in extractive business) payes, to whom, and for what, in each (3rd) Country, where it extracts Natural Resources", the competent EU Commissioner concluded in reply to "EuroFora"s question.
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+ Barnier expained further his reply to "EuroFora"s question after a Collegue from "Radio Liberty" got interested to clarify if such Rules will be imposed, or not, and why they focus on Mining Companies :

- Concerning, in particular the Rules on Transparency, added Barnier, "the day that they will be adopted (also) by EU Council of Ministers and EU Parliament, they will be Obligatory", and "the sooner it will be, the better".

- Because, "in the Past, when we have seen Problems of Lack of Transparency, particularly on Governance, such as Corruption, etc., , they concerned often Big Industries in the extractive (Mining) sector, as well as on Forestry exploitation", he explained. That's why "we shall Review" this mechanism in three Years, and, meanwhle, "we have targetted mainly those big industries which work on Natural Resources' extraction (f.ex. Mines) and on Forestry exploitation" to begin.

However, for the time being, the Package grouped under the collective heading of "Responsible Business", as EU Commission's President Barroso wished, as it is presented today together by 3 EU Commissioners (Andors, Barnier and Tajani), is not all obligatory, since at least 2 parts of it have the legal form of "Communications", and not Directives or Regulations, officially expressing EU's position, and hoping that the European businesses will endorse its values, EU Commission's vice-President, Andrea Tajani went on to clarify.
tajani_400

Thus, we have 2 texts who are due to become Legislation, i.e. obligatory, concerning mainly the Transparency of some 600 big Corporations, and 3 Communications which seriously open an important Debate for "Responsible Business" in Europe, in the name of a "Competitive Social Market Economy", where every one of these 4 words has its meaning, the competent EU Commissioner Michel Barnier concluded, (pointing thus on the future "obigatory" nature of the rules concerned by "EuroFora"s question : Comp. supra).

Such moves are due to be further promoted, at an International and Global level, by people like long-time British MEP Howitt, who, as he told earlier "EuroFora", is personaly contributing inside relevant OECD and/or UNO Collective bodies to Monitor Social Responsibility of Big Corporations Worldwide.

20111025_16.33.34_400

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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. Watch out for a possible Final Version, more accurate and complete, asap).

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Famous AntiMafia Judge Di Pietro to EuroFora on blacklisted Turkish Banks + Mafia in EU Politics ?

Written by ACM

Tuesday, 25 October 2011

Famous and succesful Anti-Mafia Judge Di Pietro from Italy, currently Leader of the "Values"' party and long-time MEP, replying to an "EuroFora question on FATF's June 2011 decision to "Blacklist" all Turkish Banks because of their reluctance against EU Rules on Gurantees against Money Laundering, f.ex. by Mafia-like organized Crime, etc, stressed the importance of such a.o. measures in order to face the present need to fight efficiently against reportedly growing risks of Foreign Mafias, particularly related to EU's Enlargement, to infiltrate EU's borders and even set up links to EU's Political world, as he warned :
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Di Pietro's move was made in a special Press Conference, together with the President of EU Parliament's Liberal Group, former Prime Minister of Belgium, Guy Verhofstadt, on the occasion of the adoption by EU Parliament, earlier today, of a new Report on "Organized Crime", drafted by Italian Liberal MEP Sonia Alfano, who had earlier spoken to the Press together with other MEPs from various other Political Groups, (such as ChristianDemocrats/EPP, Socialists, Left and Conservatives). This "Report is dedicated to all those, Judges, etc. who were killed by Mafia and those who still fight to eradicate this scourge", as it was anounced.

- Verhofstadt highlighted from the outset that Alfano's Report got "an enormously large Majority, with some 500 MEPs voting for, only about 25 or so abstaining, and I didn't see any Red Light, so that this sends a Strong Message" from EU Parliament, as it's required by the fact that "Organized Crime and Mafia are not only Italian today, because they don't care about Borders", as he said.

verhofstadt__di_pietro_looking_at_agg_400

- "EuroFora" observed, in our 1st Question, that Di Pietro had "spoke(n) about Money Laundering, Bank Accounts and (Mafia) activities that go beyond Borders, i.e. well beyond Italy, also in other EU Countries".

- In addition, "other experienced "People have spoken, already a long time ago but also recently, about Overseas' Mafia, as, f.ex., Colombian and others, threatening to establish links inside the EU", we reminded.

- In relation to that, "what does it mean to "Blacklist" some Banks, for not giving enouph Guarantees again Money Laundering ?", we specifically asked. Because, "recently, since June 2011, it was anounced (including by the latest EU Commission's Report on Turkey, published earlier this month, on the 12/10/2011) that all the Banks of a whole 3rd Country, Turkey, were Blacklisted by FATF (who works closely together with OECD in Paris and the CoE in Strasbourg), in order to oblige them (Ankara's Government) to adopt the required Guarantees. What is the real importance of such measures" in order to prevent Mafia spreading inside the EU, and "how do you think that it could help, in concrete terms ?", we asked Di Pietro.
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- "Certainly !", replied positively the experienced Judge Di Pietro to "EuroFora"s question on Turkish Banks' blacklisting for lack of guarantees against Money Laundering. Because "this is the very Heart of the matter", he stressed.

- That's why "we hope that EU Commission and the EU" as a whole "will be able to come up with a specific Directive, in order to make sure that the Banking System can be Transparent, and can guarantee Transparency in Financial transactions. Otherwise, it should be established that they may not operate in the EU", Di Pietro explained.

- "Banks, of course, want to maintaint their Banking Secrecy, and (they) refer to the fact that the Criminal Origins of the Money has not, perhaps, been proved, and there's got to be more done in that sense. One of the Phenomena here is the use of Straw-Men, because the Banking System is interested into maintaining such a thing, and, in every Bank, such Middle-men know who the Real final Beneficiary are", he pointed out.

- "Thus, we want to establish Cooperation so that the Judicial Authorities in the (EU) Member States can have a Guarantee that this Information is made available to them. This is very Important in combatting Money Laundering", Di Pietro concluded on this measure.

+ "EuroFora" afterwards invited Di Pietro to explain further what exactly he had in mind when he earlier warned that Mafia moing beyond Borders throughout the EU, now risks even to set up "Links" wih our (EU) Political world" (Comp. supra) :

- Today, "there are several on-going Investigations, also Judicial, not only Journalistic, which highlight connexions between the Political and Criminal Systems, inside and outside of the EU, concerning even 3rd Countries external to the EU, as f.ex. Turkey, and others related mainly to EU Enlagement. A Majority of this Criminality stemming particularly from Eastern Countries, is closely connected to the Political system", Di Pietro revealed in his reply to the 2nd "EuroFora" question.

=> Often, "this Extremely Powerful Mafia, searches to establish links to the Politicians of our (EU) Countries", the experienced Di Pietro warned.

Famous from his investigations and trials which had discovered links between Mafia and mainstream Italian Politicians such as the former Head of the Socialist party Craxi, several former Christiandemocrats, etc., Di Pietro didn't mention explicitly EU Commissioner Fuhle's recent founding that FATF has blacklisted Turkish Banks for lack of guarantees against Money Laudering an/or funding terrorism, (revealed by the Octover 2010 Annual EU Report on Turkey), but obviously included such facts in his overall critical view about EU Enlargement, 3rd Countries of the East, and alleged attempts by Mafia-like networks to penetrate the EU and get hold of several EU politians, (comp. supra).

On the contrary, Turkey's political life has been shaken several times recently by discoveries of close links between Mafia (mainly of drugs), Police/Army and Politicians, as f.ex. in the famous Scandals of "Susurluk" (cited even by ECHR), or "Ergenekon", etc.

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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s SUbscribers/Donors. Watch out for a possible Final Version, more accurate and complete, asap).

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