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EU Parliament Debates, after Electoral Facts, reveal that Merkel may Win in Real-Politics...

Written by ACM

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- This Afternoon's Debates in EU Parliament's plenary in Strasbourg, with German Chancellor Angie Merkel, Following closely the Latest Electoral developments, and in view of the Forthcoming ones, (particularly at EU level), raise an UnExpected Question :

- And if the Real Situation in EU's Richest and most Populated Country, Germany, was the Contrary of what Most other Medias' Commentators claim ?

Many notoriously argued, based mainly on a Series of Electoral Results and other relevant socio-political Developments throughout Germany and/or Other EU Countries, (including, particularly, the Latest Popular Votes in Bavaria and Essen : See ... + ..., etc), that the Time had come to Conclude that a Strategic Error in Policy needed a Change, pushing to Prepare a Transition of power holders.

In fact, it depends on what they exactly meant by "Political Strategy"... (See Infra).

On the Contrary, Today in Strasbourg, EU Commission's President Jean-Claude Juncker, reacting the 1st to Merkel's Speech in EU Parliament's Plenary, told her "that History will prove you Right !"

Facts indicate that, yes, he could be Right... But Not for the precise controversial Point to which he was referring, (or, at least, Not for the Political Meaning that he, apparently, attributed to that)...

Simply Because the Political Reality is that a Strategy wished, or, at least, Practiced consequently by Angie Merkel in recent times, is just Arriving to the point to Succeed !

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- Indeed, all those, relatively recent, Placards in several CDU public Political Meetings in Germany, with the Key Word : "Die MITTE !", i.e. "the Center", curiously but ostensibly pictured several times behind her and others, have Now Become True :

=> Indeed, for the 1st Time in History, since the Adenauer's pioneer era (when he had Governed 2 or 3 times in a Coalition Together with a Rightist Party called then "Deutsche" : i.e. "Germans"), the Center-Right ChristianDemocrats (CDU) can (in theory) forge a new Majority Government of the Unity of the Right, (Both at Federal level and in most Regional "Länders"/Federated States), together with 2 Other Parties, standing one at their Left, and another at their Right Side : F.ex. "AfD" + "CDU/CSU" + "Liberals" (and/or "Freie Wehler", etc) !

>>> Nowadays, this New Reality has Become an UnQuestionable Fact : All Numbers of recent Electoral and/or Polls' Results clearly proved it : The German People has made Possible a Majority Government that would be based on a Unity of the Right. (F.ex., among Many other, Various Cases, also, most Recently in Bavaria, Hessen, etc : See http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/geramnybavariaelection2018.html + ..., etc).

+ Elsewhere in Europe, it's also an accomplished Fact : f.ex. in Norway, Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, etc., and in Various Formats, (Comp. f.ex. in Denmark, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Belgium, etc).

And, to return back to Angie Merkel : Is it a pure "Coincidence" that (at a Crucial Last Moment just before the Latest National Elections of September 2017) she openly Declared that her Favorite Prime Minister in the World is the Norwegian Erna Solberg ?

++ And, at the Same Moment, what a "Surprize" : - The Traditional Competitors for the 1st Place : the "Socialists", have Now Fallen so Low in Germany (and many Other EU Countries, including, f.ex., France, Greece, etc), as Never Before during the Last Half of a Century !

=> So that, Nowadays, the ChristianDemocrats/EPP Center-Right of CDU/CSU (even if somewhat Weaker than its own Past) remains, obviously, the unquestionable 1st and (by far) Biggest Party in Germany, (both at Federal and throughout Länders' levels).

+++ Moreover, it has now seriously Paved the Way (and prepared the Public Opinion) even for Various Other eventual Government Coalitions, including, particularly, also with the "Greens", (as, f.ex. in Baden-Wurttemberg, Hessen, etc., with 2 Attempts also at Federal Level on 2013 and 2017, etc), particularly if they return back to their Historic Roots, when they defended also Humans in front of Growing Risks of Abuse from some Bio-Genetic a.o. Technologies, (See, f.ex., inter alia, als : ..., etc).

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- It's true that Angie Merkel pointed, (Today at EU Parliament in Strasbourg), also at the imminent UK's "BREXIT", when she evoked a Series of Recent "UpHeavals" and/or Various "Crises" faced by the EU nowadays, - such as State Debts, International Terrorism, Conflicts at its Neighbourhood, a Huge "Tsunami" of Mass Asylum Seekers/Irregular Aliens (suddenly pushed inside an unprepared EU mainly by Turkish Smugglers and some Accomplices since 2015-2016), "Climate Change" Problems at International level, etc.

- "For the 1st Time, an EU Member Country goes away", she observed, with lucidity. And, for anyone who simply Followed the Public Debates between the Brittish People at the Eve of that Fatal 2016 Referendum in the UK, it is Obvious that UKIP's Nigel Farage's "Thanks" to Chancellor Merkel, Today in EU Parliament's Plenary, wasn't only an Irony, but also a Fact : Indeed, that Controversial and UnPopular, Sudden Massive and Irregular Influx of more than 1,5 Millions of Non-Europeans, most of them with a very Different, sometimes even opposed Ideology, often Hastily "Islamized", (even "Chosen" by Turks for Socio-Political Aims, as EU Experts reportedly Denounced, according to mainstream German Medias), Often Influenced by "ISIS" Deadly Terrorists, who cowardly Targetted even Civillian People, including by Many Brutal Attacks throughout Europe and the USA, (etc), undeniably Influenced Negatively many Brittish Voters, (as Farage's infamous Photo-Posters illustrated on 2016).

>>> But : Wasn't it, First of all, a De Gaulle's idea to Keep the UK Out of the EU, already since the 1960ies, (when he had Focused on a Franco-German push to Boost a European Construction, that he was Anxious Not to be Delayed or Undermined by some Euro-Sceptic Brittish Politicians) ?

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- And Merkel, precisely started her Speech, earlier Today at EU Parliament in Strasbourg, with a Timely reference to ..."1969", when a "German former President of EU Commission, Walter Hallstein", had spoken about an "UnPrecedented Boldness" to set up "the Corner-Stones" of the EU's "Foundations", which were, then, "Visionary Projects", such as, f.ex., "Shengen" (Free Movement and Security for EU Citizens inside the EU), "Common Market", "a Joint Currency" (as the "€uro", later-on), etc.

=> Now, "50 Years Later", at the Eve of the forthcoming 2019 EU Elections, when Various Foreign "Interests in the Global area" add and are added to the above-mentioned UpHeavals (Comp. Supra), making it "even More Important for us, Europeans, to Unite Together" and mark certain Key Advances Forward, as Angie Merkel urged Today, (See Infra), obviously, it might be Better not to face again some well-known internal Hesitations, Delays,or even blunt Opposals, by some notorious UK Euro-Sceptics...

The English People, and all the UK, certainly are an important, integral Part of Europe's History, Culture, Identity, Science-Technology, and Future, and "Eurofora" stands for a possible Return of London, Later-on, back in a Reformed EU, in one way or another, in the foreseable Future.

+ And UK's own GeoPolitical Interest, naturally is to become a Strategic "Bridge" at the Center of Relations between Europe and the USA, and Not merely a Far-Away External "Border" of one or another "Empire"...

>>> But, withOut at least Some precious Time for the Franco-German core of the EU to SpearHead a Series of Crucial Advances Strengthening Europe, as those that Angie Merkel just enumerated in her Speech, earlier Today in Strasbourg (See Infra), how could things go on as smoothly and rapidly as necessary ?

- To judge, it's enough to just have a Look at the Main Points listed Today by Chancellor Merkel hershelf, as the "3 Areas", where it's "particularly" important, and "Essential for the Success of Europe", to act with "Unity and Consistency" Nowadays :

(A) "Foreign and Security Policy", including the preparation of a "European Army", a "System of Arms", etc.; (B) Strengthening "€uroArea" and deepening EU's Economy, (including f.ex. by a common "Budget", the preparation of a "European Deposit Insurance", after necessary Reforms on "Liability" and Responsibility, a "Tax" also on Digital Big Foreign GAFA, etc); (C) Migration and Mass Asylum Issues, inspired by "Solidarity", but also "Agreement" and Monitoring of EU's External Borders, etc ; (Comp. Supra).

Recent History, as well as various Spontaneous Reactions by certain MEPs Today (particularly on the 1st Point), remind that really "Bold" Moves (Comp. Supra) in these Directions, most probably could Not be made so easily, neither on Time, if all the UK "EuroSceptics" remained nowadays inside the EU and persisted to systematically Oppose most of such kind of measures...

- "Only when Europe will have Become Stronger, it will be able to be Heard at the Global Level, and to promote its Values and Interests. The Times when we (EU) could Rely on Others, are Going". On the Contrary, Nowadays, "We, Europeans, have to take our Destiny more in our Hands, if we want to Survive as a Community", Merkel Warned.

But for that to be really "Heard" by a majority of Brittish, EU must, First, mark some Decisive Advances Forward efficiently, asap, so that the UK would really Find an obvious Interest to later Return Back in an adequately Reformed and Developed EU, in the foreseable Future.

+ This became even More Obvious, Later this week (UPDATED), when, Echoing, but also Enlarging much Further, an earlier Merkel's call to Boost, particularly, "Digital" and "Mobility" Technologies in the EU, (including, f.ex., "Cell-Battery", "Chips","Quantum Computers", "Artificial Intelligence", and other "Innovations" at the "Base of our Industry", as she said, stressing that "We have the European Tools. We have all that in our Hands" ),

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=> EU Parliament's Committee on Transports was the 1st to Vote in Strasbourg, on a Draft EU Regulation for the "Digital Europe" Programme of 2021-2027, several Largely supported Ambitious compromise Amendments : In order, not only to Add also "High Performance Computing Centers", "AI industrial applications installed in Machines, Sensors, Robots, Automotive, Space Technologies, etc", "Long-term Training and Research on IT", "Protection ...from Economic Espionage and Cyber-Attacks", with "robust and reliable Cyber-Security", (etc), but also to "reinforce the Strategic AUTONOMY of the EU", in this Key Area.

- Meanwhile, Great "Britain ... is clearly a Part of Europe", and "there will be a Large Number of Opportunities for Cooperation, in which we can work Together, and that's what we Want to do", Angie Merkel stressed, Later-on, in her first Replies to MEPs' observations.

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- All "this does Not mean that Europe must be Everywhere", since "Not Every problem in Europe, is a problem for Europe", she acknowledged.

=> "But, Solidarity", which is part of "the Soul of Europe", (as Angie Merkel had already stressed in her 1st Speech at EU Parliament in Strasbourg, back on 2007, when Germany was Chairing the EU), "means that Europe is present Where Necessary, and, in that case, there is a Strong, Resolute and Efficient Action !", she pleaded in Conclusion,
(while also Urging to Avoid Tragic Errors of the Past, as those who had led to the 1st World War, whose End had just been Commemorated by an International Top Gathering of Heads of State/Government last Sunday in Paris : See, f.ex. ..., etc).

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+ Believing that the Time is Ripe for the German Chancellor to Help Move in this Direction, the President of EU Parliament's Liberal Group, Guy Verhofstadt, former Prime Minister of Belgium, launched a vibrant Call for her to Resolutely Work Together with new French President Emmanuel Macron, in order to make "a "Leap Forward" in the European Construction nowadays.

- Angie Merkel's Reply appeared typical for her usually balanced way to speak : - "You want us to be Visionary, particularly together with France, But also, of course, to guarantee that Visions become Reality, she pointed out.

- F.ex., for "the European Council, at the End of 2018, soon 27 Votes will be necessary for Unanimous Decisions". So, there is a "Tension between Visions and Feasibility", in real Practice, which "should not be increased". That's why "I like, sometimes, to be Cautious, with the Formulation of Objectives, ...because the People ... hope that what we said, would be finally Implemented". So, "I take into Account what is deemed Possible in all those EU Member States, and for a Political Majority". Because "I have my own Ideas and Vision", but, "sometimes, Others .. are Apart", and we risk to be Divided, while, on the contrary, we "must be kept United", she explained.

=> In consequence, "Germany will Both plead for Ambitious Objectives" in Europe, "But, Also show Respect for Others, who are Not always ready to pursue the same things : That's also Part of the European Union", Merkel concluded Carefully.

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However, at least in Certain Key Issues, Recent Developments indicate that she Could Dare be more "Bold", (according to the expression that the she had used from the Beginning : Comp. Supra) :

- F.ex., on European Defense, the well-fought Election of EU Parliament's President Antonio Tajani, (an Experienced former Twice EU Commissioner, Top MEP and former Foreign Minister, etc), from the End of 2016, achieved, for the 1st Time in the last Decades, even withOut a Backing by the "Socialists",

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gave a Timely Opportunity to find out, (during a pre-Electoral Debate in Brussels), that, Nowadays, even a Political Group of Rightists, usually Accused to be "EuroSceptics", (that of ENF, with MEPs from France, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, etc), in fact, clearly said to be in Favour of the creation and Development of a real European Security and Defense policy !

+ Moreover, the Recently Emerged, New Opportunities for a Governing Majority based on the Unity of the Right in Germany, (Both at Federal and often Regional Levels, f.ex. with CDU/CSU, Liberals, AfD and/or Freie Wehle, etc : Comp. Supra), obviously, also give to Merkel (and/or her Future Successors in the CDU/CSU), for the 1st Time, a Chance to eventually Free hershelf and the Country from some Controversial and UnPopular, painful Concessions that she had been Obliged to make to the Left in the recent Past :

- F.ex., on the so-called "Double Passport" and "Dual Nationalities" from 2014, (notoriously a "Gift" mainly to a Turkish Lobby), which obviously added a supplementary Obstacle against Integration, (at that Same Time entrusted to a ...Tukish "Socialist" appointed Minister !), and Disappointed Many former CDU/CSU supporters.

- Also on the Sudden, UnWarned Abandon of her former Support to the Natural Family, between a Man and a Woman, (normaly able to give Natural Birth to Children), resulting to the Imposal of Controversial and UnPopular "Same Sex Marriage" between Homosexuals, in the Summer of 2017, when she apparently Feared an eventual "Red-Red-Green" Majority of the Left in the forthcoming, then, National Elections, based particularly on such Issues, (which, on the Contrary, curiously Hindered a CDU/CSU Deal with the "Greens", as they had become) : A Measure that was Opposed by more than ... + 75 % of CDU/CSU MPs in the relevant Votes of the Bundestag, then, and Denounced even Today, in EU Parliament, particularly by the Representatives of the Conservative and the Rightist (ENF) Groups, (a Polish and a German MEP, the latter comming from the "AfD").

>>> On the Contrary, when Angie Merkel had made a Strong Appeal against "Multi-Culti", Ghetoes and Socio-Cultural "AppartHeid"-provoking Policies, added, in Parallel, also to a Strong Plaidoyerie, with a series of Practical Measures of Support, in Favour of "strong" Natural Families and Births, (etc), Back during the 2013 Electoral Campaign, as "Eurofora" witnessed on the spot f.ex. in LudwigsHafen on 8/2013, then, she had Marked a Big Popular Success :

=> Many People had lively Apploaded then, and Merkel managed to get almost +40 % of Citizens' Votes, reaching the Threshhold of an AUTONOMOUS MAJORITY, for the 1st Time in History !

(It's Only after MidNight, at about 3 o'Clock in the Early "Morning", that a re-Count suddenly claimed that she Lacked of just ... 4 MPs in order to form an Independent Government)...

Nevertheless, "Eurofora"'s co-Founder, (who has Followed Angie Merkel since when she was the Leader of the Opposition, at Early 2005, f.ex. in Koeln, until Today, on 2018), was positively Surprized to See, soon After that Victorious Election of September 2013, during the subsequent EU Heads of State/Government's Summit on October 2013 in Brussels, a Brightly "Radiant" Merkel, make a Splendid Appearance among Journalists in her Press Coference there, with a Superb Style, Assurance and Dynamism, Clear Vision and a Will to Act Energetically in order to Help Solve certain Key European issues, from the Emerging, then, "Ukranian" Problem, up to (and Particularly supported then) the matter of an Ambitious EU's "Digital" Policy, (f.ex. Protecting Private Data against Mass Spying at Smart-Phones and at the Internet, particularly by Foreign Powers, etc., but also in order to Develop Autonomous European Digital Tools and relevant advanced Web Technologies, etc : A Topical Issue also Nowadays : Comp Supra)...

Unfortunately, the Surprizing electoral Elimination on 2013 of CDU/CSU's Natural and Traditional Ally : the Small "Liberal" Party", (whose Leadership had been notoriously "Targeted" with unusual Hostility by former US President Barack Hussein Obama's Administration, particularly Because of its alleged Refusal to Accept a Military Invasion of Syria on 2013), Followed by an UnPrecedented personal Violent Incident at a notorious Global Tourism stronghold in Switzerland, (Contrary to the usually "Discreet" Areas where Merkel used to spend her Family Holidays until then), suddenly Wounded the German Chancellor's Leg, obliging her to rely on Crutchies, just Before an Exceptionally Vicious and Bloody Conflict breaks out in Ukraine, from the Beginning of 2014, throughout which it made Many Civilian and other Victims, while also dangerously Dividing Europe between EU and Russia, in a counter-productive way adversely affecting the Economy of Both, etc. To this was Added, from the Beginning up to the End of 2015 ("Anus Horribilis", as she later denounced herself), a Long and Growing Series of islamist Terrorist Attacks Brutally Targetting and Killing innocent Civilian People in several European Countries, (mainly France, Germany, Belgium, the UK, Denmark, etc), in Parallel to an UnPrecedented, Giant "Tsunami" of Mass Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants of more than 1,5 Millions of People suddenly infiltrating Europe mainly via Turkey, with some Local Complicities inside the EU, on 2015/2016+, which was Partly Stopped, at First by the Closure of the Western Balkans' Route, but Still persists elsewhere, including, particularly, to the over-burdened and congested Greek Islands, etc. In Parallel, Were Added also UnPrecedented Massive Aggressions and Mob Sexual Attacks with Brutalities, attempts to Rape, Violent Thefts, etc., against Young German Girls (often Children) and defenseless, isolated Women by Violent Groups of mainly Thugs recently imported Massively through Turkey (Comp. Supra), while Deadly Islamist Terrorist Attacks cowardly Targetting Civilian People continued also on 2016, 2017 and 2018, Extending a Long List of innocent Victims, which inevitably Influenced the Recent Elections in Germany, but also Elsewhere, in some Other European Countries, until recently.

However, After the Latest Spectacular Changes in Germany's Political Landscape, (Comp. Supra), the Biggest Central Pilar of any Berlin's Government Coalition : the CDU/CSU of the Center-Right, even if partially weakened, has, Mathematically, got, for the First Time, from the German People, a Unique Occasion to practically Choose among Various Possibilities, including a Unity of the Right, with an eventual Majority in the colors of "Bahamas" Flag, (Black, Bleu, Yellow : CDU - AfD - Liberals : See http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/germanyfromjamaicatobahamascoalition.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/germanpollsshowbigchange.html, etc).

Theoretically, such moves might be done in the Future With, or WithOut Merkel, (who has notoriously Declared Nowadays her Readiness to Withdraw on 2021, after Leading the Government until the Next Elections), but, at any case, Thanks to Political Choices made during Her Guidance, (Comp. Supra).

This would, Obviously, require Important Changes, particularly on Mass Migration Policy, that Frau Merkel might be Ready, or Not, to make personaly, Nowadays.

However, she has Already Proven that she Knows how to Make even some Far-Reaching, sudden "U-Turns", if, rightfully or wrongly, she might Believe that it has become necessary for legitimate Wider Interests in the Society, (as has Shown, f.ex., the Popular March 2011 "Energy Shift" Away from Nuclear Power, but also the Controversial July 2017 pre-Electoral Move on "Same Sex Marriages", etc).

And Angie Merkel has notoriously Acknowledged Recently, that some Errors were made in the Precipitation of that Sudden and UnPrecedented Pressure of 2015 about 1,5 Millions of Mass Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants mainly through Turkey : F.ex., since the Bratislava 9/2016 and Rome 3/2017 EU Summits, (See "Eurofora"s relevant NewsReports, made on the Spot, from Both these exceptional Events, at : ..., and : ...., etc), while Nowadays she stressed that, on the Contrary, EU's External Borders need a Stronger Protection, added to Development and Humanitarian Aid around Syria and in Africa, etc, (even if this might, probably, not be now considered as really sufficient by many).

But, Moreover, this Time, many Essential Points on Topical Issues seem, Paradoxically, to be More "Easy", in Theory : Indeed, it would, Most Probably, be Enough for Angie Merkel to eventually Return, simply, Back to her own "Classical" Positions :

- F.ex. against Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid (as she professed as Opposition Leader before the 2005 "GroKo" with the "Socialists"); against "Multi-Culti" and for a real Socio-Cultural Integration of Migrants in Europe, (as she Succesfully called to do, mainly between 2009 and 2013 European and National Elections, which made CDU/CSU very Popular); Back to her Defense of Natural Families, with Marriage between a Man and a Woman, normaly Able to give Natural Births to their Children, (as Back on her Most Succesfull 2013 Electoral Campaign : Comp. Supra, and Before a Last-Minute, precipitated U-Turn, at the Eve of 2017 Elections, on July 2017, which opened a way for the Controversial "Same Sex Marriage" between Homosexuals, to which 75% of CDU/CSU MPs were Opposed) ; Back to a Policy giving a Priority to Intra-European Population Migration for needs of the Economy, much More Easy to Integrate in the German Society, instead of relying heavily only on Extra-European Migration from Foreign 3rd Countries with Far-Away or even too "Rigid" Cultural Dogmas, too Hard to Integrate in Europe, (i.e., Returning towards European Migrants, f.ex. from impoverished and/or UnEmployment-striken Countries, as, f.ex., after the former "Central-Eastern" European Countries, also, nowadays, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, etc, who had recently Started to Become the Majority of Migrants in Germany, as former Interior Minister, Thomas de Maiziere, a Merkel's close and long-time collaborator, had officially announced to the Medias), etc.

After all, may be, the German Chancellor has Not yet Stopped to create certain key Surprises, when she might feel that Necessary...

(../..)

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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already send, Earlier, to "Eurofora"'s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be Published asap).

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CLRAE Chief Knape to EF: Cyprus President Anastasiades offer to DeCentralise for Peace =Interesting

Written by ACM

Thursday, 08 November 2018

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*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- Speaking at the eve of the International Forum for Peace in Paris, with 80 Heads of State/Government and UNO's Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, the New President of CoE's PanEuropean watchdog for Local and Regional Democracy (CLRAE), experienced Swedish ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP Anders Knape, gave a Positive Reply to "Eurofora"s Question on Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades' proposal to Facilitate and Supplement the efforts for a Peaceful ReUnification of the island via an agreed Solution of the Political Problem, by adding also a large Decentralisation :

- Indeed, Knape clearly told us that he found that Latest move, (made Earlier this same week), to be "Interesting", and did not exclude that CLRAE might also Examine and Discuss that, in the foreseable Future.

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+ The New President of CoE's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE) also told "Eurofora" that his officialy proclaimed Aim for the CLRAE to become a frequent and Direct Interlocutor of National Authorities and Governments, (enshrined in a Report on the "Consultation of Local Authorities by Higher Levels of Government", just Discussed and Adopted by the PanEuropean body's Plenary, earlier Today, during its Autumn 2018 Session in Strasbourg, 6-8 November 2018), would include Both the implementation of CoE's PanEuropean Texts for Local/Regional Self Government, and "various Other relevant Topical Issues", depending on the Specific situation and stakes in "Each Country".

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- CRLAE "is a Political body tasked with protecting local Democracy", and "an Important part of the COE and of the System of safeguarding Democracy in Europe". "That's why .... we must ...engage in regular Dialogue with Governments", stressed, earlier, in his Speech on his Election for the Next 2 Years (2019-2020), Anders Knape, who has already replied also to Various other "Eurofora" Questions on Topical PanEuropean Issues, (including, f.ex., the Fights against Radicalized Islamization, Ghettos, etc, but for Integration, and/or against the Economic Crisis, but for Jobs-creating Investment : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coelocalautonomychiefknapeonterror.html , http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/clrae.html , etc).

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Anastasiades, at an exceptionaly Long Press Conference, earlier this Week in Nicosia, (which Coincided with the Beginning of CLRAE's Plenary in Strasbourg, on November 6), presented his idea to Add DeCentralisation to the Federal Structure of a State for a United Cyprus, in order to Prevent Problems from systematic Vetoes ("1 Positive Vote") by a Minority, (as had Asked Turkish Cypriot leaders, even whenever Decisions concerning Simply "EveryDay Life" will be taken by the Federation), which may Risk to provoke an Institutional Deadlock and Break Down, as in the Past. (Something that UNO's SG Guterres seems to have realized, when he urged for a "Normal State" in Cyprus, able to Work Efficiently). Only Issues where Core Interests of the Turkish Cypriot Community are at stake, might, eventually, be submitted to such a procedure, on Condition to set up an Efficient Mechanism for Resolution of such Problems, as also UNO implies. For the Rest, whenever possible, (i.e. for EveryDay Issues which are not Vital for the Federation as a whole : i.e. Security/Defense, Diplomacy, Natural Resources, Citizenship, etc), a Normal Local/Regional DeCentralisation can allow an eventual Diversity, here or there, without risking to jeopardise the overall functioning of a Federal State.

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Knape, a ChristianDemocrat/EPP, is member of the Biggest Political Party in Sweden currently, that of "Moderates", headed by Ulf Kristersson, who has just Won the Latest, September 2018 Elections, holding a Mandate to seek how to form a New Government Coalition, after an Historic Fall of the "Socialists", and, particularly, whether he'd manage to agree, or not, for a Unity of the Right, going from Liberals up to "Swedish Democrats" (Rightists : who won the most, in percentage, on 2018), to whom, the Swedish People's Votes gave an absolute Majority.

I.e. whether Sweden will follow the Example of its Neighbor : Norway, (where a Traditional Center-Right, EPP Party joined a new, Rightist Party, in a Coalition Government, headed by Ema Solberg : "the Best Prime Minister in the World" for German Chancellor Angie Merkel), and Austria (the current EU President), after Bulgaria (the former EU President), or a Different Formula, among Various kinds of Unity of the Right also in Denmark, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Finland, (incoming President of the PanEuropean CoE, for November 2018 - May 2019), etc.

Indeed, by a Coincidence, the move took place while CoE's Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, (a Norwegian), was meeting the Foreign Minister of Finland, Timo Soisi, former Long-Time Head of such a Rightist Party, and recently of a New Rightist Party, at Helsinki, (where was also going on, currently, on 7-8 November 2018, the ChristianDemocrats/EPP's Summit for the Election of their Leader to May 2019 EU Parliament's Elections, and Top Candidate for EU Commission's new President for 2019-2024).

"Eurofora" saw that Knape was in a hurry to leave Strasbourg at Mid-Day, by Flying towards Scandinavia, where several EPP Heads of State/Government, including Cyprus' President Anastasiades, still remained, before travelling to Paris overnight or next morning.

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+ At any case, concerning another Topical Big Issue, the New President of the CLRAE, who holds a particularly Extensive and intensive Experience also as co-Rapporteur on Local/Regional Democracy in Turkey, as Long as "since 1999", and already faced personaly "Pressure" from Turkish Government, (as he has reminded recently), replying also to another "Eurofora"s Question, ensured that he will keep a Careful eye on that Serious Issue inside the CLRAE, (whose Elementary Values and Principles are obviously at Stake there).

Several CLRAE's Resolutions on the Situation of Local/Regional Democracy in Turkey, have clearly Denounced Ankara's Government, inter alia, also for an "UnParalleled" Oppression, which has practically "Suspended Democracy", or even exerted a "disproportionately DESTRUCTIVE effect on... Democracy", particularly in South-Eastern, mainly Kurdish, Regions, throwing Turkey "Back to the 1990ies", (i.e. when EU had Refused any controversial and Unpopular Turkey's EU bid, and had "Freezed" all EU Funds to Ankara), as Knape himself had pointed then out. (See, inter alia, also, f.ex.: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/turkeylocaldemocracysuspended.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coepressuredbyturkeyonpersecutedmayors.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/clraeslamsturkeyforjailedmayorsunmonitoredelections.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coeasksturkeyfordemoraticalternativetokurdscondemnsviolence.html, http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/kurdsandcyprus.html, etc).

++ Meanwhile, in Parallel, the Other Co-Rapporteur on Turkey, experienced Dutch MEP Leendert Verbeek, (an atypical Social-Democrat), has just been re-Elected as Chairman of CLRAE's "Monitoring" Committee, entrusted with the Key role of Checking the real Situation of Local/Regional Democracy in all CoE's Member Countries, "Eurofora" learnt during this Autumn 2018 Session.

(../..)

-------------------------------

***

("DraftNews", as already sendd, Earlier, to "Eurofora"s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be Published asap).

***

CoE: Raise Awareness at Top Political level for Need of a Solution to key Political Crisis on Russia

Written by ACM

Wednesday, 07 November 2018

coe_cm_in_clrae_on_russia_wants_to_stay_eurofora_400

*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- PanEuropean, 47 Member Countries-strong, CoE's Highest Political body: its Committee of Ministers, replying, through its President-in-office, the Croatian vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Marija Pejcinovic-Buric, (comp. other Buric's + Croatian Prime Minister Ploenkovic's Statements to "Eurofora" f.ex. at: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coeminoritiesprotection20yearsafter.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/primeministerplenkoviconeucoecoop.html, etc), to Questions raised by 2 MEPs at CLRAE's Plenary Session (6-8 November 2018), earlier Today in Strasbourg, stressed that the current Problem concerning Russian Delegation's prolonged Absence from CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, following Sanctions it took (paradoxically with a Minority of MEPs !) after the controversial Ukranian Conflict of 2014, (See, among many others, also, f.ex.: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coeminorityamendmentpushesrussianmepsout.html, etc), which resulted also in a recent Suspension of Moscow's annual Financial Contribution to the CoE, that might soon be exploited by those who seek to Push Russia Out of Strasbourg's PanEuropean Organisation, (Comp., among others, also : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coeandrussiaukrainerow.html, etc),

clrae__cm_president_vicepm_buric_eurofora_400

=> stressed that this is an "Important Political Crisis", which "requires for a Political Solution", and Urged to "Raise Awareness at the Highest Political Level", during the Short period of Time currently available, (particularly before a Key meeting of CoE Assembly's Committee on Rules, scheduled for December 10, 2018, due to Finalise a relevant Report),

as she said, practically at the Eve of an exceptional International Summit in Paris, with about +80 Heads of State/Government, next Sunday, at the Initiative of President Emmanuel Macron of France, (which takes soon CoE's Preidency, from May 2019), on the occasion of the Centenary Anniversary of the 1st World War's Armistice (1918 - 2018), placed under the overall Aim to create (in the presence of UNO's Secretary General, Antonio Guterres), a Paris' "Forum pour la Paix".

---------------

- The vice-President of CLRAE's biggest Political Group : that of ChristianDemocrats/EPP, Alexander Drozdenko, from Russia, noted that "a Legal Opinion", recently prepared "at the Initiative of (CoE's) Secretary General (Thornbjorn Jagland, a former Prime Minister of Norway), and the Chairmanship (of COE's Committee of Ministers by Croatia), found that the "the Deprivation of Powers" of any MEPs, including the Russians, (f.ex. to Vote, Speak, Participate, etc), "Contradict CoE's Statute", the European Convention for Human Rights, and International Law in general".

clrae_russian_mep_question_to_cm_president_eurofora_screenshot_400

- But, in the Meantime, an "Institutional Crisis is Mounting within the COE" in this regard, he reminded, Denouncing, inter alia, also the Fact that Other COE's Bodies (including, f.ex., also the CLRAE, etc), have practically become "Hostage" of this Problem, which "Affects their Budgetary, Program and Staffing issues", while they remain as "Unique and efficient Platforms for Cooperation ... from 47 Member States at the COE", (including Russia, but also Ukraine, Turkey, etc, while USA a.o. have a Special Oberver Status).

=> Therefore, in a Question Tabled to the CoE's Highest Political body : its Committee of Ministers, (which is always in the Agenda of CLRAE's Plenary Sessions), he Asked "What further Measures" is taking "the Croatian Chairmanship", "before the end of its term", (May-November 2018), "in order to Overcome the Crisis ?"

--------------

+ In Addition, Brittish MEP Andrew Boff, (vice-President of the Conservative Group in CLRAE), reminded that the Latest CoE's Parliamentary Assembly's Plenary, on October 2018, "did Not produce any Solutions", in that Crisis, and, pointing at what he called "Contradicting Statements of Leading Russian Politicians, concerning the Role of their Country in the CoE", Asked whether it has "any Signals ...about Whether Russia Wants to Stay in the Organisation, ...or ...Wants to Leave ?"

- In the 1st Case, Boff urged Russia "to honour its Commitments, in Time, (including the Financial ones)", and invited the COE's Committee of Ministers to take "Measures" "in order to Find a Way Out of this Major Political and Institutional Crisis".

---------------------------

- Before these Topical Questions, raised in Public Today Afternoon, Marija Pejcinovic-Buric had Simply mentioned, (by Reading the General, collective Report on behalf of CoE's Committee of Ministers), that among the various "Political Difficulties" that CoE currently Faces, are "also Russia"'s issues.

- "One of them is the decision by Russia to Suspend its Financial Contribution to the Budget" of the CoE, that we "Regret", But "Continue to Hope", particularly that Moscow "will Revise that Decision", finding a solution.

- This is "Not Only in order to Safeguard all its (Russia's) Role inside the CoE, and for the Organisation to be able to function normaly". +"But also, and mainly, in order to enable Many Millions of (Russian a.o.) People to still be Protected", particularly by the ECHR (and other Rights provided by CoE's Legal Conventions : F.ex. against Torture, Corruption, Terrorism, and for Justice's Efficiency, Minorities' Protection, Cultural Heritage, etc).

- "However, we (CoE), Must be Prepared for Any Eventual Outcome", she had Warned, then.

---------------------

+ Afterwards, Buric went Further Ahead, in her Replies to the above-mentioned MEPs' Questions, where the President in office of CoE's Committee of Ministers started by observing the Fact that "COE is very much Affected by that Political and Financial Crisis".

- But, even if it really has also "Important Financial implications", (since Russia was led to Suspend its Annual Financial Contribution to the CoE, after Years of Obstacles for its MEPs to participate in CoE's Parliamentary Assembly without too Hard Sanctions, (Comp. Supra), in fact, "it's First and foremost a Political problem, which Requires a Political Solution !", she stressed.

- However, despite several and various relevant Meetings, (with COE's Secretary General, its Parliamentary Assembly, its Committee of Ministers, etc), during which, the Croatian Presidency of he CoE, "Tried to Find a Way out of the current Impasse", and which had, Recently, created some positive "Expectations", as Buric reminded,
nevertheless, CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, last Month (October 2018), "Send the (relevant) Report Back to Committee", declining to adopt it now, (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coeandrussiaukrainerow.html, etc). Therefore, "the Process is Still On-Going".

>>> So that "Now, we have to see What it will Lead to", (particularly at a Key Next Meeting of CoE Assembly's Committee on Rules, scheduled for December 10, 2018 : I.e. just Before the Next CoE Assembly's Plenary : on January 2019, which will be Decisive for the Annual Participation of Russian MEPs during 2019, under the current rules, almost Immediately Followed by possible Threats against Russia in general, as long as it's pushed to maintain its decision to Suspend its Annual Financial Contribution to the CoE : Comp., f.ex. : ..., etc).

=> In the Present context, "from a Political point of view, I believe that it's Important to have a Greater Awareness of the current Crisis, ... at the Highest Political Level, also in the Capitals !", urged Today in Conclusion CoE's President-in-office.

+ At any case, as far as Russia's own Wish is concerned, nonobstant some previous "Contradictory" claims by one or another Politician, (as Brittish MEP Boff had pointed out, Comp. Supra),

- "I Recently saw a Report from a Telephone conversation between CoE's Secretary General (Thornbjorn Jagland, from Norway) and the Russian Foreign Minister" (Sergei Lavrov), vice-Prime Minister Marija Buric revealed Today, on behalf of the Croatian Presidency of the COE.

>>> There "he (Lavrov) is reported as telling Jagland that Russia Wants to Stay in the CoE !", she stressed. I.e. Supporting also a Similar Information, earlier cited by Alexander Drozdenko, in his Oral presentation of his above-mentioned Question, (Comp. Supra), that Lavrov would have clearly "Confirmed that Russia Wants to Stay in the CoE", (also in Statements made during a Visit to Spain, yesterday).

As if in order to Mark that even better, Russian Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the CoE, Ivan Soltanovsky, has just Signed CoE's reNovated Convention for the Protection of Personal Data, of big importance in Modern Digital Technologies, (see: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coenewdataprotectionhasglobalaim.html), and is due to sign also, this week, CoE's Convention for the protection of the European Cultural Heritage, (Partly UPDATED)...

+ Thus, Russia "would Only Leave (from the CoE) IF Other Countries make a Move to Expell it", Buric added.

=> In consequence, "so, the CoE is (currently) Looking for a Solution to the Crisis", she concluded, Underlying the Fact that, Now, this is done "at the Highest Political Level", (Comp. Supra).

-------------------

Indeed, in this regard, it's Interesting to note also the Fact that, already, at the Beginning of this Week, the Future CoE's President for May - November 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron, during his Recent Visit to Strasbourg, together with the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Last Sunday, 4 November 2018, (See f.ex., "Eurofora"s NewsReports from the spot, at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/eupeacemoveatstakeinuselection.html + ..., etc), had an occasion to Meet and Exchange here also with COE's Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, (former Norway Prime Minister, and Top Member of Oslo Committee for NOBEL "Peace" Prize), as well as with the New President of CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, Mrs Liliane Maury-Pasquier, a mainstream Swiss MEP former Head of the Socialist Group, (Comp. Pasquier's Replies to various "Eurofora"'s Questions, f.ex., at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/newpacepresidentpasquier.html + ..., etc), as well as Other CoE's Top Officials, including ECHR's President, Guido Raimondi, from Italy, particularly during an Evening Reception at Rohan's Castle.

+ Moreover, before the End of this Week, next Saturday and Sunday around Paris (10 + 11 November 28), several Top Key Protagonists of this COE's Affair between Moscow and Strasbourg, are due to Meet during the forthcoming Summit for the 100th Anniversary since the End of the 1st World War and a New "Paris Forum for Peace", organized by French President Emmanuel Macron, including, f.ex. among others also the Russian President Vladimir Putin, USA's President Don Trump, German Chancellor Angie Merkel, Ukranian President Pedro Poroshenko, and much more, (f.ex. from EU's point of view). Will be added, at least Next Monday, November 12, also CoE's Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, invited to Speak also at an International Forum on the Web, (while the "Forum for Peace" would Continue, in parallel, during 2 more Days), etc.

So that, even if the Main USA - Russia Top Meeting, between Trump and Putin, may take place particularly, Later-on, during the forthcoming "G20" Summi in Argentina, on November 30 - December 1st, nevertheless, almost All the Other potentially influential Top Meetings around the CoE- Russia Issue, could, at least in Theory, start already Nowadays in Paris.

I.e. in Time for the Key CoE Assembly's (PACE) Rules Committee meeting of December 10, (due to Review a Crucial Report, affecting also Russian MEP's Future Participation), which is one of the Last collective relevant PanEuropean Gatherings (besides PACE's Standing Committee's meeting at Helsinki, on November 23, under Finland's rotating Chairmnship of the CoE, for 11/2018 - 5/2019), before a Decisive Yearly Rendez-vous at PACE's next Plenary in Strasbourg, on January 2019, (Comp.: ..., etc).

After that, in Fact, "Time becomes too Short", as various Experienced CoE's observers have recently noted, in this PanEuropean affair..., (Even if, "Nothing is Impossible", as some Others, mysteriously claimed, howeever always Adding a big "IF" !).

+ Meanwhile, it's also Imporant to note also the Fact that such Developments around Russia, Obviously of Crucial Importance for the Present and Future of CoE's "PanEuropean" GeoPolitical and Legal role, unfold almost at the Same Period that the Latest COE's Top Foreign Ministerial Summit, of last May 2018 in Denmark, decided to Launch a Series of Reforms, aiming also to reach a Joint Vision of CoE's Future, and Reflect on its main Mission and the "Essentials" of its "New Horizon", (concerning Policies, Governance, Relations to Other Intenational Organisations, f.ex. EU, etc), as Buric has just Highlighted in her Report to the CLRAE, (Comp. Supra)

So that it may not just be a simple "Coincidence", for the PanEuropean dimension of Strasbourg's Organisation, the fact that the above-mentioned, latest Annual CoE's Foreign Ministerial Summit, symbolically took place at the World Famous "Elsinor" Castle, where Shakespeare's Hamlet notoriously pronounced this Key Dillema : - "To be, or Not to be : That's the Question !"...

(../..)

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FrancoGerman move for Peace (at Stake in US Mid-Term Election) waits for Trump/Putin/UNSG+60 Leaders

Written by ACM

Sunday, 04 November 2018

francogerman_launch_of_movement_for_peace_at_strasbourgs_cathedral_eurofora_400

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- While Europe commemorates the Atrocities of Deadly and Destructive World Wars of the Past, at the 100th Anniversary of the End of WW1 (1918-2018), both Regional and Global Peace is at Stake in the current USA's "Mid-Term" Elections (6/11/2018)...

France and Germany have just launched in Strasbourg an original March towards Paris' forthcoming World Forum for Peace, practically at the eve of USA Mid-Term Election, while waiting for Trump, Putin and around 60 Leaders, as well as UNO's Secretary General Antonio Guterrez, to arrive at that exceptional Rendez-vous.

---------------------------------------------------

Just 2 Days before an US Mid-Term Election exceptionaly Important for Peace in Korea/Nuclear, Syria and even Ukraine Issues, EU core's Franco-German couple marked a landmark Symbolic Top Event in Strasbourg's emblematic Cathedral, with Presidents Macron and Steinmeier, by kick-Starting a Longue March through Strasbourg's Region and other former Bordelines between the two Core EU Countries, for the Memory of the End of a devastating 1st World War, a Century ago (1918-2018), leading up to a Macron - Merkel meeting at the Historic Compiegne Castle, where the Armistice of 1908 had been Signed, the Week-End of November 11, near Paris, which awaits Next Sunday more than 60 Heads of State/Government from Europe and allover the World, invited by the French President, including USA's new President Don Trump, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angie Merkel, UNO's Secretary General Antonio Guterrez, (etc), for a Joint Ceremony at the Arc of Triomphe, and a brand New International Paris' 2018 "Forum", now dedicated to "Peace".

Tha Word means a lot here, particularly accross those Borderline Areas of Former very Deadly BattleGrounds, and, Timely comming in the run up to May 2019 European Elections, it Naturally underlines EU's main Achievement, during more than 60 Years (1945 - 2018), to Help Saveguard Peace in Europe, after 85 Years with a Franco-German War and Two World Wars (1870-1945), which Killed many Millions of People, and provoked Immense Destructions, making also Europe lose its Historic 1st role in the World until then.

--------------------------------------------------------------

But Nowadays Global Peace is also at Stake in the Korean Nuclear Arms' Issue, where spectacular Progress recently made by Trump and Kim at Singapore needs for GOP's Conservatives of the 1st to Win the current "Mid-Term" Elections, in order to be able to implement its main clauses...

Indeed, a careful analysis of the landmark Singapore Agreement of June 2018, between new US President Don Trump and North Korea's Leader Kim Jong Un, clearly shows that, in Fact, the establishment of "New Relations", between US and DRPK, "for Peace and Prosperity", as well as "a Peace Regime" throughout all the "Korean peninsula", implying its "complete DeNuclearisation", in exchange of "Security Guarantees" to Northern Korea, need a Positive outcome of the 2018 Mid-Term Election for Trump's conservatives of the Republican Party (GOP).

This was made Obvious, among others, also by an interesting White House's Press Briefing, with new State Secretary Mike Pompeo, during which, a Journalist asked whether a Treaty will have to be adopted by the US, in order give those "Guarantees" to North Korea. This was the Only Question to which Pompeo did Not Reply yet, but skiped without any known explanation...

Simply because the formal Adoption of such a Treaty would necessitate, in practice, a Legal Procedure inside US Congress and Senate, whose Members face, on November 2018, an important "Mid-Term" Election :

=> I.e., GOP's Conservatives would Need to gain a Stronger Majority inside the Senate, in order Not to depend, No more, from 1 or 2 Shaky Votes, (contrary to what is the case until now), as well as to Maintain, more or less, their Clear Majority in the US Congress.

Otherwise, Dems' ("Socialists"/Liberals of US Democratic Party) systematic Opposition, might Block (or Alter) the Text of a Draft Treaty of Guarantees, Undermining the Trump - Kim Deal.

Because, in the eventual Absence of such Guarantees, obviouly, North Korea could Not risk to procede into a Full DeNuclearisation, (particularly as long as, in Addition, Heavy Economic Sanctions still persist).

And, at the Same Time, from the Other Side, the U.S. could Not definitively Lift the Sanctions, as long as North Korea has Not been substantialy DeNuclearized.

In other words, Both must Advance, in Parallel, almost at the Same Time : Guarantees and DeNuclearisation. And this, practically, needs an Efficient Control of Both the US Congress and Senate, from new US President Don Trump, (Comp. above).

In consequence, these 2018 "Mid-Term" Elections are of a Crucial Importance for Peace, given Dems' excessive War-Mongering currently...

Among Many other relevant Facts, it's not due to pure hazard the Fact that, f.ex., former Obama's Under State Secretary for Euro-Asian affairs, Mrs Nuland, known for her Interference in Ukraine's internal affairs, who has pushed towards a Brutal Clash and Bloody Divisions on 2014, cancelling an earlier Compromise Agreement signed by all Parties,
is nowadays living in Brussels from where her Husband reportedly publishes a lot of War-Mongering pseudo-"Analysis", repeating Warnings for a supposed "3rd World War" (sic) trend Against Russia, China, etc. !...

-------------------------------------------------------

+ Moreover, an impressive Series of many Facts clearly reveal that Wars risking to Affect Global Peace are a Traditional mark of Dems, while GOP's Conservatives, on the Contrary, are usualy much more enclined to seek Peaceful Agreements, throughout almost All USA's History !
F.ex. :

--------------------------

- Wilson (Dems) brought USA in the 1st World War, despite substantial public Opposition, particularly from Conservatives. Afterwards, Veterans were Abandoned, without Financial or Education benefits, UnEmployment soared, followed by massive Strikes and Riots. Thus, American People's Majority droped Wilson, and Voted for a Conservative, Warren Harding.

- 2nd World War involvment for USA was Franklin Roosvelt's (Dems) responsibility. Conservative Leader, and his predecessor in US Presidency, Herbert Hoover, was opposed.

-----------------------------

- "Cold" War, and Korea War, added to Maccarthyism oppressive era inside the USA, the Deadly drop of the 1st Nuclear Bomb on Hiroshima - Nagasaki Civilian People, the Beginning of the Clash against Oppenheimer, and Rosenberg couple's Arrest and Conviction to Death, (despite even Albert Einstein's opposal), were ALL due to Harry Truman (Dems).

- On the Contrary, Armistice and Peace in Korea, the End of Maccarhyism and 1st Cold War, (as well as an Historic Plea against the Establishment's Deep State and the "Military-Industrial Complex"), were done during President Dwight Einsenhower, (a conservative).

------------------------------

- Vietnam War massive Military Interventions and Deadly Mess/Failure, (as well as Oppression against Dissidents inside the USA), were mainly Lyndon Johnson's (Dems) responsibility.

- On the Contrary, Peace in Vietnam, and "Detente" with China and Russia, came during Richard Nixon's presidency, (a Conservative).

+ Followed, Later-on, what is considered as "End of the Cold War" era, with Germany's (and all Europe's) ReUnification, during (Russia's Gorbatchef and USA's) George H. Bush senior (another Conservative).

---------------------------------------------------------------

- The Bloody Wars in former Yugoslavia (1991-2001), at the Heart of Europe, were mainly a responsibility of Bill Clinton (Dems).

+ As was too the Ukranian Deadly Conflict (with many Civilian Victims, and a persisting Mess), added to a Clash against Russia, during Barack Hussein Obama's era (Dems), which included also the Bloody Syrian Conflict, and ISIS' murderous Islamist Terrorism, (etc).

++ In Addition, North Korea's Nuclear Arms' program apparently started to become potentialy Dangerous around 2013-2017, i.e. practically during Obama II, (Dems).

------------------------------------

- On the Contrary, Not Any War Risking to Affect Global Peace has ever Started, anywhere in the Planet, during New US President Don Trump's mandate, (Conservative).

On the Conrary, he has strived to cultivate Friendly Relations on Political Issues with Chinese and Russian Presidents, (the latter currently Hampered by an obvious Hysteria of Dems), and succeeded to mark an UnPrecedented Historic Advance even with North Korea.

However, its Outcome, now depends, practically, on the 2018 Mid-Term Elections, not just for Korea, (See above), but also on Syria and Ukraine, and other "Hot" Issues...

(../..)

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ECHR: Time Deadlines may Violate Human Rights by not examining particular circumstances

Written by ACM

Tuesday, 30 October 2018

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Forcing strict and absolute Time Deadlines may Violate Human Rights, if it doesn't take into account the Particular Circumstances of each affair, where the cause of a Delay could be a very Serious Issue, judged, in substance, ECHR in a Ruling published Today, on a case which might be linked even with possible, Long-Time Attempts to Steal Oil from NATO's installations in Turkey, (See Facts Infra : "Kursun").

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The Applicant was an Owner of a Property used as Industrial Park, located near to a Private Oil Refinery ("Tupras"), as well as to some Oil Storage and Supply facilities, run by the Ministry of Defence, for the Turkish NATO Pipeline system ("ANT").

A Big Explosion (equivalent to an Earthquake with Magnitude of 9 on Richter scale !) at those Neighbouring Areas, and ensuing Fire, Killed 2 Persons and Injured Many others, while also Damaging nearby Properties.

Several Commissions were established in order to determine the Cause of that Explosion, and the Damage caused by it.

Contrary to Initial estimations pointing at the Private Refinery, subsequent analysis found that the Cause was related to the NATO Pipeline system in Turkey, because of a large and long Leakage, mainly of Oil, (given the Fact that Both the precise Product leaked ["Gasoline"], and its Location in the UnderGround, etc., concerned the "ANT" system of Turkish NATO Pipelines, under which, a very Old Leak appeared Continuing during Decades, in a Network established since 1960/1970+)...

Curiously, such a "Ping-Pong" on the Question : -"Who was Responsible ?", persisted also longer in Turkey, and, moreover, a Decision to "Clean" up that Dangerous Leak, wasN't implemented, not even 12 Years After that Deadly Explosion (2005-2017) !

>>> Later-on, a Team of Experts reportedly Found that Leaks might result from "Breaches" of Pipelines or other equipments "by Malicious individuals, for the purpose of Theft" (sic). Indeed, that Leak "involved a Highly Valuable Economic Commodity"...

=> Therefore, Turkish "Institutions" could "Not be expected to UnCover such Incidents, by their own efforts alone", and it's "highly ImProbable that Institutions would Not take Any Action to Stop such a Leak", ECHR noted.

* In other words, to put it in a nutshell, Thieves may have been Stealing NATO's Oil, under its installations in Turkey, during Decades, with Complicities from Turkish Authorities !

Perhaps that's a reason for which, Turkey's Cour de Cassation, curiously Claimed, afterwads, in this affair, that "it was Not Necessary to have the TortFeasor established with Certainty", but, on the Contrary, "a Guess" on his "Identity", within the bounds of a "Possibility", was "Sufficient to Bring an Action" via the Prosecutor, (etc), so that a Proprietor's Application, which aWaited for such matters to be Clarified, should be Rejected as Out of Time, ECHR's Judgement points out.

Indeed, that private Owner prefered to Wait until such thorny Matters (as Cause and Damages : Comp. Supra) are further Clarified, with the Result, for his Application, to Delay More than a Year of "Time Limit" in such cases. Thereby, it gave a Legal Pretext, for Turkish Courts, to Reject it...

>>> But, on the Contrary, ECHR's Judgement, published Today, points at the Need of an "Exact and Certain Information" about the "Identity of the TortFeasor", and Not "mere Suspicions and Guesses", in order to "Trigger" the Time-Limit for an Application to the Courts.

- In this regard, "the Applicant Complained that he had been Denied a Fair Trial, on account of the Dismissal of his Compensation Claim, as being Out of Time", ECHR observed. Indeed, "although Time-Limits are in principle legitimate procedural limitations on access to a court, their interpretation in Disregard of relevant Practical Circumstances, may result in Violations" of Human Rights, ECHR confirmed.

F.ex., in this case, "having regard to the nature of the Explosion, the Uncertainty of the Cause of the damage, the Complexity of the matter, as well as the Various Reports on the issue, the Court finds it Difficult to follow" the Turkish Courts, which "required" from the Applicant "to Institute Proceedings at a Moment when he could Not, realistically, have Sufficient Knowledge of the Cause of the Damage, or the Identity of those Responsible" ; I.e. something "very Formalistic", bearing in mind "particularly the possible Practical and Financial Implications, of such a Requirement, for the applicant".

>>> "Furthermore, the Court notes that the Appliqant Raised pertinent Questions, that Called for a Response", the Judgement stresses. (F.ex. about the still Remaining Risk for even More Explosions, since that Leakage had Not yet been Cleaned up : Comp. Supra ; and on the Identity of those Responsible for that Deadly Explosion, etc). Indeed, "his Attempts to Clarify those Important Matters, ...went to the very Core of his Right of Access to Court", and, in Consequence, "canNot be used Against him, in assessing ... the Time-LImit", ECHR found.

=> Thus, EuroJudges concluded that "there has been a Violation of the Applicant's Right of Access to a Court, under article 6§1 of the (PanEuropean) Convention (on Human Rights)", and awarded to the Victim 2.500 € for Non-Pecunuary Damage, as well as 3.000 € for the Costs, wityOut "Speculating" about "the Outcome of Proceedings", at the National Courts, "as regards Pecuniary Damage", in addition.

In this regard, ECHR noted, indeed, the "Deprivation of Rental Income", the "Reduced Value of Property", and the "Risk of Further Explosions", since "necessary steps had Not yet been taken to clean the Oil Leak", as the applicant had Denounced, (Comp. Supra).

(../..)

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