[DustyMoment]

You're probably right. The Frogs and Krauts need someone else to boss around because they're tired of bossing each other. The Belgians are best at cowering in the corner when the bullies come to town, so they'll climb aboard anyone's bandwagon if they think there's some protection in it for them.

Even though I think the EU is a bad idea for Europe and am delighted that the constitutional talks broke down, I agree, the fat lady probably hasn't sung, yet. Someone will try to pull it back together down the road. It may take two more failed tries before the EU constitution is declared dead.

[longjack]

the fat lady probably hasn't sung, yet

I agree.

I paraphrased an article I read in Germany's "Spiegel" about the EU-Constitution failure for a post in another thread:

FR....Chirac blames Blair as EU constitution talks collapse

Schroeder talks about those countries that negotiate with European integration in mind (i.e., his own Germany) vs. those that negotiate only through national egotism (i.e. Poland).

IMO, Germany/France's new tactic will be to be to represent the 'balkers' as nationalists who promote their own country's interests before European advancement. The justification for a renewed attempt at a EU constitution ratification will be based upon the premise of the necessity of avoiding a fiasco as the one that just occurred.

Reports I've read mention that Berlusconi described the atmosphere at the last meeting as "complete disagreement". I also read that an Euro representative from some Scandavian country said the constitution issue would probably be tabled until early 2005.

It remains to be seen if the issue is resurrected before then due to some crisis that requires rapid handling by all member countries, making the vote distribution issue a hot button item.

Again, JMO.

longjack