Juncker says Europe is not America's subsidiary

Xinhua ^ | June 18, 2005

[Unam Sanctam]

BRUSSELS, June 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said on early Saturday morning that Europe is not America's "subsidiary."

Juncker, whose country is holding current European Union (EU) presidency, made the comment after Britain, which to take over the EU presidency after June, refused making concession on its rebate which resulted in no deal on the EU budget plan from 2007-2013.

"The EU does not depend on others," Juncker told the press conference after the EU summit when asked to comment on the upcoming British presidency, a country that is famous for being close to the United States.

Juncker attributed the failure of the budget plan deal to difference of "two visions" and "two paths" about Europe, hinting Britain keeps distance from Europe.

"We would not push our position that far," he stressed.

The EU leaders made a marathon debate on the budget plan from Friday morning till Saturday, aiming to strike an agreement so as to avoid another crisis after the ratification crisis of the EU constitution.

Because Britain refused to make concession on its rebate, the Luxembourg presidency "found it difficult" to reach an agreement, and the summit ended without a deal.

[Unam Sanctam]

Poorly written article, but what in heaven's name does the British rebate have to do with the US?

[inkling]

Europe is becoming the Islamic World's subsidiary

[ncountylee]

Nothing but when in doubt - bash America.

[F16Fighter]

Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said on early Saturday morning that Europe is not America's "subsidiary."

Perhaps, but Luxembourg is Europe's ashtray.

[beckett]

Where is the direct quote using the term "subsidiary?" The report was written by an idiot.

[SIDENET]

Oh, I get it. He wants to rally the EU by trashing the US. How creative.

[Spktyr]

Except that as has been proven in the last few elections, the more they bash, the less people listen to them.

[SIDENET]

It hasn't worked too well for Chirac, that's for sure. Maybe this Juncker guy needs to keep bashing away.

:-)

[porkchops 4 mahound]

"Europe is not America's subsidiary", DUH.

If it was, it would be richer, safer, and just better in all ways.

But who wants a mean ol mangy hound that'll bite your friends and cr@p in your yard?

[GSlob]

If one had such a money-losing subsidiary, one would close it.

[festus]

I think its funny he even has to make that point.......

[JohnnyZ]

It's more like the EU is Britain's subsidiziary, considering they need Britain's money to prop them up and are demanding even more of it.

[ApplegateRanch]

"The EU does not depend on others," Juncker told the press conference after the EU summit...

"...We are perfectly capable cutting off our noses without Michael Jackson's help."

[DoughtyOne]

Beat me to it. Right on.

Europe is blind as a bat, with no radar. They fail to see the implications right in front of their noses.

They actually prefer to front for Al Quaeda rather than accept that they were and still are wrong as can be for not joining the war on terrorism with all their might, or hell, even a little bit of effort.

[datura]

OK, I'll say it. The EU is America's outhouse. At best.

[4integrity]

what does Britain's rebate have to do with US?

my thought, exactly!

[mmercier]

>> Juncker attributed the failure of the budget plan deal to difference of "two visions" and "two paths" about Europe,

"Two paths" being communism and capitalism.

>> hinting Britain keeps distance from Europe.

Not far enough.

[DoughtyOne]

By choice perhaps, althought that sure doesn't make sense to us.

[Patti_ORiley]

Hating America is what holds Europe together.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Well, one thing for sure, Europe is not America's friend.