AMBROSE EVANS-PRITCHARD: 'New Europe' reads riot act to Paris and Berlin

The Daily Telegraph ^ | January 31, 2003 | Ambrose Evans-Pritchard

[MadIvan]

By declaring their joint support of George W Bush eight states of the "New Europe" have read the riot act to the Franco-German couple who have long driven policy in the European Union.

Drafted by Spain's Jose Maria Aznar, the text of their collective article was a pointed rebuke to Germany's Gerhard Schröder and France's Jacques Chirac - labelled "Old Europe" by US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld - for thinking they alone represent Europe's collective will.

It is the latest example of the shifting centre of gravity in Europe, which would be reinforced if France and Germany were not part of a victorious coalition against Iraq.

Just a week ago, the audacious Franco-German plan for a twin-headed presidency of the EU was greeted with scorn by speaker after speaker in the Convention on the Future of Europe, all irked by the way Paris and Berlin seemed to imagine they had achieved a fait accompli. It followed a decision by EU finance ministers to castigate Germany for breaching the euro-zone's Stability Pact. They also issued an official "early warning" to France.

The failure of the German and French economies to cope with the rigours of the euro and economic downturn was a watershed. Easily ranked the world's number three and four in the late 1980s, they have slipped rapidly down the rankings.

The baton has passed to the English-speaking nations, enjoying a free-market revival over the past 15 years, transforming the power structure inside and outside the EU.

Britain's economy is now substantially bigger than that of France, and London is by far the richest city in Europe. The Irish are richer per capita than the Germans. The Spanish, enjoying their own spectacular revival in confidence after the self-imposed isolation of the Franco dictatorship, have aligned themselves with the Anglo-Saxons.

Holland and the Scandinavian states have embraced the internet age with a fervour matching California, and all have been through the labour market reforms that Paris and Berlin only talk about.

Together with the Poles, Czechs and Hungarians, all brimming with optimism, and can-do spirit, these nations form a "New Europe" of sorts, more or less coinciding with the core of pro-American states singled out for praise by Mr Rumsfeld, who dismissed France and Germany as the "Old Europe".

Tim Garton Ash, a European expert at St Anthony's College, Oxford, said the terms "new" and "old" confuse the issue.

"What we're really seeing is a 'new Germany' that is willing to stand up for its own national interest and viewpoint, which in this case is a combination of anti-war feeling and anti-Americanism. This is something we haven't seen before," he said.

Nor is "Old Europe" necessarily a good description for two countries that launched the most ambitious currency union ever seen a year ago and are now pushing for the wildly ambitious goal of a full judicial, military and diplomatic union of 15 states, with different languages and intense tribal loyalties, against all historical precedent.

[Jerez2]

The EU might have been an OK idea... except that power corrupts, even the prospect of power corrupts. The EU elite grabbed the power to run others' lives and shoved it down the throat of everyone in their domain. National and local customs and characteristics were outlawed; currency and entire legal systems that were developed by peoples over centuries just tossed away like wastepaper. The peoples of Europe are sick of it already. And they're wondering, isn't there anything we can do to get this incubus off our backs?

The really scary thing is, it's these same EU elites that want the UN to assume world-government status. Then NONE of us will have any escape. I don't see why even the most blindly idealistic can't see this.

What will save Europe from the excesses of the EU is the Eastern Europeans. Like our Cuban Americans, they have lived through communism -- they know how corrupt and bankrupt the system is, and the idea behind it. Thank God for them -- and thank God for the Internet, to amplify their voices and ours. We cannot be silenced anymore!

[MadIvan]

Britain's economy is so large that pensions go unpaid; hospitals and schools close, skilled professionals go to Germany and Saudi Arabia seeking work etc.

Now you're lying. German professionals come here to work because unemployment in Germany is so bad.

I realise that spouting off against the British is a form of Primal Scream therapy for you, but really, do try to have some tangential relationship with reality.

Ivan

[flaglady47]

Ivan, I just love your replies. Makes my day and cheers me up. You have such a way with words. Kudu's to you.

[Terridan]

Not to mention, after his remark, the demonrats all made fools of themselves, and now this brilliant piece of news!!!

[Terridan]

God Bless you and yours Ivan! Great news post, and added embarrassment to the demonrats of America! Go Great Britain!

[Bonaparte]

"What we're really seeing is a 'new Germany' that is willing to stand up for its own national interest and viewpoint, which in this case is a combination of anti-war feeling and anti-Americanism. This is something we haven't seen before," he said.

Germany pursuing its own "national interest?" But-but-but that's (dare I say it?) unilateralism! Doesn't Germany know it must act within the confines of "consensus?" That it is no longer a "nation" but part of a new union? If Germany keeps going in this direction, I'm afraid its former allies may have to re-classify it as a rogue state.

[Bonaparte]

"The Spanish... have aligned themselves with the Anglo-Saxons."

A noble gesture but isn't it about a thousand years too late?

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for your comments.

[RaceBannon]

The Irish are richer per capita than the Germans. The Spanish, enjoying their own spectacular revival in confidence after the self-imposed isolation of the Franco dictatorship, have aligned themselves with the Anglo-Saxons.

WOW, never heard THAT one before! All I heard was Ireland was in major depression! That's why many American companies are moving there!

[CWOJackson]

I don't want to pull out bases out of Europe. I really don't care about western Europe's defense, I just think it smart having installations in that region to stage out of. Given that concern, I see absolutely no reason why we couldn't relocate our German bases to Poland.

The location would have a similar stragetic value and I'm sure would be welcomed by our true allies.

[MadIvan]

Ireland has taken off substantially - they have a very low corporation tax rate and this has led companies to come in and just dump investment in the country.

This may be hurt by the higher Euro, but they are experiencing economic growth rates between 3 and 4 percent. This is a let down for them, as lately they've had rates more like 9 percent.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

I don't want to pull out bases out of Europe. I really don't care about western Europe's defense, I just think it smart having installations in that region to stage out of. Given that concern, I see absolutely no reason why we couldn't relocate our German bases to Poland.

People forget that the bases were originally put in Germany, not only to keep the Russians out, but also to point a loaded revolver at the Germans' collective head. However, in light of the changed geo-political situation, I don't see why that revolver cannot be just as effectively aimed from Poland.

Regards, Ivan

[demkicker]

"That is exactly why the Germans don't want anything further to do with wars. Schroeder may be a complete a**hole, but he knows he won't be around for long unless he keeps Germany out of military confrontations."

Hogwash! Schroeder could have seized the opportunity by using his bully pulpit to educate and LEAD his country into making the right and moral choice. Using Germany's war disasters in the past is no excuse, as their intentions in those wars were all about greed, domination and evil. Going to war with Iraq is not about trying to occupy or conquer, but to liberate.

There is a saying, "You can tell a German, but you can't tell him much." I dare say, Schroeder, if he wanted to, could articulate the difference of his country's previous war mongering to liberating Iraq and ridding an evil tyrant of WMD.

Sadly enough, this is yet another case of Germany choosing to be on the wrong side of war. I have nothing but contempt for the German leadership, their media accomplices and for their citizens who should have learned from their shameful history rather than spit on a golden opportunity to step up to the plate for what is right and just.

[demkicker]

"People forget that the bases were originally put in Germany, not only to keep the Russians out, but also to point a loaded revolver at the Germans' collective head. However, in light of the changed geo-political situation, I don't see why that revolver cannot be just as effectively aimed from Poland."

Great point, MadIvan. As you can tell from my above post to balls, I do not think the Germans can ever be trusted. Great post, BTW. Thanks!

[GVnana]

wittingly or unwittingly, Rumsfeld seems to have tapped a powerful undercurrent in Europolitics

With Runsfeld, there's no mistake.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #18

Because they were such teenagers during their youth in '60 and '70. Mentally they are still the Mao-worshiping youngsters cheering for Baader-Meinhof terrorists.

[aruanan]

Come on, the current Gemany has nothing to do with Hitler and irredentism or anything else. It has more to do with national demoralisation, national decline, cultural delcine (the test scores for students in Germany are even lower than in the US, which is totally mind blowing) and an emerging isolationist and pacifist perspective.

Nor did I say that it did. However, with the exception of the last two items, the first three were the same ground from which grew Hitler.