British Say “NO” to Euro Again On European Currency Anniversary

APPA NEWS, LONDON 01/01/09 - A new public opinion Poll published today by BBC has shown again the British People’s strong opposition to giving up British Pound Sterling in favour of the Euro, as the European currency completes today its 10th Anniversary.

The Poll follows the trend previously seen in past polls, giving a YES to British Pound by a significant margin, alongside controversial declarations made by José Manuel Durão Barroso, EU Commission President, who stated in December “the UK was closer than ever to joining the Euro” and “the people who matter in British politics“ were contemplating giving up the Pound”.

However, opposing views were expressed by Lord Mandelson, Business Secretary. Whilst joining the Euro is a long term goal for New Labour, said Lord Mandelson, such policy is not for now. But neither Mr Barroso nor Lord Mandelson are meeting the will of the British People, which has always shown a clear “NO” to joining the Euro. Even the best Poll ever in favour did not go further than a mere 31% in favour of the Euro, versus 56% saying NO to the European Union currency.

The issue of whether to join the Euro or not has always been a hot topic in British politics, but has gained a new breath of life recently as the Pound plummeted in value, reaching a point of nearly parity with the Euro, as a result of the credit crunch and subsequent financial collapse in the second half of 2008.

“THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER IN BRITISH POLITICS”

Mr Barroso’sstatement is relevant however, as it appears to argue that the people who matter are those who are in favour of joining the Euro, the rest - the majority of the British People, in fact - does not come into the equation, a position guaranteed to raise eyebrows for the anti-democratic tone, actually an accusation frequently thrown at the European Union political practices, as seen withthe Lisbon Treaty referendum, promised by New Labour, but was never delivered and very recently, the Irish nightmare as Ireland may face a second referendum about the Lisbon Treaty, as the first Irish “No” does not play along with the tune of Brussels Eurocrats.

But “NO” usually means… well… “NO“, so it becomes hard to figure out which part of the word “NO” is difficult to grasp, for either Brussels or the British New Labour Government.

“NO”!… A SOVEREIGNTY ISSUE

What seems clear and apparent though, is the “NO” concerns matters of self-governance and sovereignty for Brits in general, exposing a general feeling of loss of control of British Affairs, especially in times of financial hardship, as joining the Euro would mean losing the power to self regulate the British economy.

This is in fact a case in point in Lord Mandelson’s statement. If a move to join the Euro is “not for now”, presumably because it is more convenient to keep full control of the British currency according to the needs of British economy, as it may be concluded from Lord Mandelson’s declarations, then it makes sense to ask what would happen in the future, once the Pound is scrapped, should a serious crisis happen again.

It is a chief argument for the UKIP Party. Dr Whittaker, UKIP Party MEP poignantly noted the credit crunch had exposed a potential weakness in joining the Euro, because “while all [Euro zone] economies are suffering, some Euro Zone countries are now in an impossible position”. Because these countries joined the Euro, they effectively lost their power to ease the crisis, for example by lowering interest rates and devaluing currency, crisis counter-measures they cannot take because they are stuck with the Euro, under European Central Bank control.

The Conservative Party, in a statement apparently made to the “Daily Mail”, said the Tories under David Cameron’s leadership “would never join the Euro”. Tory sources insisted the party’s policy in regards to the Euro has not changed.

Portuguese Prime Minister Hails 44th New USA President Barack Obama

APPA NEWS, LISBON-PORTUGAL -Portuguese PM José Sócrates has sent his warmest congratulations to the newly elected President Barack Obama.

The Portuguese PM’s message focused on the notion of change by stating “this triumph represents an opportunity for change, both in the United States and the World”, noting the American election as a truly historical moment, signaling also an opportunity for a fresh start, a renovated relationship between the United States and Europe, working together for Peace and Cooperation between the two continents, in a better regulated global world.

The Portuguese Government, together with the French President Sarkozy, the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the European Commission President Durão Barroso, were the very first European leaders to convey to the new President of the United States, Barack Obama, messages of congratulations on a truly unforgettable electoral Marathon.

EU Commission President Durao Barroso Hails Barack Obama

APPA NEWS, LONDON - UK - European Union Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso has been quick, in fact one of the very first to salute President elect of the United States of America, Barack Obama, on what is being estimated in political circles around the World, as a huge landslide victory!

According to British newswires, Mr Durão Barroso has sent messages of congratulations to the newly elected President of the United States saying that “Senator Obama will be taking office at a critical juncture. There are many pressing challenges facing the international community, including the global financial crisis and global warming.”

However politically correct, the move is nonetheless a surprising 360 degrees twist, as it is historically well known that Mr Barroso played host at the Azores Summit, which he proposed himself, to Toni Blair and President George W. Bush, days before America and

 the UK embarked on the War against Iraq.

Mr Durão Barroso, who was at the time the Portuguese Prime Minister, became the nominee of choice for the presidency of the European Commission, shortly after.

Popular memory may be short, but journalism must remain independent and recall the record of that day, 16 of March 2003, when José Manuel Durão Barroso, Toni Blair, José Maria Aznar and George W. Bush met to come up with a declarative statement on the issue of Iraq, which, we may agree, presented some Peace rhetoric, courtesy of Mr Barroso, together with enough jargon about weapons of mass destruction which never

existed, based upon intelligence, which was wrong, despite United Nations resolutions that condemned Iraq but did not convey a licence to invade or go to war and ultimately, against scores and scores in Public Opinion, strongly opposed to war in Iraq, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Doubtless, five years later, Mr Barroso is right about the new USA President elect taking office “at a critical juncture”.

We are wondering and keen to find out indeed, whose “juncture” ?… Barack Obama’s?… Or Mr Barroso’s himself?

For a full transcript of the Azores Summit, 16 March 2003, click here.

Portuguese Politics Bordering On Hysterics

APPA NEWS, LISBON - PORTUGAL - Portuguese politics have been known for many years for running high spirited and with a fair dose of wit, but a new corner stone has been turned, with a formidable row between the opposition parties and the Portuguese Government, concerning the recent uptaking of BNP Bank into public ownership, after it apparently ran into murky waters, following the international financial crisis.

During a press conference held at São Bento Palace, the Portuguese Parliament HQ, the Government considered Ms Manuela Ferreira Leite [pictured left/above], the main opposition party PSD leader, of “acting desperate”.

The “pleasantry” followed an apparently rather assertive and vociferous attack on the Prime Minister by Ms Ferreira Leite, who accused the Portuguese PM of being “an authoritarian who cannot be trusted”, during the PSD party Annual Conference closing speech. The attack came rolling downhill at speed, due to the recent decision by the Portuguese Government to nationalise BPN Bank, sparking fears of a wave of nationalisations.

Ms Ferreira Leite, who is known at home and abroad for her “Thatcher-like” style did not spare the Prime Minister, and demanded a formal apology from the Government.

Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition party CDS-PP, Mr Paulo Portas, who never ceases to amaze for his energetic attacks, demanded the resignation of the Governor of the Bank of Portugal, Mr Vitor Constancio, following the BPN Bank nationalisation. According to the CDS-PP leader, the Bank of Portugal is not independent enough nor can it be trusted as an independent regulator.

The Government however replied by reasserting the regulator’s independence, and accused the opposition parties of bias, saying that the opposition tends to recognise the regulator’s independence only when its decisions are to their liking.

The row is expected to continue, especially if Portugal comes to face more financial turmoil, eventually leading to the nationalisation of other banking institutions, a situation which is not expected to develop, as the Government denies plans for further action.

Portuguese PM Argues The Case For Banking Nationalisation

APPA NEWS, LISBON - PORTUGAL - Portuguese PM José Sócrates has argued the case for taking banks into public ownership, should the need arise.

The Portuguese PM’s comments were the short answer to opposition leaders from CDS-PP party, who have been questioning the matter, following the Government’s decision to take BPN bank into public ownership, as a result of the recent credit crunch and the financial crisis.

“The Government decision to take a bank into public ownership is entirely legitimate”, said Mr Sócrates, when questioned in regards to the legislative process which lead to the nationalisation of BPN bank, adding however that such decisions must now pass through Parliament for approval, as required by the Portuguese Constitution.

The Portuguese Prime Minister’s comments took place at the end of a meeting between the Government and trade unions, to agree upon an increase on the Portuguese National Minimum Wage, which is expected to reach EUR 450.00, with effect from 1st January 2009.