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.

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.

Portugal Launches Uterus Cancer Vaccination Campaign

APPA NEWS, LISBON - PORTUGAL - Portuguese Health Authorities have successfully launched a national vaccination programme aimed at curbing down uterine cancer risks, having already administered the jab to 23.000 women aged 13, in the first week.

The Portuguese National Vaccination Plan - PVN - had an initial target of 27.000 young women vaccinated until the end of the year, but is well ahead of schedule, according to Ms Ana Jorge, Portuguese Health Minister.

The Plan aims at giving the jab, which is free of charge under the Portuguese National Health System, to all women aged up to 17 years old, in a first phase to last until 2011.

The vaccine, which is available in Portugal under the name of “Gardasil”, has been proven to be 90% effective in preventing cancer of the womb in women up to 45 years old, but the Portuguese Government has no plans to extend the vaccine to the whole female population presently, a point for which it has been criticized by oncology specialists and consultants, namely the Portuguese Cancer Institute of Coimbra director, Dr Daniel Pereira da Silva, who has made his position clear by emphasizing that the vaccine is proven effective in older women, which should encourage widespread vaccination, notwithstanding budget considerations.