Western European News Digest

Britain and Allies Sabotage European Food Aid

PARIS, Dec. 1 (EIRNS)—Whereas France, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, and Poland support the idea of using the EU's food surplus to help Europe's poorest citizens, the idea was vigorously rejected by Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and the Czech Republic (the latter will head the EU as of January 2009). During the Nov. 28 EU Agriculture Council discussions among the member country agriculture ministers in Brussels, a dispute broke out on food aid to the poorest. French Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier, who headed the session, said that a majority was favorable, but "some had difficulties" with the concept.

Now the experts are being called in to work out a compromise.

Is Overthrow of Germany's Chancellor on Agenda?

Dec. 1 (EIRNS)—The destabilization of the German government, especially of Chancellor Angela Merkel, who crossed the "red line," by threatening private banks with state intervention in order to secure loans for the real economy, has begun with full force, on two fronts:

1) an orchestrated populist "tax revolt," with the participation of numerous prominent Christian Democrats of Merkel's own party (the CDU) and business leaders, led by Merkel's old adversary Friedrich Merz, calling for tax cuts to allegedly relieve industry and boost consumption.

2) an orchestrated debate about the East German past of certain Christian Democrats, which is ultimately aimed at Merkel, who is from East Germany. The debate, pushed by CDU "Westerners," has embarrassed the "Easterners," implanting the virus of a party split.

EU Launches Georgia-Russia Conflict Probe

Dec. 2 (EIRNS)—The European Union Finance Ministers' meeting approved the commissioning of an inquiry into the causes of last Summer's Russia-Georgia conflict. It will be headed by Swiss official Heidi Tagliavini, former UN Special Representative to Georgia.

Tagliavini will present the mission's report to Georgia and Russia, as well as to EU nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Spanish Judge: Brits Must Arrest ETA Terrorist

PARIS, Dec. 5 (EIRNS)—The brutal murder two days ago by the Basque terrorist ETA of a Spanish entrepreneur involved in the construction of the Paris-Madrid TGV rail line, brought investigators to look at the British sponsoring of the ETA's terror apparatus. On Nov. 11, Eloy Velasco, a Spanish magistrate, officially asked British police "to find and arrest" one of Spain's most controversial "former" terrorists, the ETA's longtime member Inaki de Juana Chaos, after the latter failed to appear at a Spanish court.

De Juana Chaos earned his reputation as one of the ETA's most ruthless members, when he led a unit that carried out a series of shootings and bomb attacks in Madrid in the 1980s. He kept up his notoriety during his 21 years in jail, with flamboyant celebrations when ETA units killed politicians, judges, journalists, and members of the security services.

According to the London Guardian, "De Juana Chaos, who was freed from prison in August after serving sentences for 25 killings, was last reported to be in Belfast," in the British-controlled sector of Northern Ireland. British intelligence control over hard-core IRA terror operations is well documented.

Swiss Vote for Heroin, Against Marijuana

Dec. 1 (EIRNS)—Sixy-eight percent of Swiss voters yesterday approved making permanent a government-authorized heroin addicts' program begun in 1994, and backed by George Soros. At the same time, by 64%, Swiss voters turned down an effort to decriminalize marijuana, and allow people to grow it for their "personal use." The government opposed the marijuana decrim plan, saying that it might provoke "cannabis tourism" from neighboring countries, where it is illegal.

Heroin is administered twice daily by nurses in 23 centers across the country. The New York Times reports that the Swiss program is being looked at as a model for similar programs in Belgium, Germany, Spain, Canada, and Australia.

British Cultural Attack on Italy

Dec. 6 (EIRNS)—A book by British historian Christopher Duggan is causing an uproar in Italy. The book, entitled La Forza del Destino, attempts to demonstrate that Italy's efforts to become a nation have so far failed. Duggan writes, "From the beginning, the Italian nation has been difficult to define and even more difficult to build; and despite efforts by poets, writers, artists, publicists, revolutionaries, soldiers and politicians of various colours, faith in the Italian idea has not had the development wished for by many patriots. On the other hand, it is possible that the insistence through which the project of 'making the Italians' has been pursued until the Second World War has ended up with being counterproductive, helping to erode the belief in national collective values."

While there has been some positive coverage of Duggan's book in the media, others (including some politicians) remind the British that they never understood Italy, which has been a nation for centuries, although not a perfect state.