EU DICTATOR (WORLD LEADER)
REVELATION 17:12-13
12 And the ten horns (NATIONS) which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.(SOCIALISM)
13 These have one mind,(SOCIALISM) and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
REVELATION 6:1-2
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse:(PEACE) and he that sat on him had a bow;(EU DICTATOR) and a crown was given unto him:(PRESIDENT OF THE EU) and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.(MILITARY GENIUS)
REVELATION 13:1-10
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.(THE EU AND ITS DICTATOR IS GODLESS)
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.(DICTATOR COMES FROM NEW AGE OR OCCULT)
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death;(MURDERERD) and his deadly wound was healed:(COMES BACK TO LIFE) and all the world wondered after the beast.(THE WORLD THINKS ITS GOD IN THE FLESH, MESSIAH TO ISRAEL)
4 And they worshipped the dragon (SATAN) which gave power unto the beast:(JEWISH EU DICTATOR) and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?(FALSE RESURRECTION,SATAN BRINGS HIM TO LIFE)
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.(GIVEN WORLD CONTROL FOR 3 1/2YRS)
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God,(HES A GOD HATER) to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.(HES A LIBERAL OR DEMOCRAT,WILL PUT ANYTHING ABOUT GOD DOWN)
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints,(BEHEAD THEM) and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.(WORLD DOMINATION)
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.(WORLD DICTATOR)
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.(SAVED CHRISTIANS AND JEWS DIE FOR THEIR FAITH AT THIS TIME,NOW WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE BUT DURING THE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH, PEOPLE WILL BE PUT TO DEATH (BEHEADINGS) FOR THEIR BELIEF IN GOD (JESUS) OR THE BIBLE.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come (ROMANS IN AD 70) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMANS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he( EU ROMAN, JEWISH DICTATOR) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:( 7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,( 3 1/2 YRS) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
We shall have World Government, whether or not we like it. The only question is whether World Government will be achieved by conquest or consent.James Paul Warburg appearing before the Senate on 7th February 1950
Like a famous WWII Belgian General,Paul Henry Spock said in 1957:We need no commission, we have already too many. What we need is a man who is great enough to be able to keep all the people in subjection to himself and to lift us out of the economic bog into which we threaten to sink. Send us such a man. Be he a god or a devil, we will accept him.And today, sadly, the world is indeed ready for such a man.
THE WORLD DICTATOR
REVELATION 6:1-2,13:1-3,7-9,16
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.(THIS IS THE EU DICTATOR)
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.(7 HEADS ARE THE 7TH WORLD EMPIRE IN HISTORY (THE EU) AS WELL AS THE VATICAN WHICH IS BUILT ON 7 HILLS. 10 HORNS ARE 10 KINGS THAT ARISE FROM THE EU, THEN #11 COMES ON THE SCENE BECOMES THE HEAD OF 3 OUNTRIES AND THEN THE EU DICTATOR, COMES FROM 1 OF THE 3 COUNTRIES THAT RULE FOR THIS TERM. I BELIEVE THE 3 COUNTRIES RULING AT THE TIME ARE SPAIN AND 2 OF THE ORIGINAL 6 THAT STARTED THE EU. FROM 1 OF THESE 3 COUNTRIES COME THE FUTURE EU DICTATOR PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION WHO GUARENTEES ISRAELS SECURITY FOR A LAND FOR PEACE 7 YEAR TREATY.
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.(THE JEWISH EU DICTATOR GETS HIS POWER FROM SATAN,HE COMES FROM THE OCCULT).
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.(THE DICTATOR HAS A FALSE RESURRECTION. JUST LIKE JESUS HAD A LITERAL RESURRECTION THIS DICTATOR GETS MURDERED AT THE 3 1/2 YR MARK OF THR 7 YEAR TREATY AND COMES BACK TO LIFE. THIS IS HOW HE CAN CLAIM TO BE GOD AND GET AWAY WITH IT AND CONTROL THE WHOLE EARTH.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
16 And he causeth all,(WORLD SOCIALISM) both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
DANIEL 11:36-40
36 And the king shall do according to his will;(EU PRESIDENT) and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS A EUROPEAN JEW) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(HES A MILITARY GINIUS) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds (CONTROL HEZBOLLAH,AL-QUAIDA MURDERERS ETC) with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain.
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south(EGYPT) push at him:(EU DICTATOR PROTECTING ISRAELS SECURITY) and the king of the north(RUSSIA) shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
We shall have World Government, whether or not we like it. The only question is whether World Government will be achieved by conquest or consent.James Paul Warburg appearing before the Senate on 7th February 1950
Like a famous WWII Belgian General,Paul Henry Spock said in 1957:We need no commission, we have already too many. What we need is a man who is great enough to be able to keep all the people in subjection to himself and to lift us out of the economic bog into which we threaten to sink. Send us such a man. Be he a god or a devil, we will accept him.And today, sadly, the world is indeed ready for such a man.
EUROPEAN UNION ARMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytWmPqY8TE0&feature=player_embedded
DANIEL 7:23-25
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.( BE HEAD OF 3 NATIONS)
25 And he (EU PRESIDENT) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.(3 1/2 YRS)
DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.
DANIEL 11:36-39
36 And the king (EU DICTATOR) shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS JEWISH) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.(CLAIM TO BE GOD)
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(WAR) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god,(DESTROY TERROR GROUPS) whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain.
REVELATION 19:19
19 And I saw the beast,(EU LEADER) and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse,(JESUS) and against his army.(THE RAPTURED CHRISTIANS)
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADE BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
EU foreign ministers approve diplomatic service
HONOR MAHONY Today JULY 27,10 @ 09:20 CET
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU foreign ministers on Monday (26 July) gave the nod to the overall structure of the Union's new diplomatic service, paving the way for chief of diplomacy Catherine Ashton to begin making appointments to the service that will employ thousands.It is historic to be able to witness the birth, at least at the decision level, of a European diplomacy, Belgian foreign minister Steven Vanackere, whose country holds the EU rotating presidency, said following the meeting.Due to be on its feet by 1 December, the service will see Ms Ashton backed up by a secretary general - likely to be France's ambassador to the US Pierre Vimont - as well as two deputy secretaries general.Monday's decision puts to rest a lengthy period of infighting between the EU institutions on the exact balance of power within the diplomatic service but opens the door to a power struggle between member states about who should land which posts within the service.Ms Ashton is soon expected to announce a series of names for the heads of EU embassies abroad - including to prestigious countries such as China and Brazil. But appointments to key internal posts, such as the secretary general job, can only be made once the European Parliament has agreed new staffing rules, a move expected towards the end of September.Writing in Tuesday's Wall Street Journal, Ms Ashton said the new European External Action Service, despite its ungainly name, has a bold and simple purpose: to give the EU a stronger voice around the world, and greater impact on the ground.
With the fight to have the service established largely over, the focus is now likely set on the extent to which member states, several of whom jealously guard their foreign policy prerogatives, will allow a coherent foreign policy to thrive.Big countries have been keen to stress the service will not impinge on their foreign policy sovereignty, a point illustrated by the extent to which they are prepared to consider closing their own embassies in certain countries and use the EU embassy.
According to France's Europe minister, Pierre Lellouche, some countries may consider saving money through using EU embassy facilities but this should not be the case for France.I am the secretary of state, and I do not speak for France [but] I think it is desirable that France continues to maintain a global network. It is one of the few countries to do so, he said, according to Le Monde.Ms Ashton alluded to the difficulties in the article: Our aim is to do foreign policy in a modern way, differently and better. Not to compete with or duplicate what our member states are doing, but to add value and play to our strength of acting as a union.Drawing staff from the European Commission, the member states' council secretariat in Brussels and national diplomats, the service is expected to have around 6,000 personnel once it is fully up and running, expected to take another two or three years.
Critics slams Europe's rescue mechanisms as a threat to social peace
ANDREW WILLIS 26.07.2010 @ 09:11 CET
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – A member of a German quintet of professors that is currently challenging the legality of Europe's recently-devised support measures has said they threaten to create enormous tensions between EU citizens if allowed to stand. In a telephone interview with EUobserver on Thursday (22 July), Wilhelm Nolling, professor of economics at the University of Hamburg, said the idea that Greece would be able to pay back its loans to EU states was simply ridiculous, given the country's level of indebtedness and lack of competitiveness.As a result, EU citizens in lender countries would increasingly begin to question the merits of this implicit system of wealth redistribution, he predicted. A transfer union will destroy the social peace in Europe,he said.Do you think the Germans will be able to keep quiet?
The group of German economists recently extended their legal case in Germany's constitutional court against the EU-IMF €110 billion bail-out for Greece to include the eurozone's €440 billion support mechanism and the ECB's sovereign bond purchases, the latter two announced in the early hours of 10 May. Their complaint is that they breach the EU's no-bailout clause, a ban on fiscal transfers between richer and poorer member states that many Germans feared would be inevitable when giving up the Deutsche Mark in 1999. In addition, Mr Nolling is amongst those that believe that the various support measures have bought nothing but limited time to a eurozone system that is inherently flawed.If you start with a makeshift operation you will never get to the real cause of the malaise. That cause is that a currency area of this size needs converging economies but the opposite has happened.Writing in a blog on this webiste back in February, Edin Mujagic, a monetary economist at Tilburg University, also noted these divergences had increased over the eurozone's 11-year history.Whether you take a closer look at unit labour costs, unemployment, welfare, productivity, fiscal deficits, debt and so on, the differences have increased since 1999,he wrote.
A smaller euro area?
Europe's politicians are rapidly striving to reduce these differences by devising a system of macro-economic indicators that member states would be forced to comply with.A recent European Commission paper suggested financial sanctions should be applied to states that fail to meet the grade, a system similar to the bloc's theoretical rules on debt and deficit limits.Some, however, fear this is merely too little too late, arguing that the eurozone's forefathers were blinded to the inherent economic impossibility of the project by political motivations.We need to form a new heart of the euro, France, Germany, Finland, Austria and the Netherlands, offered Mr Nolling as the only solution to overcoming divergences without using the forbidden system of fiscal transfers.All the other states should be given their freedom back. That would give them a real opportunity to increase their competitiveness through currency devaluations.It is currently impossible for them when they are 30 percent out of line. Salaries and cost structures are way out of line.At present, no one is sure when the German constitutional court will come to its decision, but a rejection by the powerful group of judges is likely to have explosive consequences.I expect the decision before the winter starts,predicted Mr Nolling. I want the court to tell the German government to stop giving money away.
Greece back under EU-IMF microscope as Asian stocks rise-EU officials arrive in Athens Monday to assess Greece's performance so far (Photo: John D. Carnessiotis, Athens, Greece)LEIGH PHILLIPS 26.07.2010 @ 09:31 CET
Asian stocks have risen on the back of easing of fears over European bank stress test results were revealed on Friday.In a filip of optimism, Japan's Nkkei 225 Stock Average had climbed 0.9 percent as of early afternoon in Tokyo, according to market reports, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index was up 0.5 percent and New Zealand's NZX 50 had gained 0.4 percent. The MSCI Asia Pacific index had risen 0.3 percent.As the results of the stress tests of European banks, which revealed just seven out of 91 had failed, were issued late Friday in Europe, this was the first chance for Asian markets to assess the fall-out.European authorities had however decided not to subject the banks to the test of seeing what would happen to them in the event of a debt default by Greece, a move that was widely criticised given that such an event is within the realm of possibility.Meanwhile on Monday (26 July), officials from the EU, IMF and European Central Bank arrive in Athens to investigate the implementation of the governing centre-left Pasok's austerity measures before a second, €9 billion tranche of eurozone-IMF bail-out agreed in May can be disbursed.Initial indications from the so-called troika, as the trio of fiscal overseers is referred to in Greece, have been approving.On the weekend, finance minister George Papaconstantinou said he expected no delays to delivery of the second tranche in September as the government had gone further than what was required with its harsh pension cuts.However, an IMF report from earlier this month noted concerns over budget gaps in public healthcare, social security, public transport and municipal governments - the very core of Greece's welfare system, already one of the weakest in western Europe.The fund suggested that Athens ratchet up its programme of privatisation and focus on setting loose government corporations. Railways and bus firms are potential targets, while the troika will also likely push for liberalisation of certain trades, including architects, notaries and lorry-drivers, according to media reports.Brussels for its part wants to see a quick and tidy deregulation of the energy sector, in line with existing EU legislation.However, eyes will also be on the country's labour movement and widespread popular resistance to the cuts. Already imposed austerity measures have produced a series of general strikes and a riot that cost the lives of three bank workers.
Seven banks fail to make the stress test grade-The Royal Bank of Scotland was among the banks to pass with flying colours (Photo: Wikipedia)ANDREW WILLIS
23.07.2010 @ 20:34 CET
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Seven European banks have failed the region's stress tests, designed to assess their ability to withstand a series of worst-case scenarios such as another recession. EU policymakers will now be hoping that the news brings an end investor doubts in the sector, after Friday evening's (23 July) publication of the test results showed the vast majority of banks to have passed with flying colours.We support ... the transparency of this exercise, given the specific market circumstances under which banks currently operate, the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission said in a joint statement. One German bank (Hypo Real Estate), five Spanish lenders (Unnim, Cajasur, Diada, Espiga, Banca Civica), and one Greek bank (ATEbank) failed the test.Banks whose Tier 1 capital ratio, the main buffer used to protect against losses, fell below six percent were deemed to have failed, although authorities stressed that four percent is the current regulatory minimum. The results are broadly in line with market expectations, with most analysts predicting failures in the five to 10 range. The seven firms will now need to raise roughly €3.5 billion in additional capital between them.Where the results of the exercise indicate that individual banks require additional capital, these banks should take the necessary steps to reinforce their capital positions through private-sector means and by resorting, if necessary, to facilities set up by member state governments, said the CEBS, ECB, commission statement. None of Europe's major banks failed the tests which were conducted by CEBS on 91 firms in order to asses their ability to deal with another recession or losses on eurozone sovereign bonds.A haircut of 23.1 percent was applied to Greek debt, slightly higher than the 17 percent that had earlier been predicted. Spanish bonds were marked down by 12.3 percent, and German bonds by 4.7 percent.
Doubts remain
Doubts remain however, with some analysts prior to Friday's publication saying a 50 percent markdown on Greek bonds would be more appropriate.I see nothing stressful about this test. It's like sending the banks away for a weekend of R&R,said Stephen Pope, chief global equity strategist at Cantor, reported various media.Other analysts were critical of the fact that sovereign debt haircuts were only applied to bonds set aside for trading, and not those being held until maturity.Stock markets in the US fluctuated as investors digested the news. Europe's markets were all closed when data were released.Centre-right MEP Jean-Paul Gauzès, a key-player in European efforts to overhaul its finance sector, welcomed the results, but cautioned that legislative reform must continue.These good results should not bring us to disregard the implementation of norms, in particular as regards banks' own capital requirements,he said.
Iceland membership talks formally begin Tuesday
HONOR MAHONY 26.07.2010 @ 17:41 CET
At their last meeting before the summer break, EU foreign ministers on Monday (26 July) gave the greenlight for the start of negotiations on Iceland's membership bid.
Talks will formally begin on Tuesday. The small north Atlantic island, with a population of just 320,000, has aligned itself with many EU laws and is seen as fitting snugly with the slightly more ineffable European 'norms', but negotiations on a few key issues - such as fishing rights and its traditional whale hunting - are expected to be difficult.Iceland, whose fishing policies have largely been a success in terms of sustainability, is keen to see that its rich fishing waters are not over-fished by EU member states. The EU's common fisheries policy has led to the severe depletion of stocks in western Europe. Efforts will have to be made by Iceland, Belgian foreign minister Steven Vanackere said after chairing the meeting in Brussels.Think of environment, think of whale hunting.In addition, the UK and the Netherlands have linked actual membership with resolution of a dispute over the €3.8 billion in British and Dutch savings, lost in the banking crisis that consumed the nation in 2008.After the Icelandic Icesave internet bank collapsed two years ago, depositers in the UK and the Netherlands were compensated by their governments. The Hague and London now are demanding Reykjavik pay them back.It's clear that all the chapters need to be discussed ... When the last chapter isn't resolved, nothing is resolved, said Mr Vanackere, when specifically asked about whether the Icesave issue could stymie talks.
Icelanders themselves in a recent referendum rejected a payout plan that would have cost each household tens of thousands of euros. The disagreement has soured the population's sentiment towards the EU. Immediately after the crisis, a majority of Icelanders looked to the EU as a solution to their problems, but the bitter fight with London and the Hague has slashed support for EU membership on the island.In addition to potential controversial policy issues, there is also the increasingly negative opinion of Icelanders towards EU membership.I don't have the impression from the opinion polls that the Icelanders themselves are very favourable: that's the problem, said France's EU Minister Pierre Lellouche.Popular opinions have to be taken on board, and you have to communicate the value [of becoming an EU member], said Mr Vanackere. A June poll showed that public opposition to joining the EU has risen to 60 percent. In November last year, it was 54 percent.The negotiation process is expected to take up to 18 months. EU legislation covers 35 different areas, known as chapters, ranging from the justice and home affairs to environment, energy, social and transport policy. Through its membership of the European Free Trade Association and the Schengen border-free zone, many of Iceland's laws already comply with those of the EU.Croatia and Turkey have also opened membership negotiations with the EU. Zagreb is expected to conclude talks in 2011 while Ankara's talks are proceeding much more slowly.
EU commission called upon to go after corrupt defence deals
VALENTINA POP 26.07.2010 @ 09:14 CET
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – MEPs and defence experts are calling on the EU commission to go after market-distorting, corrupt side-deals to big weapon deals between member states, such as the ones greasing Germany's submarine sales to Portugal and Greece.
As EU officials are packing their holiday suitcases in Brussels, prosecutors in Germany, Portugal and Greece are on to a hot summer, tracing the complex trails of bribes and side-contracts to the German submarines each of the southern countries signed up for at a price of over €1billion.The EU hypocrisy of allowing Greek and Portuguese governments allocate huge parts of their budget for questionable defence purchases, while they are being pressed for austerity measures to cap their deficit, already made headlines such as The submarine deals that helped sink Greece in the Wall Street Journal earlier this month.What's striking about Greece and Portugal is the inappropriateness of these purchases,Nick Witney, a defence expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations, a London-based think tank, told EUobserver.It makes no sense at all to urge austerity and at the same time encourage them to buy weapons. But where there's a nexus of security, secrecy and lack of competition, there is always an open field for corruption, he noted.Munich-based investigators in March opened a case against the German engineering group Ferrostaal, suspected of paying bribes to secure defence contracts in Portugal and Greece and of organizing bribery payments on behalf of other firms for a fee. The investigation has meanwhile spread to Portugal and Greece, and touches on former party colleagues of EU commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, who was prime minister at the time the contract was signed. Mr Barroso has denied any involvement in the alleged bribery scheme and says he had nothing to do with the negotiation of the contract, which was the responsibility of the defence minister.
Along with the acquisition per se came offset contracts to the tune of €1billion, meaning direct foreign investments from Germany and business opportunities to Portuguese companies on the German market.Under EU law, offsets are forbidden, except for the defence sector, where member states invoke a national security exemption. As it turns out, a lot of these offsets were actually existing investments. Seven Portuguese executives and three Ferrostaal representatives have already been indicted. According to the public prosecutor's office, the Portuguese state was mislead in these deals and suffered damages of at least €34 million.
According to estimates by the European Defence Agency, 25 percent of the offsets in Europe are non-military and have no direct connection with the purchase.These contracts totally violate the EU's internal market competition rules, Portuguese Socialist MEP Ana Gomes told this website.They are contracts negotiated among companies with government favouring and in total disregard of the competition rules. There are plenty of reasons why the European Commission should investigate, and make it an exemplary case to deter such behaviour from now on from any member state.So far, the commission has turned a blind eye to the non-military contracts occurring alongside large defence procurements.A new defence procurement directive which needs to be transposed into national legislation by August 2011 is set to shed more light into the way such deals are done and restrict the areas in which governments can invoke the national security exemption to internal market rules.Member states will need to prove that the offsets are necessary for the protection of security interests and not distort competition on non-military markets.During his hearings as internal market commissioner, Michel Barnier said the defence offsets bring about discriminations which contradict the [EU] treaty. While acknowledging the traditions and sensibilities, he said these procedures had to be put to an end.
But to Ms Gomes, the commission is missing an opportunity to expose a very corrupt business that involves Portuguese, German companies, government officials and military people.In a time of budget austerity and market jitters, the two submarines acquired by Portugal account for about 40 percent of its defence spending until 2023. We don't have money to equip properly our military and security forces, we are wasting this money in a very corrupt business and violating competition, Ms Gomes points out.
Voluntary code of conduct
A voluntary code of conduct adopted by all member states except Romania last year meanwhile puts some limits on offsets, such as for the value of these contracts not to surpass 100 percent of that of the actual purchase.Apart from being voluntary, the code has also come under fire for lacking any reference to corruption, despite the fact that the defence sector is one of the most prone to this phenomenon, according to Transparency International.We would have hoped EU agencies required high standards, but this is not the case, Mark Pyman, the watchdog's defence expert told this website.He also said that market-distorting deals ranging from refrigerator factories to advertising companies are clearly a question of internal market for the EU commission to investigate.We need clear guidance how governments conduct and audit offsets and an EU framework putting transparency at the core,he concluded.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS3H6Cakwpw&feature=player_embedded
