Pure Hypocrisy!!!
" under intense pressure from Paris and Berlin to complete the ratification as soon as possible. A headline in the Sunday Times said, "Germans seek to oust Czech president Vaclav Klaus over EU treaty", and reported that German and French diplomats, in talks with their Czech counterparts, have explored two ways of removing the 'Klaus obstacle'. "If the president is obstructing the democratic process and opposing the decision of parliament as well as the will of the people, he is moving beyond the law andwill need to face theconsequences," a German diplomat said."
France and Germany threaten to oust Klaus over delays to Lisbon Treaty
Klaus will not be satisfied by 'Irish-style guarantees' on Charter of Fundamental Rights
The Weekend FT reported that Czech President Vaclav Klaus has explained that he is seeking an opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights before ratifying the Lisbon Treaty due to concerns that Sudeten Germans may use it to make claims over property rights. He said, "It [the Treaty] endangers the legal status of the citizens and the stability of property rights in our country."
The Irish Times notes that an aide to Klaus, Ladislav Jakl, has said that Klaus would not be satisfied with the type of 'guarantees' offered to Ireland before its second referendum. The aide said, "This [Irish way] seems to me as an absolutely impossible way forward. The president will not be satisfied by any declaration, but only guarantees for every citizen. For him, this condition is fundamental, necessary, unbreachable."
The Times quotes Jakl saying, "If the Czech Republic does not get the opt-out, the President will not ratify." However, Gazeta Wyborcza reports that Jakl said President Klaus would not sign the Treaty, even if the Constitutional Court rejects all of the complaints. Der Spiegelnotes that European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek has said that any opt-out would have to be approved by all 26 other member states.
Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet reports that President Klaus is angry with Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt and the Swedish Presidency, accusing Reinfeldt of having broken an agreement to keep secret a phone conversation they had last week. According to the paper, Klaus wanted to wait to announce his plans until the Czech Constitutional Court gave its verdict on the current challenge, but Reinfeldt prematurely revealed his plan.
The Times notes that the Czech Cabinet is meeting in emergency session today to consider how to persuade Klaus to sign the Treaty - under intense pressure from Paris and Berlin to complete the ratification as soon as possible. A headline in the Sunday Times said, "Germans seek to oust Czech president Vaclav Klaus over EU treaty", and reported that German and French diplomats, in talks with their Czech counterparts, have explored two ways of removing the 'Klaus obstacle'. "If the president is obstructing the democratic process and opposing the decision of parliament as well as the will of the people, he is moving beyond the law and will need to face the consequences," a German diplomat said.
The Times notes that Czech constitutional experts set out several options before today's Cabinet meeting in Prague. The government could ask the Constitutional Court to decide whether the President has the power to submit demands. It could also propose that parliament change the provision in the constitution that stipulates who signs international treaties. It could also ask parliament to state that President Klaus is no longer competent to exercise the post of President.
Meanwhile, Polish President Lech Kaczynski completed his ratification of the Treaty, signing it on Saturday.
Sunday Times Irish Times BBC: Hewitt blog EUobserver EurActiv European Voice BBCTimes WSJ Guardian Independent Times 2 Weekend FT Le Figaro El Mundo Spiegel Gazeta Wyborcza Sueddeutsche NZZ Der Standard Klaus' Statement SVD FAZ Focus Welt SpiegelSueddeutsche NZZ Der Standard Gazeta Wyborcza
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