Lisbon Treaty Negotiations Continue and Wind Down.

Not much coverage of the Protests

The leaders are in Lisbon putting little finishing touches to a Treaty to replace Nice II
which the Dutch and French "Scuppered', the last round of negotiations had seen the
Polish and the British Objecting to aspects of the Treaty, Blair was Brown's man in
Europe and was sent back to re-negotiatate.

The 'Lisbon Treaty 'agreed by the EU members seeks to create a new Foreign Policy head
and reduce the cumbersome issue of the rotating presidency, interestingly according to
AFP Tony Blair has been one of the names for mooted a more 'permanent presidential position'.
That being a diplomatic role, he would have to leave off those dinner parties he attends
and those remarks he has made about Islamo-Facsim.

Anyway Socrates is saying the deal is sealed, which is why the Irish and UK got their objections in
early regarding the Justice issues and took the opt-out on file sharing at EU level on such offences
as people trafficking.

UK Indymedia covered the protests:- http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/384109.html
200,000 protested:- the text of the Portugese objections is carried beneath the headline
in the comments section.

The parliaments now must ratify the Treaty which should be interesting in Poland, which
coincidentally today holds a snap election with the current Polish leaders in Portugal
being photographed on the International stage (which will get them a few votes).

Not much Irish Coverage, except the Irish Times which have over a period of many weeks
focussed on the importance of the Treaty to the economy without once discussing the
political Context nor examining the globalised basis of the Merckel presidency negotiations
with the Bush regime of January 2006. The I.T has given coverage on the front page to
Eamon Ryan's -'Accrued Economic Benefits' of the Projected Treaty, to Jose Manuel
Barosso's remarks on the economic benefits of the treaty and to John Gormley, who has
said the Greens (who have rejected every treaty ) will re-visit the issue. Charlie Mc Greevy
too, has appeared rattling his chains and telling us we will be 'Left behind if we do not ratify'

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/84126
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/83218
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/84732

The details are on most of the mainstream outlets and they all include the fact that now the
nitty-gritty of the deal is accomplished National Governments can focus on such issues as
Globalisation.

The Green Party will most likely support the Treaty and have consistently since getting
into power highlighted the accrued benefits of EU membership , specifically in the issues
of Environment. (which is probably why the the Highest Court in the EU will be suing the
State for Heritage destruction).

[This is an opinion and analysis , I have no specific knowledge of the Defence issues
and have been mainly looking at the Globalisation issues in relation to Pharm
and Food Production and how BiLaterals And TransAtlantic Trade deals effect
community and society.]

Jose

Alcobaca Portugal