DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 04/01/1996

“Some in Europe do not hide their fear of seeing it increasingly dominated by Federal Germany. Others arouse this anxiety to encourage the failure of European construction, to which they are hostile. Helmut Kohl knows all that and that is why he constantly repeats that he wants a European Germany and not a German Europe.”

Former Commission President Jacques Delors speaking at the presentation of the European of the Year Award for 1995 to Chancellor Kohl.

“We must make 1996 a year of relentless battle against the destructive forces that seek to wreck our European Union. It is time to take the Eurosceptics head on.”

Pauline Green, leader of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, in her New Year message to group members and staff.

“Right now, Europe is a disappointment and I say that as a committed European ... Europe is at an impasse. There are not enough European leaders who are capable of dealing with the circumstances. Europe's Franco-German engine seems to have seized.”

Portuguese President Mario Soares in an interview to mark the 10th anniversary of his country's entry into the EU.

“I expect that England will participate in the currency union at the beginning or shortly thereafter.”

German Finance Minister Theo Waigel speaking in the wake of arguments over the UK's eligibility for EMU while it remains outside the Exchange Rate Mechanism.

“I cannot imagine a currency union without France or without Germany ... We have to assume that France has the serious will and the ability to create the conditions for taking part.”

German Bundesbank President Hans Tietmeyer insisting that France was a “core country” for European integration.

“It is President Jacques Chirac's sad Christmas gift to humanity.”

Environmental lobbyists Greenpeace commenting on the French government's decision to stage a fifth nuclear test in the South Pacific on 28 December.

“I have no feeling of failure.”

Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez speaking after announcing his decision to call an early general election in Spain on 3 March.