DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 30/07/1998

“We have Europe's most cowardly government when it comes to political leadership on important European issues for the future.” Swedish opposition leader Carl Bildt turning up the heat on the government with two months to go before the country's general election.

“At important moments, our national interests must be represented by the premier. Our actions must be coordinated and only the premier can assure proper coordination.” Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek explaining why he had decided to take personal control of the cabinet body in charge of his country's preparations for EU entry.

“The common decision in favour of the euro will have consequences which have not been fully discussed.” German Social Democrat leader Gerhard Schröder warning of the risk of destabilising flows of migrant workers if the introduction of the single currency zone were not well managed, but insisting his remarks should not be taken as a sign of outright hostility towards economic and monetary union.

“The Commission is not considering the creation of a 'cyberpolice' or any other kind of Europe-wide police force.” Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Anita Gradin insisting that the Commission had no plans to set up a special police force to counter any threat which hackers might pose to the Union's computer networks, but was looking at ways to ensure “efficient public protection”.

“It is impossible to reconcile this action with repeated assurances by the USA that they have no wish to harm the Caribbean.” Statement from the Caribbean Banana Exporters' Association attacking US and Latin American moves against the EU's new banana import rules, claiming that if they were successful, Caribbean producers would be driven out of their traditional European market.

“We must take concrete steps to decrease tension in the Mediterranean area. The cost of this tension is high for both countries.” Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi appealing to Greece and Turkey to ease the tension between them during a visit to Istanbul.