Giscard allies defend their man as row over hotel mars debate

Date: 21/03/02

By Martin Banks

A WAR of words is continuing to rage over the perks Valéry Giscard d'Estaing is receiving as chairman of the powerful Brussels forum that is planning the reform of the European Union.

Some eurosceptic MEPs have accused the former French president of sending the wrong signal to the public by 'lording' it at the best hotels in Brussels.

But others have accused his critics of trying to 'rubbish' the work of the Convention and say a man of Giscard's stature cannot be expected to 'live under a bridge'.

European Voice has learned that the 76-year-old chairman stayed in a 1,000euro -a-night deluxe suite at the five-star Amigo Hotel for the Convention launch on 28 February.

He is booked into another 1,000 euro-a-night suite at the Conrad Hotel, which boasts 'unparalleled luxury', after the Convention's next meeting today (21 March). It is thought to be his second stay at the hotel in the past month.

Centre-right MEP Chris Heaton-Harris branded the veteran politician a 'hypocrite' for staying in five-star hotels when one of the aims of the Convention is to 'reconnect' the EU with its citizens.

He said: 'I am absolutely amazed he is lording it in luxury hotel suites in Brussels. What sort of message does this send out to ordinary people who can only dream of staying at these sort of places?

'At best, it is bad public relations and, at worst, simply reinforces the view that the Convention is led by an elitist for the elite.'

But Spanish MEP, Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, a member of the Convention praesidium, was scathing of those who, he says, are continually trying to 'discredit' the Convention.

'I have no idea where Giscard is staying and, to be honest, I am not in the least bit interested. I imagine most people feel the same way,' he said.

'People who attack him in this way are not merely eurosceptics, they are europhobics.'

He added: 'Let's remember we are talking here about the Convention's chairman and a former French president, someone who has a huge task before him and who has the right to expect some sort of comfort. He a highly regarded man and has the right to be treated with respect. Surely people don't expect him to live under a bridge, do they?

'If attacking the hotels where Giscard is staying is the best they can do, then we mustn't be doing such a bad job.'

Another praesidium member, UK Socialist Gisella Stuart, also leapt to Giscard's defence, saying: 'I am getting fed up with people having a go at him as a way of rubbishing the work of the Convention. Why can't they be more constructive? I wish they would expand the same energy in being positive about the Convention.'

The recently-refurbished Amigo, which describes itself as the 'best luxury hotel in Brussels' - has rooms overlooking the Grand'Place, the city's best-known landmark, and is adorned with tapestries and expensive paintings.

The fourth-floor, 50 square metre suite in which Giscard stayed boasts a luxury marble bathroom, office and other fineries, including ornate Italian furniture, red silk curtains and king-sized bed.

A source at the hotel, in Rue de l'Amigo, confirmed that Giscard had stayed, adding: 'He seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself'.Giscard - French president for seven years - travels by train from his Paris office to Brussels for meetings of the Convention and the 12-member praesidium steering committee. Until yesterday, he had spent eight days in Brussels on Convention business for which he receives an allowance of around 1,000 euro-per-day from the Community budget.

German-born Giscard's appointment as head of the Convention was marred by reports that he demanded a salary in excess of 20,000 euro per month, plus expenses.

He is also said to have asked for a luxury suite of rooms in a Brussels hotel for a year and for a hand-picked private staff of up to 12 people. The Commission refused to meet his demands in full.

Giscard has denied being greedy:'It is simply that things should be comfortable,' he told Le Monde. His spokesman, Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, said: 'Giscard's living costs in Brussels are met by his daily allowance.'From this he has to pay for accommodation, travel and food.'

A war of words is continuing to rage over the perks Valéry Giscard d'Estaing is receiving as chairman of the Convention on the Future of Europe.