NewsMine — cabal-elite — european-union — constitution — Viewing Item

EU constitution defeat would be serious Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=acK9J.PZph00&refer=top_world_news http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=acK9J.PZph00&refer=top_world_news Blair Says EU Constitution Defeat Would Be `Serious' (Update2) April 22 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair said losing a referendum on the European Union's proposed constitution would be ``serious'' for him and his government. Blair this week reversed his position to pledge that Britain will hold a referendum on whether to back an EU constitution, gambling on his ability to bring around voters who are skeptical about closer European integration. ``It would certainly be serious to lose it, it would be serious for the government and the prime minister,'' Blair said at a monthly press conference in London. Asked whether a defeat would force him to quit, he said, ``I'm not going to speculate.'' The EU ballot will be Britain's first national referendum since 1975, when voters endorsed EU membership. A rejection could derail the constitution, which European leaders including Blair say the 15-nation bloc needs to function after it adds 10 new countries on May 1. ``Europe doesn't work anywhere near effectively enough at the moment,'' Blair said. Euro Debate Britain's debate over the constitution is overshadowing Blair's drive to adopt the single European currency. Ministers last year ruled out euro membership, saying the economic case wasn't made. Blair today signalled that hasn't changed. ``You cannot at this time make a compelling economic case for Britain to go into the euro,'' he said, adding he still believes the U.K. should join ``if the economics are right.'' Polls indicate most British voters don't want either the constitution or the euro. Blair said that shows ``we haven't succeeded in the argument'' for the treaty and closer European ties. Still, ``if you believe in Britain's central place in Europe, it's time to make that argument,'' he said. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw earlier today said the government won't rule out a second vote on the EU treaty should voters reject the treaty in the first vote. British officials have suggested that in the event of a ``no' vote, the U.K. would follow Ireland's example. Irish voters in 2001 rejected the EU's Nice Treaty, so the government held a second vote the next year, when the accord was endorsed. Blair signaled a ``no'' vote in the first ballot would be final. ``If the British people vote `no' in a referendum, their verdict is what counts,'' he said. ``If the British people vote no, they vote no. You can't then start bringing it back until they vote yes. I don't intend to lose the referendum.'' Later, he added: ``If there is a `no' vote, you'd have to go back to the European council and discuss it -- you can't tell what would happen in those circumstances.''

Agreement near on eu constitution { June 13 2003 } Blair u turn on eu constitution Chirac begs french to accept eu treaty Constitution deadlock plunges eu summit into gloom EU adopts constitution Eu constitution convention signs final draft { July 10 2003 } EU constitution defeat would be serious Eu constitution unveiled Eu constitution { October 28 2002 } Eu president planned Eu president European leaders sign EU constitution European parliament approves new EU constitution { January 12 2005 } Expanded eu Fight over strengh of EU post French socialists back eu treaty Germany to punish spain poland blocking eu constitution Luxembourg prime minister warns of eu crisis Luxembourg voters back treaty after france rejection { July 11 2005 } Poles clear path for deal on eu constitution { March 19 2004 } Queen fears blair support eu constitution Files Listed: 21

Correction/submissions

CIA FOIA Archive

National Security Archives

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information, go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purpose of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.