I hope that the population of Ireland will reject this treaty
Redemanuskript der Veranstaltung der Campaign Against EU Connstitution in Dublin, 29.5., Liberty Hall
Dear friends, first let me thank you for the opportunity to be here and to contribute to your efforts regarding the so called Treaty of Lisbon also named Reform Treaty.
UNDEMOCRATIC
This Treaty is a striking symbol for the undemocratic way the European Union works. Its forerunner was the European Constitution which had been rejected by the population of France and the Netherlands in the year 2005. Notwithstanding this clear rejection, all relevant aspects of the constitution have made its way into the Treaty of Lisbon. Former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern openly confirms that 90% have remained unchanged.
The Reform Treaty was concluded behind closed doors in the summer and finally signed in December 2007 while the European public had absolutely no say in this process. The population of France and the Netherlands will not be allowed to vote No against this treaty again, this time, no referendum will take place in both countries and the opinion of the population will be ignored. Likewise, we in Germany as well as in all other Member States are not allowed to voice our opinion about this Treaty - this is a perfect example for democracy, European style.
So Ireland will be the only country in the European Union where a referendum will take place. Therefore it is in my special interest to emphasize that all progressive people in Europe that are interested in a democratic and peaceful European Union are looking forward to the referendum 12th of June, hoping that the population of Ireland will forcefully reject this treaty. Because when ratified, this treaty will fundamentally alter the way the European Union works, especially in the area of the so called Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) which will then become even more aggressive and militaristic.
MILITARISM VIA TREATY
Over the last several years, the European Union embarked on a process of rapid militarization. The first major step in this context was the decision in 1999 to create a rapid reaction force of up to 60.000 soldiers in the field. Meanwhile, this army has been declared combat-ready. In addition to those troops, in 2004, the decision was taken to build up so called Battle Groups, highly flexible units consisting of 1500 soldiers each. These troops can explicitly be used for combat missions without a mandate from the United Nations Security Council.
The first of the 22 planned Battle Groups has been declared operational in 2007. Ireland, for example, despite its neutrality, contributes forces to the Nordic Battle Group which is on standby since January 1st, 2008. So, the militarization of the European Union is already proceeding with "lightning speed" (Javier Solana). Up to now, more than 20 such missions have taken place, most recently in Chad, Guinea-Bissau and in Kosovo.
But the militarization of the European Union will gain another great boost with the Treaty of Lisbon. As mentioned, all the military aspects already previously criticised in the European Constitution made their way into the Reform Treaty.
1) World-wide EU combat missions with an almost unlimited range of tasks
A first point to criticise is that the Treaty of Lisbon will substantially enlarge the range of possible military missions of the European Union. nArticle 43 (1) names among others "joint disarmament operations", "tasks of combat forces in crisis management" and "post-conflict stabilisation" as well as "supporting third countries in combating terrorism in their countries" as tasks for future wars of the European Union.
In order to conduct these wars, the Reform Treaty details the tasks of the Battle Groups in Protocol 10 (1b) where they are defined as units "either at national level or as a component of multinational force groups, targeted combat units for the missions planned, structured at a tactical level as a battle group, with support elements including transport and logistics, capable of carrying out the tasks referred to in Article 43 of the Treaty on European Union, within a period of five to 30 days…"
2) Solidarity Clause: Europe as a military alliance acting within its territory
Furthermore, with article 222 (1), the Treaty introduces a so called Solidarity Clause, obliging all member states to come to the assistance of any member state subject to a terrorist threat or attack by all means necessary, including military ones. With this solidarity clause, the European Union is turning into a military alliance. This has serious implications for Ireland's neutrality. Furthermore, the solidarity clause for the first time opens the door for using the military within the territory of the European Union.
3) Collaborating with NATO: de-neutralizing the neutrals
The preamble of Protocol 10 calls for a more assertive role of the European Union in security and defence matters in order to "contribute to the vitality of a renewed Atlantic Alliance." Moreover, the following Protocol 11 obligates the Member States not to act contrary to NATO's security policy. But NATO is a military alliance. "Vitalizing" its work is also violating Ireland's neutrality.
4) Armament obligation by Treaty and start-up fund
It is also very problematic, that the Treaty of Lisbon intends to heavily increase the armament expenditures of the Member States. Article 42 (3) contains the - up to now inconceivable - obligation to invest more money in the armament sector: "Member states shall undertake progressively to improve their military capabilities." The European Defence Agency, which was established in 2004, is tasked by the Treaty of Lisbon to supervise the observance for this instruction.
Furthermore, the currently valid Treaty of Nice prohibits the institution of an EU military budget. This has up to now proved to be a considerable impediment for Europe’s militarists. Therefore, the Reform Treaty (Article 41) for the first time opens the door to establishing a defence budget, called "start-up fund". The European Parliament will have no budget authority over this start-up fund.
5) No parliamentary or juridical control option of EU interventions
This is one of the golden principles of the European Union, namely that the European Parliament has no say regarding the question of war and peace. Only the heads of state and government can decide to undertake EU combat missions. The Reform Treaty concedes the European Parliament only the right to be „heard“ and „briefed“ (Article 36). Since the European Court of Justice (Article 275) also has no influence in this area, the separation of powers in this area is de facto eliminated.
6) Power Shift from the smaller to the stronger states
One further aspect which is especially important for smaller Member States like Ireland is that the Treaty of Lisbon will dramatically change the distribution of power within the European Union in favour of the big countries. It will allow to build some sort of a core Europe in the area of military policy by enabling states to establish a so called Permanent Structured Cooperation.
As unanimity is restricted to the participating countries, the consensus principle in the area of military policy can be leveraged out. As Protocol 10 clarifies that only those Member States that are participating in the main European equipment programmes and contributing Battle Groups to combat missions are allowed to enter this exclusive club, countries, unwilling to pursue these policies could end up being completely sidelined in the most parts of the European security policy.
Additionally, the Reform Treaty will change the voting counts in the most important EU body, the Council of the Heads of State and Government. When the treaty is ratified, Germany will nearly double its share of vote in the Council from 8,4% to 16,73% (the other winners will be France, Great Britain and Italy) while all other states will significantly loose influence.
CONCLUSION
Finally, the Treaty unmistakably states, that European law takes priority over national law.
Declaration 17 says that "the Treaties and the law adopted by the Union on the basis of the Treaties have primacy over the law of Member States." So, whether they like it nor not, when ratified, all Member States are obliged to adhere to the militaristic program laid out by the Treaty of Lisbon.
Therefore, I cannot overemphasize how important the referendum on the 12th of June is. Not only for Ireland and the future of its neutrality. But also for the whole continent and the prospects for a peaceful and democratic European Union.
So, I hope that the population of Ireland will reject this treaty!
Dear friends, first let me thank you for the opportunity to be here and to contribute to your efforts regarding the so called Treaty of Lisbon also named Reform Treaty.
UNDEMOCRATIC
This Treaty is a striking symbol for the undemocratic way the European Union works. Its forerunner was the European Constitution which had been rejected by the population of France and the Netherlands in the year 2005. Notwithstanding this clear rejection, all relevant aspects of the constitution have made its way into the Treaty of Lisbon. Former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern openly confirms that 90% have remained unchanged.
The Reform Treaty was concluded behind closed doors in the summer and finally signed in December 2007 while the European public had absolutely no say in this process. The population of France and the Netherlands will not be allowed to vote No against this treaty again, this time, no referendum will take place in both countries and the opinion of the population will be ignored. Likewise, we in Germany as well as in all other Member States are not allowed to voice our opinion about this Treaty - this is a perfect example for democracy, European style.
So Ireland will be the only country in the European Union where a referendum will take place. Therefore it is in my special interest to emphasize that all progressive people in Europe that are interested in a democratic and peaceful European Union are looking forward to the referendum 12th of June, hoping that the population of Ireland will forcefully reject this treaty. Because when ratified, this treaty will fundamentally alter the way the European Union works, especially in the area of the so called Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) which will then become even more aggressive and militaristic.
MILITARISM VIA TREATY
Over the last several years, the European Union embarked on a process of rapid militarization. The first major step in this context was the decision in 1999 to create a rapid reaction force of up to 60.000 soldiers in the field. Meanwhile, this army has been declared combat-ready. In addition to those troops, in 2004, the decision was taken to build up so called Battle Groups, highly flexible units consisting of 1500 soldiers each. These troops can explicitly be used for combat missions without a mandate from the United Nations Security Council.
The first of the 22 planned Battle Groups has been declared operational in 2007. Ireland, for example, despite its neutrality, contributes forces to the Nordic Battle Group which is on standby since January 1st, 2008. So, the militarization of the European Union is already proceeding with "lightning speed" (Javier Solana). Up to now, more than 20 such missions have taken place, most recently in Chad, Guinea-Bissau and in Kosovo.
But the militarization of the European Union will gain another great boost with the Treaty of Lisbon. As mentioned, all the military aspects already previously criticised in the European Constitution made their way into the Reform Treaty.
1) World-wide EU combat missions with an almost unlimited range of tasks
A first point to criticise is that the Treaty of Lisbon will substantially enlarge the range of possible military missions of the European Union. nArticle 43 (1) names among others "joint disarmament operations", "tasks of combat forces in crisis management" and "post-conflict stabilisation" as well as "supporting third countries in combating terrorism in their countries" as tasks for future wars of the European Union.
In order to conduct these wars, the Reform Treaty details the tasks of the Battle Groups in Protocol 10 (1b) where they are defined as units "either at national level or as a component of multinational force groups, targeted combat units for the missions planned, structured at a tactical level as a battle group, with support elements including transport and logistics, capable of carrying out the tasks referred to in Article 43 of the Treaty on European Union, within a period of five to 30 days…"
2) Solidarity Clause: Europe as a military alliance acting within its territory
Furthermore, with article 222 (1), the Treaty introduces a so called Solidarity Clause, obliging all member states to come to the assistance of any member state subject to a terrorist threat or attack by all means necessary, including military ones. With this solidarity clause, the European Union is turning into a military alliance. This has serious implications for Ireland's neutrality. Furthermore, the solidarity clause for the first time opens the door for using the military within the territory of the European Union.
3) Collaborating with NATO: de-neutralizing the neutrals
The preamble of Protocol 10 calls for a more assertive role of the European Union in security and defence matters in order to "contribute to the vitality of a renewed Atlantic Alliance." Moreover, the following Protocol 11 obligates the Member States not to act contrary to NATO's security policy. But NATO is a military alliance. "Vitalizing" its work is also violating Ireland's neutrality.
4) Armament obligation by Treaty and start-up fund
It is also very problematic, that the Treaty of Lisbon intends to heavily increase the armament expenditures of the Member States. Article 42 (3) contains the - up to now inconceivable - obligation to invest more money in the armament sector: "Member states shall undertake progressively to improve their military capabilities." The European Defence Agency, which was established in 2004, is tasked by the Treaty of Lisbon to supervise the observance for this instruction.
Furthermore, the currently valid Treaty of Nice prohibits the institution of an EU military budget. This has up to now proved to be a considerable impediment for Europe’s militarists. Therefore, the Reform Treaty (Article 41) for the first time opens the door to establishing a defence budget, called "start-up fund". The European Parliament will have no budget authority over this start-up fund.
5) No parliamentary or juridical control option of EU interventions
This is one of the golden principles of the European Union, namely that the European Parliament has no say regarding the question of war and peace. Only the heads of state and government can decide to undertake EU combat missions. The Reform Treaty concedes the European Parliament only the right to be „heard“ and „briefed“ (Article 36). Since the European Court of Justice (Article 275) also has no influence in this area, the separation of powers in this area is de facto eliminated.
6) Power Shift from the smaller to the stronger states
One further aspect which is especially important for smaller Member States like Ireland is that the Treaty of Lisbon will dramatically change the distribution of power within the European Union in favour of the big countries. It will allow to build some sort of a core Europe in the area of military policy by enabling states to establish a so called Permanent Structured Cooperation.
As unanimity is restricted to the participating countries, the consensus principle in the area of military policy can be leveraged out. As Protocol 10 clarifies that only those Member States that are participating in the main European equipment programmes and contributing Battle Groups to combat missions are allowed to enter this exclusive club, countries, unwilling to pursue these policies could end up being completely sidelined in the most parts of the European security policy.
Additionally, the Reform Treaty will change the voting counts in the most important EU body, the Council of the Heads of State and Government. When the treaty is ratified, Germany will nearly double its share of vote in the Council from 8,4% to 16,73% (the other winners will be France, Great Britain and Italy) while all other states will significantly loose influence.
CONCLUSION
Finally, the Treaty unmistakably states, that European law takes priority over national law.
Declaration 17 says that "the Treaties and the law adopted by the Union on the basis of the Treaties have primacy over the law of Member States." So, whether they like it nor not, when ratified, all Member States are obliged to adhere to the militaristic program laid out by the Treaty of Lisbon.
Therefore, I cannot overemphasize how important the referendum on the 12th of June is. Not only for Ireland and the future of its neutrality. But also for the whole continent and the prospects for a peaceful and democratic European Union.
So, I hope that the population of Ireland will reject this treaty!
Tobias Pflüger - 2008/06/02 18:14
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