I will not sign Lisbon Treaty - Czech President

[Osweo]

Although it sounds good that Klaus won't sign...he's only doing it so that Germans (ie Sudetenland Germans) don't make property claims in the Sudetenland from which they were forcibly expelled after WWII. Apparently signing the Lisbon Treaty would allow for them to do so. Klaus sounds like he will go right ahead and sign it as long as the EU includes a clause saying that this can't happen.

A Nation in the imperfect but unavoidable person of its State has a desire to do action X on its own territory. Certain interests have entangled the State in international arrangements that threaten this action X. THat is loss of sovereignty. Who cares what it's about? It's the principle at stake here, and it seems that it all boils down to the will of individuals in particular positions at the end of the day as to whether we slip into the abyss or not. THeir particular motives are less important than the wider ramifications.

[Sol Invictus]

Klaus will sign..

We shall see.

[Electronic God-Man]

A Nation in the imperfect but unavoidable person of its State has a desire to do action X on its own territory. Certain interests have entangled the State in international arrangements that threaten this action X. THat is loss of sovereignty. Who cares what it's about? It's the principle at stake here, and it seems that it all boils down to the will of individuals in particular positions at the end of the day as to whether we slip into the abyss or not. THeir particular motives are less important than the wider ramifications.

I understand. But I bet the EU makes a deal with the Czechs and then Klaus signs. He's not even asking for that much really.

[Poltergeist]

Although it sounds good that Klaus won't sign...he's only doing it so that Germans (ie Sudetenland Germans) don't make property claims in the Sudetenland from which they were forcibly expelled after WWII. Apparently signing the Lisbon Treaty would allow for them to do so. Klaus sounds like he will go right ahead and sign it as long as the EU includes a clause saying that this can't happen.

Why do you think that? You are just insinuating too much. How about simply wanting to preserve his country's independence from the EU Leviathan as his only motivation behind the refusal to sign the Lisbon Treaty?

Isn't the Sudetenland issue Klaus' primary concern? The Czechs expelled and killed large numbers of Germans who lived in Bohemia. The survivors and their descendants might like to get their homes, towns, and farms back. This threat to the Czech squatters is a touchy issue. A stronger European Community might provide a legal framework for restitution. Cesky Budejovice might once again become Budweis.

Science fiction. Where did you infer such ideas from?

How on earth did you come to the conclusion that Sudetenland would be Klaus' primary concern? Any concrete indications for that?

What is wrong with a Europe strong enough to balance the US in world affairs?

What isn't? Europe caused two world wars.

[Freomæg]

What is wrong with a Europe strong enough to balance the US in world affairs?

What's wrong? What's right about a bunch of sovereign nations being forced to merge? The EU might just about be acceptable if every single nation involved had been given a vote on it and all had agreed, democratically.

[Treffie]

Asked during a walkabout on Sunday not to put his name to the treaty, Mr Klaus replied: “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

Please don't

[Puddle of Mudd]

The EU might just about be acceptable if every single nation involved had been given a vote on it and all had agreed, democratically.

Yeah, but that would require giving a shit about what the people think. And I'm pretty sure the EU isn't going to let crazy ideas of "democracy" get in the way of its ultimate goal.

[Electronic God-Man]

Why do you think that? You are just insinuating too much. How about simply wanting to preserve his country's independence from the EU Leviathan as his only motivation behind the refusal to sign the Lisbon Treaty?


Science fiction. Where did you infer such ideas from?

How on earth did you come to the conclusion that Sudetenland would be Klaus' primary concern? Any concrete indications for that?

Mr Klaus is demanding an opt-out for the Czech Republic that would prevent German families expelled after the Second World War from lodging property claims at the European Court of Justice.

...

He raised the stakes on Friday, putting a dampener on EU celebrations over the Irish referendum decision to back the treaty. The President argued that the charter could whip up an avalanche of property claims from German families expelled from Czech territory after the war.

I don't know where you've been, Saparmurat.

[Sol Invictus]

I don't know where you've been, Saparmurat.

But to say that's the single most driving force behind him not signing the lisbon treaty is rather narrow minded? Could it have crossed your mind that this man loves his country and wants to keep it the way it is? To grow and develop outside of the monster magnet that is the European Union?

[Lysander]

Klaus sounds awfully German to me though...