Fears of property price nosedive

Property prices will nose-dive in NI if the Irish Republic's new toxic assets agency dumps developments on the market, Stormont ministers have warned.
Finance ministers from both sides of the border are to hold emergency talks over fears the north could be swamped with repossessed homes and offices.
The issue was raised at a North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Dublin.
An agency has been set up in Dublin to recoup debt run up by banks on property bought in NI and in the Republic.
The National Assets Management Agency (NAMA) will attempt to recover nationalised bank losses for the Irish government through the selling-off of developments that collapsed during the property crash.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said there were concerns about the number of Northern Ireland properties which will be taken over by NAMA.
'Implications'
"Obviously some of these assets are located in the Republic, in Northern Ireland and other jurisdictions as well," Mr Cowen said.
"It's important that we fully agreed in our discussions that both finance ministers would meet to consider the implications over the period ahead.
"It's obviously a matter of co-ordinating policy decisions."
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said Finance Minster Sammy Wilson would meet with his counterpart in the Republic, Brian Lenihan, in an attempt to stave off any threat to Northern Ireland's house prices.
"There are assets which are being held by NAMA which impact upon Northern Ireland, those disposals need to be handled in a way that don't swamp the property market and impact adversely on property prices in Northern Ireland," he said.
It is estimated that Irish banks hold anything between 60bn and 90bn euros of so-called toxic assets, the money loaned to property developers and others which might never be repaid.
Around 30bn euros worth are thought to be outside the Republic and as many as 15bn to 20bn euros worth of bad property-related debts are thought to be in Northern Ireland.
BBC

Expanding Government Is Destroying Liberty in the European Union

The American republic was connected to Europe at birth. The original 13 British colonies shared the mother country’s classical liberal roots and created a national government of uniquely limited powers. The new nation then drew to it dissenters and entrepreneurs from across Europe, and exported freedom ideals back across the Atlantic.
Now America’s influence may be running the other way — to Europe’s disadvantage. More than a century ago the Civil War subordinated the theretofore sovereign American states to the newly empowered national government. Today a transcontinental elite centered in Brussels is attempting to achieve a similar end in Europe, though through stealth rather than war.
The European Union began small. The horrors of World War II encouraged Europeans to integrate Germany into rather than isolate it from the continent, unlike after World War I. The European Coal and Steel Community came first, which was transformed into the European Economic Community (or “Common Market”). The EC became the European Union in 1993.
The original purposes of a continental European organization were simple: increase economic opportunity and political cooperation. Despite the inevitable quirks of any transnational organization, the EU proved to be a boon: it lowered trade barriers, expanded commercial ties, and sublimated national rivalries. The slow, steady development of the EU was one reason war became unthinkable in “Old Europe.”
An important aspect of the organization’s success was its lack of political authority. The EU was more continental association than continental government. The principal national decisions continued to be made by national governments. There were obvious tensions, of course: creating a continental market inevitably meant limiting national regulations. Nevertheless, there was no pretense that Brussels would supplant the essential authority of individual countries.
That has begun to change, however. The European Commission and European Parliament have taken over an increasing number of “competencies,” as they are called, from member states. Micro-management has become the norm: for instance, the British government prosecuted a grocer for violating EU regulations banning imperial measurements. German bakers fear proposed Commission rules limiting the salt content of bread. London is fighting EU proposals to impose stricter restrictions on work hours and regulate Britain’s financial industry
Doug Bandow Campaign For Liberty

Bush then Sarkosy صارت موضه ضرب رؤساء الدول

It is important to show objection against your leader, but sometimes this leader will go ahead with the wrong plan and opposition have no way of stopping him. some people go a bit further!! Please see the video below.



يستاهل هالتعبان وخصوصا بعد استهزائه عالنقاب وقال عنه انه مظهر من مظاهر تخلف المرأه...نييييييييييهههههههههههاههههههاي صارت موضه ضرب رؤساء الدول

Charity plea over kidnapped pair

The head of an Irish charity whose aid workers were kidnapped in Darfur has appealed for their safe return.
Goal chief executive John O'Shea said he was very concerned for Irish woman Sharon Commins, 32, from Dublin, and Ugandan colleague, Hilda Kuwuki, 42.
They were taken hostage by six armed men at a compound in the town of Kutum, northern Darfur, on Friday.
"We have had no contact with the kidnappers and we are very concerned for their safety," Mr O'Shea said.
"We have no indication as to who did this or why and I would appeal directly to the kidnappers to immediately release both these women who are valued colleagues of ours.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Sharon and Hilda at this very difficult and distressing time."
The Dubliner had been working in the region for a year.
Armed men forced the women into a vehicle along with a Sudanese security guard who was thrown from it as local police gave chase, Mr O'Shea added.
An official team headed by the Department of Foreign Affairs is travelling to Khartoum and Darfur to consult with the Sudanese authorities and international organisations.
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin called for the immediate release of the captives, and said the Irish government would do everything possible to bring that about.
"While the identity and motive of the abductors is not yet known, there have been two recent cases in which kidnapped aid workers were released unharmed after a few weeks in captivity.
"While I very much hope that Sharon and Hilda are freed immediately, my overriding concern is that they come to no harm," he said.
Irish President Mary McAleese has expressed deep concern at the disappearance of Ms Commins.
"The President has conveyed to the Commins family her sincere hope that Sharon will be returned to safety as soon as possible, along with her colleague, Ms Hilda Kawuki," a spokeswoman said.
It is the third time foreign aid workers have been kidnapped in Darfur since March.
The UN says 300,000 people have died and more than two million fled their homes since fighting erupted in 2003 between black-African rebel groups and the Khartoum government.

BBC

Irish Nobel Prize winner detained in Israel

Irish Nobel prize winner Mairead Maguire and compatriot Derek Graham have been detained by Israeli authorities. The pair was onboard the Spirit of Humanity which was bound for Gaza when it was intercepted by Israeli forces.

The two were part a group of 21 peace activists who were detained and Irish Minister for Foreign affairs Michael Martin is working with his counterparts to ensure their safety and well-being.

The Irish pair were onboard the ship, which was attempting to deliver supplies to the Gaza Strip.

“My immediate priority is ensuring the safety and welfare of Ms. Maguire and Mr. Graham and securing their release as soon as possible," said Martin.

"I have been assured by the Israeli authorities that they are both well and are being properly treated. An officer from the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv visited yesterday with Ms. Maguire and Mr. Graham to provide assistance and will endeavor to make a further consular visit today.

“I would again renew my call for the release of Ms. Maguire and Mr. Graham as well as the other nineteen passengers detained on The Spirit of Humanity," he said.

“I would also call upon the Israeli Government to ensure that the humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza being transported on The Spirit of Humanity are made available as soon as possible to the Palestinian authorities for distribution."


KENNETH HAYNES

Challenges Loom for Sweden’s E.U. Presidency

STOCKHOLM — The last time Sweden ran the European Union, eight years ago, its reign was a mostly quiet one, memorable only for a riot that marred a summit in Gothenburg. But as they assume the rotating presidency of the bloc again on Wednesday, Sweden’s leaders may feel nostalgic for those boring days of 2001.This Swedish presidency will be crucial for the E.U., the world’s largest trading bloc, and a portfolio of thorny issues await it. Chief among them is the fate of the Lisbon Treaty, the proposed new charter for the E.U., which many of its leaders feel is crucial for the Continent if it wants to increase its influence on the international stage.But many other challenges are looming.With economies stagnating, the Swedes will face resistance in trying to restore order to the continent’s battered public finances. There is also the issue of climate change and whether Europe can forge a consensus in advance of global talks in December.A wide array of foreign policy challenges confront the E.U. as well, ranging from a likely crisis over Russian gas supplies to fresh tensions with Iran.“You need to prepare for what you cannot foresee,” said Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Prime Minister of Sweden, on Tuesday, encapsulating the unmanageable nature of the task he faces.Hanging over it all is the crippling uncertainty created by a referendum in October, when Ireland votes for a second time on the Lisbon Treaty, which aims to streamline the E.U.’s complex and ramshackle structure.According to Thomas Klau, of the European Council on Foreign Relations, Lisbon is “the one big topic” for the Swedes. “And there is no way to know how that plays out,” he said.“As one Swedish diplomat said to me, ‘Swedes don’t like uncertainty, they like planning,”’ Mr. Klau added. “There is every uncertainty about the vote in Ireland and the result could produce two very different scenarios.”The Lisbon Treaty aims to change decision-making procedures and create a new permanent President of the European Council, where national governments meet.But to come into force all 27 nations must ratify it. That requires a “yes” vote in Ireland, the completion of ratification by Germany, and the assent of the presidents of the Czech Republic and Poland, both of whom dislike the treaty.Achieving this is a challenge for Sweden, a nation of 9.2 million people that joined the E.U. in 1995 but stayed outside the European single currency after voters rejected the idea of adopting the Euro in a referendum in 2003.In the months leading up to the Irish vote, the Swedes must avoid contentious initiatives, so as not to risk complicating the task of the Irish “yes” campaign. This policy paralysis is compounded by the legal uncertainty that the Lisbon vote creates. For example, negotiations on data exchange with the United States cannot be completed before October because the E.U.’s procedures will be changed if Lisbon is ratified.An Irish “no” in October would plunge the E.U. back into crisis.But if the treaty goes through, the Swedes will have only a matter of weeks to oversee the creation of a new E.U. diplomatic service and conduct an elaborate negotiation over new E.U. jobs.Advance discussions are difficult because suggestions that an Irish yes vote is being taken for granted could jeopardize the referendum. “That makes it very difficult to plan,” said one official speaking on condition of anonymity. “It has to be done in secret.”The Swedes will also need to handle the politically sensitive task of doling out appointments within the European Commission.At the same time they must negotiate an agreement among E.U. nations about how to finance a deal on climate change, and mollify eastern European nations that want wealthier neighbors to assume more of the burden. This will then be taken to the table in global talks in December.The backdrop, warned Mr. Reinfeldt, was a tough economic environment and a situation “where a lot of countries think that the climate issue is about getting more resources to their country and someone else should pay.”Meanwhile Sweden may clash with France over moves to reign in ballooning budget deficits. “We think that the line of pushing financial stimulus packages is exhausted and it is exit strategies we should be pushing more,” the Swedish Prime Minister said.The highest court in Germany has ruled that the Lisbon Treaty was compatible with German law, but said that changes to domestic legislation must be made before it can be formally ratified. The decision by the Constitutional Court creates a technical problem for the German government, which will now have to rush through new legislation to comply. Speaking in Stockholm, Carl Bildt, the foreign minister of Sweden, said his preliminary assessment was that the ruling would not create an obstacle to the entry into force of Lisbon.Irish times

Brian Cowen, the Irsih prime minister: 2nd October as the date when Ireland holds its second referendum on Lisbon

His admission came as Brian Cowen, the Irsih prime minister, was set to announce 2 October as the date when Ireland holds its second referendum on the document.
The treaty, which proposes the first full-time President of the European Council, is highly contentious and was rejected by the Irish in a referendum in June last year.
But current opinion polls suggest the Irish will vote Yes this time.
However, Mr McCreevy, the internal market commissioner, said that if the treaty had been put to a public vote, it would have been rejected by 95 per cent of the 27 member states.
The former Irish finance minister said: "When Irish people rejected the Treaty a year ago, the initial reaction ranged from shock to horror to temper to vexation. That would be the view of a lot of the people who live in the Brussels beltway.
"On the other hand, all of the political leaders know quite well that if a similar question was put to their electorate by a referendum, the answer in 95 per cent of the countries would probably have been 'No' as well.
"I have always divided the reaction between those two forces: those within the beltway, the 'fonctionnaires', those who gasp with horror, and on the other hand the heads of state who are far more realistic. They are glad they didn't have to put the question themselves to their people."
He said the Irish should not be ashamed about voting No, adding: "We might not like the result on occasion, but that's democracy, and we should not be ashamed of it."
Having reflected more deeply on the benefits of EU membership, he is hopeful the Irish will ratify the treaty in the autumn.
"Everybody says we do not know enough about Europe. But I can tell you that the ordinary people of Ireland know a damn sight more about the intricacies of the European framework than nearly all members of the other 27 states."
At an EU summit on 19 June, Ireland won legal guarantees on military neutrality and tax and family policies, and if there is a Yes vote in October, the hope is that EU leaders will then take decisions on the first full time President of the European Council, a new high representative for foreign and security policy, and on creating an External Action Service.
If the Irish vote No, the EU will be thrown into a new political crisis which will affect its decision-making capacity on all major issues.
Meanwhile, socialist members of the parliament in the Czech Republic are considering suspending the powers of the country's Eurosceptic President, Vaclav Klaus, on the grounds that he is "trying to act above the law".
Mr Klaus, a diehard opponent of the treaty, still has to sign off the document, even though it was ratified by the Czech parliament in May last year.
Alena Gajduskova, Czech Social Democrat MP, whose party has 29 of the 81 seats in parliament, said: "There is nothing in our constitution that gives the President the right to veto decisions of the country's highest institutions."
Mr Klaus has written to Jan Fischer, the Czech prime minister, stating that the Irish guarantees would have to be ratified by the Czech parliament or he (Klaus) would not sign the treaty.


By Martin Banks in Brussels