“Climate, world war” is the title of the editorial, signed by Bruno Frappat, that the French Catholic daily, La Croix (7/12), dedicates to climate change. The subject is a relevant one, also in the light of a recent report of Météo France, which “indicates that the average temperature of our summer mornings could increase by four to seven degrees between now and the last quarter of the century. The heat wave of 2003, in that case, would seem like the memory of delicious coolness”. Referring to the “new international [climate change] conference now underway in Buenos Aires the tenth of its kind since the famous one in Rio in 1992 -“, Frappat recalls the Kyoto protocol, “that will come into force on 16 February 2005, thanks to its acceptance by Russia” and that “prescribes a complex mechanism of programmed reductions of greenhouse gas emissions”, a kind of “exchange market between good and bad pupils”. But, warns Frappat, “the experts say that we need to go beyond Kyoto if we want significantly to reduce gas emissions. And this cannot happen without the pressure of societies on the political and economic forces that are contriving to delay the deadlines”. The “Point of view” of another French daily, Le Monde (9/12) is dedicated to Europe, for which Edouard Balladur, former Prime Minister and now chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, proposes “a new method”. In Balladur’s view, “the Treaty that establishes a Constitution for Europe is useful and represents a step forward that justifies its approval”. Nonetheless, he adds, “if the 25- and shortly 27-member Europe is to be a real power, we need to reflect. The European States cannot always advance together at the same rate and in all fields. That’s why some countries hope to work together with forms of ambitious cooperation in various fields. Such initiatives have permitted Europe in the past to progress and can still continue to do so, provided they do not become a factor of division and disorder”. What’s lacking in Europe today, says Balladur, “is a principle of clear organization to manage this diversity”. A help to this end could be given by “specialized forms of cooperation”, in other words “those promoted on the initiative of the member states themselves in the framework of their traditional diplomatic relations without applying the complex procedures of the Constitutional Treaty”. But two precautions would need to be made: “that such projects be submitted to the Commission and that other states too be able to join them”. Avvenire (9/12), the Italian Catholic daily, dedicates its opening story to the FAO Report for 2004 and the death from famine of millions of children in the world. “Before economic recipes or technological solutions writes Gerolamo Fazzini development needs to be inspired by humanity. There is no alternative. Thinking that it is possible to eliminate poverty without ensuring the centrality of man is neither realistic nor feasible”. The German press comments on Schröder’s visit to China and the possible abolition of the arms embargo. The Frankfurter Rundschau (6/12) comments as follows: “ When it boils down to it, it’s simply the price requested for what is being offered by the Chinese leadership: favourable treatment during the reform of the UNO, including a permanent seat for Germany in the Security Council, and privileged economic relations; this is officially promised by Beijing. But to obtain all this, the Kohl and Schröder governments have had to grant a kind of ban about speaking of questions of civil rights. That in itself is already too much“. Writing in Die Welt (7/12), Herbert Kremp considers the economic repercussions of the visit: “ Not without reason, the Chancellor is visiting China for the sixth time; Helmut Kohl too had brought many businesses in his wake; Helmut Schmidt had initiated the process. The Europeans, also Jacques Chirac, are exploring the territory, in a climate of fierce competition […] But concerns are also growing: 70 % of Americans, who have lost their jobs due to the transfer of businesses to China and India, find a new job within a short space of time. In Germany the percentage is only 40%. Thus the old world is suffering at the hands of the new“. An editorial in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (8/12) comments: “ It’s rather comic, this indignation of European political leaders, who vie with each other in magnifying the products “made in France”, “Germany” or “Italy” before the powerful men of Beijing; and who meekly promise to work for the abolition of the EU embargo in arms, repeating the ridiculous argument according to which the embargo represents a form of discrimination. […] The leadership in Beijing, which is pursuing a clear policy of self-interest and which likes being blandished with multipolarity, will be able to exploit the international competition wholly to China’s advantage. The Chancellor has been given to believe that China will strive to support a “greater responsibility” of Germany within the UNO. The Italian President, he too visiting China, thinks he perceives the same for the ambitions of Rome in contrast to those of Berlin within the UNO. The truth is that Beijing is speaking neither of rights of veto nor permanent seat. It attracts, flirts and camouflages its international economic policy in a strategic perspective. There’s a lot to be learned”. ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1348 N.ro relativo : 88 Data pubblicazione : 11/12/04
