Europe

Sourced

• A spectre is haunting Europe—the spectre of communism. --Karl Marx, the Communist Manifesto

Reaction to European Constitution

• "The EU Constitution is something new in human history. Though it is not as eloquent as the French and U.S. constitutions, it is the first governing document of its kind to expand the human franchise to the level of global consciousness. The language throughout the draft constitution speaks of universalism, making it clear that its focus is not a people, or a territory, or a nation, but rather the human race and the planet we inhabit." - Jeremy Rifkin in Utne , 24 October 2004

• “I am totally opposed to the European Constitution. Countries have constitutions and I do not want to be part of a country called Europe." - Michael Howard (Leader of the UK Conservative Party ), 01 June 2004

• “[The Constitution] will seal the victory of the nation-states over the European 'super-state'". - Le Figaro (France), 21 April 2004

• "The EU Constitution safeguards national sovereignty of Member States." - Guilherme Oliveira Martins (Portugese Socialist MP), 19 June 2004

• "this is a Constitution … which consecrates the EU as a union of sovereign states, which continues not to opt for federal institutions." El Mundo (Spain), 20 June 2004

• "this Constitution does not reflect the thoughts, hopes and aspirations of ordinary people. It does nothing for jobs or economic growth and widens further still the democratic deficit. The gap between the governors and the governed is now a gaping chasm." - Nigel Farage (Leader of UK Independence Party ), 24 September 2003

• "a consensus [that] has been established … around the British concept of a market system stretching from the Atlantic to the Urals, accompanied by intergovernmental co-operation in areas where collective action is more efficient, and a security policy integrated with that of the USA." - Nicolas Baverez (French commentator and author), 2003

• "There is no place for concern that it would change the structure and operation of the EU in a radical way. 90% of the constitution agreement is already in the current agreements. The innovations in the draft will clarify the structure of the EU and make its activity more efficient, as well as strengthen citizens’ rights." Egils Levits (Latvian ECJ Judge), Quoted in “Latvijas avize”, 21 June 2004

• "Europe is and will be a Union of States." - Jose Louis Zapatero (Prime Minister of Spain), Speech to Spanish Cortes , 15 June 2004

"The British won the day." - Corriere della Sera (Italy), 19 Jun 2004

• "An extraordinary disappointment." - Elmar Brok MEP (German federalist), Economist, 31 May 2003

• "I want to kill myself." - Giuliano Amato (Italian federalist),Telegraph, 24 May 2003