In The News

Sending the Best Away

Stefan Dietrich December 12, 2003
Germany was once at the forefront of plutonium technological development, but with the rise of the Green party, the technology was abandoned due to its environmental and health risks. Now one of Germany's unused plants is likely going to be exported to China. Commentator Stefan Dietrich warns that the trade is dangerous for two reasons. First of all, China (as a one-party state) does not...

Franco-German Duo Infernale

Gerald Braunberger December 5, 2003
The old rivalry between Germany and France has long kept Europe from being able to move forward together as a region. Unfortunately, these two nations are now coming into line, but at the expense of the European Union and smaller states. Both countries are demanding power over EU institutions and the draft constitution, says this article in Germany's F.A.Z. Weekly, while at the same time...

Headscarf Issue has Europe Tied up in Knots

Pek Siok Lian December 5, 2003
Secularism has long been considered a fundamental feature of many European democracies. With increasing immigration from Muslim countries to France, Germany, and elsewhere, these nations have to deal with a growing minority who has a different take on ideal democracy. In France and Germany, the debate has largely centered on the question of the headscarves that are worn by many Muslim women....

Two's a Company

Moritz Schuller November 25, 2003
After disagreeing with the UK over supporting the US-led Iraq War, France and Germany seemed to become true bosom buddies this year. Germany even took part in the French-led mission to Congo, although Berlin had no compelling interests there, writes Moritz Schuller. Despite the apparent comraderie, however, France may now be moving closer to the British on security issues. At a recent meeting...

MEPs Vote to Support Stem Cell Research

Ian Black November 20, 2003
In a controversial decision, the European parliament decided on November 19 to permit EU funds to be spent on new stem cell research. Despite heavy lobbying from religious groups, the European parliament sided with medical researchers and patients' groups because they do not want Europe to risk falling behind in a lucrative area of biotechnology. Although Catholic countries such as Germany,...

U.K. Police, Protesters Await Bush

November 18, 2003
The British are planning to welcome U.S. President Bush’s visit with protests, intense security measures, and surprisingly extensive public support. While many British are taking Bush’s trip to the UK as an opportunity to express their discontent with the war in Iraq, recent polls suggest that more Britons welcome the visit than oppose it. Moreover, a majority – some 62 percent – says it...

The Reformers Must Always Go

Kristina Merkner November 7, 2003
At the general assembly of the Club of Madrid, a group of former heads of state and government officials, former Polish President Hanna Suchocka expressed optimism about Poland's accession to the European Union (EU) in 2004. While excited about Poland's new membership in the EU, Ms. Suchocka was aware of the potential problems that might arise once the country's 10-year old market...