BUT YOU'D BUY THEIR CURRENCY?:

Crucial talks fail to break EU summit deadlock (Ian Black and Michael White, December 13, 2003, The Guardian)

Gloom settled on the summit after various carrots and sticks had been proffered to Poland. It was awarded 27 council votes in the 2000 Nice treaty, and objects to losing them in 2009 under the new accord.

Germany is warning that next year's budget talks could cut regional and farm aid to Madrid and Warsaw. It is rejecting suggestions that the votes issue be parked until 2008 or later. Nor does it like Spain's compromise suggestion that the new "double majority" formula for decisions (the votes of 13 countries and 60% of the EU's total population to secure a decision) be stretched to 66% of the population.

That adjustment would help Spain and Poland form a "blocking minority" to protect their generous EU regional and farm funds. Mr Blair has shown sympathy for both countries - who are Iraq war allies - because he wants to protect Britain's own "red lines" in the negotiations, including national vetoes.

This time, Poland may actually save Europe from itself. Meanwhile, had the Tories listened to Margaret Thatcher, instead of tossing her overboard, they could be pounding the EU like a bass drum.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 12, 2003 9:08 PM