Tango01 | 29 May 2016 9:18 p.m. PST |
""EU army plans kept secret from voters," was the front-page story in Friday's Times. If the claim sounded familiar, that was because just two days earlier a retired British army commander, Major General Tim Ross, had claimed in the Daily Express that the EU was "moving inexorably towards full political union and all that comes with it", including "unified armed forces". Alongside Brussels bans on bendy bananas and high-powered toasters, few subjects get leave campaigners as hot under the collar as the prospect of an EU army. On Friday Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, accused the remain side of lying about moves to create one, while the former defence secretary Liam Fox warned darkly that "Europe's defence intentions are a dangerous fantasy" that risked cutting the UK off from the US, "our closest and most powerful ally"…" Full article here link The EU states cannot coordinate on migration, finances, and regulations …. how they will succeed in creating an EU Army ??? Amicalement Armand |
Mako11 | 29 May 2016 9:44 p.m. PST |
They'll probably follow that "very successful" UN model, and/or perhaps some of those from other, temporary, joint commands from back during the Cold War, since they were so "successful" (heavy sarcasm intended). I suspect someone has plans to do that, but probably not who you think. Try little green men with Russian accents, lost, while on holiday……. ;-) |
Rod I Robertson | 29 May 2016 10:03 p.m. PST |
Well, not a secret anymore, Tango! |
Supercilius Maximus | 29 May 2016 10:16 p.m. PST |
There has been an EU "army" since the 1990s. link link |
ChargeSir | 29 May 2016 11:37 p.m. PST |
Shock horror you read to the end and it answers the question it set : No. Move along nothing to see here… |
Navy Fower Wun Seven | 30 May 2016 12:08 a.m. PST |
It simply means that particular ships, squadrons and units will simultanelously be part of even more formations 'rapid response forces' than they were before. During my stint on HMS Exeter, we were at one and the same time part of the NATO Standing Naval Forces North Atlantic, the WEU's European Maritime Force, and the UK's first response escort vessel…simultaneously meeting the politician's promises to all those forces! |
Fatman | 30 May 2016 1:35 a.m. PST |
Yeah imagine the first meeting to discuss who should be in command! Not forgetting that each EU nation has an equal vote in the process. It would be more likely to cause a war than a unified army. Fatman |
Cherno | 30 May 2016 5:10 a.m. PST |
Sounds like an attempt by the Brexit supporters to stir up further controversy. |
GNREP8 | 30 May 2016 5:53 a.m. PST |
I liked the response comment in the original piece that said that the French police were behaving in a para-military way and could be used against protestors. Hello are we talking about the CRS – where have you been for the last 70 years. The problem is (for us old fogies) to realise that many younger people have no term of reference earlier than 2000 (so everything that happens now never happened before in the history of the world) and no seeming ability to read history either |
basileus66 | 30 May 2016 6:09 a.m. PST |
If you read the report in the light of the political struggle between Nay and Yay supporters of the Brexit, it makes a lot more of sense. Actually, it would make a lot of sense to integrate EU forces in a single command structure, with a clearly defined mission and common assets. It won't happen in our lifespan, though. Probably, it won't happen ever. Nationalism is well and healthy in our times. I don't consider myself as particularly nationalistic, but, hey! mention Gibraltar and I and my British friends will probably disagree… strongly! Anyway, the report is all about local problems in the UK. Anti-EU will stop at nothing to convince their fellow co-citizens to vote against staying in the EU. Pro-EU will do the same to persuade them to vote favourably to the UK staying in the EU. It does nothing to do with what the EU does or does not, or what are her plans for the future. It is all about Britain. |
Gaz0045 | 30 May 2016 6:18 a.m. PST |
The reports say that there would be no official statement by the EU until after the referendum in the UK………………accidental timing? |
gunnerphil | 30 May 2016 7:32 a.m. PST |
Gas, Not accidental at all, several things are being held back . Two ways of looking at it, either sensible, can not make plans till you know if 2nd largest economy is in or out, or conspiracy, they are going to do nasty things to UK. The one large issue with EU army is that it is being used to get around NATO spending commitments. Basileues. As for Gibraltar. Are we going to start throwing away all treaties now? I am sure Morocco might be glad to know that. |
basileus66 | 30 May 2016 8:28 a.m. PST |
Basileues. As for Gibraltar. Are we going to start throwing away all treaties now? I am sure Morocco might be glad to know that. Please, yes, please! Where should we sign to get rid of Ceuta and Melilla once and for all! Ah… I would leap with joy if Morocco agrees to take both cities. Good riddance! |
basileus66 | 30 May 2016 8:31 a.m. PST |
Anyway, the report is all about local problems in the UK. Anti-EU will stop at nothing to convince their fellow co-citizens to vote against staying in the EU. Quod erat demonstrandum: Gas, Not accidental at all, several things are being held back . Two ways of looking at it, either sensible, can not make plans till you know if 2nd largest economy is in or out, or conspiracy, they are going to do nasty things to UK.The one large issue with EU army is that it is being used to get around NATO spending commitments. |
gunnerphil | 30 May 2016 8:53 a.m. PST |
Basileus, without meaning tohijack this topic, or getting to bogged down. The last serious discussion on Gibraltar was derailed by Spanish Government. At the very last minute they refused to allow a referendum in Gibraltar. They felt it would give Catalans and Basques an a sound basis for their demands. Since people in Gibraltar wish to remain British, would you force people to become citizens of a country they do not wish to. Not very democratic. Also does Spain need another region that does not want central government from Madrid? Enough problems with Catalonia. |
basileus66 | 30 May 2016 9:01 a.m. PST |
No, really, if you want Catalonia too, surely we can reach an agreement: we give you Catalonia in exchange for Malaga (a British colony nowadays) Deal? |
basileus66 | 30 May 2016 9:03 a.m. PST |
Sorry, mate, I can't take it seriously. I would rather prefer to be governed from Brussels than from Madrid. They can't be more incompetent than our local born and bred politicians! |
gunnerphil | 30 May 2016 9:57 a.m. PST |
No worries, this is a discussion I have had many times. Though to be fair most of my neighbours do not care either way. The point is there are points to discuss. Brussels more competent than Madrid? A difficult one, and I see your point. I spend too many afternoons reading local paper to find which cocuncil or mayor is in trouble. But there are faults within EU. I am back in UK for a bit, and having a great time arguing with both In and Out campaigners. Neither seem to have a firm grib on facts. Why pick on Malaga? Most of south and east coast seems to be British, except the bits that are Dutch. |
Tango01 | 30 May 2016 10:45 a.m. PST |
The idea is not bad… to implement it … it is another story!…. Same idea is debating here… in the far South about Latin American Armies… same problem!… (smile) Amicalement Armand |
GarrisonMiniatures | 30 May 2016 11:13 a.m. PST |
Best answer for Gibraltar would be independence with security guarantees/NATO/EU membership – similar population to San Marino. |