Word: frattini
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 2004-2004
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Stablity Pact EUROPEAN UNION The crisis over the incoming European Commission appeared resolved, as leaders in the European Parliament indicated they would endorse Commission President José Manuel Barroso's new lineup in a vote set for this week. Italy's Silvio Berlusconi nominated Foreign Minister Franco Frattini to replace Rocco Buttiglione, who had angered parliamentarians with his comments on gays and women. The Latvian government replaced its much-criticized nominee, Ingrida Udre, with diplomat Andris Piebalgs. Amid a minor reshuffle that saw Hungarian Laszlo Kovacs moved from energy to tax, Neelie Kroes - the embattled Dutch candidate for Competition Commissioner...
...While most nominees are distinguished and qualified, as many as six have drawn criticism. Now that Buttiglione is gone, national leaders will have to decide how much more recasting the Commission needs. Berlusconi, who is said to favor Foreign Minister Franco Frattini for Italy's slot, doesn't want Buttiglione to be the only casualty. Other possible candidates for replacement include the proposed Energy Commissioner, Hungarian Foreign Minister Lászlo Kovács, whose "professional competence" and "aptitude" were found inadequate by the relevant committee; the proposed Commissioner for Competition, Neelie Kroes of the Netherlands, whose extensive (and, until...
...Europeans polled said the Jewish state "presents a threat to peace in the world.") But on this occasion, fearing that the ICJ hearing could hurt the peace process, current E.U. President Ireland and nine other member states sent only written briefs. "The political knot," said Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, "cannot be resolved with judicial opinions." As a result, the 19-member Palestinian delegation - backed by representatives from 12 mostly Muslim nations - had the floor to itself. At issue is Israel's controversial "barrier" - an amalgam of trenches, towers, concrete walls and barbed-wire fences that may eventually snake...