Word: referendums
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...Constitution prohibits a referendum...
...euro, Blair insists he won't put the new constitution up for a national vote, supposedly because "it simply is nonsense to suggest that this fundamentally alters the nature of Britain as a nation state." But many E.U. countries, and almost all the countries about to join, are planning referendums. Tories and powerful right-wing newspapers smell blood and are whipping up a powerful campaign, calling Blair a pro-Europe zealot who's denying the popular will. Last week, the Daily Mail announced it would hold its own referendum on June 12, using thousands of polling stations, postal ballots...
...maneuver. As one government minister says: "There's a very good reason not to have a referendum. We'd lose." Hero or Criminal? BRITAIN The Ministry of Defense said Lieut. Colonel Tim Collins, who became a national icon after an eve-of-battle speech in Iraq in which he urged his troops to be magnanimous in victory, is under investigation following accusations that he assaulted and threatened Iraqi prisoners and civilians. Separately, the MoD confirmed that an inquiry is ongoing into assertions that Collins' unit suffered from a culture of extreme bullying. What Did We Do? NORWAY Widespread bafflement greeted...
...need be, I'll sweep the city myself." - By Jeff Israely/Naples E.U. HERE WE COME LITHUANIA AND SLOVAKIA Lithuania became the first former Soviet republic to vote to join the E.U., with more than 90% supporting the move. Officials had feared that there would be poor turnout for the referendum, but after 64% of the population cast their ballots, the celebrations began. And in Slovakia, fears about poor turnout in a similar referendum prompted parliament leaders to say that they will ratify E.U. entry regardless - a move that angered many Slovaks. FREE AT LAST ALGERIA Seventeen European tourists held hostage...
...Euro-skeptics are already portraying the convention as a cabal of creeping federalism. Last week the tabloid Sun published a poll showing that 81% of Britons don't know a new European treaty is being considered; when informed, 84% want to vote on it. Blair won't permit a referendum; it's the last thing he needs. But opponents think the refusal leaves him vulnerable to charges of arrogance - which not only Tories are making. Clare Short, his longtime International Development Minister, quit the Cabinet last week to protest the U.N.'s marginal role in Iraq, but blasted Blair...