FRANCE AND GERMANY ESCAPE EC SANCTIONS

The European Commission will today lift all sanctions against France and Germany, the eurozone's two biggest economies, over breaches of the 3% budget deficit ceiling - despite fears that Germany at least will fail to comply next year for the fourth consecutive year.

The commission, which has tabled proposals to make the eurozone's stability and growth pact more flexible, will insist the infringement procedures against both countries - including the threat of billions of euros in fines - theoretically remain in place. But [Joaquin Almunia, Europe's economic and monetary affairs commissioner] will say they are suspended indefinitely, provided the two countries stick to their promise of remedial action next year.

Well, Mr. Almunia has got his bad boys firmly in hand. Theoretically.

Not the theoretician that Mr. Almunia is, European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso thinks there exists a direct correspondence between signing an agreement and abiding by its terms:

"For me and the commission, it is important that this pact is credible and that the rules are applied in full respect of the treaty for all member states, regardless of their dimension or their economic development," he said.

Of course it is only unilateral action when the US "goes off the reservation" with respect to "International Law and Regulations."

Move right along, nothing to see here. I mean get with the program and talk about the *REAL* dangers! BUSHITLER! CHENEYBURTON! War for Oil!

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On a serious note. All you frogophiles I have a question for you. Which is more hypocritical: signing/ratifying a treaty you have no intention of ever keeping, (Frogistan and the economic targets) or not ratifying a treatiy you have no intention of keeping (The US and Kyoto)?

What, no frog defenders? Could it be that even frogophiles such as Idiot find this indefensible?