DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 16/11/1995

“The Germans as holiday world champions would profit from this greatly.”

Industry Commissioner Martin Bangemann spelling out the advantages of a single currency for his country's citizens.

“With the important EU Intergovernmental Conference coming up next year, we don't want to lose one of our most experienced representatives in an influential post.”

Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesman explaining why the Netherlands would not nominate Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek for the post of NATO secretary-general.

“It is a criterion for us that the secretary-general speaks English and French. We don't see any reason to change that.”

French Foreign Minister Hervé de Charette speaking on his government's approach towards finding a new secretary-general for NATO.

“The IGC should end under the Dutch. We just hope that they won't hold the final talks at Maastricht, but in some other historic Dutch town.”

A diplomat recalling the tortuous ratification of the Maastricht Treaty in some EU countries.

“The Commission is outraged by the execution of playwright Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other leaders of the Ogoni minority. In the Commission's view this decision, following a deeply-flawed legal process, is a clear indication of the Nigerian regime's disregard for human rights.”

ACP Commissioner João de Deus Pinheiro announcing the suspension of development cooperation with Nigeria and the recalling of the Commission's head of delegation in Nigeria.

“It would be misleading to people because it would create the impression of a special relationship...this, in my mind, is not a good idea.”

Industry Commissioner Martin Bangemann warning that a bilateral trade agreement between the EU and the US could be dangerous.

“We don't want to give the impression of ganging up.”

Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan speaking on the same issue.

“The stability pact for Europe is an important additional boost for the credibility and stability of the European currency on international financial markets.”

German Finance Minister Theo Waigel spelling out his ideas for a stability pact to ensure strict financial discipline once a single currency is introduced.