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NB: This RealAudio stream contains FTRs 266 and 267 in sequence. Each is a 30-minute broadcast.
1. Continuing a line of analysis pursued for several years, this program analyzes both the European Union and the European Monetary Union as vehicles for the advancement of German corporate and political hegemony. The broadcast begins with discussion of an EU conference in Nice (France) in December of 2000. The conference was described as “reversing the legacy of Second World War conferences at Tehran and Yalta.” (“EU Aiming to Heal Old Divisions” by Peter Norman; Financial Times; 12/7/2000; p. 16.)
2. In that context, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder noted that “there is no better place than Warsaw to appeal to my colleagues in Nice to show courage and think together about the historic challenge of uniting Europe and bringing into the European Union the nations of central and eastern Europe and the Baltic states.” (Idem.)
3. Schroder was visiting Warsaw at the time. (Germany began World War II by invading Poland.) A paper leaked to the London Times set forth details of the proposed enlargement of the EU which some observers felt would further subjugate the member states of the EU. (“Secret Plan for EU Superstate” by Martin Fletcher and Philip Webster; Times of London; 12/6/2000.)
4. The changes made at the Nice conference did, indeed, expand Berlin’s power within the EU. (“Power Balance Swings in Favor of Berlin” by Haig Simonian; Financial Times; 12/12/2000; p. 2.)
5. Among the changes that were effected at the Nice conference was an enlargement of Germany’s representation in the European Parliament. (Idem.)
6. At the same time that Germany’s power within the EU was being expanded, the European Parliament passed legislation that would prevent foreign corporations from effecting hostile takeovers of European corporations. (“European Firms Get ‘Poison Pill’ ” by Paul Meller [New York Times]; San Jose Mercury News; 12/14/2000; p. 4B.) This legislation could enhance the ability of German corporations to acquire American companies, while preventing American corporations from buying German corporations.
7. Next, the program notes the extent to which corporate Germany is a hermetically sealed, incestuous system, largely inaccessible to foreign corporate penetration. (“New Tax Law Will Transform Germany Inc.” by Christopher Rhoads; Wall Street Journal; 7/17/2000; pp. A29-30.) As noted in past broadcasts, control over the German economy is wielded by the remarkable and deadly Bormann organization.
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