• Germany edition
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Berlin tries to torpedo EU deal with US for bank data exchange

Published: 13 Nov 09 08:58 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20091113-23241.html

German Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said on Friday Berlin would try to stop an EU agreement to transfer bank information to the United States.

“The federal government has distanced itself from the SWIFT agreement,” she told the Berliner Zeitung daily. “I consider it unfortunate that the EU is trying to push through this agreement according to the old rules one day before the Lisbon Treaty goes into effect.”

She pointed to the fact that the treaty reorganising the European Union’s inner workings will give the European Parliament a greater say in such matters like the data transfer agreement.

But the minister also said she had problems with the substance of the deal, which is meant to help US officials track terrorist finances.

“I am still critical of how the extent of information transfer to the USA and the lacking legal recourse,” Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said.

DDP/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

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#1
01:11 November 15, 2009 by Ducano
It is about time,that Europe cuts it`s umbilical cord with the US.Why should the EU give the US even more power than they have already taken?Fiction has a way of becoming reality and when you remember George Orwell`s 1984 and his fictitious prediction of "Big Brother",you should stop and pause for some serious reflection.The world was never going to allow another Hitler,but sometimes it seems too late already to stop it,although I do admit with the departure of G.W.Bush,that the doomsday clock was moved back somewhat,but the same forces,that ruled (under) him,still hold sway over the White House,which is mainly run by the banks,the oil companies and the military industrial complex.How the US can keep fighting and support all its military bases around the world,while they have such a big mortgage on their White House,is hard to imagine being possible without theft and corruption.This smells like a Faustian deal.
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#2
03:11 November 15, 2009 by boonhoh
Has the US gone crazy and EU, aside from Germany joined their insanity!?

I think it is about time more nations tell the US to bugger off and stop giving over the information of their citizens.
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#3
09:40 November 15, 2009 by kiwikraut
"But the minister also said she had problems with the substance of the deal, which is meant to help US officials track terrorist finances."

I have problems to believe that as well ! How bloody stupid do these guys actually think people are !?
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