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Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU?
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Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU?
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Brussels, 14th May.
At the initiative of Olga Zrihen, Member of the European Parliament from the
Belgian PS, of the internet section of the French socialist party "TemPS
réels" and of the VOV, Virtueller Ortsverein, the German virtual section SPD,
a protest action will take place in front of the permanent representation of
Ireland to the European Union this Monday, 17 May 2004 at 1300 (Rue Froissart
89, 1040 Bruxelles), during which CD-ROM containing free software will be
distributed, notably to the Irish diplomats, as a signal of the existence of a
free european alternative to the monopoly of the American company, Microsoft.
The European draft legislation on software patents, crucial for the future of
the European information industry, after the first lecture of the European
Parliament, that substantially amended the initial proposition of commissioner
Bolkestein, is on the agenda of the "competitiveness" council of ministers of
the 17 of May. This proposal for a directive directly puts in confrontation
the material interests of the SMEs that comprise the bulk of the European
software industry to that of the big multinationals, such as the American
Microsoft.
Now we note that, Microsoft officially sponsors the Irish presidency of the
European Union . According to Olga Zrihen, member of the European parliament
Belgian socialist party, "We have the right to question this situation: the
presidency of the EU, which is a central element of the European legislative
process, and is supposed to obey the democratic principles, accepts to be
sponsored by a private company whose economic interests are directly put into
cause by a legislative proposition on the agenda of the Council!
Furthermore, knowing that the "compromise" proposal emanating from the Irish
presidency rejects all of the European parliament's first lecture amendments,
which corresponds to the demands of Microsoft, there is a feeling of great
worry."
A press conference is to be held later at 1500 at the European parliament. A
contribution of European socialists for the democratic control of the
information technologies will be presented by Olga Zrihen, member of the
European parliament in collaboration with Maurice Ronai, a national
delegate to information society's issues for the French socialist party,
Theirry Noisette, the secretary of the internet section of the French social
party " TemPS réels" and Anne Brand, a spokeswoman of VOV (Virtueller
Ortsverein, the virtual section of the German SPD).
Contact person: Antonio Gambini, parliamentary assistant of Olga Zrihen
MEP: (+32) (0)479.48.28.78
Olga ZRIHEN, Députée Européenne
Assistant Parlementaire: Antonio GAMBINI
Parlement Européen
Rue Wiertz
ASP12G108
Tel: 00 322 284 60 94
Fax: 00 322 284 94 51
B-1047 Bruxelles
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Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 14, 2004 20:53 UTC (Fri) by clugstj (subscriber, #4020) [Link] When any sociopathic corporation has as much money as M$oft, you've got toexpect them to purchase a few well-place politicians.
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 15, 2004 22:06 UTC (Sat) by petegn (guest, #847) [Link] I also expect those well placed politicians to be hung drawn and quarteredin full public view as a warning to others thayt may be tempted to fall for the money of maybe the worlds most CORRUPT Corperation M$ a sign of corruption big time .. Pete .
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 14, 2004 23:02 UTC (Fri) by Mike7 (guest, #17587) [Link] Europe is not the US, it is not that common in our system that politiciansget "bought" by corporations. It sometimes happens of course, but not like in the US, where it seems to be pretty common. I think this news is shocking, in a democracy corporations don't have the right to vote, only citizens have that right, and there is a reason why it is like that. There obviously seems to be some kind of secret agreement between Ireland and MS in an attempt to "circumvent" the democratic process and give MS influence in the political system. I think heads should roll for this.
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 15, 2004 6:44 UTC (Sat) by beejaybee (guest, #1581) [Link] The problem here is that the EU is NOT a democracy. The EU Parliament is subservient to the wholly unelected Commission; also note that the EU accounts have not been approved by the auditors for more than a decade.Unfortunately the situation we have is much worse than that in the USA, where there is at least a veneer of public accountability. EU residents, please remember this when engaging in the "democratic" process of electing new MEPs next month.
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 15, 2004 7:30 UTC (Sat) by dmantione (guest, #4640) [Link] The members of the commision are subject to democratic control of thenational parliaments. However, no national parliament seems interrested in calling back his commisioner. This might have something to do with that all opposition to the proposal has been targeted until now at the EU, not at the national goverments/parliaments.
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 17, 2004 10:46 UTC (Mon) by mk270 (guest, #4485) [Link] No, the members of the Commission are NOT subject to the democratic control of the national parliaments in any way shape or form.You may be confusing the Commission with the Council, which comprises representatives of member state governments (and not of member state parliaments). Note that any chain of democratic accountability tying the Council back to the electorate is necessarily a highly indirect one.
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 15, 2004 9:08 UTC (Sat) by NAR (subscriber, #1313) [Link] Europe is not the US, it is not that common in our system that politicians get "bought" by corporations. It sometimes happens of course, but not like in the US, where it seems to be pretty common.The you live in a different Europe than I. I can remember that during the debate on the telecommunication law, MPs from all parties (goverment and opposition too) submitted the same modification proposals - which were actually written by various telecommunication companies...
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 16, 2004 20:35 UTC (Sun) by hppnq (subscriber, #14462) [Link] Right on. This is *not* the time to be naive.
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 15, 2004 23:06 UTC (Sat) by gvy (guest, #11981) [Link] > it is not that common in our system that politicians get "bought"Dream on. :(
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 15, 2004 23:44 UTC (Sat) by MarshallTown (guest, #21607) [Link] >> Europe is not the US, it is not that common in our system that politiciansget "bought" by corporations. It sometimes happens of course, but not like in the US, where it seems to be pretty common. << Perhaps you will tell us about the next time you get to vote for the EU presidency? US politicians try to HIDE their corruption since it can and some times does land them in the slammer.
Chicago standards Posted May 16, 2004 3:37 UTC (Sun) by rickfdd (guest, #4519) [Link] Here in Chicago we lock up (not just convict) on average one alderman per year.
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 14, 2004 23:23 UTC (Fri) by fergal (subscriber, #602) [Link] It's not that shocking that MS have bought my country but it is embarassing!Unfortunately the government is a coalition between Fianna Fail, the largest party in the country and the Progressive Democrats, possibly the smallest party (the smallest who actually get elected that is). The PDs are heavily pro-corporate and have power far in excess of their number of seats due to the fact that without them FF would not have enough seats to form a goverment. That said, FF and the largest opposition party (Fianna Gael) are both pro software patents. FF are Coke, FG are Pepsi, except they're actually 2-day old, flat Pepsi.
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 15, 2004 1:06 UTC (Sat) by jmason (guest, #13586) [Link] I'm curious as to exactly what degree this "sponsorship" applies.I think it's all coming from this page -- 'The Irish Presidency also wishes to acknowledge the contribution of the following companies to specific elements of the Irish Presidency:' and lists MS in that list. Now, it could be that the "contribution" was only a free copy of IIS -- but we need to find out. From what I've heard through the grapevine, however, MS may have certainly had influence on the Irish Presidency's position. --j.
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 16, 2004 7:07 UTC (Sun) by stanpinte (guest, #18656) [Link] you should ask Patricia McKenna, a green european deputee in Ireland: http://www.pmckenna.com/--> I talked with her at the european parliament while showing to some green deputees samples of free software, and she might give/get you more info. Stan.
Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU? Posted May 16, 2004 12:55 UTC (Sun) by ompaul (guest, #15362) [Link] Various politicians and their offices, in Ireland during this weekend, by concerned members of ILUG (Irish Linux Users Group) I know that my message got to or one degree away from Mary Harney, I suggested that it was not in the public interest to go around creating manpolies and the advice that is being given to them may be flawed, or at the very least partial.If you compare the following: http://www.maryhanafin.ie/isa2004.htm With the sales pitch of a very large software company some might get an opinion: http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2004/05/02/story186140642.asp This is an article by a microsoft employee. Oh by the way there is a rebuke of this article on the front page of http://www.linux.ie As I live in Ireland I can safely say I live in hope for tomorrow, I hope it is not in vain.
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