Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- [Between having illicit affairs with European Countesses on Majorca and criss-crossing Europe in military jets to indulge the finer things in life, its truly remarkable and a sign of his great altruism that the German/NATO General Herr Scharping finds time to show interest in poor little Macedonia...but then again, the cynic in me would say that those acts of "humanitarianism" that routinely interupt his hedonistic lifestyle are probably just calculated maneuvers to curry more favor with the representatives of European Royalty and up his cache with those Euro-neo-fascist-jet-set-types that are all the rage these days...] Monday, 10 September, 2001, 11:21 GMT 12:21 UK Scharping faces grilling http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1535000/1535039.stm There have been calls for the minister to resign By Rob Broomby and Fiona Werge German Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping is under cross-examination from a high-level parliamentary committee, over claims he used official flights to visit his lover on holiday. The hearing comes after a week of calls for Mr Scharping to resign over the allegations. The row piles troubles on Gerhard Schroeder's Red-Green coalition, which is already under strain over attempts to find a consensus over future immigration policy to keep the issue out of next year's general election campaign. Scharping and girlfriend Countess Kristina Pilati Mr Scharping, who is seeking a divorce from his wife, is said to have interrupted a holiday in Majorca with Countess Kristina Pilati to attend a parliamentary debate on sending German troops to Macedonia. He then took a military flight back to Majorca for one night before flying on to Macedonia, only to return to the Spanish island the same evening. Mr Scharping faced a barrage of criticism when pictures of his holiday with the countess were splashed in a magazine just as the Macedonia debate was starting. He is also accused of using government jets to fly to Frankfurt, where the countess lives. Decisive moment Mr Scharping's appearance before the committee could prove decisive. His performance will almost certainly decide his future as cabinet minister. Ahead of the meeting, the Christian Democrat opposition have ratcheted up the pressure, accusing the minister of betraying official secrets and endangering soldiers' lives, after it emerged that he had revealed the route German troops would use to enter Macedonia ahead of their deployment. The opposition will also demand a full explanation from the minister of dozens of flights to Frankfurt which, they claim, were arranged to visit the countess. Mr Scharping says he has the right to use the air force flights to return to his constituency - although critics claim other airports would have been closer. Mr Scharping says he will offer the committee as much transparency as possible. Chancellor's troubles Speaking ahead of the hearing, Chancellor Schroeder said he had not the slightest reason to doubt Mr Scharping's version of events. But the Red-Green coalition itself is troubled. The Green Party is angry that the government is conceding too much to the opposition Christian Democrats to get a consensus over immigration. Now, both the foreign and justice ministers have raised their own objections to the proposed changes. It could be a difficult week for the Chancellor. ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
