Ahern close to sealing historic EU deal

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern was on the brink of his finest political hour last night as the first European constitution was close to being agreed.

But his hopes of pulling off a double success by reaching agreement on a new Commission President proved difficult as talks continued late into the night.

All countries heaped praise on Mr Ahern for his six months of painstaking work, criss-crossing the 25 EU member states seeking compromise in order to achieve agreement on the constitution.

Irish diplomats were working late into the night putting together what they hope will be the final draft of the document, tidying up the final half-dozen issues to be agreed.

Mr Ahern will put these to the meeting today and hope he can leave Brussels this evening with unanimous agreement for the European Union's first constitution.

Over a dinner of smoked salmon and Wicklow lamb, the leaders of the 25 EU states played a game of political chess in their bid to select a new Commission President.

Mr Ahern has been under pressure to put himself forward as a successor to Romano Prodi, and despite his protests that he is not interested, he was still believed to be a contender.

He was keeping his cards close to his chest last night, as he attempted to play the role of honest broker in the selection of Commission President.

He refused to say if he would take the job if pushed by his colleagues and would not reveal who he planned to nominate.

Last night, the name of another Irishman, Parliament President and outgoing Munster MEP Pat Cox, hovered in the background. He has supporters among the new member states and though seen as a rank outsider, his chances would improve immeasurably if Mr Ahern backed him.

The principal hat in the ring before the meeting was that of Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt but Britain, Italy and a handful of states would not entrust charge of the commission for the next five years to the avowed federalist.

External Affairs Commissioner and British Tory Chris Patten is also a strong contender but many suspect he is a stalking horse to open up the contest and allow other names to enter the race.

The French knocked his chances and put forward their Foreign Minister and former commissioner Michel Barnier.

Other names being floated include that of Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

The favourite with the majority of states appeared to be Luxembourg Premier Jean-Claude Juncker.

However, he has just been re-elected with an increased majority on the promise he will remain in the job.

He assured his colleagues over the dinner table in Brussels last night that he is not available.

However, some believed that if they postponed the decision for two weeks it would give Mr Juncker time to make his excuses to his electorate, allowing him to take up the Brussels job.