When you vote, think of the Europeans who can’t

On June 12 you will be called upon to express your opinion about the Lisbon Treaty.

Sat, 31 May, 2008 - 01:00

To consult your opinion on this matter is indeed the very minimum — the implementation of the contents of this text would have a very profound impact on your lives and your nation’s future.

But, as you probably know, in 26 of the 27 countries concerned, the citizens are being denied what should have been the most normal procedure — a referendum. Particularly the citizens of France and the Netherlands, who had clearly voted no to the European constitution in 2005, are witnessing how their votes are being scoffed at because the current treaty is merely a copy of that constitution.

Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, the father of the treaty, is the first to acknowledge this. Not only are the citizens of France, the Netherlands and the other countries not being consulted, the European leaders, as well as the commission in Brussels, are openly admitting that their refusal is being motivated by the ‘risk’ that voters may say no. Such a denial of democracy is, to our knowledge, unprecedented in modern history.

Our sovereignty is very important to us. Therefore under no circumstances would we want to decide for Irish citizens whether the text is advantageous or unfavourable to the interests of your country and its population, particularly on the most essential issues such as military neutrality, the future of public services, economic liberty or national sovereignty.

On the other hand, we would like to draw your attention to one point: if Ireland should vote yes, the European leaders would triumph.

They would pat themselves on the back for their successful use of strong arm tactics to have imposed a treaty that was rejected by our compatriots (and probably by a majority of Europeans, had they been asked their opinion). What sort of future would this bring, particularly to the Irish people, in a European Union built on this foundation? A referendum would have been warranted in each of the nations concerned. Because of the European leaders, you will be the only ones to enjoy this ‘privilege’.

This is why we ask you in the interest of democracy, as well as in your own interests, when you drop your ballot into the box, think of us.

Maurice Bourjol

Dean of Law

Tours University

Michel Debray

Admiral (2S)

Bruno Drweski

Professor

l’INALCO (International Cultural Studies)

Yvon Grinda

Chief executive, Chemistry,

Alpes-Maritimes)