Reference: Brussels not amused by Berlusconi's antics, Bangkok Post, September 19, 2009

Citing the high cost of the EU carbon emission reduction plan ill timed to coincide with a long and painful global recession, Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi announced that Italy will not comply and moreover that he intends to use Italy's veto power to block the measure. The frustration with Italy in Brussels is best understood in these terms. Their attempt to tarnish and sideline Berlusconi using sensational tabloid press sex stories (Brussels not amused by Berlusconi's antics, Bangkok Post, September 19, 2009) is simply a desperate warning the prime minister to not use Italy's veto power. The EU are not amused because Berlusconi has forced them into a reality check with respect to their ambitious but misguided war against carbon dioxide.

Cha-am Jamal
Thailand