Ron,
When NATO'll have finished with the Balkans, it might get ready for another mission northwards... Indeed, I just stumbled on the following programme of Belgium's Flemish jingo party, Vlaams Blok:
The Vlaams Blok Facts and Objectives
5. The Program
1. An independent Flanders
Belgium was, and still is, an artificial state, dominated by the French-speakers. Large parts of Flanders are still threatened with frenchification and the transfer of funds from Flanders to Wallonia is being continued. Federalism did not provide a solution. The Vlaams Blok advocates a completely independent Flanders, with Brussels as its capital.
2. Europe
The Vlaams Blok supports the concept of a Europe of Peoples. We affirm our solidarity with the other peoples of Europe that aspire to self-government. The Vlaams Blok advocates a European economical, political and military union. We reject the Maastricht-Europe and do not believe in the efficiency of the EC-bureaucracy. Brussels can NOT become the European capital. The settlement of growing numbers of foreigners in Brussels would further harm the Flemish character of Brussels and the surrounding municipalities.
3. The supported return of the non-European foreigners
Though the unemployed in Belgium amount to 400,000, near to a million legal and at least 100,000 illegal aliens still reside here. Every year, at least 10,000 political refugees seek asylum. Our cities witness an ever-growing number of riots involving foreigners (esp. From North Africa and Turkey) The Vlaams Blok rejects the government's policy of integration. It advocates an airtight immigration-stop, a reorganization of the status of political refugees and a supported return of the majority of non-European foreigners.
4. Firm action against crime and drugs
Yearly, registered crime rises with an average of 10%. About one third of all criminal facts can be attributed to foreigners. The drug problem grows at an alarming rate. The Vlaams Blok advocates firm action against crime. Police means must be enlarged. Drugs cannot be legalized.
5. Family and education
The Vlaams Blok is a right wing, conservative party that demands respect for traditional European values. The family is the cornerstone of society. It deserves financial and moral encouragement. Motherhood should not be fiscally penalized. The Vlaams Blok advocates an allowance for the parent who stays at home to raise the children. Abortion is a crime and should be re-entered in the penal code and the procedure for adoption of Flemish children should be made more flexible. Our children have the right to quality education. Experimenting and manipulation in education must stop.
6. Stop political banditry: a strong but a light state
Belgium has a dazzling national debt of 300,000 million US$. The traditional parties' politicians are not servants of the people. They primarily serve their party, their clan, their Trade Union. Political appointments of civil servants, embezzlement of public funds and other malpractice's are rampant. The Vlaams Blok wants to reduce the role of the state in society. Political appointments and plurality of offices should be counteracted. The number of ministers should be reduced. A number of public services must be privatized, the others made more accessible and transparent.
7. Economy: encouragement of free enterprise
Free enterprise must be encouraged, e.g. by tax-cuts. The trade Unions' monopoly position must be abolished. In no way should foreigners receive preferential treatment on the job market. Employment in public services must be reserved for our own people. Employment of foreigners should be subjected to a higher taxation. Employers of illegal aliens must be penalized. Work in the country of origin must be encouraged.
8. Ecology: respect for nature
The polluter must pay. Environmental policies should primarily be pursued on the European level, e.g. the purification of rivers. An end must be put to the proliferation of allotments. Priority should be given to the renovation of city centres. Our farmers must be protected against the farming industry and the EC-bureaucrats. The Vlaams Blok advocates a ban on ritual slaughter, as an aspect of animal protection.
9. Culture: less politics, more culture
The Vlaams Blok is opposed to the political interfering in the cultural sector. It denounces the political manipulation and desinformation in radio and television. The Vlaams Blok denounces the anglicization and americanization of our culture.
Much more over there: vlaams-blok.be
The ''funniest'' thing in their programme is their promoting Brussels to capital of Flanders: Brussels, which already hosts some of the EU bureaucracy as well as NATO's HQ, is populated mainly by approx. one million of French speaking people --including a sizeable non-European minority. Brussels's Flemings amount to roughly 10% of the total. Get the picture? Brussels may be your next Kosovo... Well, at least in that case, no ground invasion plan is required: NATO's staff is already in the thick of the action --LOL!
Regards,
Gustave. |
