TRADE UNIONS : CONTROVERSY ERUPTS OVER PRESS RELEASE.

The trade unions are not impressed with the press release writing skills of the Czechs. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) accuses the Czech EU Presidency of issuing a "misleading" press release on the delivery of its memorandum to Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, on 28 January. ETUC has submitted an official request for correction. The Czechs say they have not received the request yet and will issue a correction if they deem it necessary.

In ETUC's opinion, the ominous press release "came a bit as a surprise as it did not entirely reflect [the organisation's] key message." General Secretary John Monks said that the "selective extracts of my contribution to the meeting" are "misleading". "My key point on the economic crisis was that in addition to the need for a major boost to stimulate economic activity, a coordinated European approach was necessary to avoid protectionist, or beggar thy neighbour' actions by individual states," Monks explained.

However, while the Czech Presidency's press release claims that Monks "expressed his agreement with the opinion that the protective measures [ ] may prolong the crisis rather than solve it," the document fails to mention that ETUC is asking for a "coordinated European approach" to tackling the crisis. Instead, it reflects the slightly different opinion of the Czech Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Petr Necas. The Czech release quotes him as saying that "due to different points of departure the financial crisis has different impact in each member state and that the tools for combating its negative consequences need to reflect this fact".

To add insult to injury, another...

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