Different Voices

“Games where you are supposed to shoot down ordinary people walking on the streets, or where you have to bully children at schools are other examples of such, in essence, obscene and perverse, games.” Franco Frattini, European commissioner, calling for advisory warnings and age restrictions on computer and video games.

“It's a myth that this Commission is not legislating; 45% of our work in 2005-06 involved new legislative proposals.” José Manuel Barroso, Commission president, presenting his 2007 work programme to MEPs.

“The euro has enabled the creation of a stable environment among European partners, but its current level penalises some of our exports.” Dominique de Villepin, French prime minister, expressing support for the beleaguered airplane manufacturer Airbus.

“I did not see the British imposing restrictions on the numbers of Romanian troops deployed in Iraq.” Traian Basescu, Romanian president, on British plans to restrict the movement of Romanian and Bulgarian workers.