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flandersTHE DUTCH SPEAKING PART OF press review weekly, does not appear in July • number 25 • 29 June – 5 July 2002

INTRODUCTION a flan Verhofstadt locks horns r l dr hen the Socialists, Liber- u e s • s f u o c c als, and Greens took the u W o f s

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ccording to federal Prime Minis- f BOUDEWIJN VAN PETEGHEM • o s k u the , they Ater , the Chair- DE STANDAARD • 5 JULY could scarcely have suspected man of the Association of Flemish the adventures it would lead to. After the new Cities and Municipalities (Verenig- Verhofstadt ended his argument in state reform, the party broke in two and a part of ing van Vlaamse Steden en Gemeen- the superlative, saying that it was VU-ID went over to the opposition as the New ten - VVSG) Jef Gabriëls, who is also all a game manipulated and orches- Flemish Alliance (N-VA). A little later VU-ID minis- the CD&V mayor of Genk, over- trated by the CD&V, which is using ter Sauwens had to be hastily replaced because he was spotted at a meeting of eastern front stepped the mark when he declared the most commonplace opposition fighters. And in the last six months it has become that as far as the VVSG was con- ploys, that do nothing whatsoever apparent that Spirit, the faction of the former cerned there was no longer an agree- to help promote security. Of course, VU-ID that had remained faithful to the govern- ment on police reform. In the parlia- that was a remark that CD&V MP ment, was in danger of falling short of the 5% mentary debate on 4 July, Paul Tant could not ignore. He re- threshold in next year’s elections. The result was Verhofstadt said that Gabriëls had torted that Verhofstadt was failing that Spirit mandataries opted to make the best of a bad job and went off in search of safer pas- let himself be manipulated by his to address the core of the matter, tures, for example to parties such as the VLD and party. Gabriëls denies this, and and that the Prime Minister was re- Agalev, where a more attractive place on the claims that the VVSG has a ‘condi- sorting to insults because he did not electoral list still beckoned. It was when Culture tional agreement’ with the Federal have any other arguments. ‘You’re Minister Bert Anciaux announced his plans to riv- Government. According to De Stan- not keeping your promises and et Spirit into an alliance with the SP.A that the ex- daard, not only CD&V mayors but the municipalities are becoming odus really gathered momentum, much to the also mayors from the Liberal/Social- pressed for money,’ the Christian- dismay of Anciaux himself, who had clearly mis- judged the consequences of his choice. Deeply ist/Green coalition feel that the gov- Democrat mayor said, whereupon affected by what had happened, he resigned his ernment should cough up more mon- the angry Prime Minister referred to ministerial portfolio. As has often been the case ey for the police reform (FF). next week’s budget control, which in the past with a politician prone to displays of he said would convert the major fed- emotion, his resignation was accompanied by CONTENTS eral financial promises into hard emotional remarks, of which the outbursts di- cash. rected at VLD Chairman Karel De Gucht echoed the longest. The Government of Flanders found Politics On being asked, Jef Gabriëls modi- itself facing a crisis precisely a week before the Minister Anciaux resigns 2 fied his position of Monday. The festivities marking the seven hundredth anniver- Anciaux attacks VLD power politics 3 VVSG is still conditionally in agree- sary of 1302 were due to kick off. But since a so- The reshuffle 3 ment and that is a position of the ne- lution was found quickly, the government has VLD obtains a pyrrhic victory 4 gotiating delegation, which met on been able to limit the fouling of its own nest, as the matter. ‘The problem,’ Gabriëls this incident has come across in the public opin- ion. Nonetheless the Anciaux crisis is a turning Economy said, ‘is that we have the Prime point for the Socialist/Liberal/Green project, in Foreign investments fall by 80% 4 Minister’s word, but that the texts the view of De Morgen (4 July). The feeling of fra- Karel Vinck in charge of Belgian do not correctly render the agree- ternity between contemporaries in the Govern- railways 5 ments as we understand them.’ The ment of Flanders has disappeared. Wounds have Ebone fibre optic network shut chairman of the VVSG is asking the been inflicted and distrust has crept in. De Stan- down 6 Prime Minister to monitor the cor- daard agrees with that: this conflict was no longer about policies, but unadulterated power. Airbus A400M: what about rect compliance with what has been Minister-President Dewael has understood that. Flemish compensations? 7 agreed. There is no doubt that He wants agreements within the government - a Gabriëls’ entreaty is along the lines kind of non-aggression pact between the minis- Agriculture of what is felt by many mayors from ters of the Government of Flanders internally. Af- Manure row between Flanders the Liberal/Socialist/Green majori- ter all, when they come back from their summer and 6 ty. They, too, are keeping tabs on break politicians will be busier with making up Verhofstadt & Co. the electoral lists than with the Liberal/Social- ist/Green project. And then the urge to present Culture an image could take on grotesque forms. The cultural policy of Bert Anciaux 7 Frank Vandecaveye | editor in chief focus on FLANDERS • 29 June - 5 July 2002 • Number 25 2 POLITICS

PARTIES

few days. If he can persuade Etienne Flemish minister Bert Van Vaerenbergh to move to the Liberals as an independent and Anciaux resigns Agalev leader Gheysels can do the same with Spirit member Herman efore the Government of Flan- . Furthermore, it is also po- Lauwers, the four remaining Spirit B ders takes off on its summer litical fiction, since both the VLD MPs will no longer be necessary for recess (24 July), it first has to over- and Agalev have been making it a majority. come a minor crisis. Totally unex- clear in the last few days that two pectedly, the Minister for Culture, ministers was too much for a party Sport, and Brussels Affairs Bert that now only has five MPs. There- Opinion Anciaux (Spirit) has tendered his fore, Dewael did not make any in- resignation. He feels that he can tensive efforts yesterday to per- YVES DESMET • DE MORGEN • 2 JULY no longer function as a minister. suade Anciaux to change his mind. Anciaux, who wants to steer his On Monday evening nobody had a The fact that two of his colleagues, party Spirit into a cartel with the ready-made solution for a way out Patrick Vankrunkelsven and Sven SP.A for the 2003 federal elections, of the political crisis. Once Anci- Gatz - who were actually his lieu- is extremely disillusioned with the aux had informed him of his resig- tenants - did not believe in his pro- ‘political power games’ that are , Patrick Dewael immediate- ject and opted for the VLD, was the being played out. In particular, ly started a round of consultations. straw that broke the camel's back, the insinuations that he is only ty- Senior figures in the government because he regarded their choice as ing to safeguard his own political and in Spirit's ranks were reviewed, his personal failing. Anciaux is not career with his choice of an al- but nobody was able to conjure up a giving in to the demand of VLD liance with the SP.A are gnawing solution. Chairman Karel De Gucht, who at him. When he also learnt on first plucked all the cherries off the Monday morning that Brussels Spirit cake and then demanded MP and friend Sven Gatz had left RUUD GOOSSENS • DE MORGEN • that Spirit also drop a ministerial Spirit for the liberal VLD, it was 2 JULY post. Bert Anciaux is sick and tired too much for him. Gatz is alleged- of the cynicism and Machiavel- ly not the only one who is not fol- After the elections of 13 June 1999, lianism of the Rue de la Loi. He is lowing the course set by Anciaux. the governing coalition had a major- fed up of seeing the progressive pro- MEP Bart Staes and federal MP ity of 71 seats, with the distribution ject in which he believed, and for Ferdy Willems are reportedly con- amongst the parties in office look- which he regards Spirit as essen- sidering defecting to Agalev, ing as follows: 27 seats for the VLD, tial, being depicted as his personal whilst Chairperson Annemie 20 for the SP.A, 12 for Agalev and 12 guarantee of a new mandate. Inci- Vande Casteele does not want to for VU/ID. Sixty-three of the 124 dentally, if his resignation is ac- carry on in the chairperson's job. seats are needed for a majority in the cepted he will be without a job. It is now up to Minister-President Flemish Parliament. In contrast to Unlike his fellow ministers, he Dewael (VLD) to reshuffle his the Federal Government level, in cannot fall back on a seat in the Government of Flanders team. On Flanders the VU/ID was vital for a federal or Flemish Parliament. He Monday evening, after its general government without Christian-De- was elected as a member of the Eu- council meeting at which Bert An- mocrats. Now things look rather ropean Parliament and resigned ciaux was not present, Spirit an- different. After the break-up of the that office in order to be able to be- nounced that it was totally in Volksunie, three Flemish Parlia- come a minister of the Govern- favour of a cartel with the SP.A ment MPs who opted for Geert ment of Flanders. Those who say and that it was continuing to de- Bourgeois's that Anciaux is too weak and too mand two ministers in the Gov- (N-VA) moved to the opposition naïve to be a full-blooded politi- ernment of Flanders, even though benches. A few months later former cian are probably right. But the it would have difficulties provid- Minister Johan Sauwens joined the question is whether the Rue de la ing a replacement for Anciaux CD&V parliamentary party. The Loi does not desperately need a (FF). majority thus shrank to 69 seats. couple of Anciauxs, who at times Etienne Van Vaerenbergh refused to walk around the political land- RUUD GOOSSENS/ make a choice, but the majority did scape in all too human a fashion. BART EECKHOUT/YVES DESMET/ not fall. A few weeks ago Margriet JOHAN CORTHOUTS • Hermans decided to move to the DE MORGEN • 2 JULY VLD. Now that Sven Gatz has also decided to sit with the Liberal par- Spirit is not even in a position to re- liamentary party, the Liberal/So- place Anciaux. That is impossible, cialist/Green coalition without since the party no longer has any Spirit has 61 seats. The idea of car- elected representatives in Brussels rying on with just VLD, SP.A and in the wake of Sven Gatz's depar- Agalev immediately becomes a lot ture, and legally Anciaux, who was less unrealistic, and that is some- also Minister for Brussels Affairs, thing that VLD Chairman Karel De has to be replaced by someone from Gucht has also realised over the last

focus on FLANDERS • 29 June - 5 July 2002 • Number 25 POLITICS 3

LUC VANDER KELEN • HET LAATSTE lets himself be blinded by his emo- Government of Flan- NIEUWS • 2 JULY tions. Bert consults with Bert, and only when it is too late does he dis- ders reshuffle complete Anciaux is busy organising his own cover that there are also other peo- FF EDITORIAL STAFF redundancy, since if two more Spir- ple living in his street. One by one, it MPs defect, for example to his political associates are quit- Political business and in particular Agalev, Spirit will no longer be nec- ting. Either they are dismissed or the Government of Flanders have essary for the majority. Sven Gatz the relationship ends in a blazing suffered substantial damage on ac- would then simply be able to be- row. In the Volksunie, in Spirit, in count of Bert Anciaux's resigna- come Brussels minister in the Gov- his own ministerial office; it's the tion, in the view of the Minister- ernment of Flanders, but then for same everywhere. Without a hand President Patrick Dewael (VLD). the VLD. It really has to be said to guide him, Bert Anciaux is a The affair resulted in recrimina- now: Bert Anciaux is totally un- spinning comet that does not know tions flying to and fro, and also set suitable to play a leader's role. He where it is heading the two largest parties in the major- ity coalition, the VLD and SP.A, FLEMISH GOVERNMENT against each other. For ‘coach’ De- wael, 2 July was therefore a busy day. The barbecue that he had Anciaux attacks VLD's promised for the entire Rue de la Loi press contingent on Tuesday power politics evening was cancelled without a second thought. The gap left by An- t Spirit's general party coun- De Gucht is partly responsible for ciaux in the government team had A cil meeting, where the forma- his resignation. ‘He wanted to set to be filled as quickly as possible. tion of a cartel with the SP.A had to me against my political friends. He After an initial round of consulta- be voted on, there was consterna- wanted to have me wrestling with tions with the party chairmen, he tion and confusion. Most of the Paul Van Grembergen.’ came to the conclusion (like his council's members had just heard Anciaux is asking questions about party Chairman De Gucht), that the news that their Minister Bert the way in which De Gucht is at- Spirit should no longer have a sec- Anciaux had resigned. Bert Anci- tempting to render Spirit superflu- ond minister. The party was unable aux himself did not appear at the ous by carrying off Spirit members to offer enough to warrant that. meeting. After a lively debate, ‘in an orchestrated fashion’. Anci- There were now only four Spirit 82% of the members of the council aux does not deny that the VLD has MPs left in the Flemish Parliament, voted in favour of a cartel with the succeeded in seducing his former one of whom still had doubts as to SP.A, 7% voted against, and 11% fellow party members. However, he whether or not to defect to another abstained. Therefore, Spirit will does not feel that he has put the party. renew talks with the Socialists, Government of Flanders in a diffi- In the end Dewael was able to an- and it is planned for the results of cult predicament, and does not feel nounce on 3 July that the reshuffle those talks to be presented to an- that he is leaving Spirit or his de- of his government team was com- other members' meeting in Sep- partment staff in the lurch, either. plete. Brussels VLD member Guy tember. At a press conference the ‘Sometimes you have to sort things Vanhengel is to become Minister following day, Bert Anciaux criti- out with yourself. It's wholly at for Brussels Affairs in the Govern- cised the power politics of VLD odds with the goals that I have set ment of Flanders. Vanhengel is al- Chairman Karel De Gucht, in his myself, but you have to be prepared ready Minister for the Budget and familiar emotional manner. In the for it. I'm opting for a vulnerable po- Finance in the Brussels Govern- near future, he wants more than sition with Spirit rather than the ment, but will combine the two anything to go back to working for prevailing cynicism. I want to go on ministerial offices. Vanhengel is Spirit as a party activist (FF). the stump for the party with greater the Fleming from Brussels whom independence. I'm not asking for the Government of Flanders needs BART BRINCKMAN • DE STANDAARD • the party chairmanship should that in order to be legally composed. 3 JULY post arise.’ Anciaux's commitment Spirit Minister Paul Van Grember- remains intact. He once saved the gen takes over responsibility for Anciaux personally feels deeply Volksunie from certain demise, and Culture and Youth from Anciaux. hurt by the reproaches of oppor- soon he wants to try to do the same Van Grembergen does however, tunism and burning ministerial for Spirit. The ultimate goal should give up the Foreign Affairs portfolio ambition. ‘At some point I have the be a better and more liveable soci- to the Minister for Economic Af- right to react to these dirty tricks. ety, free of any form of racism. ‘I fairs and Foreign Trade Jaak The image for the people is not ex- shall never disavow that option. Gabriëls (VLD). actly a pretty one, but I'm trying to Flanders is not an intolerant soci- The Greens are also getting their do something about that. I put ety, but we have to get back to the piece of the pie: Minister for Wel- friendship above a post, and there- people.’ In a voice faltering with fare Mieke Vogels is being given the fore I am also tendering my resigna- emotion, Anciaux summed up his Development Co-operation portfo- tion. I have no other means of de- achievements at the Culture de- lio. fence at all. After all, there are no partment, and then thanked every- words for this. I have to show some- one. thing by acting.’ Indirectly Karel

focus on FLANDERS • 29 June - 5 July 2002 • Number 25 4 POLITICS AND ECONOMY

PARTIES Foreign investments VLD notches up a pyrrhic in Belgium fall by victory 80% s of 3 July, half of the Govern- whether the Anciaux ‘brand name’ ccording to the OECD, direct A ment of Flanders team con- will do as well with the electorate A foreign investments in our sists of Liberals. When it comes to without an effective party machin- country fell back last year by 80%, mandates, the VLD has been able ery. The cartel with the SP.A can from 243 to 51 billion dollars. The to show its power. The brand new serve as a new vehicle to bring his downturn amounted to 56% Spirit chairpersons Els Van Weert message - and himself - to the peo- across the whole of the OECD and Geert Lambert had to climb ple. The Socialists derive their ben- area. Together with Germany, Bel- down in the negotiations held in efit from the fact that through An- gium has suffered the sharpest de- the night of 2/3 July. Moreover, the ciaux they can tap a new, and cline in terms of direct foreign in- VLD now already has five former largely young, segment of the pub- vestments. But Belgium can take Sprit mandataries in its ranks. But lic that would otherwise pass them pride in the fact that, after the USA it is highly debatable as to by. and Great Britain, it attracted whether the Flemish Liberals have It has been striking to note that most investments from all OECD come out of the Anciaux incident over the last few days Anciaux and countries in the period 1999-2001 as moral winners, feels De Stan- SP.A Chairman Patrick Janssens (FF). daard (4 July) (FF). have been on the same wavelength as regards their condemnation of STEFAAN MICHIELSEN • BOUDEWIJN VAN PETEGHEM • the Liberal devil incarnate Karel De DE STANDAARD • 4 JULY DE STANDAARD • 4 JULY Gucht. Via their leader, Flemish Liberals and Democrats are being The OECD points out that foreign Spirit is losing, that is certain. depicted as politicians who go on investments in 2000 stood at an un- Whereas a short time ago there and on about the new political cul- usually high level on account of the might have been some lingering ture but who, when it comes down busy cross-border merger and ac- doubt as to the legitimacy of its de- to it, get up to ‘old politics’- what- quisition activities, especially in mand that it retain two members of ever that means. the technology and financial sec- the government team, this doubt There is no doubt that the VLD has tors. The extremely high stock has melted away like snow in the tried to ‘spirit away’ as many Spirit market prices also help to explain sun as more Spirit members have members as possible to the Liberal the record amounts recorded in abandoned the party's ship. That camp, although at the end of the 2000. Despite the sharp fall last Spirit loses does not in any way day defecting politicians make year, Belgium still attracted more mean that Bert Anciaux loses. In their own decisions. Moaning foreign investments than in 1999, right-thinking circles the former about this is beside the point - al- when the country recorded a figure minister is viewed as an incorrigi- though it does not detract from the of $38.7 billion in foreign invest- ble and pathetic piece of emotion, fact that the Flemish Liberals are ments. but in his case that emotive side nonetheless left carrying the can as After the USA and Great Britain, goes hand in hand with a large dose recruiters of 'defectors' from other Belgium was the most important of intellect. Anciaux has emotion parties. destination for foreign investments as his core business and thereby Actually, the VLD does not really in the OECD area in the period carved out a very individual and have an extra minister, since VLD 1992-2001, according to OECD fig- successful place for himself on the cabinet member Guy Vanhengel is ures. In this period foreign compa- political scene. His power of judge- being given a double cap, one for nies invested $422.3 billion in our ment tells him to keep going along Brussels and one for Flanders. country - only slightly less than in the path on which he has already Patrick Janssens, who was against a Great Britain, which welcomed in- experienced a lot of trouble and fifth VLD minister, did not fail to vestments to the tune of $444.4 bil- bother, but which personally has point this out. There has been a bit lion. Belgium does not cut a bad fig- not done him any political harm. of a reshuffle of competencies, and ure as an investor, either. Between The senior politician has himself the harvest reaped by the Liberals is 1992 and 2001, Belgian companies said that he will now work as a not immediately impressive. invested abroad to the tune of standard party activist for Spirit Furthermore, the Government of $414.1 billion, a figure that takes and will be going on the road. He Flanders decides on the basis of plu- sixth place. The USA also heads up need not worry about his liveli- rality, which implies all the more this list, with $1,145 billion in in- hood, since he will be receiving a that the relationships of power be- vestments abroad, followed by year-long retirement allowance tween Liberals, Socialists, and Great Britain, France, Germany, equal to a parliamentary salary. Greens have not fundamentally and Japan. He stresses that he still backs the changed at all. In any case it is con- Liberal/Socialist/Green coalition, spicuous that in the entire affair the but riles at what he describes as the Socialists, and to an even greater pernicious Liberals, who are busy degree the Greens, have lain as low sawing the legs from under his par- as possible-also during the talks in ty in a most abominable fashion. the night of Tuesday/Wednesday. We shall have to wait and see

focus on FLANDERS • 29 June - 5 July 2002 • Number 25 ECONOMY 5

RAIL gone to the heavyweight that had long been the Prime Minister's Karel Vinck in charge of the favoured candidate. Vinck also en- joys the support of the opposition Belgian railways CD&V, so that is an added bonus. Rejected candidates may yet find arel Vinck, CEO of Umicore, IVAN BROECKMEIER/RENAAT further evidence in the way in Kwill hold the top job at the Bel- SCHROOTEN • DE FINANCIEEL- which the selection procedure was gian national railway company ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 29 JUNE carried out to put a few spokes in NMBS/SNCB for the next three the wheels by going to the Council years, after reaching an agreement The Umicore chief executive re- of State. If that legal pitfall is with the Federal Government. In peatedly stressed the conditions avoided, the real work can finally the presence of the Minister for that he had laid down for taking on begin. However, the enormous Transport Isabelle Durant () the job. Durant's department main- problems with which the railway and the Chairman of the Board of tained that ‘turning the Railways company is confronted are far from Directors Alain Deneef, he gave all Act upside down’ was out of the having been solved yet. The the details of his appointment on question. At the same time it was NMBS/SNCB is labouring under a 28 June. The negotiations had ini- acknowledged that a number of huge debt burden, which will only tially been difficult. Vinck had Vinck's demands were ‘legitimate’, swell further with the new invest- asked the government for a number but the message was that many of ment plan. Even the partial as- of guarantees, which he regarded them could be realised without an sumption of debt promised by the as indispensable for him to be able amendment to the law. Vinck government will not be enough to to function effectively as managing would certainly be able to sit on the remove that millstone from around director. First of all, he asked for remuneration committee, as long as the company's neck. At the same the age limit of 65 to be scrapped. he did not want to chair it. Obvi- time we are heading for a European After all, Vinck is 64. He also asked ously he had to play a key role in the liberalisation of rail traffic, and in for the chairmanship of the strate- communication policy, as long as this context the NMBS/SNCB, as a gic committee and the remunera- this did not result in the Board of small player in the heart of the con- tion committee, and requested a Directors being gagged. A protocol tinent, risks being blown away. toning down of the system where- could provide a better framework Anyone who knows anything by a second signature, that of the for the controversial double-signa- about the government and the director-general (probably PS ture system. The plurality-based de- company is aware that the member Vincent Bourlard), is nec- cision making of the NMBS/SNCB NMBS/SNCB will only be able to essary for all major infrastructure management committee could not weather that storm after drastic re- works. He also asked for control be tampered with, but Vinck could structuring, in which several thou- over the communication policy. be given a casting vote in the event sand jobs will be lost, especially in However, he only received guaran- of a tie in the votes. And he could Wallonia. Vinck is the man whose tees regarding the age limit. certainly chair the strategic com- job it will be to break that unhappy As regards the other requirements, mittee if board chairman Deneef news to the unions. The fact that he something had to be settled or an was absent. However, Vinck stuck already has several successful reor- amendment of the new Railways by his demand that he should be the ganisations under his belt is un- Act is required. A working group permanent chairman of this com- doubtedly one of the main reasons now has to examine the extent to mittee, and there appeared to be an for the government having chosen which this Act can be adapted to impasse in the making. Then came him. the conditions that Vinck is laying the suggestion from the govern- down. Aside from Vinck and De- ment that this problem should be neef themselves, there are four ex- shifted to a working group with ex- perts in this working group: perts. The idea of the working group Philippe Delaunois (former direc- provided the necessary break- tor of Cockerill Sambre), Jean- through. François Katz (chairman of the In- stitute of Company Auditors), Luc Opinion Luyten (industrial policy expert) and Hugo Vandamme (former se- IWAN BROECKMEIER • DE FINANCIEEL- nior executive at Barco). The work- ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 29 JUNE ing group will report at the end of this year. After two months of tussling, four Minister for Transport Durant feels calls for candidates and as many that adaptations to the brand new selection rounds, Minister Isabelle law would mean yet more loss of Durant was able to deliver the ver- face, and every possible effort dict and put an end to the waiting. should be made to avoid that. The NMBS/SNCB has a managing Vinck is being given three years to director again. Prime Minister Guy make the NMBS/SNCB dynamic Verhofstadt (VLD) has a couple of and customer friendly, and to pre- reasons for being satisfied. With pare the company for the European Karel Vinck, the appointment has free market (FF). focus on FLANDERS • 29 June - 5 July 2002 • Number 25 6 ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE

MANURE EXPORT TELECOM Manure row between Ebone fibre-optic Flanders and Wallonia network shut down fter the Flemish Manure Bank the manure traffic, details of which he fibre-optic network of the A received visits in February are meticulously recorded and up- T bankrupt Ebone, that is run from the Computer Crime Unit dated there. from Hoeilaart and was taken over and a number of investigators ‘Yesterday's house searches are part at the beginning of the year by KP- from the public prosecutor's of- and parcel of the same investiga- NQwest, was shut down on 2 July. fices of Tournai and Dinant, who tion’, says François Suykens, chair- The interim financing that had at that time confiscated all trans- man of the Manure Bank. Stuykens been raised by a number of cus- port documents relating to 2001, maintains that there is no problem tomers in order to keep the net- some 48 Flemish manure carriers with this manure. ‘After all, we're work running, ran until 30 June. had their premises searched last not talking about untreated manure On Monday 1 July the network week by order of a number of Wal- here, but processed manure which was still operational, but the next loon public prosecutor's offices. has received a certificate from the day the staff stayed away. Some They, too, had transport docu- federal authorities. This manure forty people were still working in ments confiscated. The Minister of can be exported abroad - France and Hoeilaart. The second network of the Government of Wallonia for Germany are particularly good cus- the bankrupt KPNQwest, which is the Environment Michel Foret sus- tomers - but apparently not to Wal- run from The Hague, is still opera- pects the companies of having car- lonia.’ tional. ‘We are still looking for a ried Flemish manure to Wallonia Minister Dua also asserts that there solution for The Hague,’ says re- illegally. Flemish Minister for the is no legal problem whatsoever. ceiver Jan van Apeldoorn. His Bel- Environment Vera Dua (Agalev) is ‘Processed manure ranks as a soil- gian colleague Jean-Michel Derick indignant. According to her, the enriching agent,’ says spokes- reckoned that a takeover of Ebone manure in question is not manure woman Ann Bats. ‘That is a federal- was no longer possible (FF). that has been transported illegal- ly recognised product that can be ly, but processed manure that exported. However, Wallonia is ERIK DE LEYE • DE FINANCIEEL- serves as a soil-enriching agent treating processed manure and un- ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 3 JULY and is recognised by the federal treated manure as the same. That authorities for export (FF). interpretation is causing problems.’ ow that the network has been In any case, Dua wants further talks N shut down, the chance of an TOM COCHEZ • DE MORGEN • 29 JUNE with her Walloon counterpart as acquisition of the entire Ebone net- soon as possible. If Wallonia digs its work has ebbed away. ‘There's no Every year some 500,000 tons of heels in, the Flemish minister is longer any chance of a takeover. manure are exported from Flanders threatening to take this internal We're very pessimistic,’ was how to Wallonia. In the other direction, Belgian matter to the European au- Jean-Michel Derrick summed an average of about 55,000 tons of thorities. things up. The Ebone network will Walloon manure is transported to Ann Bats also points out that the ju- probably be sold off in parts. The Flanders. Despite a Walloon ban on dicial action is aimed at the possi- shutting-down of the network will the import of untreated manure, ble illegal transportation of untreat- probably not have any conse- which dates from 1987, no ques- ed manure - transportation the quences for data traffic in Europe, tions were asked - until, that is, the Manure Bank knows nothing since there is sufficient capacity beginning of February, when a about, precisely because it is illegal. available for it to be re-routed. Flemish lorry carrying manure got The KPNQwest network did re- stuck in the mud in Hainaut. The main operational on Tuesday. How Minister of the Government of long that can be maintained is Wallonia Foret made it a point of something that receiver Jan van honour. Shortly afterwards, the ju- Apeldoorn does not dare predict. dicial authorities came knocking However, the chance of a takeover on the door of the Flemish Manure of the entire KPNQwest is also get- Bank in order to gain an insight into ting smaller by the day. There is sufficient interest for parts, but the receivers are opting for the sale of MARRIAGES DIVORCES the whole, since this brings in more. 30.228 The Dutch telecoms company KPN 14.684 15.165 FLANDERS FLANDERS and the Swedish firm Telia have ex- 23.191 pressed interest in a number of 15.968 9.426 9.239 WALLONIA WALLONIA parts of KPNQwest. Here, too, time 14.151 is pressing. ‘We're already in injury 4.910 4.292 BRUSSELS time,’ stresses Van Apeldoorn. 4.356 BRUSSELS 4.768

’96’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’96’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01

SOURCE: HET NIEUWSBLAD

focus on FLANDERS • 29 June - 5 July 2002 • Number 25 ECONOMY AND CULTURE 7

AVIATION INDUSTRY vernment’s recent decision on the purchase of military equipment Airbus A400M: what about overreaches itself. The decision was aimed at having military orders Flemish compensations? no longer placed on the basis of eco- nomic compensations, but the ccording to agreements with neat agreements made on the dis- armed forces’ operational require- A the European partners, Bel- tribution of the regions. The result ments. In itself that is all very well, gian companies will receive EUR is that the contracts are won by but after the conclusion of the pur- 1.3 billion in orders as compensa- shadowy lobbyists, who pocket chase contract the federal govern- tion for the building of the military their commission, just like in the ment no longer provides any eco- transport aircraft Airbus A400M. good old days’. All this has proved nomic follow-up of this matter. Minister Van Mechelen (VLD) more than enough for the Flemish Dewael regards as unacceptable the claimed in the past that Flemish MP Eddy Schuermans (CD&V) to fact that only the Defence depart- companies will be receiving at raise a number of questions on the ment (led by minister Flahaut (Par- least 50% of the compensations, issue in the Flemish Parliament. ‘It ti Socialiste) )does this. He consid- but Flemish industry has its looks as though the Walloon com- ers that it is naïve to believe that doubts (FF). panies are using up the compensa- Flemish industry will be involved tion portfolio in the inception in the A400M programme by HANS BROCKMANS • TRENDS • 4 JULY phase, whilst there is little left over means of competition, since Flem- for the Flemish companies’. The ish companies can only be involved According to Karel Vervoort of the Government of Flanders has al- in the last phase (that of the fitting- FLAG (the Flemish industrial lobby ready expressed another standpoint out) of the A400M, and they have group for military aviation con- on several occasions. Is Flanders no traditional ties with Airbus. De- tracts), Flemish aviation compa- going to receive adequate compen- wael decided that the Government nies have so far secured some 15% sation or is it all just promises? of Flanders would actively contin- of the Airbus contracts. ‘The prob- ue to bring pressure to bear. lem is that the Federal Govern- MARK DEWEERDT • FINANCIEEL- ment is acting as though there were ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 5 JULY no compensations,’ he sighs. ‘There can therefore not be any Dewael said that the federal go-

CULTURAL POLICY He felt that the ‘ascetic elite’ in the Anciaux, bogeyman and country's temples of culture had a twofold assignment: far greater ef- forts had to be made to let difficult Santa Claus of the culture sector target groups (young people, immi- grants, and the less well educated) ith Bert Anciaux, Flemish KARL VAN DEN BROECK - DE MORGEN - participate in all this subsidised W politics is losing one of the 2 JULY culture. Secondly, Anciaux as- most controversial culture minis- cribed culture a key role in the fight ters of the last few decades, opines On 7 September 2000, before a hall against bitterness and cold atti- De Morgen (2 July). Anciaux saw (De Vooruit, Ghent) packed with of- tudes in society. A year later he culture not as something solely for ficials and prominent figures from sounded even more animated, dur- an elite, but as something for the cultural world (theatre direc- ing a second speech in De Vooruit. young people, the less well educat- tors, culture journalists, advisory According to Anciaux, art and cul- ed and immigrants, and more than committees), Anciaux introduced ture had to strengthen community anything he felt it had to strength- two concepts that continue to de- spirit, give a sense of meaning to en the community spirit. There- fine the culture debate to this day: people's lives, and strengthen the fore culture had to be socially rele- participation in culture and social social fabric. The reactions were vant. In a Flemish culture sector relevance. At that point the Flem- not wildly enthusiastic, but rather that had just become autonomous ish culture sector had arrived at a cynical and condescending. When and had thrown off the rigid point where it at last wanted to en- the Reve affair erupted at this time straitjacket of the subdivision into joy its recently acquired au- (when the Dutch writer Reve was catholic, liberal, and socialist seg- tonomous status. Quality could fi- awarded the Dutch Literature Prize ments, this vision was not really nally prevail over allegiance to a but the traditional presentation by appreciated. However, the sector particular political party when it the king could not take place be- could not level many complaints came to the allocation of subsidies. cause Reve's ‘paedophile’ compan- at Anciaux from a budgetary point The literary sector even gained an ion Van Schafthuizen had become of view, since under his tenure as autonomous Fund for Literature, the talk of the town. A number of minister, funding for culture rose which could grant subsidies itself. Flemish writers then called for An- by no less than EUR 125 million Anciaux did not question this au- ciaux's resignation, ed.), and Anci- (FF). tonomy, but he did question aloud aux found himself in a head-on con- the legitimacy of culture subsidies. frontation with the writers,

focus on FLANDERS • 29 June - 5 July 2002 • Number 25 8 CULTURE relations between artists and the whether these conclusions will be culture sector should perhaps con- minister soured still further. Anci- quickly forthcoming. Given that cern itself most: does Anciaux's de- aux became the target for the whole not a single senior Flemish politi- parture signal the disappearance of sector. Last week, during the cian has taken an interest in culture not only the biggest bogeyman but Colourful Flanders debate on cul- in the last few years, Anciaux was also the biggest Santa Claus from ture, it appeared that the sector was quietly able to carry through a thor- the Government of Flanders? yearning for conclusions. Anciaux ough reform and modernisation of now had to make it clear, and the sector and also imperceptibly quick, what he meant by participa- oversee a EUR 125 million increase tion and social relevance. Now that in the culture budget. That brings Anciaux has left, the question is us to the question with which the

BaCissoko & Yvi Slan (Guinée), Ialma (Gali- • Until 18 August: The Illias and the Odyssea, cia), Adolphe Dominguez & Wenge Tonya exhibition by Mimmo Paladino, Museum Diary Tonya, Drum Drum (Papoua NG) and many Elsene, info: 02/515.64.22 others, Boechout; info: 03/455.69.44 • From 26 May onwards: Interactive Diamond www.sfinks.be Museum of the Province of ; info: MUSIC, DANCE THEATRE 03/20.2.48.90 www.diamantmuseum.be • 3 to 12 July: Klinkende Munt with Armenian • Until 25 August: Atelier Van Lieshout, the Navy Band, Paradox Trio, Vernon Reid, DJ EXPO Franchise unit, Open Air Museum Middel- Logic, Orchestra Baobab, Muntplein, Brussels; heim, Antwerp; info: 03/827.15.34 info: 02/513.82.90 www.beursschouwburg.be • Until 15 September: Lost Past 2002 - 1914, exhibition, Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres; www.antwerpen.be • 5 July to 31 August: Douwe Egberts Drive-In • Until September: International Cartoon Movies on Friday and Saturday evenings, info: 070/22.50.02 • Until 18 August: Bernard Frize, exhibition, Festival Knokke-Heist; Jubelpark (Cinquantenaire), Brussels info: 050/63.04.30 www.dedi.be SMAK, Ghent; info: 09/221.17.03 www.smak.be • Until 18 August: The Retina Diamond by • Until 1 September: The Summer of Antwerp Fred Eerdekens, Au Paradis by Thé Van with Music for the neighbourhood on 12 • Until 15 September: 100 years - 100 chairs, exhibition Design Museum, Ghent; Bergen, White Out by Guy Van Bossche and squares, street theatre performances and Light Scores by Lucia Romualdi (It.), exhibi- circuses, Antwerp; info: 03/213.86.60 info: 09/267.99.99 • Until 15 September: Johan Tahon (sculp- tions MUHKA, Antwerp; info: 03/238.59.60 www.zomervanantwerpen.be www.muhka.be • 12, 19 and 26 July: Beleuvenissen 2002 (every tures) and Permeke, Permekemuseum, Jabbeke (West-Flanders); info: 050/81.12.88 • Until 29 September: Een Swaere Enterprise, Friday of July: 5 July: classical, 12 July: Jazz & exhibition on the East-Indian Company in the Blues, 19 July: Folk and 26 July: Tropical), Leu- • Until November: Living Tomorrow, where vi- sions meet, the house of the future, Vilvoorde; 18th century, Venetiaanse Gaanderijen, ven; info: 016/21.15.39 www.beleuvenissen.be Ostend; info: 059/80.55.00 • Until 1 September: Summer Festival Flan- info: www.livtom.be • Bruges 2002: info: 070/22.33.02 • Until 17 November: Dead.lines: War, media ders in different Flemish cities; and propaganda in the 20th century, exhibi- info: 03/328.19.10 www.zomerfestival.be www.brugge2002.be Until 15 September: In situ: exhibion on differ- tion, Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres • 13, 14 and 15 July: Cactus Festival with • Until 15 September: Being Young in ancient St Germain, Roberto Menescal, Michael Fran- ent locations with Manon De Boer, Messieurs Delmotte, Robert Devriendt, Job Koelewijn, times, exhibition Gallo-Roman Museum, ti&Spearhead; info: 050/33.20.14 www.cactus- Tongeren music.be Ugo Rondinone, Joe Scanlan and Joëlle Tuer- linckx; Until 21 July: The modular museum • Until 18 August: Master drawings from Jan • 14 and 15 July: TW Classic with Joe Cocker, Van Eyck to Hiëronymus Bosch, Rubenshuis, Zucchero and Bryan Adams; info: 0900/26060 and Schone Aussicht 2, Kolenkaai, Brugges; Until 15 Septembre: Home theatre, Antwerp; info: 070/23.37.99 www.heer- www.twclassic.be lijkeprimitieven.be • 13 and 14 July: Brosella Folk & Jazz Festival Concertgebouw, Bruges; Until 8 September: Hanze@Medici, exhibition, Bruges, • Until 15 July: Allias, performances of con- with Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Martin O’Con- temporary art, Taverne PSK, Brussels; nor & Eric Rigler, Kevin Mulligan & Friends, info: 070/22.33.02 www.brugge2002.be Until 15 September: .WAV, sound sculptures info: info: 02/507.82.00 www.psk_pba.be The Jews Brothers Band, Charles Lloyd Quar- • Until 1 September: Group exhibition ‘Hu- tet etc. info: www.brosella.be and sound installations in the city centre of Bruges; info: www.brugge2002.be/wav. manism II’ with Wim Delvoye, Berlinde De • 20 to 27 July: Blue Note Festival (jazz) with Bruyckere and others, Orion Gallery, Stefano di Battista Quartet, Elvin Jones & • Until 18 July: Rubens and the Flemish Baroque painters, exhibition, City Hall, Thermen, Ostend; info: 059/51.19.52 Peace, Nathalie Loriers & Extensions, Brussels • 1 July to 31 August: The Antwerp Airship Jazz Orchestra & Paul Michiels, Stacey Kent, Brussels; info: 02/279.64.34 • Until 14 July: Silver work by the De Vecchi Construction, exhibition by Panamarenko, Don Byron, Abdullah Ibrahim, Toots Thiele- Antwerp (Karel Geertsstraat 2b, Borgerhout); mans, Joe Lovano/John Scofield/Dave Hol- Family, Provincial Museum Sterckshof- Zilvercentrum, Antwerp; info: 03/360.52.50 info: 03/216.93.90 land/Al Foster, Orlando CachaÎto, Groove • Until 21 July: Pottery from Paterna, Institute Cael, Buscemi, Maceo Parker, Ghent; info: • Until 31 August: Kunst-sto(f)f: exhibition on contemporary art and design, Broelmuseum, Cervantes, Brussels; info: 02/737.01.90 www.bluenotefestival.be • Until 15 September: Grimbergen 2002: Open • 25 to 28 July: Sfinks Festival: world music Kortrijk • Until 28 July: The ritual art of the Lega, Air exhibition, Meeting Point Museum Oude with Najar Aataou (Mar), Fernando Abreu Technieken; info: 02/263.03.43 (Bra), Aja (Barbados), Mafalda Arnauth (Portu- ethics and beauty in het heart of Africa, gal, Fado), Boneman (Austr, didgeridoo), Trio exhibition, KBC galery, info: 02/429.85.68

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focus on FLANDERS • 29 June - 5 July 2002 • Number 25