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'States like Britian could derail' new EU treaty

The new EU treaty might not be ratified because "sensitive" countries such as Britain will pick over the detail of a text that many consider is too "close" to the rejected Constitution, the man in charge of the process has said.

Slovenia, which takes up the EU's rotating presidency on New Year's Day, is preparing itself for a torrid six months as most member states attempt to push the treaty through national parliaments before the summer.

Janez Jansa, Slovenia's prime minister, told The Daily Telegraph that a smooth ratification could not be taken for granted. "We cannot exclude the possibility that something will go wrong," he said.

The "sensitive cases" - Britain, France, the Netherlands and Ireland, which is required by its constitution to hold a referendum - are all expected to try to rush through ratification by the end of June 2008.

Mr Jansa said that after French and Dutch voters rejected the constitution in 2005, Europe's elites were using the parliamentary route rather than risky popular votes to ratify the accord.

EU officials and national governments have drawn up documents "mapping" the political obstacles ahead, Mr Jansa revealed.

To help Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, get the new Treaty through Parliament, Brussels will delay proposals to scrap Britain's annual £3 billion rebate.

However, Labour MPs have warned ministers that they face a "dilemma" explaining to the public why no referendum would be held given that Labour promised a vote on the constitution in its 2005 general election manifesto.

Like the old constitution, the new treaty creates a permanent EU president, a "foreign minister" - known as the High Representative for Foreign Affairs - scraps 55 national vetoes and gives new legal authority for the EU, allowing it to sign international treaties.

Slovenia is planning to create the basis for a diplomatic service to be run by the "foreign minister" as well as an office for the new President of Europe, raising fears that parts of the new treaty are already being implemented despite the fact it has not been ratified.

"There are a few sensitive issues. I do not want to go into details. We will be very careful in the area of preparation of how to implement the treaty," said Mr Jansa.

Slovenia will also have to cope with Kosovo's expected declaration of independence in January.

Mr Jansa believes that his country, which was part of the former Yugoslavia, is well placed to handle negotiations.

Ljubljana is determined to ensure that the EU presents a united front on the issue as Cyprus, Spain, Slovakia and other countries fear that independence for Kosovo will set a precedent for their own national minorities.

He insisted that he would fight hard to stop unilateral recognition of an independent Kosovo by Britain, Germany, France and Italy.

"I do not think that is a good plan because this means the EU is not united in action," he said.

"The EU has to be first to take the proper decisions and to co-ordinate this with other international actors. Individual moves from individual member states are less important."

Mr Jansa said that after French and Dutch voters rejected the constitution in 2005, Europe's elites were using the parliamentary route rather than risky popular votes to ratify the accord.

I haven't read the "treaty", or evan a summary. What it says is not relevant, I'm against it soley for the reason brown & co are desperate to avoid giving people a choice.