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Post by Elektra on Jun 17, 2011 5:44:20 GMT -5
www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3247&Itemid=178Quote from that article: Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Cops Go After Sarawak Chief Minister "Taib is believed to have invested a great deal in the once secretive Swiss banks over past decades, although, following recent reforms, he has more recently focused his attention on Monaco which remains famously lax on the matter of money-laundering," the Sarawak Report said. With one of the Taib family PA danced at the Mulu Resort. It is the same family that organizes the "Islamic Fashion show" in MC. I have to say, PA hangs out with very shady people. The Taibs are responsible for destroying rainforest in Malaysia while PA celebrated his own efforts to save the rainforest with Mel Gibson.
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Post by paca on Jun 17, 2011 6:39:34 GMT -5
so here is the article on the attractiveness committee. SO apparently it is not the foundation to finance trashys surgeries, instead they are making the next great mistake by trying to convert Monaco into sth the super rich might like...and what if they don't?  seems like that thought never even crossed their mind. Just like with promoting trashy and her boomtown rats. they never considered that she might be just another one hit wonder...well sort of as she only seems to top the Bunte charts  www.monacomatin.mc/article/economie/attractivite-ou-comment-attirer-les-riches-sur-le-rocher |
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Post by MyAdia on Jun 17, 2011 9:24:42 GMT -5
so here is the article on the attractiveness committee. SO apparently it is not the foundation to finance trashys surgeries, instead they are making the next great mistake by trying to convert Monaco into sth the super rich might like...and what if they don't? seems like that thought never even crossed their mind. Just like with promoting trashy and her boomtown rats. they never considered that she might be just another one hit wonder...well sort of as she only seems to top the Bunte charts www.monacomatin.mc/article/economie/attractivite-ou-comment-attirer-les-riches-sur-le-rocherWhat struck me most about the article is this passage: Rare event: Marco Piccinini then took the floor.Clearly, he wants to impose a strong political turn. "To capture the flow of wealth", the Government Counsellor for Finance and Economy intends to meet the demand of the wealthy of the planet, "to their liking, what amuses them."When it comes to real estate for example, it is to think about a "new model" for people who have different standards.Clearly, today, the apartments on the market are not sufficiently luxurious. Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist or a special committee of experts to realize that you need to actually make REAL changes in Monaco to attract the wealthy - and not just spend $7 million on a silly image campaign. But, they and Albert still do not get it if they believe that the wealthy will only be interested in the size of their apartment. Other things are important as well - education, quality of life, cultural events, and political structure. And, Albert's plastic dumb-as-a-rock uneducated uncultured, ill-mannered and blabbing bimbo Princess that they now have to bow down to is not an attraction |
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Post by paca on Jun 17, 2011 9:52:15 GMT -5
the thing is that they just have to make Monaco attractive. The rich will come if there arethings to do. I have said it before, there is no point catering to a certain clientele or nationality.One year you have the Russians the next it will be the Asians. There is no point in that and you are losing character on the way. Monaco has to focus on strong points and make the place attractive for the region; The rest will follow once word get's round that there is more to do in MC then party and gamble. That it takes more then half a day to see what Monaco has to offer. Nowadays most tourists don't need more then 2 hours to have seen it all. Add a coffee and a snack and of they go. Even the cruiseships that offer concert tickets only stay half the concert sometimes. If Monaco would have a reknowned orchestra, permanent art collection etc. they might actually stay longer...but there is nothing to do for thinking people in Monaco...
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Post by sandsla on Jun 17, 2011 11:36:07 GMT -5
the thing is that they just have to make Monaco attractive. The rich will come if there arethings to do. I have said it before, there is no point catering to a certain clientele or nationality.One year you have the Russians the next it will be the Asians. There is no point in that and you are losing character on the way. Monaco has to focus on strong points and make the place attractive for the region; The rest will follow once word get's round that there is more to do in MC then party and gamble. That it takes more then half a day to see what Monaco has to offer. Nowadays most tourists don't need more then 2 hours to have seen it all. Add a coffee and a snack and of they go. Even the cruiseships that offer concert tickets only stay half the concert sometimes. If Monaco would have a reknowned orchestra, permanent art collection etc. they might actually stay longer...but there is nothing to do for thinking people in Monaco... That's right they have to have something to offer that other places in the world do not, and they have to have the reputation and buzz to attract a certain crowd, that in itself attracts more people! An adverse reputation is damaging and no will want to be connected to the place. Paca, wasn't Albert planning a permanent art collection when he was planning the extension? I heard the past prime minister (mentor) of Singapore say something like it was hard to carve a treasure out such of a little piece of jade, when Charlie Rose asked him if he wished he had a bigger fishbowl. I liked the way he put it and it reminded me of Monaco. Albert doesn't have an easy job of it always, but his parents left him a legacy to build on, as well as others that went before them. I really hate that he seems to have gone to or settled for the lowest common denominator, because that is not what Monaco has built it's reputation on, at least not in it's peak of popularity. |
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Post by paca on Jun 18, 2011 6:06:04 GMT -5
they have a long article on the hospital again. seems that at least over the weekend local will get a break from the wedding drool www.monacomatin.mc/node/556674Please note: THE CONTRACT WITH THE PREVIOUS CONTRACTOR TO THE HOSPITAL HAS NOT YET BEEN RESOLVED!!! This means that by announcing the new project before resolving the previous contract is complete idiocity as usual. Because now the former contractor can sue them for breech of contract. They had invested in all sorts of experts for the grounds etc. The former contractor can say that they were not given the chance to adapt their project to the new requirements etc etc. This will cost additional millions which they will have to add to the budget of the hospital. All costs that come from the cancelled project needed to be added to the new numbers to have in the end the correct numbers of the cost of the new hospital. They will also need to add what they have to invest in the current hospital to protect against noise and keep it functional. IMO the fact that they have announced the new project before tidying up the mess from the previous project is the escape road for the government to excuse any delays. They will use the cancelled project as a scapegoat for every delay, extra costs etc with the new project. And of course there will be delays as this is only sand in the eyes to deflect from the immense costs of the wedding and Monacos general financial problems. |
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Post by MyAdia on Jun 21, 2011 16:56:14 GMT -5
Here is an interview (in French) of Bernard Vatrican , who was born in Monaco and is a know, critic of Monaco. The interview was conducted by L'Iindependant and the article can be read in French here. Can someone please give us a summary of Bernard's opinion of Albert, his reign and the wedding?
Albert II invited Does the pamphlet Monaco at her wedding?
by Jean-Luc Bobin
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Aged 67, the pamphlet Vatrican Bernard left the rock of Monaco 18 months ago to come to retire at Prats-de-Mollo in P.-O. Ethno-sociologist, he claims to nationalist campaigns for Monaco and a monarchy Excecutive.
But it is primarily the author of two books on polmémiques the Principality. Meet the author at least nostalgic of the reign of Rainier and is not really a fan of jargon.
His critical view of how the present Prince has the power to certify.
Explanations on the eve of the wedding Albert II with the South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock.
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Post by margarita on Jun 21, 2011 17:03:37 GMT -5
Please! I'm curious to know what he said! Maybe finally someone made an intelligent analize.
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Post by emmeline on Jun 21, 2011 17:58:04 GMT -5
Please! I'm curious to know what he said! Maybe finally someone made an intelligent analize. Me too! I want to know what he says! |
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Post by paca on Jun 22, 2011 4:41:17 GMT -5
Basically he says that Albert is a nice guy, but that doesn't make him a good head of state. He emphasizes the importance and the responsibility of the role of a Monaco prince. The wedding will send MC even more into the "people" and bling bling category and he doesn't think that's what is good for Monaco (at least in between the lines that's what I understand); he also talks about foot and says the way they ran the club is not how you run a team...the interview is surely longer. unfortunately the acoustic isn't very good, so I did not get everything. Maybe Viviane can do better. I'd love to read in French what he says and also what they don't have in this video  |
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Post by paca on Jun 22, 2011 4:54:31 GMT -5
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Post by paca on Jun 22, 2011 5:23:29 GMT -5
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Post by paca on Jun 22, 2011 5:51:37 GMT -5
LOL he says that Caroline is brilliant, extraordinary and she took everything, whereas for the other two there wasn't much left |
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Post by viviane on Jun 22, 2011 6:33:57 GMT -5
Like I have already wrote in the previous thread made by Refia : royalopinions.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=monacohistory&action=display&thread=295I saw similarities between the two princes. What is your opinion ? Here's what I found : Prince Albert IA lot of people like him : explorer, scientific, pacifist and humanist who tried to fight against the rise of the first world war (he failed unfortunately, my great grandfather died here, but I was happy that he tried). Prince Albert I intervened also in the Dreyfus affair. All the thinks I like in Monaco (garden, Oceanographic Museum, ...), its him who made it !  Some negative points about the reign of Prince Albert I : - One marriage of convenience (maybe two)
- Explorer rarely present in Monaco
- A lot of money spent
- Strikes and Monegasques angry
Monegasques angry"Become ultra minority in their country, the Monegasques not have hardly any resources. The country is in the hands of foreigners who hold and territory and capital. Wealth, moreover, they themselves have created for the most part." (...) "A country that is not done for them, who live mostly on the Rock. Monte Carlo was designed and organized for the wealthy. Festivals, attractions, events follow one another throughout the year, for the cohort of players and rich tourists some of whom reside there for months. This life, the strain in Monaco are often excluded for financial reasons. Well meaning exemption from tax, they live frugally to menial jobs." Its not during the reign of PA II, no no its during the reign of PA I !!! I have read the same things but recently in some monegasques forums...  And after that I read : "Faced with this turmoil, Albert I decided to meet the demands of his subjects. A Constitution is proposed to Monaco January 5, 1911. (...) In fact, this is a "constitutional organization" by Albert I granted his subjects under his sole sovereignty: there is no question of a transformation of the principality into a constitutional monarchy. The prince is the chief executive and retains the initiative of the laws and ordinances..." Source : "Le Prince sur son Rocher de Frédéric Laurent (Fayard 2003)" on a website (I could give you the link in PM if you want) Next point during the reign of PA II ... constitutional monarchy (where Prince is no longer a representative, what he does already, but no power of decision.) ? Prince Albert II is inspired by his grandfather Prince Albert I, (He said it himself) but obviously it has nothing learned of errors of Prince Albert I and the Monegasque may rebel again against their prince. |
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Post by viviane on Jun 22, 2011 6:49:18 GMT -5
It is not the same text but it is similar. Later in the afternoon, I will do the translation of the video (little time for the moment). I like Bernard Vatrican, he made clever analysis. I saw hiw once in a TV program. He wrote a book on Monaco that made polemics. |
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Post by viviane on Jun 22, 2011 6:52:56 GMT -5
Monaco Blog of Daniel Boeri ... not only an Art Gallery forum... You understand what I mean ? I don't say anything else... tsoin tsoin...  |
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Post by hibou on Jun 22, 2011 7:58:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the great info paca!
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Post by viviane on Jun 22, 2011 9:14:11 GMT -5
Hello Here's what I understood. I made two versions, one in French and in English (In case I translated with my feet ;D ) My comments in purple. English version : Does Albert II invited the pamphlet Monaco at his wedding?
(Background noise and accent that sometimes interfere with reading)
"(I must be the only one) Monégasque (in?) that moment, pratically, that dared to say a few things and I always had the habit of speaking frankly, but there are many who do not think not less." The royal wedding an event you expected?
"the Monegasques expected/waiting this event for a long time, because we are a hereditary monarchy, it is important to have heirs." The prince is able to manage the country?
"There are a lot of ambivalence in the feelings, because we love the prince on a human level, he's a very nice boy. We are a little more skeptical about his skills saying to run a country. He is an heir, you know, he's a little like the children of other sovereigns, or uh I will not make reference to the Arab world right now, but still we see that children are not always up to the parents. " (Bottom of the video) "Bernard Vatrican is the author of two books on the Principality." Monaco, the living memory ", published in September 2007 and" Monaco, a Democratic monocracy "published in December 2007. A hereditary system where the executive incentive (is more important)
"The prince is much closer to Obama or Sarkozy, as the Queen of England or the King of Belgium. He has the same powers, I mean. It is a system where the executive premium (mean is more important). And in addition it is hereditary. So he has huge obligations and has a considerable weight on his shoulders. It's not an easy job to have the survival of a nation on his shoulders. " The three things of interest to Albert II
"Prince Albert is interested in two things: sports and ecology, third, it will usually calm down I think lol I will not talk about his private life (he laughs ...)" The fall of the foot: a significative example
"Football is very significant that what happens (also heard) Rainier spoke little, but he keep things like that (he clenches his fist) and it worked. He (PA II) ... football ... football (he waves his arms) and then for 6 or 7 years (...? someone speaks, badly cut on the video editing at 1:52) ... changed three times, he was first appointed someone I knew and saw how he managed, which has not very good reputation on the ethics and especially "..." eh (makes a gesture 2:02 ) so we will? in? transfer. Well that's not how you make a great team (he looks disappointed) " a drift toward "peoplisation" regime
"I fear that this marriage is still a subtle? (2:14) symptom of a drift towards this gossip side, this side of glitter, a little superficial side that sticks to the image of Monaco." In conclusion ...
"He is adorable, everyone loves him because he's a good man, a good boy as they say in Monaco. He's a good boy but it is not enough to be a great ruler. That's the problem." End -----------   It reminds me of some Monegasques point of views about Monaco before, that I read on the net. French version :Albert II invitera-t-il le pamphlétiste monégasque à son mariage ?
(Bruit de fond et accent qui parfois gêne la lecture) "(Je dois être le seul) monégasque (en ce ?) moment ou presque qui a osé dire un certain nombre de choses et j'ai toujours eu l'habitude de parler très franchement mais il y en a beaucoup qui n'en pense pas moins." Le mariage princier un événement attendu ?
"Cela fait longtemps que les monégasques attendaient cet événement parce que quand on est une monarchie héréditaire, il est important d'avoir des héritiers." Le prince est-il capable de gérer le pays ?
"Il y a pas mal d'ambivalence dans les sentiments, parce qu'on aime beaucoup le prince sur le plan humain, c'est un garçon très gentil. On est un peu plus septique sur ses compétences disons à gérer un pays. C'est un héritier vous savez, c'est un petit peu comme les enfants des autres souverains, ou euh je ne ferai pas de référence au monde arabe en ce moment, mais on voit quand même que les enfants ne sont pas toujours à la hauteur des parents." (en bas de la vidéo) "Bernard Vatrican est l'auteur de deux ouvrages consacrés à la Principauté. "Monaco, la mémoire vivante", publié en septembre 2007 et "Monaco, une monocratie démocratique" publié en décembre 2007. Un régime héréditaire où l'exécutif prime
"Le prince est beaucoup plus proche d'Obama ou de Sarkozy, que de la reine d'Angleterre ou du roi des Belges. Il a les mêmes pouvoirs, je veux dire. C'est un régime où c'est l'exécutif qui prime. Et en plus il est héréditaire. Donc il a des obligations énormes et il a sur ses épaules un poids considérables. C'est pas un métier de tout repos d'avoir la survie d'un pays sur ses épaules." Les trois choses qui intéressent Albert II
"Le prince Albert est intéressé par deux choses : le sport et l'écologie, la 3e, normalement ça va se calmer je pense (lol) je ne parlerai pas de sa vie privée (il rit...)" La dégringolade du foot : un exemple significatif
"Le foot est significatif quand même de ce qu'il se passe (déjà entendu ailleurs) Rainier parlait peu, mais il tenait les choses comme ça (il serre le poing) et ça marchait. Lui... le foot... le foot (il agite les bras) puis depuis 6 ou 7 ans (...?) quelqu'un parle, vidéo mal coupée au montage 1:52) ... changé trois fois, il a d'abord nommé quelqu'un que j'ai connu et j'ai vu comment il a réussi, qui n'a pas très bonne réputation sur le plan moral et surtout "..." hein (fait un geste 2:02) donc on va? en? transfert. Bon ce n'est pas comme cela que l'on fait une grande équipe (il a l'air déçu)" Une dérive vers la "peoplisation" du régime
"Je crains que ce mariage soit encore un subtile?? (2:14) symptome d'une dérive vers ce côté people, ce côté paillettes, ce côté un peu superficiel qui colle à l'image de Monaco." En conclusion...
"Il est adorable, tout le monde l'adore, parce que c'est un brave homme, un brave garçon comme on dit à Monaco. C'est un brave garçon mais ça ne suffit peut être pas pour faire un grand souverain. C'est ça le problème" Fin ----------- Cela me rappelle les quelques avis des monégasques que j'ai pu lire auparavant sur le net. |
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Post by MyAdia on Jun 22, 2011 9:19:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the link Paca and the summary of Bernard's interview. He has stated some of the same things that we have been stating about Albert's leadership and this wedding (I love the bling bling reference - that's Charlene's true influence on Monaco). |
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Post by MyAdia on Jun 22, 2011 9:24:37 GMT -5
Viviane, I moved you post about the comparison between Albert I and II here. A separate thread for this topic will be redundant since we have an historical thread about Albert I (where this is discussed) and we have this thread about Albert II's reign and his performance. We can really discuss the comparison of the two Albert's reign and leadership here - as it relates to how Albert is doing.
Thanks so much for the summary/translation of Bernard's interview!
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seems like that thought never even crossed their mind. Just like with promoting trashy and her boomtown rats. they never considered that she might be just another one hit wonder...well sort of as she only seems to top the Bunte charts 
