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WORLD NEWS Saturday 14 September 2019

Johnson, Juncker to meet in a bid for a Brexit breakthrough

By GREGORY KATZ reached consensus on how
Associated Press to do so.
LONDON (AP) — British Bercow said in a speech
Prime Minister Boris Johnson Thursday night that John-
and European Commis- son must obey the law and
sion President Jean-Claude that it is “astonishing” that
Juncker will hold talks next any other course is being
week to try to break the contemplated.
Brexit impasse as both sides “It would be the most ter-
seek to avert what could rible example to set to the
be a disastrous “no-deal” rest of society,” he said.
departure. Bercow plans to step down
“There is the rough shape by the end of October but
of the deal to be done,” it is clear he will use his final
Johnson said Friday. weeks to make sure Par-
“I would say I’m cautious- liament’s will is respected
ly optimistic” that a new on the crucial question of
agreement can be forged, leaving the bloc.
even as officials warned The British government’s
against expecting any sud- own assessment suggests
den breakthrough Mon- an abrupt departure from
day. the EU’s single market with-
Juncker told Germany’s out an agreement risks se-
Deutschlandfunk radio in Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a speech at the Convention of the North at the Magna vere economic problems
an interview to be broad- Centre in Rotherham, England, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019. and possible food and
cast Sunday that he was Associated Press medicine shortages in Brit-
hoping for some alterna- signs of progress as the time Europeans” since they Parliament has passed a ain.
tive proposals but wasn’t deadline nears, although joined the EU and were law saying he must seek Parliament is currently sus-
optimistic at resolving the EU negotiators say they never fully in the bloc. He an extension to the dead- pended, or prorogued, for
stalemate. believe Johnson is actively made these comments in line if no deal is reached by five weeks. Johnson’s de-
Johnson, who traveled to pursuing a deal. an interview with Euronews mid-October. Johnson has cision to suspend the leg-
the English town of Rother- The key stumbling block “The British were told for indicated he will not do so, islative branch for such an
ham, was interrupted dur- remains the so-called Irish more than 40 years that although he has stopped extended period, however,
ing a speech by a hackler backstop, a maneuver to they were in, but they did short of explicitly saying he has been ruled unlawful
angry at his legally ques- prevent both sides from not want to share all the would ignore the law. by a Scottish court and will
tionable decision to sus- putting in a hard border policies that have been John Bercow, the retiring be taken up by the U.K. Su-
pend Parliament for five between Ireland, which is decided. speaker of Britain’s House preme Court on Tuesday.
weeks during the crucial in the EU, and Northern Ire- The British, since the very of Commons, says Par- Court documents released
period leading up to the land, which is part of the beginning, were part-time liament is willing to take Thursday night show that
Oct. 31 deadline for Brit- United Kingdom. British of- Europeans, what we need forceful actions to ensure Court of Session judges did
ain’s departure from the ficials fear the backstop are full-time Europeans,” he the law designed to block not believe Johnson’s deci-
European Union. could keep Britain tied to said. a no-deal Brexit is followed. sion to suspend Parliament
The heckler urged John- EU rules and regulations Juncker cautioned that The influential speaker says was routine, as the prime
son to “get back to Parlia- even after it withdraws Brexit would be a “lose- he will allow “procedural minister claimed, but was
ment” to sort out “the mess from the bloc. lose” situation for both the creativity” in making sure actually made for the “un-
that you have created.” Irish Prime Minister Leo EU and the U.K. Johnson does not violate lawful” purpose of avoiding
Johnson and Juncker will Varadkar warned that the Johnson’s maneuvering the new law, which took ef- scrutiny during the run-up
meet in Brussels for a discus- two sides are still very far room has been greatly lim- fect this week. to Brexit.
sion expected to include apart despite recent re- ited even as his team tries Johnson has declared he The judges said Johnson’s
new suggestions from Brit- ports of progress in the talks. to come up with a solution would rather be “dead decision undercut the sov-
ain. Monday’s meeting will take to the backstop problem. in a ditch” than delay ereignty of Parliament,
The meeting comes as low- place after Juncker’s latest He has repeatedly vowed Brexit again. Britain voted which is one of the pillars
er-level Brexit negotiations comments this week that to leave the EU on Oct. 31 to leave the EU in a 2016 of Britain’s constitutional
have produced no visible Britons were only “part- with or without a deal, but referendum but has not system.q