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A2 UP FRONT
Thursday 30 March 2017
It’s not EU, it’s me: UK files for EU divorce after 44 years

that Britons want to remain ($63 billion) to cover pen-
“committed partners and sion liabilities for EU staff
allies to our friends across and other commitments
the continent.” the U.K. has agreed to.
But there was a hint of steel Britain acknowledges it will
in May’s assertion that have to pay something,
without a good deal, “our but is sure to quibble over
cooperation in the fight the size of the tab.
against crime and terrorism May did not indicate
would be weakened.” Wednesday how much
That could be seen by Britain would be willing to
some in Europe as a threat pay, saying only that it will
to withdraw British secu- no longer pay “significant
rity cooperation if the U.K. sums of money on an an-
does not get its way. nual basis” to the EU.
European Parliament Brexit But, May added: “We’re a
coordinator Guy Verhof- law-abiding nation. We will
stadt responded diplo- meet obligations that we
matically: “I cannot, as a have.”
gentleman, even imagine Negotiations will also soon
that a lady as Mrs. May is hit a major contraction:
using blackmail, is thinking Britain wants to strike “a
EU Council President Donald Tusk holds British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit letter which of blackmail.” bold and ambitious free
was delivered by Britain’s permanent representative to the European Union Tim Barrow that gives Tusk said he will respond trade agreement” with
notice of the UK’s intention to leave the bloc under Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, in Brussels, by Friday with draft ne- the bloc of some 500 mil-
Belgium, Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Barrow hand-delivered the letter signed by Britain’s Prime gotiating guidelines for lion people, but says it will
Minister Theresa May that will formally trigger the beginning of Britain’s exit from the European the remaining 27 member restore control of immigra-
Union. states to consider. They’ll tion, ending the right of EU
(Yves Herman/Pool Photo via AP)
meet April 29 to finalize citizens to live and work in
Continued on Page 2 ingly for Britain to remain a travel will be more expen- their platform. Talks be- Britain.
member — worried about sive. And there will be red tween the EU’s chief nego- The EU says Britain can’t
“The European Union is a how much they would lose. tape.” tiator, French diplomat Mi- have full access to the sin-
historically unique success “I’m really anxious about People in London’s finan- chel Barnier, and his British gle market if it doesn’t ac-
story,” German Chancellor it. It was a bad idea,” said cial district, the City, were counterpart, Brexit Secre- cept free movement, one
Angela Merkel said in Ber- Elaine Morrison, an 18-year- anxious about the uncer- tary David Davis, are likely of the bloc’s key principles.
lin. “It remains one even af- old who was traveling to tainty. to start in the second half Both Britain and the EU say
ter Britain’s withdrawal. We a top priority will be guar-
will take care of that.” anteeing the rights of 3 mil-
Britons voted 52 percent lion EU citizens living in Brit-
to 48 percent in favor of ain, and 1 million Britons liv-
leaving the bloc in a refer- ing elsewhere in the bloc.
endum nine months ago, In her letter, May said “we
and they remain deeply should aim to strike an ear-
divided over Brexit. ly agreement about their
In the pro-Brexit heartland rights” — but for now they
of Dover on England’s remain in limbo.
south coast — whose white The two sides also appear
cliffs face toward France to disagree on how the
— some were jubilant as talks will unfold. EU officials
May pulled the trigger. say the divorce terms must
“I’m a local church minis- be settled before negotia-
ter, and I said to my wife, tors can turn to the U.K.’s
‘All I want to do before I future relationship with the
die is see my country free bloc, while Britain wants
from the shackles of Eu- the two things discussed si-
rope,’” said 70-year-old multaneously.
Mike Piper, buying a copy Britain wants to seal a
of the Sun tabloid with the new trade deal within two
front-page headline “Do- years, but Verhofstadt told
ver and Out.” The Associated Press there
Former UKIP leader Nigel would have to be a further
Farage, who campaigned Britain’s UK Independence Party (UKIP) MEP Ray Finch, right, celebrates the official triggering of transition period of “no
for years to take Brexit from Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in Brussels on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. EU Council President more than three years to
a fringe cause to a real- Donald Tusk has received a letter from British Prime Minister Theresa May, invoking Article 50 of the discuss, to detail the con-
ity, said Britain had passed bloc’s key treaty, the formal start of exit negotiations. tent of this future.”
“the point of no return.” (AP Photo/Thierry Monasse) A final deal must be ap-
“I can still, to be honest Barcelona with friends. “I “No one knows how this of May. proved by both the British
with you, scarcely believe like traveling to other coun- is going to go,” said City As in many divorces, the and European parliaments
today has come,” he said. tries And it will be a trouble worker Nicola Gibson. “It’s first area of conflict is likely — and Verhofstadt said
But many young Britons — now. The pound is weaker a gamble, it’s a risk.” to be money. The EU wants EU lawmakers “will use our
who have grown up in the so it will cost more to buy May’s six-page letter to Tusk Britain to pay a bill of as veto power” if they do not
EU and voted overwhelm- the euros, and the costs of was conciliatory, stressing much as 50 billion euros like the outcome.q