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University of Central Oklahoma
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Homecoming Rocks!
Treaty of Rome united Europe 50 years ago by Ivo Lupov Staff Writer
by Kazuo Ogaya
Timmy Klelek, of the Chicago band The Audition, plays a guitar at Plunkett Park during Homecoming Nov. 3.
“Together since 1957” is the official logo for the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, marking a symbolic beginning of the European Union. This and other treaties ratifying the relations among European nations led to the European Union treaty in Maastricht in 1993. After the destructive impact of World War II on Europe, the idea of joined efforts to rebuild countries led to a strong desire for unification. The original members of the Treaty of Rome: France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg, had an agreement to be part of a common economic market, creating the European Economic Community. Main goal of the treaty was to provide a free movement of goods, services, labor, capital, social welfare and foreign trade. The EEC was also working on a future political unification among its members. With common market, currency and policies regulating many aspects of relations among the 25 members, EU is the world largest federations of independent states. Still in its early stage of existence, many structural, policy and procedure issues are being discussed among members. “Cooperating among each other economically and integrating with one another is less likely that they will go to war against one another,” said Dr. Louis Furmanksi, UCO political science professor. The original purpose of the founding fathers of EU was to bring economic growth, he said. On the contrary, he does not believe EU is more politically sophisticated than the United States. Bringing former members of the Warsaw Pact will eventually slow down the economic
AP
The previous version of the European Union's flag. The current flag is not yet available due to increase in membership. development, due to the process of adjusting the former socialist republics to market economy and democratic law system, Furmanski said. The 1955 treaty in Warsaw regulated the relations among Soviet states and countries with communist governments after World War II. “The large diversity among members requires greater level of political cooperation,” Furmanski said. According to him, EU is divided on many international problems. “Look at the response to the war in Iraq,” he said. The original members of EU do not support the U.S. intervention opposing to the newer members of Central and Eastern Europe who are part of the coalition forces. “The political differences are too big now to expect a great deal of cooperation in the foreign policy arena,” Furmanski said. He believes that until there is economic equality, it is not likely to have a political unity,” Furmanski said. “EU is a strong competitor, but is not a threat to U.S. economy.” The economic and political growth of the EU in other areas is seen as disruption of influence, he said. Furmanski believes some
Russian nationalists see the EU enlargement as a step against areas with historic Russian influence, such as westernizing former Soviet republics. “There has always been a cultural and political separation,” said Dr. Jeff Plaks, UCO history professor. According to him, Russia has long-term political aims confronting western economic influence. Plaks said Russia is trying to set its own sphere of economic influence within the former Soviet republics. “A lot of the countries that Russia would like to remain in the sphere of influence have become members of the EU,” Plaks said. “For Russia, there is economical and political threat.” He believes there are certain conflicts of national interests that predate the Cold War. “Russia during the Cold War did not have to compete, because they controlled their block and Eastern European countries did not have a choice,” Plaks said. He believes even when Putin, current president of Russia, steps out of office, the policy of remaining distant from the West will continue. Dr. Joseph Johnson, UCO economics professor, already sees EU
see EUROPE, page 6
ACACIA house under construction soon Passport to Egypt comes to a close
by Vista photographer Travis Marak
The future site of the ACACIA fraternity house will be on Chowning, in the lot south of the Sigma Kappa house. by Nathan Winfrey Senior Staff Writer Construction may begin any day on a new house for ACACIA fraternity, to open Aug. 1. Nathan Woolard, English-
Creative Studies senior, said they could start on it immediately or as late as the first of the year. “Pretty much it will be us walking out one day and looking over to see them moving dirt.” The fraternity sold their cur-
Borat worth watching
rent house two weeks ago for $109,000 to be used as a rent house. The contract allows the men currently living there to stay until Dec. 29, and Woolard said the man who bought it is willing to rent the house to
them until the new one is ready. “I am overly ecstatic about our new house,” Woolard said. “[It’s] the result of two decades of the idea and dream that if you work hard and continue to recruit guys that are better than yourself that good things will happen.” He said the new house will create a more unified atmosphere for the fraternity and help with the overall morale of the chapter. “It’s much easier to get your active chapter at the house for meetings and events when a majority of them live there.” Double the size of any other fraternity house at UCO, the 7,500 sq ft house will lodge up to 27 men. The new, wireless-accessible house will be fully furnished with three living rooms, a kitchen and oversized dining area, a game room and a computer lab. The current house holds 12 people if members share its six rooms. Woolard said the new house shows how UCO is changing and how its Greek system is thriving. “We’re gearing and inching ever-so-closer to the traditional campus that all of us want,” he said.
Nathan Winfrey can be reached at nwinfrey@thevistaonline.com.
The Passport to Egypt program ended Nov. 1 with a dinner and two movies in Pegasus Theater: “Terrorism and Kebab” and “Cry Freedom.” The event was held in collaboration with the Kenyan Student Association, Nigerian Student Association and Knowledge of Self. Both movies addressed issues that are relevant today. “Terrorism and Kebab” is a comedy starring Adel Imam,
Egypt’s leading comic actor. The plot portrays the paranoia about terrorism that has engulfed the world, to the point that it borders on the ridiculous. “Terrorism and Kebab” also pokes fun at inefficient bureaucracy and government politics that blow things out of proportion, never really taking the time to understand the people. The protagonist is Ahmed, an ordinary, hardworking married Egyptian, who wants to
see PASSPORT, page 6
Correction In the Oct. 31 story about George Tetteh, because of an editing error The Vista incorrectly transcribed a quotation from Assistant Attorney General Kim White that Mr. Tetteh had pled guilty. Earlier in the story, The Vista did report correctly that Mr. Tetteh had pled not guilty. The Vista regrets and apologizes for the typographical error.
Bronchos lose to West Texas
Homecoming 2006
See pg. 5
by Abha Eli Phoboo Staff Writer
See pgs. 7-8
See Sports pg. 12