Hand of US Neocons Seen Behind Irish 'No'

Pro-Europeans are claiming that American neoconservatives helped bankroll an effort to convince Irish voters to reject a key treaty, Der Spiegel reports. "Europe has powerful enemies on the other side of the Atlantic, gifted with considerable financial means," a French minister said after Ireland's thumbs-down roiled the continent. "The role of the American neo-cons was very important in the victory of the 'no'."

The leading anti-treaty organization, which spent more than $2 million on publicity against ratification, claims it does not have US backers. The founder of Libertas is Declan Ganley, an Irish millionaire and CEO of Rivada Networks, a firm that contracts for the US military. The parties that campaigned for the treaty are urging Libertas to disclose its donor list. (More neocon stories.)