Ashton disappoints all down the line

The EU's foreign policy high representative Catherine Ashton on Monday presented a paper in which she outlined the key appointments for the European diplomatic service.The left-liberal daily El País says Ashton is not up to the job: "In times of crisis like the present the quality of the political leaders is not just a matter of convenience, it is crucial. So in the case of the new EU posts it's not necessary to wait till the traditional 100-day truce ends before making an assessment: there are already sufficient indications to sound the alarm and cast doubt on the abilities of certain people in high office. The first steps of Catherine Ashton as the EU's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy ... have been worse than disappointing. ... If the attitude and the standards of this key post remain at the level they have been since she took office it would be better if the European Council reconsidered her appointment and/or kept a close eye on her actions."

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