Following my 28 November article on the allocation of powers at the new European Commission, a very faithful reader of this newsletter has reacted to my use of the French word “rattaché” (in the French version) to describe the relationship between the commissioners for certain areas of foreign affairs (development, humanitarian aid and enlargement) and the vice-president of the Commission with responsibility for foreign relations who is now also doing the job of the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy (Catherine Ashton, in other words). The word “rattacher” has three meanings in French, namely “relier”, “incorporer” and “dépendre” (rough English translation: “connect”, “incorporate” and “depend on”). I deliberately chose such an ambiguous term because nobody has any idea how the complex relations between the various commissioners and the vice-president with power over the new EU diplomatic corps will pan out. The three commissioners will not only have to work closely with Catherine Ashton themselves but they will also be dependent on (and answer to) the diplomatic corps. On the other hand, the development commissioner will represent the Commission as a whole at the new Foreign Affairs Council to be chaired in January by none other than Catherine Ashton. We know that there is a real vying for power between the Commission and the Council of Ministers in certain areas and even a power struggle among different departments at the Commission. In the months to come, it will be the strength of character, iron will and personalities of the people in the new jobs which will determine what the word “rattacher” means in practice. (O.J./transl.fl)