Brussels, 09/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - German Christian Democrat Werner Langen is demanding, "clarification as soon as possible" on the subject of Italy's creative accounting methods used for the deficit which "in the meantime has been confirmed, at least unofficially by the European Commission" (EUROPE 9 December p 10 on concerns expressed by Commissioner Almunia on the figures presented by Italy on its budget deficit). The MEP criticised said there was a "scandal of the false on the Greek budget being only the tip o the iceberg" being confirmed. He said that it was now up to the Commission to apply sanctions authorised in the treaty, in an effort to restore confidence in the stability pact. Mr Langen warned that the threat of verbal sanctions or modest fines was not enough, "The Commission has to make sure that it does not seem like a paper tiger to Member States, especially at the departure stage. We therefore expect the Barroso Commission to employ the full use of sanctions available, if necessary against the desire of the Council".