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BRUSSELS Jan 24 (Reuters) - The appointment ofJacques Santer to head an arm of the euro zone's bailout funddrew fire from critics on Tuesday who said he was ill-suited forthe job because of his disastrous tenure as president of theEuropean Commission.Supporters rallied around, however, saying Santerwas a capable and solid servant of the European Union.A former prime minister of Luxembourg, Santer was presidentof the EU's 20-person executive in 1999 when it was forced toresign en masse over allegations of corruption.Detractors said Santer Ugg Roxy Short Stövlar, who was not accused of wrongdoing Moncler säljes, presided over a Commission lacking in control over wheretaxpayers' money was going. It was arguably the biggest scandalto befall the EU since its founding.Jean-Claude Juncker, the current prime minister ofLuxembourg and chairman of the group of euro zone financeministers, dismissed criticism on Monday, when the head of thebailout fund announced Santer's appointment.The 74-year-old will head a special purpose investmentvehicle designed to raise funds to defend the euro zone economy."He served both Europe and his country in the best waypossible," Juncker responded when asked if Santer was the mostsuitable candidate for the job.As news spread of Santer's appointment, EU critics andanti-federalists fired out words of condemnation."There was a huge smell in the Commission at the time, andhe did nothing to take action," said Martin Callanan, chairmanof the European Conservatives and Reformists group in theEuropean Parliament.Marta Andreasen, a member of the European Parliament'seconomic and monetary affairs committee, said many people wouldbe stunned at the news."I am sure we could find a lot of people who could do abetter job than him," said Andreasen, a former EU chiefaccountant and now member of the anti-EU UK Independence Party.But Luxembourg Christian Democrat Frank Engel, who was anassistant to Santer from 1999 to 2001, said Santer was a man ofthe utmost integrity and, as Luxembourg's finance minister for adecade, had proven success in managing a budget."He was president of the Commission when the position was inno way comparable to what it is today. His hands were bound fromthe moment the problems cropped up," he said.Prompted to defend Santer at a late night press conferenceon Monday, Olli Rehn, the European commissioner in charge ofeconomic and monetary affairs, tried to make light of it, sayingjournalists only became critical of Santer after Commissionofficials beat them in a football match in late 1998.Andreasen Moncler Coat, however, was not inclined to be light-heartedabout the appointment, saying she regarded it as an"unbelievable joke" that showed the weakness of the EU."This move shows, in glorious technicolour the uttercontempt from those running the EU towards the public they claimto serve," she said.Attempts to reach Santer for comment were unsuccessful.(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop. Editing by Jeremy Gaunt.)Financials Tweet this Link thisShare this Digg this EmailReprintsRelated articles：


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