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'Indecent campaign' undermines energy debate - Rolf Linkohr

Sir,
Concerning Commission advisers' names to be disclosed, I would like to make a few corrective comments with regards to the allegations raised against me, claiming that I have a "conflict of interest" because I am advising the Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs as well as companies.

When I was asked two years ago by Commissioner Piebalgs to become one of his special advisors, I made it clear from the very beginning that I was also advising companies. The consultancy contract I signed with the Commission did explicitly allow these activities. Incidentally, everybody who wished to do so was able to look at my website , where all my other acitivites are listed.

If the Commission was to change its rules now, this is its choice. I have by all means stuck to the rules that applied when signing the contract, a contract that provides a daily allowance and also a tight travel allowance.

Different parties are accusing me of a "conflict of interest". The Commission has until today not raised this accusation. At least, I have no written evidence for that. If according to the Financial Times, Commissioner Kallas's spokesman claims this, why does he not say so to me, too ?

Two weeks ago, I was informed by telephone that my contract will be ended early from 1 February 2007. This is why I did not sign the "Declaration of Honour" that was, in the meantime, sent out to everybody. I personally do not see a conflict of interest and would have therefore also signed the Declaration of Honour.

An adviser gives advice, but the Commission has to decide for itself. In order to be able to give competent advice, an adviser has to be anchored in a professional environment. Otherwise, a commissoner could only nominate his hairdresser to be his advisor. In this case, he could be sure that his hairdresser is not advising someone else, but he would have no clue about energy policy.

By the way, Chancellor Merkel does not ask Lars Josefsson, whom she nominated to be her climate advisor, to give up his position as CEO of Vattenfall AB.

Finally, some personal remarks. I am not a lobbyist, or a nuclear lobbyist. I have no ability for that. I do, however, have an opinion. And I stand by it, with or without a consultancy contract. However, one has to ask why I am being used as a yardstick and why at this particular time? 

For a couple of months now, there has been an orchestrated campaign against me as a nuclear lobbyist. This campaign culminated, temporarily, in open letters written by the Dutch organisation Corporate Europe Observatory to European Commission President Barroso, as well as to Commissioners Kallas and Piebalgs. 

The website of this organisation is loaded with references to statements that I have made with regards to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Everyone was able to read these statements on my website. 

It could be assumed that there is a link between this campaign and the reaction of the Commission. This assumption cannot be proven; however, it does stand to reason.

It would be detrimental for the energy policy debate in Europe, which got a new impetus with the energy package released by the Commission, if the discussion was to continue in such an indecent way. Europe deserves better than this.
Rolf Linkohr
Brussels
To read Mr Linkohr's response in German, please click here.

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