In theory Mr Bini Smaghi can stand his ground, appealing to the sacred principle of ECB independence, which should mean that he cannot be ousted from the board on political grounds.

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Having clung to the principle of operational independence to avoid answering the most basic questions, you have nonetheless seen fit to encourage speculation about the true nature of the allegations facing Damian.

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To restate the basic principle embedded in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution and Bill of Rights: The individual and his rights are primary, and the state acts only in subservience to those rights.

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The third selling point: Hydrogen could, in principle, deliver energy independence to every nation because it can be derived using any number of sources-including oil, natural gas, nuclear fission, coal, hydroelectric power and wind.

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Since the government has said it will consider any solution short of independence, the negotiations now look safe from collapse, at least over this basic principle.

ECONOMIST: The Tigers talk peace