I should have been expecting this. The EUobserver is reporting Gijs de Vries, the EU's new anti-terror Tsar, is saying his powers are limited. He says the true power to fight terror remains with the EU member states Read about it here.

This, of course, brings up the question why his post was created. And, it also sounds very much like something the EU's High Representative, Javier Solana, would say. So, what's going on here?

If you've been following the EU the way I have, you've learned not to take what the officials in Brussels say at face value. They speak what I call Euro-spin. They have the ability to say one thing and mean the opposite.

Here's what I think.: I think we're seeing the creation of a shadow government within the EU's Council of Europe. It wasn't that long ago a man by the name of Robert Cooper was appointed Solana's right-hand man. Cooper was once advisor to British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Now we find Solana with a terror Tsar.

And if you recall, the EU's 10-nation military wing, satellite center, defense agency, and now their new battle groups, have also all been placed under Solana. 

Like I said, I think we're seeing the creation of a shadow government. And although the real power in the EU remains with the member states, the shadow government is getting ready for its day.

Or should I say, its 3 1/2 years?