After the depths of the plagiarism scandal leading to his ousting as German Minister of Defense, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg moved to exile in the US of A, where he joined the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Now he is back in the European political arena. When on 12 December, Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Digital Agenda announced the launch of Europe’s “No Disconnect Strategy”, she also announced that she has invited Guttenberg to advise “on how to provide ongoing support to Internet users, bloggers and cyber-activists living under authoritarian regimes.” As top CSU politician, Guttenberg was favoring Internet blocking and data retention. Now he is supposed to bring “Arab Spring” to Syria, Russia and China. Kroes defended her controversial choice to bring him on as voluntary CSIS advisor: “I’m looking for talent, I’m not looking for saints.” Nevertheless, her important intiative was nearly drowned out by the causa Guttenberg. In explaining why he thinks he is qualified for the job, the fallen minister shared a remarkable piece of insight:
“Last but not least, I have been personally exposed to the power of the Internet just this year. And I recognize and value its ability to hold those in power to account.”
Here is the video from the press conference with Kroes and Guttenberg:
Update 18.1.2012
Tim Gerber, Wie Europas Digital-Kommissarin den gestürzten Minister zu Guttenberg engagierte, Telepolis, 18.01.2012