Who Says This Waste Land Will Never Blooiji Again? EUROPE84

April1984

Who says this waste land will never blooiJI again? EUROPE84

In this issue •.•

After the Summit 3 Published by the Commission of the European Communities, 8 Storey's Gate, Down tbe garden path on Merseyside. By Jack Waterman 4 London SW1 P 3AT . Tel: 01-222 8122 Voting for Europe: some voices among 200 million 6 Editor-in-Chief: GeorgeScon Associate Editor: Denis Thomas Moves towards a new constitution. By Per Virgilio Dastoli 9 Design: Lawrence Edwards Printed by Edwin Snell, Piet Dankert interviewed on the Euro-elections 10 Yeovil, Somerset A handshake on export credit terms. By Chris Lom 12 Europe 84 does not necessarily reflect, in all particulars, the opinions of the Community Where the Effi's money went in 1983 13 institutions. Unsigned material may be quoted or reprinted without payment, Action to help jobless school-leavers. By Rebecca Franceskides 14 subject to suitable acknowledgement. Belfase Office: Windsor House, A Community-wide project for schools 15 9115 Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7EG Tel. (0232) 240708 How can we harmonise the music business? By Derwent May 16 CardiffOffice: 4 Cathedral Road, CardiffCFI 9SG Tel. (0222) 371631 LudmiUa An drew, the multi-lingual soprano. By J ames Hogan 17 Edinburgh Office: 7 Alva Street, Edinburgh EH2 4PH Community reports 18 Tel. (031) 225 2058 Associated editions: More and more British think the Community is a good thing 20 Europe,2100M Street, NW, Suite 707, Washington DC 20037, USA Return of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhool. By Denis T homas 20 Tel. 202 8629500 Europe, 350Sparks Street, Suite 1110, Ouawa, Ontario, Canada KIR 7S8. · Questions in the house 22 Tel. (613) 238·6464 Community Report, 39 Moleswonh Street, Britain's equal pay proposals under fire. By Morag Alexander 22 DUblin 2, l reland Tel. 712244 Car prices: the British motor trade answers back 23 30]oursd'Europe, 61 rue des Belles Feuilles, 7 5782 Paris Cedex 16, France. Tel. 501 58 85 The natural history of 'Crocodile' 23 Comunita Europee, Via Poli 29, 00187 Rome, ltaly. Tel. 678 97 22 What's in the papers 24 EF-a visen H!ljbrohus, 0stergade 61 , Post Box 144, 1004Copenhagen K, EUROFORUM is inset after page 12. Cover: aerial view of the international Denmark. Tel144140/ 14 55 32 Garden Festival site, Merseyside, before planting began. EG Magazi11 , Zitelmannstrasse 22, 5300Bonn, W. Germany Tel. 238041 Comunidad europa, Serrano, 41· 5 a planta Madrid·l, Spain Tel. 4741199 EuropaikiKoinotis, 2 Vassilissis Sofias, T.K. 1602, Athens 134, Greece Tel. 743 982/3/4 Europa-bericlrt, EUR info, Archimedesstraat 73, 1040 Brussel, Belgium Tel. 2354178 Echosde /'Europe, B~liment Jean Monnet, Luxembourg-Kircbberg Tel. 430Jn Avrupa Top/ulugu, 13 Bogaz Sokak Kavaklidere, Ankara, Turkey Tel. 27 61 ·45 EUROPE84

Commission President Thorn condemns 1the general unwillingness to compromise1

The Ten come close to agreement -but not quite close enough

uropean leaders meeting at Brussels Summit in levied in the member states from its current 1 per cent March failed to reach agreement at the last mo­ ceiling to 1.4percentin 1986and 1.8 percent in 1988. Ement, despite progress in a number of areas. The second area ofpotential agreement lies in agri­ Basic disagreement over the level of future British cultural reform to curb farm spending. Farm Minis­ contributions to the Community budget brought the ters meeting before the Summit agreed on a process to a halt. framework plan to cut support prices for most farm The irony of the crisis, as European Commission products by up to 1 per cent, to curb milk production President Gaston Thorn pointed out, lies in the fact and to end the Community's system of Monetary that agreement was close. The British Prime Minis­ Compensatory Amounts (M CAs)- the subsidies and ter wanted a 75 per cent reduction in Britain's net taxes designed to wipe out the effect of currency fluc­ annual contribution to the EC budget, currently run­ tuations on agricultural exports. The reforms would ning at about £1.2 billion, and a system linking pay­ overstep the existing agricultural budget, but would ments to the prosperity of contributors. The deal that eventually save money, according to the Commission. she was offered at one point fell short by about £200 Disappointingly, attempts by the Ten's Foreign million- very little in terms of national public ex­ Ministers to secure agreement over Britain's net penditure. annual contributions, subsequent to the Brussels Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Com­ Summit meeting, failed to carry the negotiations any mission President Thorn said that solutions to the further. deadlock could now lie in meetings at ministerial However, a meeting of the Community's Agricul­ level, to develop other areas of general agreement ture Ministers at the end of March has at last secured worked out before and dw-ing the meeting. He con­ agreement on changes in the Common Agriculture demned what he described as 'the general unwilling­ Policy (CAP), by which all member states except Ire­ ness to compromise', but defended the right ofmem ­ land are to stick to agreed limits on farm production. ber states to protect their ~ital interests. Ireland, it was agreed, should be allowed to increase Other parts of the Summit package ripe for agree­ its milk production in the current year by 4.6 per ment include raising the Community's share ofVAT cent, on grounds of overriding national interest. 3 EUROPE84 Down the garden path on Merseyside

he Big Three are still there, dominat­ This summer, in Liverpool's transformation of a waste land into a place of ing the Liverpool waterfront: the Liv­ beauty-of 120,000 trees, aquarterofa million er Building, with famous bird atop, stricken dockland, a plants, and thousands and thousands ofroses. tethered against the south-westerlies; multinational Garden My view of it, after a year's interval, stand­ Tthe Cunard Building; the Dock Offices. I re­ ing among scenes of huge activity in the final Festival will be taking place, membered them from boyhood visits when, run-in to opening date, was that the age of nearly fifty years ago, Liverpool was thriving with contributions from miracles is with us again. But, apart from the and bustling, when the Green Goddesses, the Britain's partners in Europe. sheer scale of physical achievement since I last majestic glass-fronted trams, converged on saw the site, what has also happened is that the the Pierhead, when I used to climb the Kop jACKWATERMANhas Festival has become truly international. I in­ (then unroofed) to watch Liverpool FC, in­ been back to see how it is itially visited it to watch the first flag from a cluding Matt Busby, and be taken on the foreign country- that of Belgium- raised on Overhead Railway to the docks to see round coming along the site. Since then, thirty other countries one of the great Cunarders. have followed; and co-operation has been par­ But the other day, standing on the Pier­ T he City Council, for example, has with­ ticularly evident from the EEC countries. head, I might just as well have been looking at drawn its support; which to me, as an outsid­ Twenty acres are set aside for gardens rep­ the Pyramids. Memories apart, little remains er, seems an enormous pity. With nothing to resenting different countries. Some of these, of the Liverpool I knew. The water over to lose (or not much, because there's not much notably the German, Dutch and United King­ Birkenhead, at my back, was empty of ships left), Liverpool could do far worse than heed dom gardens, are well on the way to comple­ save for one tug and a ferry. Not far away, by the words ofBa sil Bean, chiefexecutive ofthe tion. Already the UK's is an eye-catching fea; the tunnel entrance, the city fathers have com­ Merseyside Development Corporation: 'We ture: a typical English garden designed by the pleted the work begun by the blitz, and cre­ hope the Festival will act as a catalyst, restor­ landscape architect, Ray Bird, and sponsored ated acres of dereliction. If Nature abhors a ing confidence in the area, and encouraging by a number of bodies headed by the Horti­ vacuum, then Liverpool is not in Nature. private investment.' cultural Trades Association. Close by is an It is a city still stunned that economic times If what has already been achieved on the Edwardian glass pavilion 25 metres long (pic­ have changed. Its main exports now, roughly Festival site since I last reported (January ture opposite) - the most striking building on equivalent to the postage stamp output ofa de­ 1983) is any indication of success, then trade the Festival site. clining republic, are images: images of Liver­ will surely follow the flowers, and Basil Bean's Even now, before the opening, the garden pool FC and the Beatles; also- for Liverpool is hopes be turned into reality. What I saw over a has managed to acquire a specifically English nothing if not humorous -a stream of come­ year ago was the beginning of prodigious atmosphere. When the Festival is under way, dians from Tommy Handley and Arthur efforts to transform a derelict 125 acres ofcor­ it should be an immensely popular attraction. Askey to Ken Dodd and beyond. poration rubbish, silted-up dock and aban­ The idea behind it, with its gazebo, dove­ With the shipping trade a fraction ofwhat it doned tank farm into the site of the biggest cote, woodland area and aquatic feature, is to was, and with other industry deserting the festival event since the Festival of Britain in demonstrate that plants can be used effective­ area like a plague-spot, it is perhaps no wonder 1951. ly in groups: the accent will be on association that Merseyside has not greeted its very own The Queen will open the Festival in May. of perennial herbaceous plants, now coming Garden Festival unreservedly as the lifeline The three million visitors expected before it back into fashion, with alpines, and ground which it has been envisaged as elsewhere. closes in October will see the astonishing cover and so on. From it the English amateur gardeners who make the effort to visit should be rewarded with knowledge as well as with a spectacle ofgreat delight. The idea is also to present, separately, a number of different English garden 'atmos­ pheres' from the entrance, heavily scented with rhododendron, jasmine and honeysuck­ le, to the pool which is to be at the peaceful centre, mirroring the surrounding plants. The Federal Republic of Germany's con­ tribution, designed by Bruno Leipacher, is a walled garden, but modern in style, and with a woodland 'feel' to it. It has been sponsored by the Zentralverband Gartenbau, the profes­ sional body representing West German gardening and horticultural groups. But the emphasis is one which should attract many visitors: plants and shrubs, particularly rho­ dodendrons, which are either unavailable or little known in Britain. Rhododendrons bred A gazebo and dovecote are among the attractions of the United Kingdom's garden. The Edwardian pavilion, opposite, is to be the head~uarters for the Commissioner-General of the Festival, appointed by HM the Queen, who will open the event next month. 4 EUROPE84

in Germany include Garten Direkt.or Glocker 1 (Austria); a Tea House and Moon View plat­ and H ellgelb. Backing the rhododendrons are Three million visitors form (Japan); as well as miniature 'Rockies' pines from Germany, including the feathery will seethe (Canada) and the recorded sound of bullfrogs and ornamental Pinus H akodensis. (Australia). As well, there will be many irises, ferns, transformation of a Apart from the specifically UK garden herbaceous plants, including primulas - waste land into a place within the international area, no less than 40 which are already making a vivid bank ofblue of beauty' acres are devoted to other British gardens in - heathers, and the honeysuckle L

When the electors of the Community member states of the European Parliament-the first supra-national go to the polls on June 14th they will be taking part body, answerable to a free electorate, in history. in a major-perhaps decisive-event. The elections For the Community to work, the European for a new European Parliament come at a time when Parliament must also be seen to be effective. the principles that led to the formation of the We invited a number of prominent Europeans to Community are being challenged, as well as its give us their individual views ofw hat is at stake. performance. Central to those principles is the role This is what they had to say.

LEO TINDEMANS, Belgium ber of MEPs sit in national parliaments- just Now to my second point. Is European unity as, on the other, it is good that a number of furthered or held back by the EEC? European WHAT is at stake in the members of national parliaments sit in Stras­ countries are now split into three groups: June elections is the bourg and become specialists on European members of the Community, those who have idea of Europe. The issues. not joined, and those of Eastern Europe. Parliament will have to The Parliament must exist and remain safeguard the ideal, credible. That means it must avoid fruitless AND RE GLUCKSMAN, France and continually draw bickering over draft proposals that won't help European attention to­ Europe. The Parliament has already had EVERYONE is free tO ward the need to build much ofits work cut out for it, with words like vote or not to vote. To Europe and, conse­ 'enlargement', 'deepening', and 'achieve­ ask people for their quently, make ment'. But the Parliament must know what it opinions about the changes in the government of the member wants. It can't do everything. It can't concen­ outcome is to try and states. To quote Jean Monnet's phrase, trate on other people's problems (without shift responsibility on 'Whether we want it or not, there is no future solving them). And it can't just talk about to the elector, by im­ for us without further European unification.' Europe without actually doing anything. plying that it is his par­ The European Parliament can increase its ticipation that will de­ powers. In 1975 I suggested that it should be THORKIL KRJSTENSEN, Denmark ~.._-.... cide the outcome of given the right to initiate policy. The new Europe, when the determining factor is why Commission President should celebrate his CAN the Parliament be­ he is being asked to vote. appointment by a strengthening of his posi­ come a source of in­ The responsibility lies with those who are tion vis-~-vis the Council ofMinisters and the spiration for the EEC? presenting the options: whether or not European Council. ln certain areas the Parlia­ ••llitlll'!ll It can - if it speaks Europe becomes an empty concept, a balloon ment should be given legislative powers. frankly about the se­ filled with electioneering hot air. It is at the level of the Council- in other rious problems of to­ The concept has not always been an empty words, in the member states- that the prob­ day. Let me mention one. It became so with the fulfilment of the lem in giving the Parliament power really lies. two. First, the Com­ goals set by the founding fathers of the Euro­ And this brings us back to the problem ofwhat mon Agricultural Poli­ pean Community. Europe has become the the objective of the Parliament is. A lot of peo­ cy. It is a burden for world's second economic power, and has ple have condemned the double mandate at the budget, because EEC prices create surplus attained Living standards comparable to those national and European levels, on both practic­ production. But why do farmers require of the United States. Amid the ruins of con­ al and theoretical grounds. Wouldn't a ban on prices that are too high for equalising supply tinental Europe in 1945, that was something sitting in both houses rob MEPs ofwhat pow­ end demand? unimaginable for intellecruals, politicians and er they have, since they often use it at national The fundamental fact is that agriculture is the man in the street. rather than European level? man's original occupation. Throughout his­ The second goal ofthe founding fathers was A European Parliament with its existing tory, numerous more specialised activities democracy for the whole of Western Europe. powers, and composed of members with a have developed; and these have attracted The fascist dictatorships which oversha­ single European mandate, would quickly be­ labour from agriculture, because they yield dowed Europe and the lives of Europeans come nothing more than a European higher incomes. have disappeared. Spain, Portugal and Greece Academy. The road to unification will have to It is therefore in the nature of development have revived their representative and demo­ be achieved through national parliaments. that work in agriculture creates lower incomes cratic institutions. So I think that Europe has Changes in the Treaty, or new treaties, will than work in other activities. But this is dif­ been a success. have to be approved in the member states. ficult for modern societies to accept. So agri­ But beyond these achievements it is clear On theonehand,itisimportant thatanum- culture is subsidised, thereby contributing to that we have not thought far enough ahead. surplus production. Today there are two voids, two unanswered 1 1n certain areas the Since this is a common problem, the EEC questions, which affect the whole of Europe. should approach the United States and prop­ The first is how to defend it. The second is cul­ Parliament should be ose that all OECD member countries jointly ture, the mind, ideas. given legislative introduce more realistic prices. If this were There exists a liberal materialism, just as powers1 done jointly, and by so many countries, price there exists a Marxist materialism. The modifications would be more modest than if fathers of Europe, reasoning as liberal mater­ the burden were carried by the EEC alone. ialists, thought that the Community, with its 6 EUROPE84

IJhe appeal has to be ALBERTO MORAVIA,Italy As I see it, this situation is all the more se­ rious, since I believe that television has a vital emotional. And it has EUROPE is distressing­ role to play in gathering, presenting and con­ to be rooted in the past' ly weak. It has shown veying the images, ideas and values of our its weakness on anum­ times, acting as the vehicle of our European ber of occasions, espe­ civilisation. institutions, could almost automatically cre­ cially recently. But Where are the creative geniuses, writers ate a cultural unity. Europe would acquire a why is it weak? Europe and artists with the will to give expression to cultural identity, and European integration has been at the centre the picture of European culture at home and would fall from the sky. of world history over abroad? We must summon these strengths to It was an illusion. Today there is undeni­ the past fifty years ... help form our new media, so that the outside ably a Community of values - democratic and it was not a parti­ world can not only read and hear our message, values, mass civilisation and consumption - cularly glowing period ofhistory. Europe suf­ but also see it. It is with these best and bravest common to all Europeans. But there is no fers from complexes that have made it weak spirits that we must dare to walk abroad, ifwe cultural Community. That will mean having compared to the United States or the Soviet are not to remain passive and apathetic at to create a gigantic new cultural fabric, not in Union, neither of whom had anything to do home. A new picutre of Europe also means a terms ofcontacts between elites, but between with the Nazi era. Even if part of Europe new picture .from Europe. a 'melting pot' of populations. reacted heroically, the experience of Nazism Itis these creative spirits who must be moti­ exhausted it. vated and mobilised for Europe, not just MA EVE BINCHY ,Ireland But that is not the whole story. The thing politicians at election times. Television is the that once made Europe great now flaws it. All medium which will enable them to reach the 1 THINK we would all institutions, including political institutions, people ofEurope, across national boundaries. vote much more en­ are dying from the very thing that brought We must have the stomach for the task, but thusiastically in the them to life - nationalism,. Europe lived be­ also the heart and mind. direct elections if peo­ cause of its 'nationalities' and will probably As democrats, we must hang on to demo­ ple didn't keep telling die out because of them. cracy and speak out for freedom. We tend to us that we should. The European countries, so different from forget all too easily what freedom, the freedom There is a sickening air one another, each had their own speciality to of individuals to choose (and not just in elec­ of duty and civic re­ make up the glory of the old continent. Now, tions), democracy and an understanding of sponsibility about it all they risk destroying themselves because of democracy mean in a world where, elsewhere, which takes away the those same differences. dictatorship and lack of freedom are the rule. good, barbaric feeling of a real election. In theory Europe is strong- even stronger Worthy figures stand up and tell us that we than the United States or the Soviet Union, BARONESS EWART-BIGGS, UK should Think European, and that's all very when the European countries are taken as a I fine. But there is an element of preaching in whole. Unfortunately, the European coun­ T HE European elec­ this, overtones ofgood, sensible advice about tries are as complex as they are divided. tions have a formid­ jogging and eating bran and going to bed nice Whilst we wait for a change of attitudes - able responsibility be­ and early. and that could take some time- the existence fore them in June When they start to explain the European ofan institution like the European Parliament 1984. Their political Parliament, people all over the continent be­ is a good thing, even if it does not have any leaders may still be at come dizzy. Unless you are in it, how would power. Institutions are there to respond to loggerheads and the you know the shades, the nuances, the degrees certain needs. Needs are not perm an en t-they Community's budget­ of commitment of at least four kinds of demo­ can appear at any given moment in time. So, ary problems still un­ crat? Unless you were used to travelling with even if the current usefulness of the Stras­ resolved. This will it, how could you grasp a parliament that sits bourg Parliament is debatable, the long-term make it all the more important for those men in three cities? If you don't actually get on to need for it is not in doubt. and women on their way to the voting booths the plane and head for Strasbourg with your Other institutions will have to be prepared to remember that the founding fathers of the MEP, how do you know what he or she is doing for the time when the need for it will arise. European Community had more in mind than there? Without it Europe may 'miss the boat' in mod­ coal and steel and the price ofbuner. I don't think any amount of glossy, well­ ern history. They saw it as a force for peaceful co-exist­ prepared literature is going tct help. Those of ence and social justice, young people's jobs, us who are not politicians read with dulled GUST GRASS, Luxembourg and equal rights between men and women. eyes definitions of the Parliament's powers; They also hoped it would provide a forum for we plod through control and budgetary pow­ AS A European work­ collectively finding solutions to common ers and legislative powers, nodding sagely. It ing in the field of com­ problems, and through political cooperation is all too far away. And suppose we were there munication, I see the be .able to influence world affairs by speaking for a day? It would still be too imposing for us­ need for a European with a united voice. seven languages, simultaneous translation, audiovisual sector and How could those pioneers ever have fore­ international razzamatazz. Even if a course the prospects which it seen the pressures and tensions world cir­ called 'Understanding the European Parlia­ holds out. At present, cumstances were to impose on the realisation ment' was put on the curriculum of every divisions of language of those principles? For many people the in­ school in every country, it would still be re­ and tradition remain tractable problems and disappointments of mote. very strong in this sec­ recent years have obscured this vision and cal­ The appeal has to be emotional. And it has tor. There are louder and louder cries for sub­ led the whole idea of the Community into to be rooted in the past. sidies, for European programmes and pro­ question. Gas ton Thorn, writing in these col­ So sell it to us on emotion, in terms of coop­ ductions, in order to hold back a flood of umns, has called for the launch of Europe's eration and peace. That way, we might have a foreign products. 'second generation'. He has warned that, if gut feeling that it is important, and send our Here, more than in any other sector, it is the Community is unable to move with the best out there. Even though we are still not clear that individuals and individual countries times and find new life, it will be dragged utterly sure what it is and what it is doing. are no longer able to manage alone. down and founder. .... 7 EUROPE84

IJhe time has come to WERNER WEIDENFELD, Germany 'If today's Europe is return to the anything more than a I THINK we Europeans have lost our sense of procedures laid down political proportion, as far as the objectives technological iungle, it 1n the treaties' and potential of integration are concerned. is thanks to the Why else would we be frustrated by the Com­ European Parliament' munity's conflicts and compromises? Quar­ It is for this reason I believe Europe's elec­ rels, differences of opinion and criticism are tors have such an important duty on 14th the life blood ofour democracies. Why should and fisheries. Community decisions can June. It will be for them to give a vote of con­ direcdy affect the creation, maintenance and fidence to the launch of that second genera­ supranational Europe be any different? If today's Europe is anything more than a disappearance of jobs. Consequendy, people tion. Their votes will not only decide the technological jungle, it is thanks to the Euro­ have begun to ask themselves about the legi­ apportionment of seats the political parties pean Parliament. However one regards the timacy ofthe Commission's decision-making. will win in Strasbourg-important as that is ­ work ofthe Parliament, each political decision And from there they have begun to look at the but also leave Europe's leaders in no doubt it makes contributes to its developme.nt. T he role played by the European Parliament in the that its citizens want the survival of the Euro­ issues and problems with which it deals all sur­ building of Europe. pean communtiy, and want to go on with the mount national frontiers, and cover a dense As democrats, we cannot ignore the fact struggle towards the attainment of the ideals range of social issues. The time has come to that the European Parliament has not received of its founding fathers. ask ourselves whether we want to leave these the powers it deserves as an elected body rep­ problems unsolved, or whether we should resenting the European electorate. We there­ , JANTINBERGEN,Netherlands lookforpoliticalanaswers and subject them to fore have no choice but to go and vote in June. democratic controls. THE welfare of all IfEurope is not given a political dimension, citizens of the Euro­ and is denied political controls, it will inevit­ Leo Tindemans is Minister for External pean Communities is ably lose ground. T his is why an effective Par­ Affairs in the Belgian Government. Thorkil directly related to liament is needed. Kristensen is a former Danish finance minis­ events in the countries Th~ basic facts of European political life are ter and secretary-general of the OECD. with which we trade. not what they were. In the early days of Euro­ Andre Glucksman is a French philosopher This is especially true pean integration there was a tacit, but and writer. Maeve Bincby is an Irish journal­ for small countries. genuine, popular consensus, supported by istand writer. Alberto Moravia , oneofltaly's The value ofgoods and economic growth, and a willingness to abolish foremost men of letters, is a past president of services imported and internal frontiers. PEN. Gust Grass is director-general of exported by the Netherlands is about half of For a long time, what the Community did Radio-Tele-Luxembourg. T he Baroness its national income. was hardly noticed by the man in the street. Ewart-Biggs is a Labour member of the It is therefore obvious that we should have a Today that is no longer the case. The Com­ House of Lords. Professor jan Tinbergen say whenever decisions affecting the econo­ munity has left the Fealm of political invisibil­ was awarded theNobelPrizefor Economics in mic policies ofour trading partners are taken. ity. It now influences areas of vital interest to 1969. Werner Weidenfeld is Professor of A very large proportion of our exports go to the member states, such as steel, agriculture Political Science at the University of Mainz. our partners in the EEC. Decisions on EEC policies are taken by the Commission , and the European Parliament exercises a certain amount ofcontrol over the Commission. Neither ofthese institutions fuctions as well And now-a marketof312 million as it might in some respects. For instance, in­ The largest free trade area for industrial scarcely dry, we might never have come dividualmember states continually attempt to goods in the world was created on 1 Janu­ this way'. put their own interests before those of other ary, when virtually all remaining tariff 'But,' he continued, 'wise counsels pre­ member states. Nationalised industries often barriers and quantitative restrictions be­ vailed. We have been able to achieve our give preference to domestic products, even tween the European Community and the goal against all protectionist tendencies, although foreign products may be cheaper. European Free Trade Association (EFfA) and in spite of serious difficulties in some The European administration, and in par­ countries were abolished. sectors ofour industry, such as paper, steel ticular the staffwhich prepares and carries out With their 312 million consumers, said and textiles. the work of the Commission, is another in­ European Commission Vice-President The results of cooperation between the stitution which does not work as well as it Wilhelm Haferkamp in a statement to EEC andEFTA countries beyond the trade should. mark the occasion, the European Com­ aspects of the free trade agreements also Many of the decisions of the European munity and EFTA already form a bigger deserve congratulations,' said Mr Hafer­ Communities are taken by the Council of market than the United States and Canada kamp. Ministers, in which member states are repre­ taken together. Accession by Spainwill add 'T his has created a network ofcooperation, sented by their respective governments. Deci­ a further 38 million consumers (Portugal is consultation and contacts going further than sions are normally taken by majority vote, currently an EFI'A member), and the free with any other industrialised partner,' he particularly where important matters are con­ trade area created will then comprise the added. cerned. However, this is not the procedure whole of Western Europe in a European The network now includes a wide range laid down in the treaties that initially estab­ free trade zone. of areas, from consumer protection to tele­ lished the EEC-it was adopted temporarily, Describing this as a 'milestone', Mr communications and the environment, as a concession to France, under General de Haferkamppointed out that, in 1972, when together with a multiplication of contacts Gaulle. The result is that really effective deci­ the EEC signed free trade agreements with in the framework of international orga­ sion-making is blocked. EFrA countries, 'voices on both sides ex­ nisations such as GATT and the OECD. The time has now come to return to the pro­ pressed doubts on the wisdom ofsuch a vast Finally, regular ministerial talks have cedure laid down in the treaties, so that we can undertaking', adding: 'If we could have provided a further valuable opportunity to form a European bloc that can stand up to the foreseen the depth of the recession which extend cooperation into the political field USA and Japan. began when the ink on the agreements was with those EFTA partners who so wished. 8 Ilk ~- t: - JEUROPE84 of eo-decision to these two institutions, both as regards organic laws (which will require a Moves towards a new larger majority in both bodies) and as regards ordinary laws. The new procedure will be more effective, constitution-if Europe's thanks to a system ofdeadlines which will pre­ vent decisions being delayed indefinitely by either Parliament or the Council. electors agree The proposed system maintains the central role of the Commission, which will retain its right of initiative (a right which the Parlia­ The 'Spinelli plan' for a new competence and powers of Community in­ mentand the Council will also have to a certain stitutionsinthelightoftheexperienceruxeady extent) and will also take an important part in treaty of union between acquired, and of their new tasks, as well as the the process of drawing up legislative acts. member states has been firm intention of creating an organic link be­ The Commission will also be responsible tween the Communities, the system of con­ for defining the rules of application of laws; agreed by the European sultation on international policy and the Euro­ and for seeing that they are properly im­ Parliament. To become a pean Monetary System, the Commission real­ plemented, while at the same time respecting reality, it will need at least ised that it would have been practically im­ the fundamental principle of the Union, possible to tackle the desired reorganisation namely that Community law must apply at two-thirds of the European by means ofa package ofammendments to the whichever level (national, regional or local) is Community's electorate existing treaties and ammendments. Such a closest to the citizens and their needs. package would, in fact, have resulted in a It goes without saying that although the to say Yes document which to all intents and purposes Commission, the 'point of convergence' of ••'------"------"'-'"' was incomprehensible, and quite useless as an thissystem,enjoysagreaterdegreeofstability instrument of political action. than the national governments, its legitimacy n 14 February last year, the By voting for the political content ofthis re­ must be recognised in as wide a fashion as proposal for constitutional reform form on 14 September 1983, the Parliament possible. The procedure by which the Presi­ ofthe Community put before the decided to give this proposal the form of a dent will be nominated by the European European Parliament by Altiero draft Treaty establishing the European Union Council (made up of heads of state and of gov­ 0Spinelli was passed with a very large 'ex novo', thus meeting the terms of the ernment ofthe member states) is such that the majority. This new proposal was doubly treaties themselves and the repeatedly-stated presidency will be one of the Union's institu­ important. It not only represented the wishes ofall the governments. tions; the appointment ofthe president will be culmination ofthe most daring undertaking Parliament decided against amending the subject to a vote of confidence in the Parlia­ ofthe first legislature of the elected existing treaties and agreements, opting in­ ment, and may only be revoked by a special Parliament, but it will also form one of the stead for the creation of a new political corpus majority. issues in the campaign for the forthcoming designed to incorporate au the legal, political elections. and economic attainments ofthe Community, Pfhe ap~ointment of The Assembly of the European Parliament as well as the other, para-Commnity organs, gave an absolute majority to the draft Treaty while stillallowingfortheir later development the president will be ofUnionputforward by Mr Spinellion behalf by methods proper to the Union itself. sub(edto a vote of of the Institutional Committee. By its vote, The European Treaty of Union will thus the European Parliament fulfilled the man­ have a twofold aspect. In terms of its function confidence' date which it had received on 9 July 1981, it is in effect a constitution, in that it redefines when the motion put by the Crocodile Club the competencies and institutions which will was accepted (see page 23). form the new political corpus ofthe European The approval given to the draft treaty Let there be no mistake - the European Union. In terms of its form, however, it is an marks the beginning ofa period ofuncertainty Treaty ofUnion is a proposal to give the Com­ international treaty, in that only the member in the European Parliament, which those munity a new constitution, which would re­ states will be competent to accept its content, MEPs and political groups which voted in sult in a restructuring of the institutional subsequently ratify it, and finally implement favour of the proposal will have to put to good framework within which the process of the Union which they are invited to join. use. European integration has been proceeding From the point of view of its content, the The European Parliament and the political up till now. draft Treaty establishes a system which, while forces represented there will have to apply a Before this can come into force, it has to be preserving the existing Community terminol­ political strategy, starting now, which will en­ submitted for ratification by all member ogy for reasons of continuity, in fact estab­ able them to motivate not only the parties but states. It cannot be applied unless it receives lishes a new division of powers and a new also the worlds of culture, economics, science ratification from a majority ofcountries repre­ system of decision-making. ' and the professions. Ratification will be the senting at least two-thirds ofthe population of In effect, it will fall to the elected Parlia­ subject oflively debate; but it will also provide the whole Community. ment and the Council of Union (made up of an opportunity to find common ground for The raison d' 2tre of this proposal can be put representatives of the governments) to European society as a whole. in a few words. The primary motivation is not approve the principle rules of the Union and The campaign for the coming European so much a desire to increase the power of the its laws. The intended procedure gives power elections in mid-June will offer the first European Parliament as a realisation that the chance to mobilise all the energies. It will also process of integration is slowly grinding to a 1 be the first test-bed for the proposed new halt, and a conviction that the only institution A system of deadlines European Constitution. which is competent to put forward such a far­ would prevent PIER VIRGILIO DASTOLI reaching proposal for reform is the European decisions being Parliament, which represents all the citizens D The author is the director ofthe political re­ of the Community. delayed indefinitely view 'Crocodile', a letter to Members of the Given the declared intention ofrevising the European Parliament. 9 ...... ,•• m rSEUROPE84 • d*t ·ttr ., "!t' rr en • 'iii 'We must hammer home the message that there is no way towards economic recovery outside the Community framework'

As the crucial Euro-elections draw nearer, There must be some more essential reason for this lack ofinterest. Even in countries with a traditionally pro-Europe attitude, the public now seems to the President ofthe European Parliament, be really disappointed. Piet Dankert, answers questions from Rose Well, I must say that ministers have done all they could to provoke such Moers about the Parliament's past a disappointment. Although there have been some positive decisions in recent times, such as thecommon fisheries policy, the public will most­ performance, and what is at stake as the ly remember the quarrels and haggling sessions about the share-out of electorates ofthe ten member states go to herring quotas. Another example is steel policy, which has given the Community a the polls to elect a new one lot of negative publicity, because it translates itself in loss of jobs and cuts in production capacity. Nobody seems to realise that it has led to a - .!M! more acceptable and less chaotic situation than is currently prevailing MOERS: The European Parliament has nearly completed its first term as a in the textile and shipbuilding sectors, where the Community has no directly elected institution. Are you more or less happy with the way it has direct responsibility. Some ofthe Community's more negative aspects, operated in the past fi:oe years? the bureaucracy, butter mountains etc, have also been stressed too DANKERT: More or less is the right expression. The new Parliament much by some national politicians whenever it suited them. had, ofcourse, tofinditsway. Back in 1979manyofitsmembershadno Conversely, they have sometimes raised expectations in regard to the previous parliamentary experience, let alone experience in an interna­ Community on which their own governments were not going to tional body. Often they failed to see that a given subject was not con­ cooperate, as they perfectly well knew. I would just mention issues cluded as soon as a resolution had been adopted, but that the real work such as employment policy or a joint approach to economic recovery, had yet to begin. on which the very governments that have made solemn statements at A continuous follow-up and soft pressure exercise is part of the way home are shilly-shallying when it comes to making concrete decisions this Community operates. Some progress has been made on this point in Brussels. The effect on public opinion is, of course, highly damaging. meanwhile, and there has been a notableimprovementin contacts with the council of ministers, possibly at the expense of contacts with the Commission. What about the Parliament's reputation as the home for those who like the Astrikingfeatureofthisparliamentisthepositivewayinwhichithas good things in life? developed its role as a watchdog, creating more openness as regards the In some countries, stories about money matters do indeed get a lot of activities of the Community. It certainly helps that, since 1979, Euro­ publicity which, I think, is very damaging to Parliament as a whole. Of parliamentarians have been able to devote themselves to the job full­ course, such stories would get nowhere if they were written in relation time. to national parliaments, whose members do in fact get exactly the same Where the Parliament has real powers, namely in the budgetary daily allowances when they take part in the Council of Europe or other field,ithasmadehighlyresponsible-andatthesametimecreative-use international assemblies. Which is not to say that some tightening up of those powers. I quote as an example the 1984 budget. The fact that doesn't need to be done. We have been working on that for some time. Parliament has managed to freeze temporarily the British budget re­ But the underlying thought seems to be that, as this Parliament is with· bateisnotjustan exploit, or an actiondirectedagainsttheBritishPrime out powers, it should also be without money. Minister, as has been suggested. It means, for the first time, an active involvement of Parliament in Pfhe Community has hardly the current process of negotiations- in my opinion, an important de­ velopment. On top ofthat, Parliament has developed in recent years its developed any ~olicythatthe role as a discussion platform for various topical issues, such as the major young can identify with' debates devoted to hunger in the world, the situation ofwomen, econo­ mic recovery, and more. On the negative side, I have to mention the loss of contact with Why do you think that the young, in particular, are showing indifference a national parliaments as a result of direct elections, which has led to a regards European uni~? Recent polls show that only sixteen per cent ar lack of information on Community matters at the national level, and really interested in Europe, and amajori~ say they wouldn't care ifthe Com lesser possibilities for Euro-MPs to influence their ministers through munity were to disappear. the national assembly. In my opinion, this is a very damaging develop­ It is very worrying indeed. But we must understand that younger pec ment. ple are not motivated towards European integration on politics Given this overaU positive balance sheet ofParliament's first term, why do grounds, such as prevailed in post-1945 Europe. They vaguely thin you think that Europeans, according to recent opinion polls, are now less ea­ the EEC is all about agriculture, and fail toseetherelevanceofthe Corr ger to vote than on the eve ofthe first direct elections, back in 1979? munity to their day-to-day lives. I must admit that this relevance is di: I think the EuropeanParliamentcannot be considered in isolation from ficult to pinpoint, since the Community has hardly developed any pol the European Community as a whole. In terms of public opinion, the cy that young people can identify with. An instrument like the Eur1 image of the Community has certainly bleakened over the past few pean Social Fund, useful though it may be, is doing little more than di years,andespeciallysincelastautumn'spolicydeadlockandthefailure tributing crumbs to aid projects that have been set up nationally. :l'i of the Athens summit. wonder it is hard for European citizens to identify with the Commw Another reason is related to publicity. Many Euro-MPs are not well ity, let alone with European deputies. knownathome. Theydonothaveaclearimageintheirnationalmedia, To me, it is of essential importance to hammer home the messa; especially since many of the big names which originally headed the list that there is no way towards economic recovery outside the Commu have dropped out of Strasbourg. ity framework. And that the present attitude of some member gover 10 EUROPE84 ments- which is one of restraint and even back-pedalling as regards such as baby seals and acid rain, the real environment problems ofour theircommitmenttoEurope-isendangeringtheexistenceoftheCom­ time are motor car exhaust fumes and widespread industrial pollution. munity and the survival of their own countries. Only the Community In most cases, not an isolated but a broad-and preferably European­ can see us through the present crisis. People should not complain about approach is indicated, since many different factors have to be put in the EEC politicians and the Commission, but about their own national balance, from the extra costs resulting from modified equipment and politicians and ministers, who lack the courage to takedecisivesteps to­ the ensuing potential distortion of competition, to the trades unions' wards the creation ofa European entity. concern about loss of jobs.

Otltopoftheemploymentandeconomicissuespublicopinioninmostmember Do you have a message toEuropean voters that might help to get them to the sto.tes is highly motivated at present by the environment. Do you think that the polls next June? creation ofa European 'green list' in the forthcoming elections may help to As I said before, it is a matter of survival. More than ever we are at a mobilise the electorate? crossroads in Europe. Let me illustrate this with an example, put to me In my opinion, the environment is not to be treated as an isolated issue. recently by Australia's vice-premier: Australia, according to current It should be seen as part of the global socio-economic and industrial criteria, is a developed country, whereas South Korea is a developing policy. When it comes to puning the various interests in the balance, country. But if we take a close look at industrial structures and future the environmental element should certainly be an important consid­ prospects, Australia ought to be called a developing and South-Korea a eration. But it is self-defeating to base a campaign on just one issue, be­ developed country. cause this means certain defeat vis-a-vis existing well-established in­ By refusing to push ahead with European unity, the Community is terests. running the risk of ending up in an Australian-type situation. This In politics, nothing can be done without a solid power base. Politics means that the present level ofwealth and social security in the member and action groups are two different things. Purposeful actions are, of states cannot be maintained if we are not prepared to accept the Euro­ course, very useful, since politicians need to be shaken up from time to pean dimension- an excellent reason to go to the polls, and to make a time. But the environment policy must be part ofa broader, integrated choice among the various political alternatives. policy approach, otherwise it risks being swept off the table altogether. To conclude: these elections are for the survival ofour present social While a separate approach may sometimes be indicated for problems systems, which can only be realised through Europe. [I Women are still geHing the worst of it, says lvor Richard

cording to European Social Affairs European governments have made few Commissioner lvor Richard, things changes in existing legislation. On the other are going from bad to worse for hand, they have decided to introduce anum­ women- the principal victims of the ber of positive measures, particularly in the recession. Speaking at a European Parliament form of special training programmes for debate in Strasbourg on the situation of women, specialist advisors on equal opportu­ women in Europe, he said that the Commis­ nities in employment offices, and information sion intended to keep fighting alongside the campaigns. European Parliament for equal opportunities But a lot remains to be done, according to for women. Mr Richard. Praising the work accomplished Mter initial advances the movement to­ by the members of the committee of enquiry wards female emancipation seems to have run into the situation of women in Europe, he said out of steam. The recession is slowly eating that the Commission and the Parliament were away at the gains of the past, and bygone vic­ moving in the same direction. Now it was up tories are being jeopardised. The symptoms to the Council of Ministers and national gov­ are alarming. Unemployment among women, ernments to follow suit. and in particular young women, is rising The committee, led by Italian Communist sharply. MEP Maria Lisa Cinciari Rodano, was pre­ Social outlay is falling. Public spending senting the results of two years' work, in the cuts mean fewer jobs. And new technologies form of a 600-page report. It covered 18 spe­ are posing a direct threat to traditional female cific themes, and dealt with a wide variety of job markets. Women are still discriminated Pfhe Commission will aspects of women's lives. Subjects included against, and rarely achieve prominence in health, employment, political representation, business, unions and political parties. keep fighting for the rights of migrant workers and women in The European Commission has consistent­ equal opportunities the Third World. ly backed the fight for women's equality in The main objectives of the motion for a re­ Europe. But, as Ivor Richard points out, it for women' solution are listed in 99 points divided up into does not have sufficient powers to impose its eight chapters. They include a defence of ex­ views on the member states. isting gains in the field ofequal job opportuni­ The fact is that natioqal governments have now been published on the Commission's ties for women, the creation of new jobs for shown little inclination to introduce the prin­ 1982-85 programme: on the promotion of women, and increased political, cultural and ciple of equal opportunity into their national equal opportunities, and application of the social participation. legislations. Some have even encouraged directive on equal treatment in matters of so­ The committee also wants the new Parlia­ women to stay at home, rather than increase cial security. ment to introduce a permanent committee for the number ofunemployed. Two reports have The results of the latter are not impressive. women's rights. 11 11 r ,EUROPE84 A handshake on export credit terms

elf-destructive credit war between It took some hard bargaining and the Scandinavian countries continued to the rich nations has been averted press for an end to subsidies, and the introduc­ with the adoption of a more -but the Community and the tion ofa system by which export credits would Apermanent international agreement OECD states have at last simply be financed at the market interest rates not to undercut each other's export lending called it quits on one sector ofwhatever currency they happened to be de­ terms. nominated in. The deal, which was struck in Paris by the ofthe exports front. Determined to keep the ball rolling, the ten European Community countries and the CHRIS LOM reports USA and Canada began to exert pressure. twelve other members of the Organisation for Taking advantage of the fact that long term Economic Cooperation and Development credit over a period of 15-20 years is normal in (OECD), is the result of five years' hard bar­ cally adjust the minimum interest rates of the North America and practically unobtainable gaining about the extent to which export cre­ Consensus at six-monthly intervals, accord­ in European capital markets, they began to ditinterestratesshouldorshouldnotbesubsi­ ing to changes in average world interest rates deliberately offer export credits for longer dised. linked to the basket ofmajor world currencies periods than those stipulated by the Consen­ Export credit on easy terms has always been that make up the International Monetary sus. This posed a serious threat to European akeyfactorinattracting export orders. But its Fund's special drawing rights (SDRs). exporters, particularly when it became appa­ danger lies in persuading major exporting Of the three categories of borrowers, the rent that the longer-term option was very countries to vie with each other to offer bigger 'relatively poor' and 'intermediate' countries attractive to developing countries wanting to subsidies, cheaper credits and longer loans in will get cheaper credit under the new agree­ spread their debt repayments over a longer order to boost their sales at the expense of ment. In the 'intermediate' category, which period of time. those of their neighbours. The temptation to accounts for nearly two thirds ofall export cre­ The arrival of the Polish crisis further com­ offer cheap credit to foreign buyers has been dit deals and includes newly industrialising plicated the issue. The US demanded an end particularly difficult to resist at a time ofworld countries like Taiwan and Brazil, minimum to cheap credits for the Soviet Union, while recession, when factories are lying idle and rates have beenreduced0.65 percentage point the European Community said that the Rus­ men are being laid off. OECD estimates sug­ to 10.7 per cent on loans lasting 5-8'12 years. sians should simply be reclassified from a gestthatthetotalcostofsubsidiesrosefrom$2 In the 'relatively poor' category ofcountries billion in 1977 to over $6 billion in 1980. Each eligible for development aid, rates have been 'France, Italy and the additional! percentsubsidycostabout$1 bil­ reduced 0.5 percentage point to 9.5 per cent lion. on all loans. The minimum rates applied to UK were all1n favour Broad agreement on the need to control the 'relatively rich' countries, where per capita of keeping some sort level of export credit subsidies was first GNP is over $4000, will remain unchanged at of subsidy reached in April 1978, when the OECD between 12.15 per cent- 12.4 per cent, with adopted the Arrangement on Guidelines for loans lasting up to 81h years. Officially Supported Export Credits, known The third outstanding characteristic of the Category 2 'intermediate' country to a Categ­ as the 'Consensus'. The Arrangement, of new arrangement is a system of special terms ory 1 'relatively rich' country. But the neutral which the new agreement is an extension, is involving lower minimum rates for credits de­ members of the Consensus rejected both designed to set the minimum lending terms nominated in low interest currencies such as proposals on the grounds that they could only that governments and public agencies must the yen, the deutsche mark, the Swiss franc be approved as part of an overall reclassifica­ observe when they finance, subsidise or and the Dutch guilder. tion. guarantee credits to foreign purchasers of The development of the Consensus into an Bythefirsthalf of1983, world interest rates capital goods and services. important and substantial international had fallen from their 1981levels and appeared The financial incentive implicit in an agree­ agreement has been a gradual process, negoti­ to be relatively stable at close to minimum ment not to undercut each other by offering ated largely between the European Commis­ rates. Although the French and Italians sion, on behalf of the European Community, wanted lower minimum rates and the non· 'A sharp divide and the North Americans and Japan, against a Europeans wanted slightly higher market remained between the background offluctuatingworldinterestrates rates, the introduction ofan automatic system and economic pressures. linking the two began to look increasing!~ Europeans and the The European Commission, speaking for feasible. The European Commission then pu' Americans' the Ten as a whole, found itself straddling the forward proposals for a slight lowering o: fence, with the Community split down the minimum rates, accompanied by the intro middle. The Federal Republic of Germany, duction ofa system that would in future adjus bigger subsidies in the form oflower rates, was the Netherlands and Denmark were all broad­ the cost ofexport credit, according to change clear. But a sharp divide remained between ly sympathetic to US calls for a return to mar­ in average world interest rates. the Europeans, who generally wanted some ket rates. But France, Italy and the United ·The proposals, backed by the weight of th' kind of interest subsidy and the Americans, Kingdom were all firmly in favour of keeping Community and the support of the moderat who preferred lending at market rates, but some sort of subsidy. countries, were ultimately acceptable to botl over longer periods of time. In November 1981 the Consensus as a sides and formed the basis of the Octobe The final agreement, which was agreed in whole agreed to a six-month compromise that agreement. The main advantage of the selJ October and came into effect in January, is a involved a 2 per cent increase in minimum adjusting system is that it will remove the ir compromise, containing on the one hand an rates,inlinewithrisingmarketrates to cut the ternational tensions created by the acrim< element of subsidy, and on the other an auto­ cost ofsubsidies, special terms for low interest nious haggling over the level of minimw matic adjustment mechanism linking the currencies like the yen, and a commitment to rates. However, debate will continue in minimum interest rates charged on export gradually liberalise the system to take account numberofgreyareas. Amongthemistheissr credits to market rates of interest. of the market. ofmixed credits, whichareamixtureofexpo The new, permanent system will automati- In the meantime the USA, Canada, Japan credit and development aid. I 12 pings-T-shirts, training gear, banners, maps, lists of details, routes-and tele­ phones which ring insistently. He says there will be 150 taking part this year (there were 140 last year). His enthusiasm is boundless. He has made many friends on the road over the years. It's a bit difficult at the beginning, he admits; but once it's set up it's child's play. He holds up the newly-designed T­ shirttobeadmired.lt'sdarkblue,witha large yellow 'E' for Europe and the im­ print of a shoe fixed within the letter. There are 12 gold stars surrounding. There are always 12 stars, he says. 'It's symbolic of many things, like the 12 starsoftheZodiac.Andwearethepoints ofastarcomingeachyearto a gathering point in Europe.' Heremembershowitallbegan.Here­ members the Brussels schoolchildren These Euroboots are made who first gavevoicetotheiranxietiesab­ out Europe, following a European Week in the schools ofthe Brussels area. They for walking felt it was a subject much talked about but very much removed from them, and from the reality oftheir lives. Protesting their belief that there was · This year's March ofYouth- the twelfth-will cover over a great difference between talk and ac­ 500km-andall thewalkers,nomatterwhichofthe 12 tion, six girls and 14 boys between 15 different points they start from, will converge on Brussels. and 18, along with two oftheir teachers, They will come from all over Europe and from all age groups setoffonthefirstmarchtolinkjustthree capitals - Brussels, Luxembourg and and walks oflife. What they will share is a unique feeling for Strasbourg. and belief in Europe-an enthusiasm and curiosity about Even on that first march, reality ..,.. meeting other Europeans, and a certain kind ofenergy.

The twelve points - Berlin, Caen, Canterbury, Eindhoven, Lausanne, IJheyoung Luxembourg, Milan, Naples, Siegen, contingent seem to ON THE LINE Strasbourg, Venice and Zeebrugge-in­ dicate, as much as anything else, how embody the spirit Toughening up on drug abuse is a widely interest is spread. with which it all top priority of the Commission, Fran!j()is Gillet - a 27-year-old began' Commissioner lvor Richard has teacher from Liege, Belgium - will be told the European Parliament. leading a young contingent, all of them between 16 and26, who seem to embody A major joint effort, linking the the spirit with which it all began. and he's 81. The oldest participant-as Commission with the various international health bodies, Is 'They're interested in meeting other old as the century-comesfromSwitzer­ under way in a bid to curb the young people in Europe, not so in­ land, and plans to walk from Stras­ problem, he told the Parliament on terested in the sociological and political bourg. A German marcher, born in 15 February. problems. They want to be with other 1915, will be leaving from Canterbury­ young people and to talk about sport, his sixth time. He likes to leave from a Cropsubsmutionprojeds their families, culture.' she says. · different place each year, so as to get to underway in the so-called Gold~n Triangle area of the Far East, the 'The idea ofEurope is not very clear in know different towns. ·All creeds and major source of opium in the their heads-they feel nothing is actual­ professions are represented-as well as western world, are being closely ly seen of how it works. They're in­ that increasing European statistic, the followed by the Commission. This terested in the basics, the grassroots. unemployed. On the lists are house­ should help prevent the harvesting After the march it may be possible to wives, engine drivers, teachers, techni­ of the opium poppy. build something wider, to develop cians, electricians, secretaries, stu­ Commissioner Richard stressed things further.' His group will be as in­ dents, civil servants, dentists. that the Community's maniac ternatioDal as he can make it. Marcb,ers Paul Cliquet from Brussels, as Presi­ diversification assistance could not are joining him from France, Germany, dent, is the man with responsibility for it be abused for opium cultivation. the Netherlands and Belgium. all. He is an energetic 63-year-old Such aid programmes are under The generation who kicked off with teacher, whosehomeseemstohavebeen way in Thailand and Indonesia at the 20th century are well represented, taken over completely bythemarchand present, but in areas where opium too. Belgian magistrate Robert Deck.­ its organisation. Corners, walls, shelves does not grow for climatic reasons. myn will be marching from Lausanne- are all filled and hanging with the trap-

APRU.l984 (i) EUROFORUM

meant warm friendship, diversity, com­ 1 plementary qualities that could be A celebration in shared. Together they arrived in Stras­ each town they go bourg convinced that left to themselves, through ••• some individuals might have aban­ doned the march on the second day. Paul Cliquet's secretary, Therese De­ seen off to the outskirts of the town by france,shareshisenthusiasm. This year the Mayor, the Archbishop, and MEP she will start from Canterbury, cross ChristopherJackson, allofwhomhavea with her group from Dover to Calais, particular interest and strongly support and walk down through France. 'It's a the march. Frank hopes the event will marvellous thing,' she feels, 'and impor­ snowball and spread out. 'If and when tant not only for the marchers. We can Europe takes in Spain and Portugal it see - everyone can see - how Europe should be even bigger and better.' works. The welcome in the towns is He is not the only one who thinks the great-everyone takes part.' sk:y'sthelimitasfarasthemarchiscon­ In Canterburytheorganiserandlead- . cemed. In towns everywhere, dignitar­ er of the British contingent is Frank ies and townspeople will be turning out Bound.Hehasbeeninvolvedforthepast to wish the marchers well. And with five years. As well as the home group, support coming from such bodies as the this year he will beleadingthreeFrench Council ofEurope, the European Parlia­ participants, one Luxembourger, and ment, European Railways, cities and five Belgians. For him it has been 'abso­ towns too numerous to mention, the lutely wonderful', especially for the European Community press and in­ friendships which have been formed. On formation services, and sporting and the march, he says, there's usually a commercial organisations, it seems that celebration in each town as they go a great many people are concerned with through. doing something about a united Europe, Last year, 45 people left Canterbury, not simply talking.

(ii) I, ..- EURO FORUM~ A EUROPEAN REVIEW

More aid urged Cooperatives shine in Greenland settles for for Northern Ireland jobs campaign fishing rights

The Commission is resolved to help Worker cooperatives are having a Community Foreign Ministers tackle the economic problems remarkable success in the fight agreed terms inmid-February for facing areas like Northern Ireland against unemployment, social Greenland's withdrawal from the and other depressed regions in the affairs commissioner Ivor Richard Community with effect from next Community, budget commissioner stressedinLondonrecently. January. ChristopherTugendhat stressed 'Cooperatives have a very special role The settlement came almost exactly during a visit to Belfast. to play at a timewhenBritainanditsfel- two years after a narrow majority of This would mean an expansion of the low European countries face together Greenland's voters expressed their wish regional development and social funds the twin challenge of employment and in a referendum to be independent for the benefit of those who need. them industrial regeneration', the Commis- of, yet retain close links with, the most, said Mr Tugendhat, though he sioner said. Community. warned that Community funds would The number of people working in The ten-year-deal, which may be re- remain 'modesf in comparison to cooperatives has almost doubled over newed for further six-year periods, re- national funding. the last five years - from 300,000 to mains to be ratified by national Parlia- Major reforms in farm spending and 550,000 - Commissioner Richard ments, before Greenland's change of the further opening-up of the internal pointed out when he inaugurated the status may take effect. trade market within the Community first-ever Europe-wide worker coopera- In exchange for retaining fishing are urgently needed, he added. tive trade fair on 21 February. rights in Greenland's waters-primari- 'These decisions are bound to affect ly of interest to German vessels - the Northern Ireland. But ifthese decisions Community has agreed to provide are not taken things cannot carry on as A solar future annual cash compensation. Initially, before. this will total26.5 million ECUs (£15.9 The money simply will not be avail- under glass million) per year. This sum will also in- able to do in the future what has been cludeanyotherformofaid which Green- done in the past.' The ability ofglass to act as an land might have been entitled to under Despite the farm spending cutbacks energy saver is often overlooked in its new Overseas Country or Territory proposed by the Commission, farmers in building design, anew report (OCT) status. the United Kingdom will still receive financed by the Commission The agreement lays down the amount prices some 4 per cent higher than the stresses. of cod, red:fish and shrimps Community community norm. And special mea- Glazing has a crucial role to play in fishermen will be able to take annually sures are being provided by the Com- energy saving - collecting solar heat off Greenland. These quotas will be re- mission to safeguard farm incomes in andlightingpremises-the260-pagere- viewed after five years. If stocks are Northern Ireland and other depressed port points out. higher than the needs of the local in- regions. The study is drawn up by the Euro- habitants, the Community may purch- pean Group of Flat Glass Producers, ase the right to increase its own share. which comprises almost all Community Greenland will continue to be able to Israel to be kept in flat glass makers. The study aims to send its fish-the vast bulk ofits exports make known thewiderangeofglasspro- -duty free to the Community. the picture ducts available within the Community and their potential for energy conserva- The Community will keep Israel tion, comfort and safety; and also to out- informed on the development of line a proposal for a European standar- Help for the travelling SpanishandPonugueseaccession disation ofglass products. negotiatioiUL The Commission strongly backs the people The decision came after a meeting in need to inform those involved in all Brussels on 20 February between the stages of building construction of the Gypsies should be afforded more Ten's Foreign Ministers and the Israeli wide range ofproducts and research de- aid from the Community in their Prime Minister, Itzhak Shamir, to ex- velopments in the Community's glass travels from state to state, amine links between the two parties. sector. according to MEP Johan van

(iii) ··EUROFORUM

Commission's rules pricesystemforrosesandcarnationsap­ plying in all member states, and daily would have prevented listings of average producer prices for both varieties, with a similar detailed those lorry jams check on imports. This information must be forwarded to the Commission. The wave oflorry blockades which Creation of import licences to allow the swept across Europe in February monitoring of trade with non-member provided concrete proofof the states is also on the cards. financial and personal hardships The new measures will allow the involved from long delays at Commissionagreatermonitoringofthe national frontiers. markets. Protective measures could be Karl-Heinz Nrujes, commissioner in introduced by the Commission ifunfair charge of the internal market, pointed competition from third countries out that the administrative delays at threaten Community producers. Trading within the European customs posts and the truckers' protest Signal prices would be fixed by taking Community: a United Kingdom an average ofthose on offer to producers executive guide. By Dennls action would not have happened if the Evans. Tolley Publishing Co Ltd, Commission's proposals for cutting red in the main producing states over a Croydon, Surrey, £35.00 (further tape had been adopted by member gov­ period ofmonths. Eachyeartheseprices coples£20 each). ernments. would be fixed by the Council of Commission President Gaston Thorn Ministers. A lucid and business-like guide to . provided a tellingexampleoftheimpact There has been a considerable shift the various requirements and of these controls, when he told an audi­ towards glass-house growing in the systems operating in member ence drawn from the ranks ofsmall and Community over the past decade, states, by a senior executive medium sized firms that the delays cost especially in the major flower producing whose experience also includes states like Italy, the Netherlands and 19 years of teaching at the them5 to 10percentofthe value oftheir Management Centre Europe, goods. France. in Brussels. Even though customs duties and quotas have been abolished, theveryex­ istenceofintemal Community frontiers Closer ties with Communicating to Voters: costs the equivalent of almost 7 per cent television In the first European ofgoods traded annually between Euro­ Pakistan Parliamentary elections. Edited pean countries. by Jay G. Blumler. Sage . A single customs document accepted Publications, £7.50. throughout the Community, and pay­ The Community and Pakistan are investigating updating their 8-year­ ment of V AT through normal national A symposium of essays, initiated old Commercial Cooperation channels, rather than at the frontier as by the lntemationallnstitute of Agreement with wider economic at present are being urged by the Com­ Communications, analysing the ties between the two parties. experience of the (then) nine mission. The measures could cut delays member states in an byupto 50 percent, it estimates, The idea was discussed at the latest meetingofthejointcommitteewhichre­ 'ethnocentrically European Both items were scheduled for a meet­ views the bilateral contacts. The talks exercise'. ing of government ministers in early also highlighted Pakistan's exports of March to examine the internal market. textiles to the Community and growing Their transport colleagues were due to sales of industrial products under the The European Connection: gather later consider further mea­ to EEC's generalised system of prefer­ Implications of EEC sures ofbenefit to the industry. ences. membership. By Richard Bailey. Under its aid programme, the Com­ Pergamon Press, £9.50. munity gave Pakistan 18 million ECUs Awide-ranging and well-informed (16 million dollars) last year for projects account of the external relations of Weeding out unfair in· connection with Baluchistan inte­ the European Community during a grated area development schemes. decade that has seen the rundown competition The planned Commercial and Econo­ of traditional industries, laying on mic Cooperation Agreement would member states the obli~ation, as Anew Commission proposal is broaden contacts to include the new the author sees it, of do1ng more attempting to weed out unfair areas of economic and development than just 'going through the pricing on the Community's flower cooperation, as well as reinforcing ex­ motions of membership without contributing anything to market. isting trade provisions. Community developmenf. Roses and carnations account for the The Commission has suggested the largest proportion of flowers grown following objectives be chosen: promote under the Community's 4,200 hectares the development of European and (10,000 acres approx) of glass. Trade in Pakistani industries; contribute to sci­ Sun Traps: the Renewable these varieties alone was worth around entific and technological progress; open Energy Forecast By John 300millionecusin 1982. up new markets and sources of supply; Elkington. Penguin llooks, £3.65 The Commission hopes to introduce a and raise living standards. Up-to-elate and wide-ranging greater order into the market,. notably In 1982, Pakistan had a 536 million accountofsolarpower, where it in relation to imports from non-member ECU trade deficit with the Community, stands and where, one day, it might states, with its latest proposal to the largely through her imports of machin­ take us. member governments. It urges a 'signal' ery and manufactured goods.

!ivl EUROPE84 Where the EIB's money went in 1983

Lastyear, European InvesttnentBankloans reached a new high-and all ten Co~unity member states will benefit

estoration work on the Doges' Palace in Venice, a submarine cable linking the British and French electricity Rgrids, electrification of the Dublin surburban railway and an East-West pipeline to ship Soviet gas across the Federal Republic of Germany may not seem to have much in common. The link between them is the fact that they were all part-funded by the European Invest­ ment Bank (EIB), the Community's bank for long-term development loan finance, as part ofits lending programme last year. Since 1958, EIB lending has grown and di­ ments in Devon, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greece borrowed about 35 billion drachma versified steadily. In 1983 it reached a record Lothian, the Western Isles and South Wales, (450 million ECUs) in 1983. About half of it £3.42 billion- 27 percent more than in 1982. and waste disposal and recycling schemes in went to infrastructure projects such as roads, About 60 per cent of the money went to pro­ Hull and Newcastle. telecommunication, sewerage schemes, and jects in depressed areas, strengthening infras­ Industrial projects included the develop­ irrigation on the mainland and in Crete. In­ tructures, modernising industry and creating ment of a new aircraft production line and dustrial estates in Thessaly, the Epirus,Mace­ jobs. Projects selected in 1983 will create an dairy modernisation in Belfast, a glassworks donia, Thrace and the Peloponnese also re­ estimated 33,500 jobs and will save another in Nottinghamshire, and funding for small ceived loans. Energy projects included 475,000. firms worth about £70 million. finance for hydro-electric power stations and Other key features of the programme in­ The bulk of the £180 million borrowed for for a new thermal power station in Western cluded £958 million for energy projects de­ energy projects went towards the develop­ Macedonia. signed to cut Community oil imports by an ment of the Magnus oil field in the North Sea, In Denmark, loans rose by 20 per cent to estimated 22 million tonnes a year, and a new funding for the Torness nuclear power station over 2955 million krona (365 million ECUs), commitment to environmental protection. in East Lothian, and improvement of the most of which went to energy projects. These Italy was the bank's biggest borrower in effluent treatment and disposal facilities at included the exploitation ofDanishNorth Sea 1983, with loans totalling over 3,500 billion Sellafield (Windscale) in Cumbria. natural gas reserves. Cl lire (2610 millionECUs). About60 percent of it went to the Mezzogiorno, including special finance to repair earthquake damage in Basili­ cate and Campania. Funding also went to projects as diverse as sewage treatment schemes to clean up the Gulf ofNa pies and the River Ti ber in Rome; irriga­ tion in Molise and South Latium; and restora­ tion work on the Doges' Palace in Venice, Ita­ ly's third most important tourist attraction. In France, loans almost doubled on the pre­ vious year to over6000 million francs(895 mil­ lion ECUs ). About 40 per cent of the total was in the form of global loans for small infra­ structure projects in depressed regions. Other infrastructure projects included funding for the Bordeaux ring-road, road improvement schemes in the West, South West, Lorraine and Corsica, and improvements to telecom­ munications in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais, the West and South West. The United Kingdom's borrowing rose by 40 per cent to a little over £410 million (690. million ECUs). £160 million went to infras­ tructure projects, including the extension of Manchester and Birmingham airports, tele­ Two beneficiaries: the Doges' Palace, Venice, and (above) the Cumbrian atomic communications in Scotland, road improve- power plant, Sellafield, formerly known os Windscale. 13 EUROPE84 Action o help jobless school-leavers

More flexible teaching methods, involving education authorities throughout the Community, could do more to prepare young people for the realities oflife after school

ob insecurity, uncertainty, and long spells ofun employment are the prospects facing one out of every five schoolleavers in the Community. In Jsome areas as many as 80 per cent of those leaving school remain without work. Everyone knows this is a serious problem. Governments have come up with a number of special measures to 'fill the gap'. T he mixed bag includes more schooling, more training, more apprenticeship, job creation schemes. But these have had only a limited impact on the ever-rising number of youngsters joining the dole queue. A series of EEC projects, originally started in 1978, came up with a fresh approach. The ideas being put forward challenge the rigidity of most training and education courses in the z ten member countries, and suggest more ~ flexible teaching methods to help the young to Q cope with today's harsh realities. wz (0 Armed with this data, the European Com­ mission was able to convince the ten European courses, how it should be taught and ways of 'Young people are governments to provide enough money for the assessing the progress made by the pupils. projects to continue until 1986. T hirty pro­ The Commission is convinced that the so­ more often tired of jects have already started this year with a mod­ called 'learning contract' has been very effec­ school than tired of est 5. 3 million ECU budget. tive in motivating students, and should be a 'Secondary education has tended to con­ central principle in all training programmes learning' centrate on developing academic compe­ and whenever possible in compulsory educa­ tences first, and others - personal/social, tion. The role of teachers was also found to be All projects stressed the importance of in­ physical/manual, affective/emotional and aes­ of paramount importance. 'Young people are volving the local community in training thetic/artistic - second,' says the Commis­ more often tired of school than tired oflearn­ schemes. The help of companies could be sion. It goes on to say that, although schools ing,' comments the Commission. More dis­ sought to give youngsters some work experi­ agree that there is a need to develop these cussion between staff and pupils is needed to ence and people from the locality could be in­ aspects, they have been 'hindered' by curricu­ change the relationship between the two. vited to come and learn about the school or la organised around traditional courses and T he teacher must be 'more of a facilitator, take part in specific projects. examinations. rather than the giver and controller of know­ Another area that the various projects tried Schools can no longer sit back saying that, ledge,' the more commonly accepted role. to improve on was the type of counselling although they are unable to help the young de­ But, as some of the projects have shown, not given to the young. All the projects came up velop 'non-academic' skills, opportunities ex­ all the staff share this view. with the same answer, ongoing counselling ist elsewhere-in the family, in vocational pre­ Teaching the teachers was never easy. was necessary. paration and training courses and in the first Some of the projects tried to do this through The most successful schemes were those years of employment. The lack of work and discussion groups led by a staff development that used informal methods providing easily on-the-job training has whittled away these officer, specially appointed for the job. readible information packages or booklets. opportunities, leaving the educational au­ Teachers were taught to become 'facilitators', One project even went as far as encouraging thorities with the full responsibility. seeing the relevance of their subject to the the young themselves to find and collect in­ Projects supported by the Commission wider, non-academic context, and developing formation that they felt was most relevant, tried to meet this new challenge, ex­ more open, non-authoritarian relationships such as how to get unemployment benefit and perimenting with new methods of learning. with the young. Teachers were also encour­ how to look for a jo,b. Some ofthe projects, for example, started dis­ aged to participate in schemes linking the The projects also challenged the way tradi­ cussion groups between staff and students to school to the local community, so as to better tional examinations have become the yard­ decide what should be taught in the various understand local employment opportunities. stick for the educational measuremems of all 14 EUROPE84 Community-wide schools project MOST of the thirty new projects supported by the Commission and started this year are concentrating their efforts on young migrants and girls. The projects in Limbourg (Belgium), and Mannheim and Duisberg (Germany) are attempting to provide better counselling services for young migrants, as well as a wider schooling mixed with work experience in the local area. Limbourg, as well as two ofthe British projects in Manchester and Northamptonshire, are tackling the problems faced by young girls. What all the projects are stressing is the need to coordinate schools in the area more effectively with local industry, job centres and counselling services. Eight of the projects are working particularly on this problem. Schools, together with local authorities, in Copenhagen (Denmark), Kassel (RFA ), Galway, Munster, (Ireland), Glasgow (UK), Powis (Wales, UK) and two projects in the Netherlands are all attempting to better coordinate local advice centres and make industry more aware of the difficulties. Two projects in Belgium, and the Manchester project, are experimenting further with the credit system so as to come up with a more flexible method of assessing the skills ofstudents than the present rigid examination system. A nationwide project in France will young people. They highlighted the 'inade­ 1 solely look at counselling services, while quancies' of the current examination systems Current exam teachers in Copenhagen and in lraklion saying that they assess. only a small part of systems assess only (Greece) will receive in-service training to 'learning achievement' - a limited range of a ~art of learning better understand and help schoolleavers. academic skills that they provide motivation. Students who have found difficulties only for those who are academically inclined; achievemen~ with 'formal education will be at the centre that failure in school exams limits access to ofprojects in Lyon (France) and both jobs and further education; and that trades. Northamptonshire. In Luxembourg, school exams make the whole curriculum The results of the qualifying exam con­ teachers are being prepared to help this more rigid and cumbersome. firmed the opinion of the students - 70 per group make the transition to working life. A number of new systems were tried out by cent passed the exams, as opposed to 40 per Six projects are working with local the various projects to overcome some of the cent in previous years. The external jury that industry to train school Jeavers in tourism limitations, one of the most successful being assessed the exams was also clearly satisfied (Calabria and Sardinia, Italy); crafts the credit system, whereby students built up with the quality of'credit-unit' students. (Rhodes, Naxos, Kalimos, Greece); their points over a period of time. The system Finally, a link between the various agencies management (Tuscany, Italy); and new does not penalise part-time students or those helping young people was stressed by all the technologies and small and medium sized changing from education to training. projects. The Commission warned, however, enterprises (Piedmont, Italy). Two The UNI CAP project, for example, accre­ that such coordination should avoid setting up projects are more particularly concerned dited one unit per academic year. This new structures that 'can later prove to be with agriculture helping school leavers to allowed students following a building con­ cumbersome and counter-productive'. It is enter this field. The projects are in the struction course to complete each unit at their better for the various agencies to work infor­ Athens and Kavalas areas in Greece and own pace, some taking less than a year, others mally with each other so as to avoid duplica­ Campaniain Italy. more, and some re-starting their year without tion. 'Young people are often not sure where Part of the S. 3 million ECU budget has having to re-sit courses already passed. to go for advice or information and most agen­ gone towards the creation ofa youth and An inquiry into students' opinions showed cies can only help with part of the problem. So culture centre for young migrants in the majority were satisfied with the credit unit they must trek from one office to anotl}er. Berlin and towards a community system. Some 90 per cent of them felt they Even to buildings in other parts oftown.' This education centre which will use the local un,derstood much bener what was expected deters 'all but the most resolute-and patient,' area as a learning resource in a deprived by their tutors and 96 per cent considered says the Commission. area of Dublin. themselves 'bener trained' for their future REBECCA FRANCESKIDES 15 EUROPE84

help? One serious threat to the protection of recorded music comes precisely from the ap­ How can we harmonise plication of EEC rules about free trade in culrural goods. Those rules might actually harm musicians, by undermining copyright the music business? agreements reached with distributing com­ panies in individual countries. A record pro­ ducer might enter into an agreement giving a DERWENT MAY reports community. There had never been a formal distributor in, say, Holland exclusive rights in meeting ofthe Ministers ofCulrure ofthe EEC a record in that country - and find that, by on a seminar in London at member states, and only two informal meet· EEC rules, the records that were being sold in which representatives of ings. His own division at the Secretariat· Germany could be taken into Holland and General was created only in 1980. sold there at prices that undermined the agree­ Europe's music industry 'Not even the Community has dared to ment. discussed the problems of define culrure,' he declared. 'It doesn't come As for copyright in performances, this is 'cultural workers' in an often out in favour ofspecific aesthetic or ideologic­ even harder to keep under control, regardless al options.' What it does, he said, is to apply of contracts and regulations. Viewers in one discordant market the Treaty of Rome to certain economic fea­ country can often watch the television prog­ tures of cultural life. Thus it aims to improve rammes being shown in neighbouring coun­ hat has an Economic the living standards of'culrural workers' and, tries without making any payment- and this Community to do with music? according toits principles, tries to achieve that will probably become even more common A one-day conference by establishing the freest possible traffic in with the development of satellite broadcast­ Wwas held in London on 12 'cultural goods' (using this term rather than ing. It won't be only neighbours then. In any March to discuss this knotty question. It 'works of art', which begs too many ques­ case, how can the owner of a copyright in a was organised by the National Music tions). piece of music begin to keep track of all the Council of Great Britain, an august body Evidently it was because this kind of rela­ possible forms of piracy that broadcasters or with Sir Michael Tippett as its tionship with musicians is the main point in foreign record companies or disco-owners, president, and many other musical EEC policy that nearly all the 150 people say, may engage in? knights among its distinguished vice­ attending the conference were representatives An EEC lawyer, Colin Overbury, tried to presidents. ofthe music industry, rather than actual musi­ answer some of these questions. (He is, to be Dr Livio Missir, the head of the Cultural cians. There were people from music pub­ precise, adviser on EEC Competition Law to Division of the European Commission, kick­ lishers, record producers, video producers the European Commission.) On the whole, he edoff. He had been invited toansweralarger, and broadcasting companies. offered reassurance to the people attending prior question: what has the EEC to do with They were concerned, above all, with the the conference - though he stressed that he culture? He was at pains i:o point out that, question ofprotecting various.forms ofcopyr­ was giving his own interpretation of Com­ from the start, the EEC had been designed as ight in the EEC countries, and, indeed, out­ munity law, and was not necessarily to be an economic, and definitely not as a cultural, sideit. Would the EEC hinder this, or could it taken as a spokesman for the EEC.

One acknowledged suucess of the Community's cultural programme is the European Youth Orchestra, seen here under SirGeorg Solti in 1982. 16 EUROPE84 lfhere was concern The director-general ofthe French 'collect­ against the Treaty ofR ome ifthey could show ing society', M. Jean Loup Tournier, spoke they were indispensable for the proper protec­ with the protedion of after Miss Davies. He said that his own orga­ tion of musicians. various forms of nisation acted under the watchful eye of the The spokesman for the musicians them­ copyright' EEC: the Commission had objected when an selves was John Morton, the General Secret­ advertisement for a vacancy had specified that ary of the Musicians' Union. He spoke with the applicants should be French - it was passion of the many threats to musicians' against the principle of the free movement rights. He said that, in general, musicians had He said that the EEC would accept national within the Community of cultural workers. been sceptical about the usefulness ofthe EEC copyright laws where they gave proper and He wondered dryly if the Commission would to them in the early years, and were more in­ necessary protection to a producer of any rule against membership of the Academie clined to regard it as a danger; but if it could kind. Such laws were proper and necessary if, Fran~se being restricted to Frenchmen. bring in the kind of legal protection for them without them, the producer would not actual­ He observed that some countries in the that the conference had been discussing, that ly be in a position to produce anything. The EEC did not give musicians proper legal pro­ would be a very different matter. EEC did not want to see the complete drying tection against unauthorised broadcasts, and, There was hard evidence given at the con­ up of production of new 'cultural goods', in by contrast, that some record producers col­ ference of only one man present actually hav­ this case new music or new performances of luded with broadcasters in promoting their ing been a musician, and that was Basil music: that, after all, would not help the stan­ music at the expense of others'. Payola was Tschaikov, who, we were told, played the dard ofliving of'cultural workers'. still around. Such matters were apporpriate clarinet when the Beatles made 'Sergeant Pep­ Where the regulations about free competi­ ones for the EEC to take up; but he had often per'. He had an original plea to make-for the tion came in, however, was where attempts to found it hard to get a proper answer when he protection of the musician against being con­ apply copyright principles led to 'arbitary dis­ had raised them with the Commission. In fact, stantly watched and judged. He thought that, crimination' in favour of one product as he said, when Colin Overbury spoke in the especially with people taking their tape-recor­ against a perfectly reasonable rival. Then, he morning, it was the first time he had ever ders into concert halls, performers felt con­ admitted, the Competition Department ofthe heard anyone from the EEC speak clearly on stantly 'bugged and pinned down', and could EEC could show teeth - and could impose these questions. not play as freely as they once did. fines. But in general he thought that the 'rule In some ways he confirmed what Colin It was a touching cri de coeur; and, if not of reason' would rise up and support proper Overbury had said. The network of national quite a matter for Brussels, it properly copyright protection. collecting societies within the EEC were a brought the conference back to the beginning The only woman to address the conference natural target for the Commission's hostility; and end of all music- the musician, his feel­ was a young lawyer, Gillian Davies. She spoke yet he too felt that they might well be safe ings, and his art. nl on two matters about which she has prepared reports for the EEC: piracy, and 'the private copying of sound and audio-visual record­ ings'. The EEC, as one of its standard activi­ ties, is attempting to harmonise national laws A voice that keeps forgotten airs alive in these fields among its member states. For anotheroperararelyperformed these days-or instance, in somemembercountries, especial­ Medea in 'Corinto' by Mayr (how many peo­ ly Belgium, France, Germany and Holland, ple have even heard of it?) and 'Sappho' by composers have poorer protection against the Massenet, another ofher recorded rarities. unauthorised reproduction of their music The music in these operas belongs to a time than they do in the others, and the hope is that when singers were foremost in the theatre, such harmonisation will mean a levelling up of says Miss Andrew, and could add their own that protection. embellishments and cadenzas. Nowadays the Miss Davies's proposals in the second mat­ interest is in the production. 'To maintain ter probably created most stir at the confer­ these works in the minds ofthe public we have ence. Music producers are suffering particu­ to do everything we can to make this lovely larly badly from an activity that it would be music dramatically viable. The days when you very hard to stop-namely, the copying on to could stand in a traditional pose and sing are cassettes of live performances, or of other re­ gone.' cordings by private individuals. One boy buys Combining this 'forgotten' music, often a new rock record- and all his friends tape it t;; pegged to trivial stories, with modern theatre for themselves. It is certainly a serious loss to ~ is no easy matter. But when neglected works everyone concerned in producing the original (!) are actually brought out for an airing theaudi­ recording-but very hard to prevent. ~ ences have always been richly rewarded, Miss Davies's proposal to the EEC is that a (!) according to Miss Andrew. It is singers' royalty should be paid by everybody on the LUDMILLA ANDREW is one soprano who has music,sheconfesses,anditcancruellyexpose actual recording equipment that they buy, devoted part of her career to works like a singer. So there is no need for the super stars whether the hardware- the recorder, say-or Donizetti's 'Torquato di Tasso', 'Rosmonda to put themselves out, when the public is still the software - i.e. the recording tapes. The D'Inghilterra', and 'Gabriella di Vergy', an clamouring for more and more recordings of money would be collected by oational'collect­ opera which she has recorded complete. She is the best-known works. ing societies' like the Performing Rights Soci­ one of only three sopranos in the world to in- A good few Tchaikovsky operas have fallen ety, and handed over to the composers and d ude the same composer's 'Maria di Rudenz' by the wayside. Ludmilla Andrew is in de- musicians and production companies, along in her repertoire. mand to sing Lise in one of the best known of the lines that such societieshavealreadywork-. Born in Canada of Russian parents,_ she them, 'The Queen of Spades'. Perhaps one ed out for other kinds ofperformance. In fact, sings in ten languages. Between 'Tosca' with day she can be persuaded to appear in 'The some countries already have this kind oftax on the Royal Opera or the Marschallin in 'Der Enchantress', 'The Oprichnik', or even recording equipment, and any EEC initiative Rosenkavalier' at Brussels, Miss Andrew can 'Mazeppa', which few of us otherwise stand will fall , again, under the heading of harmo­ be tracked down to other big opera houses in much chance of ever seeing. nisation oflaws. Europe singing Donizetti's 'Anna Bolena' - JAMESHOGAN 17 al authority inspection. France has been amvmg at the Commission had special construction require­ thick and fast, according to officials MEPscall ments for small hotels since 1976 in Commissioner Karl-Heinz and forlarger ones since 1982. Narjes' internal market directorate. ln the Netherlands, hotels are Responding to Richard Cottrell's for moves subject to load authority controls. condemnation of'petty and insensi­ In Italy, special construction re­ tive' border bureaucracy, N arjes quirements have existed since 1980. says that the Commission has prop­ against the Draft legislation is currently being osed several ways of cutting border prepared in Belgium. red tape. Moonies But a number ofthe proposals are still waiting for approval by the The activities of StlD Myung Council of Ministers. Moon, the leader ofthe controversial U nification Church, Safety in have again been causing a stir in Pessimism the corridors of the European Parliament. tour hotels A number ofMEPs have now cal­ prevails, led for an end to the tax concessions and charitable status currently -a burning given to the sect in some Commun­ says report ity countries. problem The latest Eurobaromete.r report, In a draft report on the issue, based on research carried out in French Progressive Democrat MEP The idea of people plummetting October 1983, finds that European Daniel Vie has called for an EC con­ vention that would apply the ban to their deaths from burning morale was not high, even if there throughout the European Com­ tower-blocks has been a favourite wa.s slightly less pessimism than in munity. media nightmare since 'The the previous ye.ar. Ofpe ople MEPs have already tabled two T owering Inferno' in the early lt'sthose questioned , 35 percent thought motions condemning the behaviour Seventies. that 1984 would be worse than of the Moonies, whom they accuse Real-life tragedies in Seoul, Las 1983, and 26 per cent thought that of posing a ihreat to society by their Vegas and Zaragossa in recent years customs it would be better. brainwashing ofyoung recruits. have lent substance to the idea, and Greece, Denmark and the Feder­ left over 300 dead. All three disas­ men again al Republic ofGermany all had more ters occurred because of a lack of optimists than pessimists. But the basic fire safety precautions. When a group oftownspeople Belgians and the Irish were extreme­ To Europe's massive tourist in­ from F ilton in the West of ly gloomy about future prospects. dustry, hotel fires are a hazard that England set out to take a small Morale was highest in Denmark. won't go away. Together, the Com­ travelling exhibition depicting As far as social harmony was con­ munity countries have about their way of life to their twin town cerned, again pessimism seemed to 175,000 hotels, containing five mil­ ofWitzenhausen, in the Federal prevail. 45 per cent of Europeans lion beds and employing over two Republic of Germany, a web of thought that strikes and social con­ and a half million people. Fire reg­ red tape was waiting for them. flicts would increase in the coming ulations vary from the excellent to Customs officers at Ostend in­ months. the seriously inadequate. sisted that they should present a £50 People were also worried about The European Commission has Chamber of Commerce AT A car­ the economic situation. Negative now come up with a plan to intro­ net, to prove that they were not plan­ views outnumbered positive ones duce minimum fire protection stan­ ning to sell the exhibition - which everywhere except in Denmark and dards for hotels throughout the mainly consisted of photos of Fit­ in Greece, where they were evenly European Community. Proposals ton's aerospace industry - to avid balanced. listed in the plan include the in­ German buyers. In response to the question 'Are stallation of fire alarms, the clear Failing that, said the customs of­ you happy with the life that you marking and maintenance of exits ficials, they could leave a £5 ,000 de­ lead?', 95 per cent of Danes said yes, and fire escapes, minimum con­ posit . .. with varying degrees ofenthusiasm. Are vitamins struction standards, non-inflamm­ Hours of argument, threat and Italians and Greeks were the least able interior decoration and fittings, counter-threat eventually resulted satisfied. The Dutch claimed to be regular checks on wiring, beating in the exhibit being allowed to pass, the most happy people in Europe in food or and air-conditioning systems, and 'just to get rid ofit', according to Fit­ general terms. special fire prevention training for ton's Euro-MP, Richard Cottrell. Overall, 16percentofEuropeans medicine? staff. The delegation might have been said that they were 'very happy', the Hotels would be subject to in­ luckier than it knew. British sales­ same percentage as in 1975. The The array of multi-vitamin bottles spection, and those complying with man Simon Cohen claims that he percentage of people who said that on your bathroom shelf may ward the standard would be issued with a was 'kicked down the stairs' by a they were 'not very happy' fell from off winter colds, but they are not 'Certificate of Conformity', which customs officer at a Franco-Belgian 27 percent to 21 per cent. necessarily medicines- they can they could presumably display border post, during an altercation The main concern was unemploy­ be foodstuffs, according to the alongside their AA, RAC and Egon over a Chamber of Commerce ATA ment, followed by the suppression European Court ofJu stice. Ronay stars. carnet that specified a different bor­ of terrorism (Belgium, France, Ire­ The Court ruling follows a case Existing fire prevention regula­ der crossing point. land, Italy and the United King­ involving a Dutch businessman tions for hotels vary widely in diffe­ He reported the incident to the dom), environmental protection charged under Dutch law with the rent Community countries. The Belgian police and asked his MEP to (Denmark, the Federal Republic of possession and marketing of large Federal Republic of Germany is the make representations to the Belgian Germany, Luxembourg, the quantities of concentrated vita­ only member state with a system government and the European Netherlands and Greece), energy, mins, in the form oftablets, pills and roughly comparable to the Commis­ Commission. Officials refused to and reduction of inequality. At the capsules. sion plan. The United Kingdom in­ give their names, he said. bottom of the list, except in the Un­ In the Netherlands, any medicin­ troduced a law in 1972 subjecting Complaints about 'regrettable ited Kingdom and Greece, was aid al product in pharmaceutical form hotels with more than six beds to loc- and irritating' border hassles have to the Third World and defence. must be registered with the public

18 EUROPE84 authorities, before it can be put on the state-planned economies of the tween December I 976 and Decem­ the market. However, defence Cash for Communist bloc countries. Econo­ ber 1981. The disappointing result lawyers claimed that vitamins were mic stagnation has forced them to was compounded by the fact that simply food, and therefore could not cut back on investment plans and in­ many of the doctors who went be subject to restrictions, either Poland's troduce a corresponding scaling­ abroad only did so for one or two under Dutch or Community law. down ofhard currency imports from years, in order to gain additional The Court concluded that defini­ the West. Enormous hard currency training. tion of a vitamin preparation as a farmers debts to western banks have also Dutch doctors were the most medicine could be partly based on forced a number of countries to mobile: 464 of them set up practices The ten member states are to give adopt a deliberate policy of cutting in other Community countries. its strength and concentration, but financial aid to the Polish church that ultimately cases would have to western imports. Next were the French (263), fol­ to help promote private Until last year, all ten individual lowed by the Italians (78) and the be judged on their individual agriculture. merits. Community countries were suffer­ Belgians (72). Other member states The decision was taken by Com­ ing from a trade deficit in their deal­ had 46 or less. However, no reliable munity Foreign Ministers at the re­ ings with the Eastern bloc as a figures yet exist for the Federal Re­ quest of the German Minister, whole. The bulk of the deficit was public of Germany, Greece or Ire­ Sludge can Hans-Dietrich Genscher. due to the Soviet Union's trade sur­ land. Additional statistics should Once the relevant Foundation has plus. The Russians currently soon be available, says Mr Narjes. be bad been set up by the Warsaw Parlia­ account for about half of all EEC­ ment, funds from the Community Eastern bloc trade. and the US will be transferred. The Last year, both the Federal Re­ for you Ten will initially finance six pilot public of Germany and France in­ Redress for projects. creased their exports to the Soviet Sewage sludge used as fertilizer Union, moving into a position of can increase agricultural 'moderate surplus', according to road crash productivity, ac.cording to a Commissioner Wilhelm Hafer­ European parliament committee. kamp. But other Community mem­ victims But untreated sludge can be a ber states remained in deficit. health hazard, say the MEPs. Community fmance ministers The view is contained in a report have approved a di.rective that will compiled for the Parliament by provide compensation for victims French Socialist MEP Alain Bom­ More jobs of accidents caused by uninsured bard, following the publication of a or unidentified drivers in other draft directive on the recycling of • • Community countries. human and animal wastes in agricul­ 1n serv1ce The legislation follows a 1972 ture. Parliamentary amendments to directive guaranteeing minimum the draft concentrated on consumer insurance cover for accident victims protection measures. sector abroad, that brought an end to The European Community coun­ 'green card' checks at frontier posts. tries produce about 60 million ton­ Over56per centofEuropeans now work in the service sector and T he latest motor insurance direc­ nes of sewage sludge a year. By the tive establishes minimum require­ year 1990 that figure could have the percentage will continue to Trade with grow in the future, according to ments that reduce the differences in doubled, according to the report. compensation provided by compul­ Nearly 30 per cent of it is used in Eurostat. Since 1958 technical progress has sory insurance in the different mem­ agriculture, particularly in Bel­ East bloc ber states over the next five years. It gium, France and Scotland. The radically changed the face of Europe's economy. In those days 20 makes it obligatory for car owners to rest is burnt or pumped out to sea. insure against property damage, as The sludge is rich in calcium and countries per cent of the workforce in the ori­ ginal six Community states worked well as personal injury caused to organic matter, and is good manure. third parties. And it sets minimum But it can contain dangerous in agriculture. Now they represent nosedives less than 7. 7 per cent. The percen­ levels of cover considerably higher pathogens. However it is subjected tage of the labour forces working in than those currently existing in to a number ofprocesses designed to Plans for trade agreement with industry has also declined, from some Community countries. destroy dangerous bacteria. These Hungary have been published in 42.7 percent to about 36 percent. include pasturisation, heating and Brussels, as concern mounts over aerobic and anaerobic digestion. the Community's growing trade But none of the systems is lOO per deficit with the Eastern bloc Voluntary cent reliable. There is also no way of countries. The case of removing heavy metals, pesticides The agreement, which fo!Jows and other toxic substances. similar deals with Rumania and youth Carefulchecks,therefore, haveto Yugoslavia, will be aimed at streng­ the stay-at­ be made on the chemical composi­ thening trade links, which have scheme tion of the sludge, before it can be become increasingly unbalanced in home used in agriculture. Strong doses of recent years. certain metals in soluble form can be Between 1978-1982 the Com­ by1985? absorbed by a number of plants in­ munity's trade balance with Eastern doctors cluding carrots, radishes, turnips Europe shifted from a £20 I million Plans are emerging for a and spinach, and thence into the hu­ (352 million ECUs) surplus to a European doctors have been Community voluntary service man system. On the other hand, £5.13 billion (9,000 million ECUs) allowed to practice in any scheme for 16 to 25 year olds, thereisnoreason why sludge should deficit. The Community's deficit in Community country since 1975. following a resolution approved not be used in non-food related trade with the Soviet Union alone But how many have actually taken by the European Parliament. areas, such as horticulture, sylvicul­ rose from £476 million (834 million advantage ofth e system? The European Commission has ture and forestry. ECUs) to £4.74 billion (8,300 mil­ Replying to a written question been asked to prepare a pilot prog­ The Parliament now want the lion ECUs), although it fell in the from Luxembourg Socialist MEP ramme to assess the cost of the op­ Commission to fix stricter norms first part of !983. Victor Abens, Commissioner Karl­ eration. The scheme would last for a and uniform obligatory procedures The reasons for the growing im­ Heinz Narjes said that only 980 doc­ year, and would apply to young for testing sludges and sludge-fertil­ balance centre on the serious growth tors had worked in Community Europeans 'interested in serving ised soils. problems currently experienced by countries other than their own be- society', starting next year.

19 EUROPE84 More and more British think the Community is 'a good thing'

the 1984 Euro-elections draw near, how do voters in the Community feel about such issues as unification, rela­ A tions between the member states, and their own country's attirude towards the Community as a whole? The latest Eurobarometer report on public opinion in the Community finds that attirudes to European unification are fairly stable in the short term, with a considerable majority in favour everywhere except in Denmark. Over the last decade, however, there has been a gra­ dual erosion of this general support in almost all countries except the United Kingdom. Greece is a special case: data only goes back as far as 1980, but shows the feeling ofbelong­ ing has increased sharply among the general public. In the United Kingdom, for the first time since autumn 1978, there are more peo­ ple who consider Community membership 'a good thing' (36 per cent) than 'a bad thing' (28 percent). The survey finds that, in the Community as a whole, one person in two had recently read or heard something about the European Parlia­ ment. However, it seems that knowledge of and attirudes to the European Parliament and the forthcoming elections are still very vague. But it cannot be said they are viewed with hostility. The impression is that the dribs and drabs of information floating around in the heads of the least politically-minded voters 'crystalised' during the interview to produce a RETURN OF THE BROTHERHOOD fairly positive reaction. Hence, while the pub­ lids more or less evenly divided (4 S per cent to he current exhibition at the Tate Gal­ young man met the principal Nazarenes, Cor­ 40 per cent) on whether Parliament has the ery, devoted to the Pre-Raphaelites, is nelius and Overbeck, in Rome. T he PRB power to cope with the problems currently omething of a celebration. Not only (their own abbreviation), in their turn, took facing the Community, a clear majority (59 oes it bring together familiar and half­ on the task, as they saw it, of liberating En­ per cent) in all countries except Denmark I glish art from frivolous subject-matter and familiar works by the Brotherhood that have would like Parliament to play a greater role. rarely been shown together, drawn from lead­ bad technique. These two answers, says the report, are not ing galleries and collections, but it also helps It did not make them popular with the cri­ contradictory: they show once again that a to confirm the triumphant rerurn to favour of tics. A respected journal of the time, The majority of the public is willing to give a sym­ Victorian art in general. Athenaeum, accused them of 'an unhealthy pathetic hearing to questions concerning Pre-Raphaelite painting is seen, rightly thirst which seeks notoriety by means ofmere Europe, the Community, Parliament and the enough, as an essentially English achieve­ conceit' - the sort of charge that was to be elections, and can be mobilised in support of ment, at a time when art in Britain was at a low flung at the Impressionists by French critics specific objectives when what is involved is ebb. But art historians nowadays point to its twenty years later. John Millais was particu­ spelt out unambiguously. European antecedents, notably the curious larly hurt by a savage attack by Charles Dick­ As for the general mood of Europeans, the Nazarenes, a group of self-exiled Germans in ens on his 'Christ in the Home of His Parents' general trend seems to be less pessimistic. Rome, who devoted themselves to a monk­ on its appearance at the Royal Academy in Europeans who expect the year ahead to be like existence while working in the flat, bright 1850. Dickens called it 'revolting and disgust­ worse than the previous one still outnumber colours of the medieval Italian artists, on ex­ ing', and the Christ child ' a hideous, wry- those who expect it to be better by 35 per cent clusively biblical themes. They used early to 26 per cent, but the gap is narrowing. The techniques, including fresco, with a skill that 1 only countries where there are more optimists matched that of the pre-Renaissance masters, A schoo1 nobler than than pessimists are Greece, Denmark and as a means of'purifying' their national art. the world has seen for Germany, while Belgium and Ireland are the This same influence, or impulse, persists in 1 most gloomy. Improvement in morale is by far work by the Pre-Raphaelites, and in some 300years the most marked in Denmark. later artists such as William Dyce, who as a 20 EUROPE84

Left: Dante Gabriel Rossetti's 'The Beloved' (Song of Solomon). Right: 'Christ in the Home of His Parents' by John Everett Miliais. Below: William Holman Hunt's 'lsabella and the Pot of Basil'. necked, blubbering red-haired boy in a night­ From start to finish, therefore, the Pre­ For much of their subject matter the Pre­ gown, who appears to have received a poke Raphaelites span a period of fifty years, with Raphaelites turned to religious and literary playing in an adjacent gutter'. This painting echoes- through the Art Nouveau revival of sources, pointing up moral significance, occupies a prominent place in the Pre­ recent years-in our own times. As individual painted in strictly natural settings. There is an Raphaelite story-it is one of the Tate's many painters the Brotherhood are not well known abundance of homely detail and a recognis­ PRB masterpieces-and the famous novelist's outside Britain. However, their role in res­ able humanity in the figures- nearly always insults have long since ceased to matter. cuing English painting from the timidity of friends and acquaintances rather than profes­ It took the support of the great art pundit of the early Victorian era is not in dispute. And sional models. the time, John Ruskin, to turn the critical the brilliantly heightened, almost hallucina­ The 'Christ in the Carpenter's Shop' is tide. He foretold that the Pre-Raphaelites tory, realism of their work anticipates such an early example ofthis fidelity to PRB princi­ would lay the foundation of a school of art early Symbolists as Moreau, Bticklin and ples. All the figures and faces are of people in 'nobler than the world has seen for three hun­ Puvis de Chavannes. the friends' own circle. The carpenter's shop dred years'. is one that Millais had seen off Oxford In fact, the school was comparatively short­ Street. The sheep outside are painted from lived. Its members were individualists as well sheeps' heads bought from a local butcher. as 'brethren', and after their revolutionary What was it about Raphael, of aiJ painters, burst ofshared creativity they each developed that made him the PRB's bete noire? Perhaps -asyoungpaintersdo-in their own way. The Ruskin, a convert to the cause, expressed Pre-Raphaelite way of painting made its way most vehemently the stigma which they into the mainstream of Victorian art, and attached to the saintly painter's name. In his broadened into an aesthetic movement. enormously influential 'Modern Painters' he The original trio consisted ofWilliam Hol­ denounced the great man for telling 'elegant man Hunt, John Everett Millais and Dante falsehoods', and warned of 'tire clear and Gabriel Rossetti. It was Rossetti's idea to sign tasteless poison' of his art. their paintings with the cryptic initials which Ruskin's demand of modern painters, that were to become synonymous, after a time, they should 'go to Nature in aiJ singleness of with a wider group of painters, including heart, rejecting nothing, selecting nothing, James Collinson, Rossetti's brother William, scorning nothing', fitted the Pre-Raphaclite Frederic George Stephens, and Thomas attitude to painting very well. Shedding aiJ in­ Woolner. fluence from the recent past, refining their FordMadox Brown, a few years older than painterly emotions to an extent unknown in the others - their average age, at the outset, British art since the early medieval stained­ was no more than 20- had studied in Bruges, glass artists and manuscript illuminators, Ghent, Antwerp and Paris. He and Rossetti, they brought a technically stunning brilliance with William Morris and Edward Burne­ to themes which stirred the Victorians' regard Jones, were to carry Pre-Raphaelite influence for high-minded piety. Today, in a very diffe­ into the fields of decorative art and design. At rent moral climate, they can still dominate the the end ofthe century it was one of the springs Tate like old masters. of Art Nouveau, which in turn nurtured the· Modern Movement. DENIS THOMAS 21 A1fred Lomas, United Kigndom: agreement are they based and is the 'The British Government is propos­ Community party to any such inter­ ing to abolish the democratically QUESTIONS national agreement? elected Council of Greater London. Answer by Giorgios Contogeorgis Can the Commission tell me if any IN THE HOUSE on behalf of the Commission: other capital city in the EEC has had 'Motor vehicles in international its elected administration abolished er education establishments ofsimi­ common agricultural policy in all traffic are required to display a dis­ in this dictatorial way?' lar status is based on the following the member states of the Commun­ tinguishing sign of the state of reg­ Answer by Gaston Thorn on factors. The school milk program­ ity?' istration, as one of the conditions of behalf of the Commission: me has an educational and a nutri­ Answer by Lorenzo Natali on admission to other states. This 'Although the Commission does tional aim, and should prove more behalf ofthe Commission: obligation, laid down in Article 20 take an interest in the local govern­ effective among primary and secon­ 'Questions relating to the co=on of the 1949 Geneva Convention on ment procedures of member states, dary school pupils. agricultural policy have appeared International Road Traffic, was in particular in issues involving In many member states, students only intermittently up to now in the confirmed in the 1968 Vienna Con­ nationals ofone member state resid­ do not attena•university for a spe­ Commission's Eurobarometer sur­ vention on Road Traffic. ing in another, the Commission is of cific period each day, which makes it veys. The problems are fairly com­ 'The Community is not a party to the view that the way in which local extremely difficult to organize and plex and studying the attitudes of this Convention, but the desirabil­ government is organised is a matter supervise the distribution of milk to the general public in the Member ity and usefulness of its becoming a for each member state.' them. States towards the CAP would re­ party to this and other Conventions For these reasons, the Commis­ quire the use ofa questionnaire with concluded under United Nations Karl von Wogau, Federal sion restricted school milk aid to sufficient detail to allow for the wide auspices is constantly under review. Republic of Germany: primary and secondary education variations in circumstances at 'The interesting idea suggested 'Under Article 1 of Regulation establishments, It considered it nor­ national and even local level. by the Honourable Member would (EEC) No. 2167/83 of28 July 1983, mal that pupils at these establish­ In this regard, however, the Hon­ require a modification of one part of university students will no longer be ments should be able to go on receiv­ ourable Member might refer to a the above Convention, which deals entitled to milk subsidised by the ing school milk while staying at holi­ question asked in April1983 as part with many other aspects of road Co=unity. Why do all schoolchil­ day camps for schools.' of a survey commissioned by Parlia­ traffic. It would also require dren and students regularly attend­ ment, and carried out in tandem changes to other international ing a school of any grade or category Bernard Thareau, France: withEurobarometerNo 19,relating agreements relating to the designa­ benefit from milk subsidised by the 'Could the Commission publish in­ to the effect on national farming of tion of distinguishing signs and Co=unity, when university stu­ formation, now and at regular inter­ belonging to the Community. might have effects on the principles dents are excluded?' vals, based on the results of the and methods of registering vehicles Answer by Poul Dalsager on Eurobarometer opinion polls which Dieter Rogalla, Federal Republic in member states, and to the provi­ behalf ofthe Commission: are carried out for it twice a year, on of Germany: sions of both the Directives on 'The decision not to grant Co=un­ the attitudes ofthe public as a whole 'What is the purpose of stickers on motor vehicle insurance, which spe­ ity aid for the supply of milk to stu­ and more particularly of farmers to­ motor vehicles indicating their cifically refer to national registra­ dents at universities and other high- wards the various aspects of the nationality? On what international tion plates. f.ii:U! __ 'J.IIJi t• u ..• a.«• ,&Jtu .r a _, t •• - 'I BRITAIN'S NEW EQUAL PAY PROPOSALS UNDER FIRE egulations amending the law on In claims brought by women shortages or other market forces'. equal pay which came into force on The most serious criticism dealt with the !January 1984, far from bringing it will be the expert who status of the expert witnesses, selected by the RUK law into line with the European decides, not the tribunal, Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Ser­ Community's directive on the subject (75/ vice (ACAS), who may be called before a tri­ 117), may lead the UK sooner or later back says Denning in the House bunal. The two sides have to argue the case be­ to the European Court in Luxembourg. ofLords debate fore an expert witness who then reports to the This was the view expressed in both Houses tribunal. In a court of law, the expert would of Parliament when the regulations were de­ df state his or her findings and the court would bated briefly, on prayers for annulment, late decide. Under the regulations, the expert at night on 1 February. Draft regulations to amend the Equal Pay states his or her findings and, unless they are The European Court began infringement Act to enable women to claim equal pay for unreasonable or unsatisfactory, the tribunal proceedings against the UK Government in work of equal value were approved by the cannot reject them. 1979, and its judgement in July 1982 ruled House of Commons last July. If the report is unreasonable or unsatisfac­ that UK law did not allow women to claim The criticisms that remain focus on five tory, the tribunal must refer the case to equal pay for work of equal value. The British main areas. First-and the minister appears to another expert, who produces another report. Government had not fully implemented its agree here - the regulations are too compli­ The parties then come before the tribunal, obligations under the Treaty of Rome and the cated. Harriet Harman MP, herself a lawyer, which considers the report and can hear the Equal Pay Directive, it said. called them 'virtually unintelligible'. Second, experts, witnesses for both sides, and lawyers. Lord Denning, in the House of Lords, the tribunal can refuse to consider a claim for But the experts or witnesses cannot be ques­ complained strongly that the regulations are equal pay for work of equal value if there are tioned on matters of fact. Lord Denning be­ tortuous and obscure, that they are not good 'no reasonable grounds'; but there is no gui­ lieves this means that, since most cases de­ law, and that the procedures they setup will be dance on what constitutes' reasonable pend on questions of fact, it will be the expert expensive and troublesome. grounds'. Third, a woman cannot make a who decides thecase,notthetribunal. It is this There is no doubt that the complexity ofthe claim if her job is covered by a job evaluation that is likely to give the lawyers a field-day, regulations will deter all but the most stout­ scheme unless she can prove that the scheme is and may even result in cases being taken to the hearted from pursuing a case. Jo Richardson discriminatory. Fourth, an employer's de­ employment Appeal Tribunal, to the Court of MP calculated that a woman will have to go fence that a difference in pay is due to a mate­ Appeal and, ultimately, to the European through six stages before she can establish a rial factor which is not the difference in sex Court. claim-a tall order, especially as legal aid is not may widen the scope of the law to include fac­ available. tors such as, in thewordsoftheMinister, 'skill MORAGALEXANDER 22 EUROPE84 Car prices: motor trade answers back The natural he Society of Motor Manufacturers with Continental Europe, but the pound was and Traders (SMMT) takes issue with at a very low ebb.' history of the article in our December 1983 issue, Since 1979, sterling has been strong com­ Have you paid over the odds for your pared with other major European currencies CROCODILE tnew car?', which referred to recent draft leg­ and, says the SMMT, has ceased to reflect Bri­ ONEDAYinJuly 1980, nineMEPsof islation aimed at clarifying both motor trad­ tain's relative economic performance and rate different nationalities and various ers' rights and those of Community citizens of inflation. Handicapped by a strong domes­ political tendencies met for a working who might wish to buy a car, made in their tic currency, UK car manuf~cturers have dinner in the Crocodile restaurant in own country, in some other member state. nonetheless succeeded in increasing their re~ Strasbourg, at which they decided to Contesting the need for any change in the lative competitiveness, it adds. launch a political initiative for the present retailing arrangements, the SMMT In the SMMT's view, price differences are reform of the Community. points to a Commission report last December, often unclear because there is confusion be­ They set up a club, called the which says 'one could not, in fact, realistically tween a comparison of pre-tax and post-tax Crocodile, Club which was open to all assume that prices could be uniform through­ prices, and of prices• to dealers and prices to MEPs who shared its objectives. out the Common Market, not only because the consumers. 'For example, it is often said that ln October 1980 Altiero Spinelli and objective factors determining price policies car prices in Denmark are half those in the Felice lppolito started a political review, vary from firm to firm, but also because nor­ UK. This may be true of pre-tax prices for 'Crocodile',- to support the Club's mal competition does not necessarily make some models, but Danish consumers pay parliamentary action. prices uniform'. much more than UK consumers in post-tax On 19November 1980theClub, A common market in cars, the SMMT says, terms, in some cases up to twice as much. which in the meantime had attracted . 'Anyone with the interests of the European cannot be created for as long as differences ex­ another 69 MEPs as members, approved consumer at heart should look at post-tax ist in national governments' fiscal and econo­ a proposal for a motion inviting the prices and consider the benefits of a harmo­ mic policies, nor for as long as exchange rates European Parliament to draw up, nised tax system. At present it is the pre-tax fluctuate between EEC member states. 'Be­ discuss and vote for a proposal for the prices in the UK which attract so much atten­ tween 1976 and 1979, forexaniple, prices for reform of the Community, and then to tion. A change in relative exchange rates, or cars were generally higher priced in sterling in submit it for ratification to the fiscal policies, in individual member states Germany than in Britain, with the biggest gap competent constitutional bodies of in 1976. Arthat time, there was some resent­ could put some other domestic market under member states. the spotlight.' ment about low car prices in Britain compared In just under three months, 170 MEPs had signed the motion, which was then put by the Presidem ofParli ament, Simone Veil, on 10 February 1981. The Assembly approved the motion in 1uly. ln January 1982 it was decided to set up a committee for institutional affairs, chaired by Mauro Ferri; and so the European Parliament officially began the work offraming a constitution. In July 1982, the Assembly gave the new Institutional Committee a wide remit for drawing up the broad lines of the reform. Accordingly, the Committee worked out the political content of a European Treaty of Union and entrusted the preparation work to a committee of rapporteurs, under the coordination of Altiero Spinelli. On 14September 1983, the European Parliament approved the result of the Institutional Committee work by a large majority (but not an absolute majority), thereby giving the go-ahead for the final stage ofthe initiative, in which Parliament instructed the Committee to draw up a draft Treaty with the aid of a Committee of jurists. After spending five months analysing the political and legal aspects of the question, those charged with the work submitted a draft Treaty, which was approved by the Committee. On 14 February 1984, the Assembly gave final approval to the draft by 238 votes for to Commission President Gaston Thorn was host to Israel's Prime Minister, ltzhak Shamir, 31 against, with 43 abstentions. at their meeting in Brussels on 20 February. 23 EUROPE84

The Common Market's butter , France is annoying its neighbours Examination questions on the Greenland's threat to halve the mountain may soon have to be not only by pumping ever more Common Market are few and far EEC's land area by leaving the destroyed. wine into the lake, but also by between, and those that do exist Community next January come The surplus overflowing from erecting import barriers against produce some howlers. For what may in its drawn-out exit storage space throughout Europe pure alcohol and subsidising its example, a 14-year-old, asked to talks, seem to have paid off. The already totals 900,000 tonnes, with own producers. give the location ofCheckpoint Commission has made a proposal about 100,000 tonnes being kept in Europe's wine lake now holds Charlie, replied: 'Its the point which should enable the divorce to Britain. more than 2 millions tonnes (2. 7 where Prince Charles checks in go through not only when the Yet the EEC Commission billion standard bonles) and is still when he's playing polo.' Greenlanders want, but with due estimates that excess production rising. If1984isanaverage'season, Among other tit-bits: ra'Dioli formality. this year will be another 900,000 Europe is expected to produce became a French wine; escargots Most of the credit is due to clupea tonnes and it will only keep for up about 1.4 million tonnes more were variously described, from 'a harengus, the common herring. Its to two years in cold storage. grape juice than it needs to satisfy German sausage' to 'a cheese of near extinction in the North Sea in German officials say the the demand for wine. Italian origin' and even 'very small the late 1970s was why a common mountain must soon be destroyed. -Economist carrots usually grown in the wet fisheries policy was so difficult for The Commission can't afford to go partsofcountries';gondolierswere the Ten to agree upon. The return on selling heavily subsidised butter Forthepasttwoyears, the transformed into the 'French ofthe herring en masse last year, to Russia and other countries European Commission has been police' and boules was said to be 'the after a six-year fishing ban, made it outside the Market. trying to draw up a directive that French word for Business'. possible for the Ten to agree on a -Daily Mail would cut levels ofnoise to 85 These responses were among fisheries policy. That, in turn, has decibels over eight hours. This is those made in a one-hour test made it easier to propose a new Butchers' claims that a decline in slightly more noisy than heavy leading to a European Studies · fishing deal for Greenland with the quality ofcanle produced in traffic, but less noisy than most Certificate which is being launched appeal to both sides. Britain over recent years has been factories. The Commission by the European Association of -Economis1 partly responsible for a slump in estimates that between 10 million Teachers. beef sales are supported by the and 16 million people in the EEC -Guardian Fish is a great issue for the Spanish findings of a study by the UK Meat work in noisier surroundings. They eat it in quantities which and Livestock Commission In Britain, factories that expose France had its anti-British would make other Europeans very (MLC). workers to noise of greater than 90 prejudices further endorsed over ill. ButifSpainjoins theEECshe The MLC study confirmed that decibels risk prosecution under the the weekend when, as its will have to accept very consumers were able to discern a Health and Safety at Work Act. But · newpapersreported, a Welsh considerably reduced fishing significant difference in quality there is no specific law on noise; the referee helped Scotland to a grand quotas, as did Britain before her. between meat from animals Health and Safety Executive has slam rugby victory at Murrayfield. The Spanish Government produced primarily for the dairy been waiting for a decision to -TheTimes recognises this, but figures have no industry and those produced emerge from Europe. yet been agreed. specifically for beef. -Daily Telegrapl The beef trade has been concerned however, not simply There are 12,847,000 people out of about the increasing domination of work in the Common Market­ the dairy herd but also the greater -~~'~ more than ever before-figures out concentration in the dairy industry yesterday showed. The total has on canle with high milk yields but risen by 604,000 since a year ago. poor meat producing qualities. ~~~u ~~:).· ~ r -Sta -Financial Times Italian customs officials have called offtheirwork-to-rulehere,inforce since Tuesday, after meeeting Now that we've given up our crazy between their representatives and restrictions on the import of French the Minister for the Civil Services, poultry (we claimed the EEC Signor Remo Gaspari. inspection for foul-pest was The minister was reported to inadequate but in truth we were have assured them that the getting our own back on the French Government intended to apply for banning our lamb), we can once soon EEC directives for the again buy genuine 14-week-old · speedier handling ofexit and ent:cy poulet de Bresse or French maize­ procedures for long-distance lorry fed chickens, plump ofbreast, and ~~~~) traffic. mighty tasty-a far cry from our -TheTim1 pelletfedeight-week-old birds renowned for thier taste-free tenderness. Imports of French poultry are very nearly back at the pre-ban level. - Prue Leith in The Guardian

The European Commission yesterday denied charges by the US Department ofCommerce that it is subsidising wine exports to the American market worth about · £200m a year. The Commission believes that the livelihood ofa million wine growers could be affected ifthe American industry won its case.

-TheTimes -The Sunday Tit