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Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 00:45:03 +0000
From: dianne@aseed.antenna.nl
To: roadalert@gn.apc.org
Subject: EU Campaign

Dear all,

Can you publicise the following information in your publications, contacts and groups.

CAMPAIGN TO CREATE THE EUROPEAN UNION YOU WANT

Join the EU Campaign - Build up to the Alternative Summit in Amsterdam

June 12-17th june

Since 1993, groups in A SEED Europe have campaigned against the disastrous development model pursued by the EU. The Maastricht treaty, the constitution of the EU, sets the course for the ultimate reshaping of Europe into one big market of regions competing against each other and the rest of the world. Goods are supposed to be shifted from one corner of Europe to the other, and the protection of local economies and citizens against unfair, environmentally unfriendly competition is completely taboo. The creation of a single currency became the highest goal. All in the name of something called "competiveness" .....No wonder that the groups fighting for social and environmental rejected the Maastricht treaty.

In 1994 A SEED organised speakers tours in Scandinavia to support sister organisations there, which were all against joining the EU. One of the main issues we raised was the seriously undemocratic influence which the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT) enjoys in the EU. For the last 10 years this lobby organisation of the biggest European multinational companies has been very successful pushing the EU to adopt an agenda of "free trade", social cuts and large-scale road building plans.

At this moment two developments are taking place that are decisive for Europe's future. Firstly, preparations for the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) are leading to the desmantling of public services and social security and rising unemployment in almost evey EU member state. Secondly the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) has begun: the fifteen member states are negotiating to revise the Maastricht Treaty, the treaty that has propelled the European Union into a credibility crisis. According to plan these negotiations are supposed to end with the signing of a new treaty by the heads of government during their June 1997 Amsterdam summit.

Together the EMU and IGC will largely determine the character of the European Union and thus the daily lives of Europe's citizens. However the discussion of these developments is going on mainly among politicians. There is no broad debate on European integration or the policies being initiated by the ERT.

A SEED would like to help develop this debate, create awareness and inform not only Europe's citizens, but also those outside of the issues involved. So A SEED would like to hear from all who are working on eu-related issues or would like to get involved. May 9th is the official European Union Day. On May 9th 1950 the French Minister Schuman proposed an agreement between France and Germany for a union of cooperation for the production and consumption of coal and iron. This is an historic day for the European Commission as Schuman's proposal is seen as the commission's foundation. A SEED would like to make it an EU Action Day, during which the general public are informed of the issues and given a forum for debate.

1997 sees the Duch presidency of the European Union, alongside the holding of the signing of the revised Maastricht Treaty "Amsterdam" in Amsterdam in June. The Dutch Coalition for a Different Europe is organising an Alternative Summit for a progressive and democratic union. Within the Alternative Summit A SEED will have workshop space and would like to see campaigning groups come along and participate in the workshops and help create a campaigning strategy for the future.

If you want to be involved or are already involved in the EU related campaign contact: Dianne at A SEED Europe, PO Box 92066, 1090 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands. Tel: 00 +31 20 668 2236 Fax: 00 +31 20 665 0166
e-mail: Dianne@ASEED.ANTENNA.NL

More information on the web site: http://www.antenna.nl.aseed

ACTION ALERT FOR ALL EU CAMPAIGNERS

Calling all those working on environmental, peace, development, solidarity, immigration, women's, ecological, unemployment, marginal, human rights...... issues

MAY 9TH

May 9th is the official European Union Day. On May 9th 1950 the French Minister Schuman proposed an agreement between France and Germany for a union of cooperation for the production and consumption of coal and iron. This is an historic day for the European Commission as Schumann's proposal is seen as the commission's foundation.

Use May 9th Action Day to help develop the EU debate, create either a general awareness of EU issues or an awareness of how the EU is producing specific problems in your field.

If you want to be involved or are already involved in the EU related campaign contact: Dianne at A SEED Europe, PO Box 92066, 1090 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands. Tel: 00 +31 20 668 2236 Fax: 00 +31 20 665 0166
e-mail: Dianne@ASEED.ANTENNA.NL

PLEASE HELP

Many groups have shown interest in participating in this campaign and recognise the need to stop the building of this particular European Union. Despite recognising the importance of this campaign many are unsure of how to proceed. We are losing this potential campaigners.

A SEED would like to put together an EU campaign pack containing interesting ideas for actions and useful campaigning advice. If you have campaigning experience on EU issues, have been involved in interesting actions or just have a good idea let us know. Please send all contributions to the above address.

More information on the web site: http://www.antenna.nl.aseed




road protests 1997   |   road protests (current)   |   movement links