road protests 1997
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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