In reply to Maggie, I'm not saying that international trade groups like the EU and NAFTA can be turned to progressive purposes. I think that the EU and NAFTA are quite different types of initiative. NAFTA is just a trade group, and I do not see any progressive possibilities in it. As far as the EU is concerned, I do not consider it to be just a trade group - it is precisely the political dimension that make it different from NAFTA; also I do not see it so much as an international organisation, but rather as part of the process of creating a (West) European state structure. As far as progressive initiatives are concerned, I agree with Maggie. I think they will only be realised if they are pushed for by strong union and/or popular movements. But I think on key issues like shorter hours, such movements will need to be developed at a European level if they are to be effective. Trevor Evans Berlin
