At 7:38 -0800 02/03/22, Ma Be wrote: >On Fri, 22 Mar 2002 06:37:35 > CarletonM wrote: >>... >>If TABD is true to form, we can expect no action at all, and then, in the >>spring of 2009, another whining and pathetic statement from TABD about how >>they are still "not ready" and "need more time". The EU has to draw a line >>in the sand this time and say "Not again, not this time, not any more." >>... >Even though the final report and position of the EU committee that >was responsible to oversee another postponement clearly stated that >there would be no more delays we MUST be on guard. > >Perhaps our European friends could somehow get some interim feedback >on this with some members at the EU Parliament. Maybe we should >think of starting this campaign sooner rather than later. Besides, >if my memory doesn't fail me they were supposed to do some frequent >checks with the US government and the TABD people. However, I find >that it would be beneficial for us to follow this up. > >Marcus
Let me share with all of you some thoughts about what should be our strategy regarding EU authorities. I see no point in addressing for the moment the European Parliament : the issue is not on their agenda, they have many other topics to deal with, and most of them will be renewed at the EP elections in June 2004. When the new legislature will be in place in fall 2004, we will have to identify a couple of people sympathetic to our cause, and provide them with an information dossier. Thus when the topic will come to the agenda, at least we will have a few persons aware of the matter and they could be a nucleus for further action. On the other hand, we should keep pressure on the European Commission, particularly Commissioner Pascal Lamy, in charge of trade matters, and his staff, for example Pierre Dufraigne, his Chef de Cabinet. They may have possibility of action, in particular at WTO level : Pascal Lamy just lodged a complaint against the USA to the WTO because of the unilateral US decision to levy taxes on import of steel products. Possibly they are seeking any argument to support the case : units could be one. It has been some time that I have not been in contact with Pierre Dufraigne. I am contemplating to send him a copy of my book, just released : that will be an opportunity. [I will circulate to the list any relevant info about how to order, etc, as soon as the book will be in the commercial arena]. Cheers Louis
