Fw: Democrats International Digital, Vol. 1, no. 1

[Wilfried Derksen]

Bijgaand forward ik het eerste exemplaar van de Democrats International
Digital.

De DID is het Engelstalige e-zine van D66, gepubliceerd door de D66
delegatie in het Europees parlement.

Abonneren is mogelijk.

Wilfried Derksen.

-----Original Message-----
From: Landelijk Secretariaat <LSd66 at d66.nl>
To: didmail at d66.nl <didmail at d66.nl>
Date: Friday, January 29, 1999 3:07 PM
Subject: Democrats International Digital, Vol. 1, no. 1


DEMOCRATS INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL, VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1
The international electronic bulletin of D66 published by the D66
delegation in the European Parliament
January 27, 1999
Editor-in-Chief: Ralph E. de Vries
Editors: Tessa Maas, Peter A. Bosch and Daniel Hanekuyk
Subscription: e-mail to LSD66 at D66.NL mentioning DID subs

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CONTENTS

1 Introduction
2 Results of Internal Elections for the European Parliament
3 European Fund for Refugees
4 The European Runaway Train: Who is the Engineer?
5 Prevention is better than Cure
6 D66 criticises the Role of the European Commission at Climate Control
Conference
7 IDI Conference European Enlargement: the Case of Cities and Regions
8 Program D66 Party Congress 68, February 6-7, 1999
9 D66 Website

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INTRODUCTION

This is the very first edition of Democrats International Digital (DID),
the international electronic bulletin of the D66 delegation at the European
Parliament. DID is published bi-monthly and mailed to you free of charge.
DID is an addition to the printed Democrats International that is published
three to four times a year.

DID contains information on the D66 members in the European Parliament, the
European elections, the Foundation International Democratic Initiative D66,
as well as general information regarding the party and its activities.

Should you wish to (un)subscribe, please, send an electronic message to
LSD66 at D66.NL mentioning DID subs or unsubs. Or write by snail mail to:
Democrats International, Ralph E. de Vries, P.O.Box 660, NL-2501 CR The
Hague.

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RESULTS OF THE INTERNAL ELECTIONS FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

These are the results of the internal elections of D66 with regard to the
official list of candidates for the European Parliament elections in June
1999.

All members of D66 could vote by mail. On the ballot paper a maximum of 15
candidates could be marked. The first candidate marked on each ballot paper
received 15 points, the second candidate received 14 points, and so on. The
candidate marked as number 15 could still receive 1 point. The points for
each candidate were added up. The total points received by each candidate
resulted in the following list of candidates.

In total 2778 valid ballot papers were received.

The top five candidates have the possibility to stand for the party
leadership during the coming European elections. These five candidates have
until February 2, 1999, to present themselves to the D66 National Election
Committee. The number one candidate, i.e. the leader at the European
elections will be elected at D66 Party Congress 68 on February 6 and 7,
1999 in Veldhoven.

m/f name and residence

1. M BOB van den BOS, THE HAGUE
2. F JOHANNA BOOGERD QUAAK, ZAAMSLAG
3. F LOUSEWIES van den LAAN, BRUSSELS
4. M FLOOR KIST, AMSTERDAM
5. F SOPHIE in 't VELD, BRUSSELS
6. F IEN PEIJNENBURG van der POL, EERSEL
7. M BERT KAMPHUIS, SITTARD
8. F MARIJN de KONING, BAAMBRUGGE
9. M TOM STROOBACH, LELYSTAD
10. F ERICA JASPERS, THE HAGUE
11. M HANS ROOS, HILVERSUM
12. F JOAN van RIJSWIJK, WARMOND
13. M RALPH de VRIES, UTRECHT
14. M JAN FLAMELING, STEENBERGEN (NB)
15. F GAITRIE BHAROS, CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL
16. M HENK ROELOFS, EMMEN
17. M LAURENS BONNEMA, DORDRECHT
18. M WIM RITSEMA, MEEDHUIZEN
19. M ROBERT VEGTER, LIMMEN
20. M JAAP van den DONKER, THOLEN
21. M BRIAN ELEY, DELFT
22. M COR RESOORT, ROTTERDAM
23. M JAN RESOORT, ROTTERDAM

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EUROPEAN FUND FOR REFUGEES

Last Fall the European Parliament voted in favour of reserving 25 million
EURO for founding a European fund for refugees, which is based upon an
initiative by D66 MEP Laurens Jan Brinkhorst.

The fund aims at improving the initial reception and living conditions of
refugees in the EU member states. It concerns housing, maintenance,
language education, but also medical care, especially trauma treatment. The
fund will also contribute to projects, that facilitate the voluntary return
and re-integration of refugees in their country of origin: for example
advice on the current situation in their country, the possibilities and
rights of refugees, job training, and reimbursement of travel and transport
expenses.

Regarding the fund Brinkhorst, who for several years has battled for such a
fund, links up with the budget lines he created as reporter on the budget
in 1997.

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THE EUROPEAN RUNAWAY TRAIN: WHO IS THE ENGINEER?

The Netherlands is forced more and more to revise its internal policies
because of European rules and regulations. Still the Dutch government
remains vague about its ambitions regarding the Union, while many
decisions, that would be highly beneficiary for citizens and entrepreneurs
are delayed or simply canceled. In a growing number of cases the European
Court of Justice in Luxembourg shows itself a true defender of the
interests of the European citizen. This results in the paradox that a
non-democratically chosen (appointed) body, like the ECJ, is reducing the
gap between The Hague and Brussels.

The European integration process is inevitable and member states should not
run away from this fact, but face and act upon it by drafting better rules
and regulations. It is unacceptable that, because of political
unwillingness, an institution like the ECJ has to take decisions in order
to fill in the gaps between European and national legislation. Not the
Court of Justice is accountable for this situation, but the national
governments that lack the will or guts to take the necessary decisions.

Last year the ECJ judged two cases in which the EU member states never
would have reached agreement. In April 1998 the Court ruled that a citizen
could apply for medical care without permission throughout the EU and that
the health insurance company at home has to reimburse these expenses. Then
the Court ruled in June that national restrictions on the transport of
re-usable waste within the EU were contradictory to EC law. In order to
stimulate the recycling of waste in the EU freedom of movement for waste
products is required.

Although the above mentioned rulings were not taken by a democratically
chosen institution, one could argue that they rendered a victory for the
citizens of Europe. Regarding health care EU inhabitants are no longer
bound by national borders. Patients are able to purchase care abroad, which
may be cheaper and quicker than at home. Also increasing crossborder
co-operation concerning waste disposal saves taxpayers' money, because
waste can be processed cheaper and faster. All this is in conformity with
the individual right of self-determination as advocated by D66.

With both rulings the ECJ condemned the EU member states' effort to retain
their autonomy on policy fields like health care and waste disposal. It
implies that member states can no longer wait and see. Chancellor Kohl's
remark at the Cardiff Summit that the ECJ is violating its given authority
seems highly inappropriate. Member states have to act and reach agreements
to meet possible negative effects of such rulings. One could think for
example of a disruption of the financial stability in the national health
care system or unacceptable environmental risks regarding waste disposal.

Almost unnoticed Europe is getting closer to its citizens, whether the
member states like it or not. At present the engineer of the European train
is a non-democratically chosen institution. It is time for the member
states together with the national parliaments and the EP to retake the
initiative concerning the European integration process. More European
thinking is needed. Wasn't "Bringing Europe closer to its citizens" the
motto of the Treaty of Amsterdam? And was it not signed by the member
states? It is time the governments start to act upon that!

Johanna Boogerd MEP

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PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

The gloomy newspaper headlines regarding the situation in Kosovo frustrate
me enormously, says D66 MEP Jan-Willem Bertens. Why isn't Europe able to
play a major role in a conflict on its own continent? The American envoy
Holbrooke negotiates holding NATO as a big military stick, while Europe
continues to wait and see. As chairman of the Subcommittee Security and
Disarmament of the EP it gives me a helpless anger.

The relationship with the European defense organisation, the West-European
Union, has been strengthen the last couple of years. Moreover, with the
Treaty of Amsterdam taking effect the EU will have a task regarding
peacekeeping and humanitarian intervention. A strong political personality
like a "High Representative for Foreign Policy" would internationally give
the EU a profile. However, the realization of a European security policy
takes time.

The final goal, self reliance for Europe with regard to European security
issues, is still very faraway. Europe can not confine itself to the
internal market and the EURO. We have to look outside! Up to now Europe
only has a common foreign policy in name. The flag should really cover the
cargo!

This does not imply that the EU has waited the last five years for such
opportunities as the Treaty of Amsterdam provides for. A number of cases
has been dealt with by the EP. The Parliament has been foremost the place
at which topics, that at the national level got tangled up in national
interests, received a major impetus. Good examples are the banning of
landmines, rules for arms traffic and trade, and the fight against the
proliferation of small arms.

The EP has put the banning of landmines time and time again on the European
agenda. In spite of division within the Council of Ministers 14 countries
have been convinced to sign a treaty banning landmines. In addition, the EU
is by far the largest contributor to de-mining programs because of the
Parliament's effort.

The EP also has fought for stricter rules regarding arms traffic and trade.
The sale of arms to dictatorial regimes is immoral and destructive and has
to be restricted. When the member states realized that European
co-operation was needed to safe the European defense industry, the EP in
co-operation with the British Chair commanded more stringent export rules
within the EU. Although the new code of conduct is not perfect, is an
important step forward.

Lastly, the EP has drawn attention to the destructive influence of small
arms in developing countries. Law and order in a increasing number of these
countries is undermined by the large-scale availability of small arms (f.e.
guns). A lot of these arms are produced in Europe! Not only has the
Parliament to restrict the export, but also to help these countries as to
their border controls. Otherwise, arms will move from one conflict to
another. Prominent results of the Parliament's efforts are a special EU
action program and the inclusion of the small arms problem in the
development aid policies.

Praise for the European defense policy is misplaced in the light of the
current crisis in Kosovo. Europe is still tied down to the USA and NATO.
However, I am convinced that the Parliament's efforts of the last couple of
years have prevented the eruption of a number of (international) crises.
Prevention is still better than cure!

Jan-Willem Bertens MEP

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D66 CRITICISES THE ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AT THE CLIMATE CONTROL
CONFERENCE

During a discussion in the EP D66 commented critically on the Climate
Control Conference in Buenos Aires (November 1998). The ELDR-speaker on
environmental issues, Doeke Eisma, pointed to dangerous developments
regarding emission trading: industrialised countries buy emission rights of
developing countries in order to comply - in a rather inexpensive way- with
the set reduction of greenhouse effects. Eisma stated: "In this way nothing
is done about the key issue: the extensive use of natural fuels. Moreover,
one can not continue to pass the climate control problems onto the
developing countries."

According to the D66 MEP European measures are of much more use in this
matter. Contrasting sharply with this is the recent agreement between the
Commission and the car producing industry on the reduction of CO2
emissions. The European Commission accepted much too low target figures.
Eisma: "Commissioner Bjerregaard has to return to the negotiation table in
order to get ecologically better and sound results!"

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IDI CONFERENCE EUROPEAN ENLARGEMENT: THE CASE OF CITIES AND REGIONS

>>From November 18 to 22, 1998 the D66 foundation International Democratic
Initiative hosted an European conference on the role of cities and regions
with regard to the enlargement of the European Union. The conference aimed
at a practical exchange of information, views and expectations regarding
the EU accession of Estonia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and
Slovenia. The participants were local and regional representatives of ELDR
member parties from both the EU and the accession countries. The program
consisted of two workshops, four (working) visits, a forum debate and a
visit of the D66 Party Conference in Gouda. The IDI conference started with
a visit of the Dutch parliament and a meeting with MP Jan Hoekema, who is
the spokesman on foreign affairs for the D66 Group in the Lower House. The
meeting with Roger van Boxtel, D66 Minister for Urban Development and
Integration of Minorities, could be called one of the highlights. The
minister answered a number of questions and informed the participants on
the special programs to secure and speed up the integration of minorities
and new-comers in Dutch society as part of his Large Cities policy.

Preceding a guided tour through the Schilderswijk neighbourhood, Gerard
Kroon of the municipality of The Hague gave a short lecture on the European
Structural Funds. During the tour the participants visited several Urban
projects and witnessed the direct impact of these EU subsidies and the
Large Cities policy on this old neighbourhood.

The forum debate in the grand old Hotel Des Indes between Lars Nordström
(Folkpartiet Gothenburg), Robert Aldridge (Liberal Democrats Edinburgh),
David Ford (Alliance Chief Whip in the Northern Ireland Assembly), and
chairman Laurens Jan Brinkhorst (MEP D66) focused on the role of the
Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the question whether the European Union
would develop into a union of regions in the 21st century. The workings of
the CoR were also explained in one of the workshops by Ruth Coleman,
executive of the Local Government Association of the LibDems and a member
of the CoR herself. In the other workshop the D66 mayor of Delft, Hein van
Oorschot, introduced new ideas and approaches regarding the relationship
between local government, politics and citizens in The Netherlands.

At the Association of Netherlands Municipalities European affairs officer
Frank Hilterman discussed the role of the association in relation to
European, national, and regional authorities. Especially the elaborate
network of contacts of the association is impressive and underlines its
important lobby for the Dutch municipalities at all levels.

On the day of the D66 Party Conference the participants were received by
Mayor Boone at the medieval town hall of Gouda. After a delicious lunch the
mayor showed a video on urban development in Gouda and answered questions
on municipal politics and policy in The Netherlands. As a memento of the
visit all participants received a miniature of the Gouda town hall.

The conference ended with the adoption of the Declaration of The Hague, in
which the participants welcome the exchange of ideas and information
between local and regional liberals, the opportunity to share local
experiences and developments in the EU context, and the future growth of
Europe. Furthermore they endorse IDI and urge the ELDR to provide the
opportunity for further discussions and training seminars for local and
regional liberal politicians from the EU and the accession states. These
discussions and seminars should lead to future electoral and ideological
success for the liberal democrat family. The declaration makes it clear
that this initiative by D66/IDI most definitely deserves a sequel in the
coming years.

Ralph E. de Vries
IDI co-ordinator
D66 International Secretariat

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PROGRAM OF D66 PARTY CONGRESS 68, FEBRUARY 6-7, 1999

Kongreshotel en vergadercentrum Koningshof
Locht 117, 5504 RM Veldhoven
telephone * 31 (0)40 2537475/ fax * 31 (0)40 2545515

SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY 1999

10.00-10.10 Opening by Tom Kok, Party President

10.10-10.15 Report on Resolutions Congress 67

10.15-10.25 Presentation of Board and Committee Candidates

10.35-11.25 Discussion meetings by the Program Committee

11.35-12.00 Provincial Council Elections/Municipal Council Elections North
Brabant

12.00-12.15 Presentation of Candidates for Leadership at the Euro Elections

12.15-12.40 Remaining Resolutions Congress 67

12.40-13.00 Topical Political Resolutions I

13.00-13.30 Lunch Break

13.30-14.45 Fringe Meetings I:
a. Youth Employment
b. Unknown is unloved... (employment and handicapped
c. D66 and entrepreneurs: Water and Fire?
d. How green wishes D66 to be?
e. Get to know D66
f. Bosnian Blues: the Future of Democracy in Bosnia-Hercegovina
g. Development Aid

14.45-15.20 Discussion on Draft European Manifesto I

15.20-16.00 Speech by Thom de Graaf MP, Leader of Parliamentary Group

16.00-17.15 Fringe Meetings II:
a. D66 a Social-Liberal Party
b. Towards a new Defense Paper, part I
c. Urban Development Policy and urban renewal
d. Labour, Care and Income
e. Aid and Suicide
f. Regional Economic Support: Langman
g. The Interim/Bridging Model: working with a social security benefit

17.50 Adjournment of Congress

18.00 Diner

20.00-22.00 House of Commons Debate

22.00 Live music and disco


SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY 1998

10.15-10.25 Re-opening of the Congress

10.25-11.25 Organisation
* general organisational resolutions
* amendments of statutes and rules and regulations
* application for full membership of Liberal International

11.30-12.00 Speech by Party Chairman

12.00-13.15 Fringe Meetings III:
a. Human Rights: 1. Prevention of illegal forms of migration
2. The Netherlands neglect their human rights policy with regard to
refugees
b. Towards a new Defense Paper, part II
c. Urban Development Policy and Health Care
d. The Disaster of Traffic Unsafety has to be stopped
e. Safe Secondary School/Education
f. Social-Liberalism in Economic Affairs
g. Free-Thinking Ideas for a Social-Liberal Party
h. ELDR Election Program: Unity in Freedom

13.15-13.45 Lunch Break

13.45-14.25 Communication/information meetings with parliamentary groups

14.25-15.30 Discussion on Draft European Manifesto II

15.30-16.00 Topical Political Resolutions II

16.00-16.05 Results of Board and Committee Elections

16.05-16.30 Leader European Elections
* Proclamation of number one candidate (Leader)
* Address by Elected Leader

16.30 Closing of the Congress

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D66 WEBSITE

The pages in English at the D66 website have been renewed. All those
interested to learn more about the party can find selected information at:
HTTP://WWW.D66.NL/INDEX2.HTML

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