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EEC trade) the new ten-nation union
would form the largest free trade mar–
ket in the world. In the long-range
view, enlargement of the Common Mar–
ket could pave the way for creating a
poJ itical union - and a new super–
power - in world affairs.
By joining the Common Market,
Britain hopes to help shape and control
the destiny of Western Europe - from
the
inside.
Many in Britain (and in
other nations of Europe) shudder to
think of a powerful, united, federal
Europe - without Britain. They know
full well that in the past, leaders have
arisen in Germany, France, Italy and
other European nations -
leaders
whose power-mad schemes took them
on rampages throughout Europe.
Great Britain hopes to forestall any
such dangerous union - by making
sure she is on the
inside.
From this van-
The
PLAIN TRUTH
age point, Britaio will feel better able
to
wield her infJuence.
What Europeans Fear
And for maoy Europeans it is an in–
fluence that they would l ike to have.
Recently, I asked the President of the
EEC, Signor Malfatti, what he thought
Britain could contribute to the Common
Market. He said that it was well known
that Britain had a very long history rich
in parliamentary democracy. He also
mentioned that the EEC could benefit
from Britain's technological experience.
Many Europeans fear to see Europe
grow in economic and military power
without a corresponding growth in con–
trol over possible excesses in its use of
that power. This makes Britain's future
in the Common Market of extreme
importance.
Britain, of course, will also add
to
the economic and military might of
Europe. For example, Britain's nuclear
arsenal joined with France's
force de
frappe
could give the Common Market
nations the beginnings of their owr.
11
This historie decision marks the success
of the building of Europe."
-Franco
Mallatti, President
Common
Market Executive Commiss ion
Brussels, Belgium -
R.ay Kosanke
Here on the Continent, the reaction
to Parliament's decision was decidedly
positive. From government leaders to
the man on the street, there was a gen–
eral unanimity of response hailing the
step as a historie move forward toward
a united Europe.
In Brussels, the president of the
Common Market's executive commis–
sion, Franco Maria Malfatti, expressed
"very great satisfaction" over the vote.
"This historie decision," he said,
"marks the success of the building of
Europe, and above all provides it with
the necessary dimension and status."
Further, "an enlarged community of ten
members ( Ireland, Norway and Den–
mark are expected to join with Britain),
by the very virtue of cohesion and
democratic stability, will be in a
position to take up increasing world
responsibility."
President Malfatti emphasized ''Brit–
ain's role, her economic and political
force, her imagination, her courage
and her democratic tradition can only
strengthen the community as it is called
upon to define those responsibilities
which it will shortly assume."
In Bonn, West Germany, Chancellor
Willy Brandt said that the "decision in
the British Parliament fills me with
great joy." He reflected the sentiments
of ttis feUow countrymen. An opinion
poll in that country showed some
77
percent of West Germans in favor of
British entry.
Before Britain can officially join
the market on the scheduled date
of January
1,
1973, Prime Minister
Heath's Cooservative government must
submit a mass of detailed legislation
Decembe.r 197 1
nuclear strike force. This might not
please Washington and it would
certainly be chilling news to Kremlin
leaders.
All this illustrates Britain's pivota!
role in European affairs. Will, then,
Britain become
a
member of the EEC on
January
1,
1973? Once in, would a new
British government attempt to pull the
nation out of the EEC? What would
the European Community - with great
economic and política! power - be like
without Britain?
These are questions only time will an–
swer. But as Europe contioues to develop
economically, politically and militarily,
they assume monumental importance.
EDITOR'S NOTE: PLA IN TRUTH
correspondents in key oreas
affected by Parliament's "yes"
decision on Common Market
entry were asked to cable reac–
tion reports from their respective
oreas. Their comments and ob–
servations are reprinted on the
following pages.
and r egulations to Padiamen t .
In effect, what Parliament must do
beginning in February of 1972 is to
catch up in less thao a year oo every–
thing the six member oatioos have labo–
riously accomplished in Brussels since
the Treaty of Rome took effect back in
January
1,
1958.
This literally covers thousands of
items. On every major decision taken
there will be debates, committee reports
and fi nally a vote. Harold Wilson's op–
position Labour Party has vowed to
fight every inch of the way, not only to
prevent Britain's entry, but to topple
Mr. Heath's Conservative Party from
power. Furthermore, Mr. Wilson
announced that even though Britain
should enter into the Commoo Market
as scheduled, the Labour Party, whenever
it regains power, would withdraw
England from the EEC and "renego–
tiate" the terms of eotry as set up by the
Conservative government.
Perhaps the
Jo~trnal
de Geneve
of
Switzerland had the best headline com–
ment on Parliament's vote: "London
says yes but the hardest part is still to
come."