Encore, West pas?
Page 4
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THE spirit of De Gaulle lives on. The negative French attitude to any British initiative, which the late French president adopted on our many applications to join the EEC in his life time, is being perpetuated by his fellow countrymen.
Our attempt to mount an unofficial gathering to discuss and "resolve"' many of the problems which stand in the way of transport harmonisation has been vetoed by the French.
This obstinacy to anything they do not think of first is becoming the hallmark of the French. Are they, like De Gaulle, afraid that we will become more important than they in Europe?
For more than 18 years Europe has been seeking transport harmonisation, but official meetings are too few and far between to obtain quick results. Many of the petty differences could be disposed of at an unofficial meeting, thus smoothing the way for ratification at the next official gathering in Brussels on April 18.
The meeting should go ahead with or without France, who will then be shown to be Europe's feet-dragging member. If the other eight find a basis for agreement, she will need to fall in line.