European EMU under attack
By Sonja Klein
In preparation for the June 1997 Amsterdam summit, at which a treaty will be signed members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), the 15 states have begun negotiations on revising the Maastricht Treaty.
The new treaty will strengthen neo-liberalism and dictate the economic and political agenda, with devastating consequences for human rights and the global environment, in the new millennium.
An alternative summit is being organised by the International Coalition for a Different Europe, which has called for an inter-European fight back. Decentralised but unified political actions are planned.
On the common agenda are the fight back against the dismantling of public services and social security, unemployment and job insecurity, social exclusion and racism.
International environmental issues, such as safe freight transit, the European Nuclear Non-Proliferation Pact, sustainability and political asylum among member states, need resolution. There will be alternative conferences and demonstrations, forums, debates and workshops, organised by feminist, environmental, labour and church organisations,
autonomous and other grassroots groups.
A Europe-wide forum in Brussels on February 22-23 will hold special workshops on the alternative summit, and hopes to produce and pass a manifesto which will be presented to the EMU summit.
March against unemployment, job insecurity and social exclusion will start on April 14 and arrive in Amsterdam on June 14, in time for the counter-summit.
Marches will originate from most European countries, crossing Europe in a show of united struggle. The marchers will claim the streets, and as they merge with other international columns will increase in size, power and urgency on their route towards Amsterdam.
In Germany, four separate contingents will be on the march: bicycle units, motorbike and hikers' columns, as well as participants who will opt for more conventional means of transport.
Local communities are preparing for cultural events and political rallies. Some will coincide with traditional celebrations: International Women's Day, the anti-nuclear peace rally at Easter and May Day. Local community councilors and shop stewards will open their meetings to the marchers.
At present there are more than 18 million unemployed in Europe. Many workers are facing permanent unemployment and general destitution. There is a strong need to organise the unemployed and mobilise all workers in their fight for jobs.