Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-11-29-Speech-3-126"
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"en.20001129.8.3-126"2
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"Mr President, I intend to concentrate on Mrs Lalumière’s report, for which I have the greatest respect, because I feel that as a report, it takes a very practical approach to issues concerning our security and that of others around us. But firstly I would like to comment on a number of statements that other speakers have just made. They have spoken most impressively and sympathetically about the order in which steps should be taken, i.e. first preventive action, using as many peaceful methods as possible, and only then, military methods. On hearing this you say: ‘yes, of course that is quite right’, but this appeal would in fact suggest that the European Union and the European Member States have been far too quick to seize their weapons in the past, in different contexts. History has taught us that, sadly, this often happened far too late and that if it had happened earlier, hundreds of thousands of lives might have been spared. So I do not actually think this assertion is correct. Again, I readily support any efforts to take preventive action in order to avoid war and all kinds of violence, but, of course, we must not twist the facts.
I believe, Mr President, that if you were to ask the public for their opinion, you would find that they think we deal with foreign policy and security here in the European Parliament, and that this is also where the centre of gravity of our decision-making power lies, which is not the case. The trouble is that the Council of fifteen Ministers takes the decisions on these matters, and it all proceeds rather slowly, and then Parliament gets the blame. I am therefore delighted that we are now making progress. We also have the French Defence Minister in our midst, which must make it an historic occasion. What he said in his speech was an inspiration to us all. We have been able to see that progress is being made of course. We also warmly applaud the efforts undertaken by Mr Patten – whom we hold in very high esteem, as we do Mr Solana – because something is being done at last.
I think Mrs Lalumière also makes an extremely practical comment in her report where she says that it would be an excellent idea for Mr Solana to effect coordination between the Member States, and for Commissioner Patten to generate more initiative from the Commission’s side. Ideally, these two should be fused into one person. I have been known to comment in the past that they should at least be regarded as identical twins, but the fusion idea would be far better still within the context of the Commission. I feel Mrs Lalumière outlines some outstanding possibilities. If we take a leaf out of her book, perhaps we will be able to ensure that all our resources are deployed in a more effective manner, both those used in preventive actions and those used in military actions, if necessary within the Petersberg framework, as well as the action that follows military action, such as that required in Kosovo at the present time. We need police officers out there, but also people who can keep the wheels of administration turning, and who can take over the role of mayor somewhere, for example. These are all officials whom I think could be dealt with extremely well as part of Mr Patten’s portfolio, along with his rapid reaction facility. That is an extremely important element because the European Commission has a great deal of authority over it, which means that we as a Parliament can exercise a great deal of control. So I am certainly inclined to make it a very important priority.
Mr President, then there is the budget, of course, and the question as to how it should be apportioned. There are some sound comments on this in the report, and I believe that we should follow Mrs Lalumière’s example and give preference to financing it via the Community budget, then it will be apportioned fairly from the outset and we will also have control over it. Speaking of control, of course the European Parliament must take on more and more tasks from the Western European Union and its assembly. I think that would be a good move. I also think that we are being prudent and realistic for the present, in our assessment that when it comes to the practical deployment of troops, the national parliaments are set to retain a large capability for a very long time, and perhaps for ever, and that we therefore need a forum where we can come together with the national parliaments for that reason. It is not a control body we need but a forum, and I would gladly give it my blessing."@en1
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