First I'd like to state that i'm obviously against any EU corporate state, but i do believe that Europe could offer an alternative to the US if it were changed for the better, yes there are all a bunch of 'beaurocrats' but they are far weaker than the flag waving partisan bushists in America.

Europe can be changed and be something positive;

This unbelievable article really stresses just how far the Americans have went now:



Americans want to join the Convention


The Europeans are urged to do more to reassure Americans that "the union they are completing will continue to make the United States feel welcome in Europe" (Photo: EUobserver.com)
US representatives should have the opportunity to observe proceedings and debates in the European Convention and members of the American executive branch ought to be associated with the work of separate European Councils.

These are some of the wide-ranging ideas presented in a joint declaration by a group of prominent American politicians and former ministers. The group includes former US Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor to the President of the United States and Alexander M. Haig, former Supreme Allied Commander of Europe.

The group was established and worked under the Centre for Strategic & International Studies because of concerns over current trends on both sides of the Atlantic.

"No disagreement should be allowed to disrupt our relations with our European allies," the declaration, 'Renewing the Transatlantic Partnership' states.

The Europeans are urged to do more to reassure Americans that "the union they are completing will continue to make the United States feel welcome in Europe" and the 18 warn against "Europe's new ability to challenge the United States".

Finality of Europe should be developed in cooperation with the US
"Rather more should be done to reinforce the perception that the 'finality' of Europe is being developed in cooperation with the United States," the declaration says.

It is proposed that US representatives should have the opportunity to observe meetings of the Convention, which is currently drafting a future European constitutional treaty. Such observers in the Convention should not participate to influence, "but to hear and to be influenced by their peers' debate."

Both houses in the US Congress should increase their contacts with the European Parliament and more direct consultations between the US and the European Institutional bodies should be established over the next five years.

Even in the Council, where ministers from the EU member states meet to take decisions, Americans should also have a role. "Members of the US executive branch could be associated on appropriate issues with the work of separate European Councils," the declaration suggests.

The rise of anti-American sentiment
NATO still has a role to play as the central pillar of American partnership with Europe but the gaps between US and European military capabilities are making the transatlantic defence co-operation more difficult. This is why the declaration urges the EU to agree "on minimum levels of real annual growth in defence spending".

Finally the authors are concerned with the rise of anti-American sentiments in Europe and they warn that in turn anti-Europeanism in the US would raise additional obstacles to Europe.

The Declaration was endorsed by Madeleine K. Albright, Harold Brown, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Frank C. Carlucci, Warren Christopher, William S. Cohen, Robert Dole, Lawrence S. Eagleburger, Stuart E. Eizenstat, Alexander M. Haig Jr., Lee H. Hamilton, John J. Hamre, Carla A. Hills, Sam Nunn, Paul H. O'Neill, Charles S. Robb, William V. Roth Jr., and James R. Schlesinger.

The Centre for Strategic & International Studies Europe program is supported by the German Marshall Fund.