Relations Between Western Europe and the United States of America. Strasbourg University of Law, Political and Social Sciences and Technology, Under the Auspices of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe

257 Pages·1982·4.817 MB·English

Record of the panel on "Relations between Western Europe and the United States of
America" organized from 29 to 30 June 1981 in the framework of the "Entretiens europιens
de Strasbourg" by Professor E.G. Dreyfus, Director of the Institute for Advanced European
Studies, Stirasbourg University of Law, Political and Social Sciences and Technology and by
Mr. Jacques Baumel, rapporteur of the Political Committee of the Council of Europe's
Parliamentary Assembly, under the auspices of Mr. Franz Karasek, Secretary General of the
Council of Europe.
Editorial director: Professor Jean-Paul Jacque.
£ntretíens européens de Strasbourg
Relations
between Western Europe
and the United States of Amenca
Strasbourg University of Law, Political
and Social Sciences and Technology
under the auspices of the Secretary General
of the Council of Europe
29-30 June 1981
Palais de Γ Europe, Strasbourg
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FOREWORD
In extending my auspices to the Panel organized by the Institute for Advanced Euro­
pean Studies of the University of Strasbourg on relations between the United States of
America and Western Europe, I wished not only to emphasise the great importance of
contacts between the universities and the European organizations but also to associate
myself with a debate which touches upon the very existence of principles common to
the democratic world.
Since its creation in 1949 the Council of Europe, which today comprises 21 West-
em European pluralist democracies, has provided the vast forum which, at intergovern­
mental and parliamentary level, unites the efforts of those democracies to achieve co­
operation and common action for the defence of human rights and fundamental free­
doms. Thus the Palais de Γ Europe is a natural meeting place for all politicians, diplo­
mats, academics and researchers who are concerned by the common threats now facing
democracy and interested in exploring the steps to protect and strengthen it.
At the close of the Panel of 29 and 30 June 1981 the Americans and Europeans
taking part agreed, at the suggestion of the University of Legal, Political and Social
Sciences of Strasbourg, to organize regular meetings under the auspices of the Secre­
tary General of the Council of Europe to debate major themes of common interest in a
setting to which they gave the name "the Strasbourg Talks". Strasbourg, the symbol of
European reconciliation and co-operation, the seat of the Council of Europe, and the
meeting-place of the European Parliament, is eminently suited to this type of meeting.
As Secretary General of the Council of Europe I am very happy to be able to intro­
duce this volume, the first, I hope, in a long series of "Strasbourg Talks" in which the
reader, whether well-versed in international affairs or not, will no doubtf ind some of the
subjects of the greatest concern to him relating to the advancement of the political socie­
ty of his ambitions within which the respective roles of the individual, the state and Euro­
pean organizations must to an increasing extent work together in complete harmony.
VII
VIII AVANT-PROPOS
The transatνantic dialogue between the European and American partners who
share the same democratic traditions is a model of the frankness and openness that
must characterize international relations in our time. It is of the essence of democracy
that it should transcend respect for the individual identity of those who are its chief ex­
ponents ; what we commonly call the solidarity of the democratic world is, precisely, the
synthesis of all that distinguishes and unites us.
Strasbourg, autumn 1981 Franz KARASEK
Secretary General of the Council of Europe
AVANT-PROPOS IX
This is a precursor to the plan to set up a centre for the study of international rela­
tions in Strasbourg, a city which, on numerous counts, can legitimately lay claim to such
an ambition. As its name suggests, it is a city open to the world around it. Set in an ideal
geographical location at the crossroads of important trade routes but also at the gate be­
tween two major cultures, it was predestined to open its doors to a study of the interna­
tional situation. The fact that it is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Parlia­
ment and universities of tradition and renown, and is the capital of a region whose eco­
nomic activities are largely geared to international trade, bears out its resolve to pursue,
and indeed develop this vocation.
It was almost inevitable that this study should begin with the state of relations be­
tween Western Europe and the United States. But those who instigated this venture had
no intention of privileging this aspect alone. They are only too well aware that Europe's
destiny will unfold in a singularly more complex environment. They therefore intend to
take as great an interest in its relations with the third world, in all its diversity, as with the
socialist states. This desire to grasp all the facets of the international situation means that
their studies will not be confined to political, economic or military aspects, but will in­
clude social and cultural matters.
Being concerned to encourage dialogue, they close, in preference to more tradi­
tionally academic settings, a meeting of eminent experts who are to exchange ideas in a
deliberately informal atmosphere. So what better title than "Les entretiens de Stras­
bourg" ("Strasbourg talks") to describe a project which is now becoming a reality.
Robert KOVAR
Chancellor of the Universlte des sciences juriaques,
politiques, sociales et de technologic de Strasbourg
opening of the panel
Robert KOVAR
It is both a duty and a great pleasure for me, as
President of the University of Legal, Political, Social and
Technological Sciences, to address a few words of welcome to
those gathered here today. The subject of our Panel is
clearly of paramount importance. For the relations between
the United States of America and Western Europe transcend the
destinies of the partners themselves and exercise a largely
decisive influence on most of the international issues. Bound
together essentially by attachment to common values, all
belonging to highly developed societies, often confronted by
similar problems of civilisation, sharing the same historical
and cultural heritage, facing up to the same challenges - we
cannot fail to have a keen sentiment of that which unites us.
Yet it would be otiose to disguise the fact that our interests
and our conceptions do not fully coincide. These divergences,
sometimes due to an element of mutual incomprehension, are the
consequence of differences of geographical position, of
economic and political facts peculiar to the United States and
to Western Europe. Moreover, the states composing the latter
entity, even those directly involved in building up a
Community Europe, do not always - far from it - hold identical
views on all points. Recognition of these realities, of this
right to differ, is the first condition for constructive
dialogue and effective co-operation between the two western
partners. This requirement is further strengthened by present
circumstances. Essentially on an equal footing, the group of
personalities meeting together in this forum will succeed, I am
convinced, thanks to the variety of background, training,
activity and even commitment of its members, in making a
valuable contribution to the dialogue which it is up to our
political leaders to undertake.
2 RELATIONS WESTERN EUROPE-UNITED STATES
The University of Legal, Political, Social and Techno­
logical Sciences of Strasbourg feels that it has done something
useful in organising this Panel with the help of the Council of
Europe Secretariat. Such a project could not have come to
fruition without the hard work done by Mr Baume1 and by my
colleague Professor Fran5ois-Georges Dreyfus, Director of our
University's Institute of Advanced European Studies. Its
success also owes much to the Secretary General of the Council
of Europe, who has shown his enthusiasm for this enterprise
which would have been impossible without him. I convey my
thanks to them, to their collaborators and to the
distinguished specialists who have kindly co-operated with us.
It remains for me to wish a resounding success to this first
Panel on relations between the United States of America and
Western Europe and to express the hope that it will be the
starting point for regular co-operation between the Council of
Europe Secretariat and the University, both bent on
contributing to the affirmation of Strasbourg's European, and
indeed global, vocation.
OPENING 3
Maurice THOSS*
I have first to apologise for the President of our
Assembly, who has been prevented from being here by duties of
a national character. He has asked me to emphasise that our
Assembly attaches the highest importance to this Panel. You
are aware that one of the main subjects, if not the main
subject, of debate at the first part of our 33rd session last
May was this very question of relations between Europe and the
United States and you know that this will again be the case at
the second part of our session at the end of September and the
beginning of October. Still more, that second instalment of
our debate on relations between Europe and the United States
will, for the first time, be attended by Canadian and American
parliamentarians. You also know that this Panel is being held
at a time when those relations are undergoing a transformation,
if only because of the changes of government not only in the
United States but likewise in Europe. At this very moment the
European summit of member countries of the European Communities
is taking place in Luxembourg, and there will very soon be
another important summit of the industrialised nations in
Ottawa. All that goes to show the importance of our Panel
today. I want to say once more that the Parliamentary
Assembly is following your discussions with very great interest
and, on behalf of its members, I wish you every success in your
work.
* Vice-Preäcient, representing the President of the Peuiiamentzuy Assembly of the Council of Europe
4 RELATIONS WESTERN EUROPE-UNITED STATES
Jacques BAUMEL*
I do not want to delay the opening of the discussion, but
will just say a few words explaining why we are here today. To
begin with, let me welcome the presence of such a large
number of distinguished Americans and Europeans at this
gathering in Strasbourg. Many of you have made a very long
journey to come here; it is in itself a success to have
assembled so many persons of great authority around us. My
special thanks go to those who have enabled us to bring the
members of this Panel together, including of course my friend
Mr Karasek, Secretary General of the Council of Europe,
Mr Wacker, Deputy to the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers
of the Council of Europe, and the President of our Parlia­
mentary Assembly. I may add that it is thanks to the
University of Strasbourg, its President and
Mr Frangois-Georges Dreyfus, that it was materially possible to
mount this operation, which ran into some difficulties at the
outset. I must also thank Mr Francis Rosenstiel, Head of the
Political Research and Study Unit at the Council of Europe,
who has proved a most efficient background organiser, and all
the directorates and departments of the Council which have
made it possible to meet here today.
In short, what is the point of this Panel? The idea of it
was, in a way, a sequel to the decision of the Parliamentary
Assembly's Political Affairs Committee to produce a report on
the problems of transatlantic relations; that report was duly
debated and voted on by our Assembly. It happens that the
question had not been discussed by the Parliamentary Assembly
• Rapporteur of the Parliamentaiv Assembly of the CouncU of Europe, President of the Academic Diptomatique Internationale and of the Fon-
dation du futur.