Date: 19 Aug 96 15:20:46 EDT

From: Christiane VERBEECK <101562.3313@CompuServe.COM>

To: CSPT France

Cc: DEIMANN-CLEMENS Monika <106055.3574@CompuServe.COM>,

ERWAN POUCHOUS <101734.305@CompuServe.COM>,

ICT John Ackerly ,

LECCARDI Carmen ,

LUTZER Stella ,

Parti Radical ,

TIN Robbie BARNETT ,

TSG-UK Tim NUNN ,

WTN

Subject: European Parliament

LOBBYING FOR TIBET IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

For all of us who want to start or intensify actions on behalf of Tibet in the European Parliament (EP), it is helpful to know of the various procedures that may be used to keep the Tibetan issue alive with the Institutions of the European Union (the EU Commission and the European Council of Ministers).

1. ORAL QUESTIONS to the Commission and/or Council, followed by a debate

Oral questions (which, despite its name, are always put in writing) can give rise to in-depth discussion of the issue in plenary session of the EP in Strasbourg. They are part of the ongoing dialogue (and sometimes bickering) between the EP, the Council of Ministers and the Commission. Usually such questions are submitted by a series of MEPs*; they transit through various groups and committees and are endorsed by them before reaching the plenary.

Questions which do not refer to a major political event may be difficult to get on the EP's agenda and the discussion risks being postponed if other issues are given priority.

The debate is eventually published in the EU's 'Official Journal C', which allows it to be used for further action.

2. WRITTEN QUESTIONS to the Commission and the Council

A written question has to be answered, but not within a given time limit. Every MEP is entitled to put written questions. If your contacts in the EP are good, you may even be allowed to draft the question yourself. Questions and answers are published in the 'Official Journal C' but don't attract much attention.

3. RESOLUTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Resolutions are discussed and voted on in plenary session. In case of major events - like Tienanmen- a resolution offers a swift and easy procedure.

Resolutions are drafted by one or several MEPs and submitted to Parliament by a group or committee. Having voted a resolution, the EP usually concludes by inviting the Commission and/or Council of Ministers to act upon it and/or forward it to other political bodies or authorities. (e.g. The resolution on Human rights in China was forwarded to the Secretary General of the UNO and to the President of the PRC).

However, resolutions are not binding.

Resolutions are published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Where Tibet resolutions are concerned, it is of essential importance that all MEPs be well informed of the major political aspects of the Tibetan issue, otherwise a resolution risks being watered down by a series of amendments while only a few are paying proper attention.

All the European TSGs are therefore urged to contact their MEPs and keep them informed.

4. PUBLIC HEARINGS

Groups supporting a specific cause may be invited to a Hearing by a special committee, such as the Sub-Committee on Human Rights. It takes a number of committed MEPs to achieve this. The impact of a Hearing depends largely on the follow-up given by the MEPs themselves, but also on the efficiency of outside lobbying.

This procedure allows to bring painful and difficult cases to the attention of the MEPs, who can then use the information received in discussions with EU officials of the Council and the Commission. The information may even find its way to the European Political Cooperation (Heads of State or Governement), through the dialogue between the EP and the European Council.

5. DELEGATIONS

A less-known platform within the EP are its 24 Delegations. Each Delegation is responsible for a given region or country. A Delegation is essentially a forum for the exchange of information. Once a year, the MEPs belonging to a Delegation visit 'their' special region or country, and their counterparts also come to Brussels.

The Delegation for China numbers some 20 MEPs. It may be worthwhile to contact them and talk them about the situation in Tibet.

In 1990, the first Belgian TSG's chairperson, Edith Ischebeck wrote this text for the European TSGs. Perhaps new members will still find it of interest. Chris When lobbying with the MEPs, one should not imagine that the EP has only limited political power. Indeed, since its creation, the EP has constantly extended its power, and will go on doing so in the years to come. Moreover, the Maestricht Treaty (1.1.94) has extended the EP's power considerably. It should also be kept in mind that MEPs are elected for a period of 5 years and that some may then go on to become ministers in their own country or senior officials of an EU * Institution, with a great deal of influence.

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For a network to function efficiently, information has to circulate. In other words, when one of the TSGs finds out, e.g. through a contact in a national ministry, that a regulation or a trade agreement -with implications for China or Tibet- is being prepared at the European level, this information should be passed on without delay to the EU contact (person or group), together with all the relevant details for further research. The fact that a TSG or NGO has a base in Brussels does not mean that it is informed of absolutely everything the 20.000 EU Commissioners and their officials are doing. But there may be ways to find out more about specific dossiers.

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* EP = European Parliament

MEP = Member of the European Parliament

EC = European Commission

EU = European Union