February 2000

Visit by SI Cwmbran to the EU Parliament in Brussels

Report from Edith Price

SI Cwmbran and District were joined by members from other clubs in the Region and friends on a visit to Brussels. The visit was enjoyable and enlightening. The structures and functions of the E.U. were well explained by Herr Klaus Hofmann and the relevance of the E.U. to us all. Failure by a Member State to implement European directives can result in stiff financial consequences. The Plenary Meeting Chamber is enormous and impressive.

Caroline Lewis with Glenys Kinnock and members and friends of SI Cwmbran

It was interesting to note that the bulk of the business takes place in the Committees and not in the Chamber. The Parliament then considers the recommendations for action. The party was addressed by Mrs. Glenys Kinnock M.E.P who is an honorary member of the Cwmbran Club. She stressed the need for Soroptimists to continue to campaign against landmines and to bring pressure to bear on the non-signatories of the Treaty banning their use. (At the International Women's Day meeting in Cardiff later in the month she had just returned from Angola and had been horrified by the lack of care for the victims.) She also wanted pressure to be maintained on the 'Banana Issue' and also on Third World Debt. A recent newspaper report said that Mozambique's repayment would be waived for one year only, after which in spite of the long-term devastation caused by the floods, the debt would have to be repaid.

The following day, a visit was made to Bruges and Ghent and a shopping bonanza was experienced (by some) at Calais on the way home! Our intellect (and ability to come by facts) was well tested by a Brussels quiz organised on the coach by a Soroptimist supporter.

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