CONTENTS Page Papers and summaries from working sessions: I. Questions and answer period: Questions of European delegation_. Questions of American delegation_. III. Multinational corporations: PREFACE This ninth meeting of the delegations of the House of Representatives and of the European Parliament was, in the judgment of the participants, the most successful to date. Partly this was due to the well-balanced and well-prepared delegations on both sides and partly to the good blend of experienced members and those participating for the first time. The American delegation of 15 members was the largest ever to participate in one of these programs; it was composed of five members of our committee, an equal number from the Committee on Ways and Means with the remaining five from three other House committees. This combination brought a wide range of interests and experience to the provocative papers and presentations made by both delegations. Our practice of meeting in different countries of the European Community's nine members has been extremely useful for both the American and the European participants. The exceptional graciousness of our Irish hosts helped both delegations to gain an excellent understanding of both the diversity and character of Ireland and of that country's strong commitment to a united Europe. The important decisions which the European Community will soon make on direct elections to the European Parliament may mark the start of a new and more vital stage of development for this assembly. Direct elections, now tentatively scheduled for May 1978, will also stimulate the growth of European political parties with broad implications both within and without the Parliament. We feel fortunate in having developed a close and fruitful working relationship with our parliamentary colleagues in Europe as they take these steps toward unification which may be the most important political development in this entire century. (IX) DONALD M. FRASER. BENJAMIN S. ROSENTHAL. PROGRAM 1 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1976 Morning-Arrivals of the Delegation of the European Parliament. 1230-Arrival of U.S. Delegation by special plane from Brussels and transfer to Shelbourne Hotel. Lunch free. 14:00-Departure by bus from hotels for Dublin Castle, George's Hall. 14:30 Official welcome by Dr. Conor Cruise O Brien, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, representing the Irish Government, and the Presidents of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament). 14:45 Session I (George's Hall): Question and answer period (1 hour). Each Delegation answering questions submitted in advance by the other delegation. 15:45-Coffee break in the Bermingham Tower Room. 16:00-17:30-Session II-Development of East-West Relations: "Is Détente Dead?" (Papers by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Karth.) "The European Scene in the Year After Helsinki." (Paper by Mr. Jahn.) 18:30-19:30 Cocktails offered by Hon. Walter J. P. Curley, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, at U.S. Embassy. 20:15-"Ceili" Evening and Dinner offered by the European Parliament Delegation at the Royal Hibernian Hotel. THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1976 09:30-Session III-(Dublin Castle, George's Hall): Discussion of a Working Document on a Draft Code of Principles on Multinational Enterprises and Governments. (Joint presentation by Messrs. Lange and Gibbons.) 11:30-Coffee Break. 11:45 Departure for excursion by coaches in the scenic Dublin Moun tains. (Lunch en route at Lamb Doyles, Sandyford.) Members of the two Delegations proceed by coach to Aras an Uachtarain, Phoenix Park, the residence of the President of Ireland. 16:00 Parliamentary Delegations to be received by the President of Ireland, Mr. Cearbhaill O Dalaigh. Return to Dublin Castle. 1See p. 85 for study mission programs for Brussels, Stockholm, and Rome. |