Brussels, 02/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - "Simply say yes to the European constitution". it was with these terms that German Social Democrat Jo Leinen, vice present of the European Movement and president of the European Federalists Movement and the Constitutional Affairs Committee at the European Parliament launched the European Movement's "yes" campaign. On Wednesday Jo Leinen told journalists, "I am pleased that as a Member State Lithuania has already ratified the text. Only 24 more to go! We're highlighting countries where a referendum is planned. The European Movement thinks that it is perhaps useful over the next two years. Our organisation…has ramifications in 25 EU Member States…We want the support of political parties and as many civil society organisations as possible".
The European Movement want to introduce a clearly European dimension to the future national campaigns. Dangers exist of debates on the European constitution turning into quarrels on internal policy at a Member State level or even a party political level. Jo Leinen hopes that "it will be possible to separate discussions on the constitution and those on Turkey". On the same occasion Andrew Duff, who led the Liberal group at the European Convention said that, "There is a need to formulate a common message on the Constitution. At a level of Heads of State, Chirac will say that the Constitution will strengthen Europe's position vis-à-vis the USA. Blair can't say that and Schröder has not yet expressed his position very clearly. The 'Communicating Europe' initiative of the Irish and Dutch presidencies lacks enthusiasm. Balkenende ought to have got Blair, Schröder and Chirac to meet up and to have asked them what the European Union could do to sell the case for a constitution". Duff believes that, "the European Movement can ensure an official quality control line that we get from European leaders. We want to take part in national debates. If the rather unclear messages circulate in Member States, ask us to clarify them!"
The YES initiative campaign includes training activities, conferences public action, a lobby and close relations with the press. José Maria Gil-Robles present of the European Movement, explained that in Spain, there would be an initial referendum on 20 February 2005 and that they had distributed 8000 games expelling the constitution. He said they were planning to hold two seminars with the media in December and January and had organised a Flamenco show for he constitution. Gil-Robles said that television would be the most suited means of directly and simultaneously reaching a large number of European citizens. A list of celebrities from the art and sports world would support the initiative being studied. In the meantime there is already an internet site online: (http: //http://www.yes-campaign.net/ ).