WESTERN EUROPE CANADA INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00865A002100240001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 12, 2001
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 12, 1975
• Content Type: NOTES

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on i ential
NOFORN
~Ilestern Europe
Canada
International Organizations
Confidential
No. 0304-75
November 12, 175
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WESTERN EUROPE -CANADA -INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
This publication is prepared for regional specialists in the Washington com-
munity by tl~e Western Europe Division, Office of Current Intelligence, with
occasional contributions from other offices within the Directorate of
Intelligence. Comments and queries are welcome. They should be directed to
the authors of the individual articles.
Italians Demand Step Toward a "Europe of
the R~=_gions" 1
Iceland?-UK Fishing Dispute at an Impasse :3
November 12, 1975
-i~
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Italians Demand Step Toward____a "_Europe of
thP_ Regions"
How would the European Community look if the
Nine's regional units got "equal representation"
in :B.russe:Ls with the member states? Such a region-
al Europe is in fact a long way from achievement,
but Italy's twenty regional governments have now
moved the issue from the realm of philosophy to
politics by requesting representation in order to
engage in a "direct dialogue" with community
aut:horitif~s .
That Italy's regions are the first to take
this step is not surprising: they have greater
responsibilities in certain fields than other
regions among the Nine. In Italy the regions are
now responsible for agriculture, some social ser-
vices and some aspects of regional development--
all of which get monies from the EC. Moreover,
regional acts are reviewed by the community to en-
sure consistency with EC rules. In pursuing its
program to decentralize government functions, Rome
will be transferring additional responsibilities
to the regions in the future.
The constitutional arguments in Italy give
the regions a good case. Also the regions are
justifiably disturbed by the bureaucratic inefficien-
cies in Rome that result in the loss of EC funds to
projects that are under their jurisdiction and want
to be able to discuss funding directly with the EC.
The .Italian foreign affairs ministry will
have trouble handling the regions' request. The
ministry recognizes the constitutional justification,
November 12, 1975
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but does not want to see its own position in Brussels
further undercut--other ministries already are repre-
sented separately there. More important is the un-
comfortable precedent regional representation would
set for other EC members, especially the UK and
France, which have serious problems with regions
seeking greater autonomy. One Italian official has
noted that a "pragmatic compromise solution" is
needed, but had no idea what such a solution might
be.
The regions' request has additional political
ramifications for Italy--and the community. Five
out of Italy's twenty regional administrations have
direct participation by the Communist Party. The
party would obviously be bolstered by an effective
extension of its governmental role, even if the
regions do not contest the constitutional right of
Rome to conduct foreign affairs. Communist partici-
pation in direct bargaining with EC authorities
would also tend to counter the arguments of some
of the party's opponents that the communists are
not serious in their support of the community.
The request of the Italian regions was accom-
panied by two specific proposals: that the presi-
dency of the EC Council establish a "link" with an
"inter-regional commission" and that a "regional
center" be created in Brussels.
Delay, anc~ possibl~.* even ministerial disapproval
in Rome, seems in store for the regions' request. It
is virtually certain nevertheless that only the open-
ing shots have been fired in what will be an import-
ant debate about Europe's future organization.
(CONFIDENTIAL NOFORN)
November 12, 1975
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Iceland-UK Fishing Dispute at an Impasse
A high ranking Icelandic official confirmed
to ?the U~ ambassador on November 11 that Iceland
and the UK remain far apart on a prospective
fishing agreement.
ExpE=_rt-level talks last week apparently
ac:h:ieved nothing, and a behind-the-scenes Icelandic
effort to sound out possible compromises has
also fai:Led. The official, in a private meeting
wi?t)i a UK representative, had been authorized
to raise Britain's annual fish catch to 65,000
tons. Until now, Reykjavik has refused to go
beyond 50,000 tons and the UK has been pressing
fo:r 130,000 tons. The Icelandic official thought
that: the British might agree to an 80,000 ton catch
but coulci not sell the new figure to the Icelandic
government.
The current agreement between Iceland and
thE~ UK expires tomorrow. Unless negotiations
gel= off t:he ground soon, there is a growing likelihood
of a new round of clashes between Icelandic and
Brit;ish vessels. Unconfirmed reports are circulating
in Reykjavik that UK warships are poised for
an '"attack" and the Fish Trawlers Captains Association
has called for a break in relations with London.
Meanwhile, negotiations for an agreement
wi:t:h West: Germany are proceeding apace, with
the only unresolved issue being the location
of fishing zones. Members of parliament representing
constituencies that border the proposed areas
have objected to what they regard. as West German
int:ru~sion. into Iceland's fishing waters. (CONFIDENTIAL
NOP'ORN
November 12, 1975
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Confidential
Confidential
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