WESTERN EUROPE - US: VISIT OF EDU DELEGATION

Created: 1/20/1983

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

WESTERNS: Visit of EDU Delegation

tha european democratic union delegation that arrives in washington on mondayroup of conservative west european political parties that ia truing to establish itself as ato the socialist international. |

Comment: The EDU, which was organizedrovides an international forum for the French Gaullists,

other conservative parties. Most affiliated parties believe membership gives them publicity and prestige that will improve their political prospects. The Italian and Benelux Christian Democrats participate only as observers, however, because they apparently fear formal association with the more rightist mcmbcrswould make them vulnerable to political attack. J

The EDU supports the maintenance of NATO,and free market economies. At its annuallast year, the union calledestoration of the military balance in Europe, endorsed the INF and strategic arms negotiations in Geneva, and favoredsanctions against states that abet terrorism. Partly because the members are reluctant to coordinate policies within the organization, however, the Union so far has failed to exert noticeable influence on the policies of West European governments. pJp^pj]s|

Union President Mock, who also is Chairman ofPeople's Party, probably will discuss thefor this summer to organize an internationalunion. The new group would link the EDU withformed Pacific Democratic Union--comprising ew 7 :1 rospective North ^une^Tcan^aemocraT.ic union

The European group hopes the proposed worldwide body wouldounterweight to the Socialiston global and North-South issues. Andemocratic union probably would be less influential than the Socialist International, however, because it would have far fewer Third World affiliates, nsa-

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