Duff proposes new preamble

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PRESS RELEASE

Release: Wednesday 4 June 2003

ANDREW DUFF PROPOSES NEW PREAMBLE

Liberal spokesman Andrew Duff has proposed a revised draft of the Preamble to the Constitution. Mr Duff said that the draft Preamble of President Valery Giscard d'Estaing was a good start. "It tells the right story. However, to be immediately striking across all language regimes and in all cultures some shortening would be desirable, as well as crystallisation."

Here is his text: "Affirming liberty, equality and respect for reason as the essential values of European civilisation, Inspired by the cultural, religious and humanist heritage of Europe, which has embedded within society respect for the inviolable and inalienable rights of the individual and for the rule of law, Believing that a united Europe will foster these values, contribute to the welfare of its peoples and deepen democracy, Committed to promoting peace, justice and solidarity throughout the world, Determined to transcend their ancient divisions and to forge a common destiny in a federal union, Convinced that Europe, thus united in its diversity and conscious of its responsibilities towards future generations and the Earth, will be a beacon of human hope, Organising their relations together on the basis of the work of the European Convention, Henceforward establish this as the Constitution of the European Union."

/ENDS..