Heads in the Sand

THE British government was planning an amusing little ceremony for July 1, when it took over the rotating presidency of the European Community. A logo had been devised for Britain’s six months in the presidential chair: a lion stepping into the EC’s circle of stars. Someone thought it would be a good idea to bring a newborn lion cub to the press conference that day, and have it christened by a Foreign Office minister. Unfortunately, although several pregnant lionesses were located in British zoos, none could be guaranteed to deliver on time. One zoo offered a baby giraffe instead; but the offer was declined.

Foreign Office officials are notorious for their lack of imagination. Abandoning their search for cuddly mammals, they could have settled instead on the perfect symbol for the European Community at this crucial moment in its history: an ostrich with its head in the sand. Alternatively, a headless chicken could have been encouraged to run around in a few circles. For the truth is that, ever since the Danes rejected the Maastricht Treaty on June 2, the atmosphere in the council chambers of the EC has been frantic with indecision. The only consistent policy has been the desperate one of pretending that the Danish vote never happened.

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Noel Malcolm

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THE British government was planning an amusing little ceremony for July 1, when it took over the rotating presidency of the European Community. A logo had been devised for Britain’s six months in the presidential chair: a lion stepping into the EC’s circle of stars. Someone thought it would be a good idea to bring a newborn lion cub to the press conference that day, and have it christened by a Foreign Office minister. Unfortunately, although several pregnant lionesses were located in British zoos, none could be guaranteed to deliver on time. One zoo offered a baby giraffe instead; but the offer was declined.

Foreign Office officials are notorious for their lack of imagination. Abandoning their search for cuddly mammals, they could have settled instead on the perfect symbol for the European Community at this crucial moment in its history: an ostrich with its head in the sand. Alternatively, a headless chicken could have been encouraged to run around in a few circles. For the truth is that, ever since the Danes rejected the Maastricht Treaty on June 2, the atmosphere in the council chambers of the EC has been frantic with indecision. The only consistent policy has been the desperate one of pretending that the Danish vote never happened.