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No freedom for the press Oh, for the First Amendment in Europe! Freedom of the press went out the window in Brussels on May 20 when Euromatthe coin machine "parliament"-declared war on its only allies, the international trade press . In a startling set of events, which suprised even some of its own inner circle of officials, Euromat banned the trade press from attending its annual general meeting held at the Sheraton Hotel. The press corps actually travelled to Brussels, only to walk out in disgust at the behavior of what is supposed to be an organization in place to look after the European trade 's interests should the European Community impose harmonized coin machine laws within the community. Euromat is an umbrella organization for around 15 trade associations in the coin machine industry from 12 different countries. It has been in existence for 15 years, holding regular meetings of its presidium - the president and other senior representativesand an annual delegate's meeting . It is to this general meeting that the press has always been welcome, and a good rapport had been built up between the organization and the media. Just days before this annual meeting, some of the PLAY METER 14 regular trade press- not "We wrote recently that perhaps its only allies, the all- were informed that Euromat was a coin international trade press. "All of the publications they would not be admit- machine trade associated to the meeting. They tion speaking with a represented there would were told that it had been clamor of different voices. have presented a fair imdecided at a presidium Never was the point age ofEuromat 's policies meeting several weeks driven home more ac- and ideals to the internaearlier. The long gap be- curately than in Brussels tional coin-op industry tween that decision and in the chaotic circum- and to legislators . My the information actually stances surrounding the own publication, in parreaching a small portion press ban. The credibility ticular, has done much to of the press raised eye- ofEuromat as a body able foster good relations betbrows. They were raised to sustain a role of Euro- ween Euromat and the even further when senior pean spokesman with the European community members of the presi- European community during the run-up to the dium told the press that has always been ques- single market at the end they had no memory of tioned. Once again it has of 1992 . We have been such a decision being revealed the cracks in its rewarded with rejection. taken. They went so far as anatomy by presenting a May 20 was a sad day for to doubt the accuracy of divided front in an un- democracy and an even the minutes allegedly precedented attack on sadder day for Euromat. " taken at that meeting. The press was advised to travel to Brussels . Gossman to head Atlas division Upon arrival they were Electronic Repair Division (ERDl. told that under pressure from his colleagues, presiThe new shop will have dent Willy Michiels of a pickup and delivery serBelgium had agreed to lift vice within a 100-mile the ban-partially. The radius of Pittsburgh. Vice press was to be admitted president Jim Wittler exto the afternoon session plained, "By expanding only. our service shops , we This angered jourhave been able to open nalists, who pointed out new avenues to better that while attendance serve our customer-client was a privilege, it was one base, while at the same set in 15 years of practice Alan Gossman time capture a portion of and precedent and therean under-serviced marfore was as close to a right ket. We are positive we as was possible without Atlas Distributors of have chosen the right being "set in stone. " They Pittsburgh, Pa., recently man for the job." waited until an hour into opened a new service diviGossman comes to Atthe morning session to sion to be headed by Alan las with a long history in see if the ban would be Gossman. The new ven- the vending industr y, lifted . When it wasn 't , ture is specifically for the specifically with repair they left the building in repair of solid state vend- and service of coinage disgust. ing circuit boards, bill ac- products. His backAfter the event Chris- ceptors, and coin mech- ground includes five tine Butterworth, editor of anisms. It is appropriate- years as branch manager EuroS!ot, commented, ly called Atlas Re-Con of Coin Acceptors Inc . JULY1992