To reiterate what Mr Simpson said here's a paste of final paragraph on his email to me... maybe it's identical to other replies received...
"My final point is that no problem would exist if the United States recognised EU licences. Reciprocity would follow from the EU and the problem would be solved. It may be that IAOPA would do well to lobby the Government of the USA to seek such reciprocity and you may wish to do this on a personal basis also"
Being cannon fodder to a political argument really does suck..
He even hinted that if no BSA could be agreed then there may be a postponement of the 2014 deadline:
"While every effort has to be put into ensuring a mutual recognition agreement with the US, I am also aware that there needs to be a certain degree of flexibility if no agreement is reached before the set deadline. It is for this reason that the possibility to postpone the 2014 date for the validation or conversion of third country licences, should negotiations with the US fail, has been left open"
