Some things best left forgotten. Some of the considerations contained in this column yesterday and the day before on the EU line to take on the Arab Spring attempted to avoid the rhetoric that usually accompanies these subjects (as if the countries concerned were more bothered about receiving compliments than obtaining objective analyses). Unsurprisingly, we pointed out that the EU is subject to the usual criticism regarding internal disagreements, an inability to make decisions and so on and so forth. This criticism ignores the legal limitations and Community remit that currently exist. It is true that a few Italian figures have chosen two or three unfortunate and disingenuous turns of phrase, which could justify the point that this column usually makes with regard to participation in the euro: the door is always open to those that want to leave. If we had to take certain comments seriously, this concept would require further expansion: the EU is not a prison and everyone is free to leave if they so wish. Nonetheless, in Italy, the reactions and appeals for reasonable reflection were immediate at even the most senior levels of society and our publication provided a comprehensive report on this issue yesterday.
The Schengen area cannot be touched. Let's not attach any more importance to a few absurdities than they actually deserve. What counts is for the EU to make a virtue out of current shortcomings in order to make a leap forward, similar to the one accomplished in the field of the single currency and economic governance. To begin with, existing rules should be applied and respected, particularly with regard to the spectacular and symbolic success of European construction that the Schengen area represents. National borders have been removed within this area and citizens can travel from one country to the other without even realising that they have gone across the border. Most member states that are not part of this area are only thinking of one thing and that's joining it and all the non-EU countries surrounding this area are doing their best to obtain visa waivers for accessing Schengen. How can we allow such a situation to be compromised by the difficulties being caused by the illegal immigration of several thousand young Tunisians?
The young Tunisians must stay at home. Before the ministerial debates, Commissioner Cecilia Malmström spoke about the problem of illegal Tunisian immigrants, irrespective of the legal questions involving their movement within the Schengen area, “They are economic migrants, not refugees requesting the right of asylum. We must help Tunisia, this small and fragile country, take these migrants back and also demonstrate the solidarity we have promised the country”. It is quite clear that, for the European Commission, the specific problem involving young Tunisians should not be allowed to compromise the way in which the Schengen area operates. This area has rules that should be respected, updated or improved if necessary. President Barroso has just promised the democratically elected Tunisian government specific financial support in return for this government agreeing to the return of its nationals who are now illegally residing in Europe.
Berbers, Kurds, Armenians, Copts: rights that must be respected. One significant and positive aspect of the Arab Spring deserves to be underlined: the recognition of ethnic minorities in the countries now converting to freedom and democracy. There are many minorities and very often their rights have not hitherto been recognised. In certain cases, these rights have still not been acknowledged. Without wishing to make a list of them, it is well-known that, in several cases, some of these minorities had inhabited certain areas before the Arab conquest and even before the existence of Islam as a religion. It is obvious that there is no question of discussing the legitimacy of the Arab authorities in power. Conquests and the displacement of entire populations are part of the history of the world and now no one would dream of contesting the presence of white Caucasians in the two American continents. But in areas where indigenous people maintain their identity and civilisation, it is only right that they also benefit from the affirmation of democracy and freedom. Berbers, Kurds, Armenians and Copts: their identity and their rights have in certain cases already been recognised and in other areas the intention of doing so has been made clear. Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco, has announced that the Berber section of the population in his country will be recognised in the constitution. In other countries, fraternity in diversity is already taking place and we can point to cases where Muslims and Christians have prayed together to celebrate freedom. It is also true that, at the same time, a number of fears persist and certain observers consider that the fanatics are currently quite successfully concealing their intentions to build religious states in opposition to the principle of the secular state.
If these groups are checked and they do not prevail, progress towards freedom and democracy, the fundamental objective of the Arab Spring will be real and very significant. (F.R.trans/fl)