*** DAVID HEILBRON PRICE: Russia and the Danger for the European Union. Schuman's Proposal & Post-Soviet Europe. Bron Communications (E-mail: bron@schuman.org - Distribution: New Cherwell Press, 7 Mount St. Oxford OX2 6DH). 2000, 264 pages. ISBN 0-9527276-0-9.
And suppose we returned to the visionary principles of Robert Schuman? This, in essence, is the idea advocated by David Heilbron Price, former European Commission official and Vice-President of the Robert Schuman Institute for Europe, in an out-of-the-ordinary book marrying past and present to pave the way to a reunified and peaceful Europe in its full geographical dimensions. Including Russia!
Indeed, Russia, is the author's main concern, The disintegration of the Soviet Union "is comparable in importance to the collapse of the Roman Empire", he observes. But the West has responded to this major historic event with little more than "shock economists' policy" and political and military smugness. David Heilbron Price doesn't mince his words, accusing the West of having imposed the yoke of unbridled capitalism on Russia. And the result is that Russia is experiencing an economic depression far more serious than the Great Depression in the United States in the 30s. The vast majority of Russians, caught between poverty and runaway inflation, are experiencing "a capitalism that corrupts everything". Clearly, the Soviet Empire, which "at least gave its people security", has given way to a "rump Russian system that brings impoverishment, insecurity, unemployment and a corrupt form of capitalism". How can democracy take root in a country lacking in democratic tradition and how can the Russians be expected to resist the nationalist tendency to place their confidence in a strong leader or regime? Especially since the enlargement of NATO to countries of the Soviet glacis encourages Russian nationalists and neo-communists, which will not contribute to attainment of "the main objective of establishing lasting peace across Europe", including Russia and the Ukraine, as NATO's enlargement policy has discouraged the disarmament needed on both sides.
And thus we come to the problem of the security of Europe as a whole, including the Union which, since the accession of Finland, now has 1,300 km of frontier with Russia. The defensive security of the central and eastern European countries can only come through European Union membership. But the Union does not seem ready to fulfil its historic duty of "being ready", writes Price, denouncing the slowness of the enlargement process. The bureaucratic barrier of "33,000 pages of conditions" are a new paper curtain dividing Europe. By adopting this stance, the Fifteen are betraying the principles of Schuman, whose number one goal was to put a stop to war based on a valid supranational approach, for the continent as a whole. This duty still exists, argues David Heilbron Price, adding that it requires a strategy based not on the slowest methodology but on the most rapid.
So what is the answer? Resignation? This is hardly the author's style. Inspired by his illustrious intellectual leader, Price proposes going back to the sources to create a "virtuous cycle" of continental scale. Instead of letting the Treaty of Paris -founding the European Coal and Steel Community- lapse in 2002, it should be revived: "The Coal and Steel Treaty should be the first step to the accession of the central European states. With the signature, the candidate countries can be considered members of the European Union territorial area." Such a measure, argues Price, would build trust, confidence and security in the applicant countries and Russia, to the benefit of the security of Europe as a whole. And since coal has lost the strategic role it played 50 years ago, the ECSC Treaty should evolve into a European Energy and Steel Treaty. Provisions to this effect should strengthen and make more democratic those already linking Europe and Russia in the framework of the European Energy Charter. Such a treaty could be negotiated quite quickly, like the Treaty of Paris which took only nine months. It should be limited in duration (50 years at most), but would allow accession negotiations to move forward at their own pace without their slowness giving rise to psychological problems in the applicant countries. Would Russia and its neighbours in the Commonwealth of Independent States be invited to join this new Community? First, they would have to build a genuine market economy in these sectors and an effective legal system; democratic practices would thus constitute a sine qua non condition for membership. On the other hand, however, Price notes that they could become associate members, similar to the position of the United Kingdom between December 1954 and 1973. Through such membership, these countries would be directly involved in the European adventure. Their economies would benefit and so would democracy. And, consequently, the security of the continent as a whole... What would Schuman think of these ideas if he were alive? Michel Theys
*** WANDA DRESSLER, Ed.: Le second printemps des nations. Sur les ruines d'un Empire, questions nationales et minoritaires en Pologne (Haute Silésie, Biélorussie polonaise), Estonie, Moldavie, Kazakhstan. Etablissements Emile Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Bruxelles, Tel: (32-2) 5129845, fax: 5117202, E-mail: Bruylant@pophost.eunet.be, Internet: http: //http://www.bruylant.be ). 1999, 458 pages, FEB 3,300. ISBN 2-8027-1239-X.
Resulting from an international and multidisciplinary research programme financed by the French Ministry for Higher Education and the International Affairs Department of the CNRS, this work presents an extremely detailed analysis of the origins and increasingly meaningful forms of ethnic and national phenomena throughout eastern Europe. It also examines the present phase of internationalisation and transnationalisation of the phenomenon of national awakening. Launched in 1991 in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the project is based largely on a socio-linguistic approach seeking to decipher and anticipate minority problems in each of the countries studied. The contributors demonstrate the relation between present-day demands and nationalist phenomena -"the spring of peoples"- in these regions in the early 20th century. The conclusion is that a new idea of nation is in gestation at the dawn of this third millennium. Placing discourse on the nation in its sociological, cultural and geopolitical context, the contributors describe how global models borne by the concepts of nation and ethnicity can be reinterpreted locally and exert a real influence on the political nature of these rebuilding societies. The work concludes that the nations inherited from the former Soviet empire are incapable of becoming, in the foreseeable future, multicultural and democratic nations capable of integrating cultural diversity in a genuine and egalitarian citizenship. An exhaustive bibliography is included in this work, written in a somewhat hermetic style and meant for very well-informed readers. (ED)
*** FEE RAUERT. Das Kosovo. Eine völkerrechtliche Studie. Wilhelm Braunmüller (Universitäts-buchhandlung Ges.m.b.H., Tel: (43-1) 3191159, fax: 3102805, Email: braumueller@magnet.at, Internet: http: //http://www.braumueller.at ). "Ethnos" series, No 55. 1999, 252 pages. ATS 80, DEM 52, CHF 47. ISBN 3-7003-1265-2.
Discussing the situation in Kosovo from the standpoint of international law, this work lifts a corner of the complex veil covering this region of Europe, devastated by war and in search of an official identity, revealing the constitutionally inextricable nature of the problem. The author turns to the historical background to explain how mistrust and hatred between the Kosovar Albanians and the Serbs have never ceased growing, leading the former to demand self-rule. This development was encouraged by the fact that the guaranteed protection to which they are constitutionally entitled as a minority was insufficient, as territorial autonomy is not mentioned. Fee Rauert also analyses the "classic" concept of the law of secession in force in international bodies such as the United Nations, allegedly not applicable in Kosovo. In this connection, she brings to light a concept proper to European states, the criteria of which could correspond to the situation in Kosovo, even if these criteria seem "questionable" since, until now, there has been no recognition of an independent republic of Kosovo. But the author concludes that the human rights violations that were seen in the Kosovo conflict justify the right of secession in both its "classic" and European concept, even if this option should be rejected owing to its "dogmatic inconsistency". (CB)
*** VASSILIKI LALAGIANNI, Ed.: Femmes écrivains en Méditerranée. Editions Publisud (15 rue des Cinq-Diamants, F-75013 Paris). Tel: (33-1) 45807850, fax: 4589415, Email: publisud@compuserve. com). "Espaces méditerranéens" series. 1999, 201 pages, FRF 148. ISBN 2-86600-794-8.
This collection of essays edited by Mrs Lalagianni, Lecturer in literature from the French-speaking world at Thessaly University (Greece), examines woman as both writer and the subject of literature in Mediterranean literature. The volume is an endeavour to "describe another face of the Mediterranean, to understand a new dimension, its creative and social feminine dimension". The ten essays highlight "the theme of the social dimension in the work of women writers, which tries to erase division and conflict in the Mediterranean area in order to reach the tormented truth of the human and historic condition". The first four studies concentrate on women's efforts to define their identity in a society which denies them the right of speech (the Orient in the late 19th century, Malta, Sardinia and Greece). The patriarchal and patrilinear societies of the Maghreb and the profound changes in the status of women in these societies are addressed in the next three essays. The last three contributions discuss the work of contemporary women writers, dealing more particularly with violence, repression and expatriation (Egypt, Cyprus and Turkey). (CB)
*** MONDHER SFAR: Le Coran est-il authentique? Sfar Editions (1 rue Cassini, F-75014 Paris, Tel: (33-1) 43296898, fax: 43292679, E-mail: cassini@compuserve.com; distributed by Editions du Cerf). 2000, 158 pages, FRF 64. ISBN 2-9511936-2-9.
Published "in solidarity with Editions Aloès, which is persecuted in Tunisia", this work was written by a Tunisian philosopher and historian, whom orthodox Muslims could well place among the most infamous blasphemers. As the author notes straight away, questioning the authenticity of the Koran "is an act of particular sacrilege against one of Islam's principal dogmas, after belief in God and his prophet". Mondher Sfar takes not only this risk, but also the even greater one of presenting a scientific view which, while fully respecting the values of this Religion du Livre, interprets the Koran in the light of the human adventure, with a critical eye that some will never pardon... (MT)
*** The Ageing & Development Report. Poverty, Independence & the World's Older People. HelpAge International (111 rue Froissart, B-1040 Bruxelles. Tel: (32) 022800771, fax: 022801522, E-mail: helpage.brussels@skynet.be) and Earthscan Publications (120 Pentonville Road, London N1 9JN. Tel: (44-171) 2780433, fax: 2781142, E-mail: earthinfo@earthscan.co.uk, http: //http://www.earthscan.co.uk ). 1999, 201 pages, GBP 14.95. ISBN 1-85383-648-6.
The United Nations General Assembly declared 1999 "International Year of the Elderly" and asked the NGO HelpAge International to conduct a study on older people in the developing countries. This publication presents the extremely enlightening results of that study. As the world is undergoing an unprecedented ageing process, which is even affecting developing nations, and the phenomena of urbanisation and migration are destructuring long-standing family and community relations, this timely report clearly describes present policies and options for the future in terms of helping the elderly in 46 countries. Different articles draw attention to the many facets of the problem, from gender inequality to denial of women's right to retirement in certain countries, to the often problematic case of widows. Some studies focus on specific countries, including India, Cambodia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and the central and eastern European countries. In the latter, the family still plays a role of social solidarity, but unemployment and inflation are straining these ties. A thorough and convincing study! (LD)
*** Evropaiki Ekfrassi. 54 Omirou St., Athens 10672, Tel: (30-1) 3643223, fax: 3646953, E-mail: ekfrasi@ekfrasi.gr, Internet: http: //http://www.ekfrasi.gr. Quarterly, Vol. 36 (January-February-March 2000), 64 pages.
This journal -in Greek- takes a general look at the issues of the day in Europe. Volume 36 examines European citizenship, the EU's role in cultural development and the IGC. Several articles in English also discuss the political commitment of the federalists and European air transport policy.
*** EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Dialogue with Citizens and Business. Listening to Citizens. A report by the Signpost Service, a division of the "Europe Direct" initiative (toll-free number: 0800-920 39, Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/citizens). March 2000, 20 pages. Also available in French and German.
This report was drawn up by the Signpost Service as part of the "Dialogue with Citizens and Business" proramme. The goal of the initiative is twofold: on the one hand, to make people more aware of their rights within the European Union, in particular the single market; and on the other, to establish two-way communication with citizens in order to obtain feedback about the problems they have in exercising their rights. The Signpost Service tries to provide a first solution to specific problems raised by citizens via telephone or internet. This brochure describes the activities of the Signpost Service, the type of problems that are raised by citizens and the assistance provided by the Service.
*** EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Single Market Scoreboard. Commission Staff working paper (http: //europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/). May 2000, No 6, 45 pages. Also available in French.
This paper discusses follow-up of the New Strategy for the Single Market and the Financial Services Action Plan, provides an overview of the internal market regulatory environment, takes a look at price monitoring and Member State information networks at the service of citizens, and highlights the importance of the "Dialogue with Citizens and Business".
*** Revue du marché commun et de l'Union européenne. Editions Techniques et économiques (3 rue Soufflot, F-75005 Paris, Tel: (33-1) 55426130, fax: 55426139). Annual subscription: EUR 153.97 (FRF 1,010) for France and EUR 182.94 (FRF 1,200) for other countries.
This monthly has come out with a special issue, edited in cooperation with Europartenaires, entitled "Towards Unified Law in the European Area?" The contributors begin with a look at the problem of unified law, "an issue both cultural and legal", and the concepts of law and justice, the indissociable vectors of European construction. The study then continues with three sections entitled "Unification, harmonisation, co-operation, subsidiarity, political approaches", "European Law: An Institutional Approach", and "Law, Judges and Citizens: Theoretical and Practical Approaches". The conclusion discusses the tendency towards the development of fundamental rights at Community level.
*** Regard européen. Editions Letizia (75 rue de Lourmel, F-75015 Paris, Tel: (33-1) 47272254, fax: 47272258). No 13, March 2000, 126 pages. Annual subscription (4 issues): EUR 46 (FRF 300).
In the wake of the publication in January of the first half of the papers delivered in Strasbourg at the 45th General Assembly of the Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA), this issue reproduces the second half. Entitled "From the Defence of Europe to the Europe of Defence", this issue includes some 30 articles dealing with various aspects of European security.
*** Tribulations économiques de l'Armement européen. Rapport du Cirpes (Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches sur la Paix et d'Etudes Stratégiques, 54 bvd Raspail, F-75006 Paris, Tel: (33-1) 49542371, fax: 49542679, cirpes@ehess.fr). Cahier d'études stratégiques No 24, 126 pages, FRF 94.
This volume deals with developments in the European armaments industry. It examines successively the trends in 1996 and 1997 seen in the economic results of French armaments firms, changes in French armaments production in 1997-98, the health of European armaments firms, the evolution from 1993 to 1996 of the major European arms industries, the industrial development of the armaments sector in Europe (in 1997/98) and the "Europeanisation" of the market.
*** Futuribles. 55 rue de Varenne, F-75341 Paris Cedex 07, tel: (33-1) 536337701, fax: 42226554, revue@futuribles.com, http: //http://www.futuribles.com ). No 253, May 2000, 96 pages. Annual subscription: EUR 105.19 (FRF 690) for France or 112.81 (740) for other states and OCTs.
In this issue: changing values in France, reform of the unemployment benefits system and the decomposition of central Europe and the Balkans analysed by Pierre Béhar (author of "Vestiges d'empires").