*** FRANZ KERNIK, JEAN CALLAGHAN, PHILIPPE MANIGART: Public Opinion on European Security and Defense. A Survey of European Trends and Public Attitudes Toward CFSP and ESDP. Peter Lang (Frankfurt am Main. Internet: http://www.peterlang.de ). "Studies for Military Pedagogy, Military Science & Security Policy", No. 7. 2002, 123 pp. ISBN 3-631-39173-0.
At a time when the governments of European countries and the United States are assessing, sometimes in pain, the impact (against the backdrop of the Second Gulf War) of their recent decisions on public opinion in their countries, and after plotting a course through this red-hot situation, trying to rely on public opinion the way they imagined it to be and attempted to mould it (prepared at times to resolutely oppose it), it seems a very useful idea to consider as systematically as possible the central issue in western democracies, the weight of public opinion in political decision-making on defence and security matters in the European Union.
There is no denying that this is a key issue. Certainly not the only factor in decisions, public opinion remains, in democracies, one of the determining factors upon which decision-makers base their action. Fickle and flighty, constantly changing in the light of the impact of decisions themselves taken with regard to public opinion, this public opinion is far removed from exact science. All the same, particularly in the domain of security and defence, it is wholly in the interest of politicians and decision-makers wanting to base their decisions on public opinion, justify them after the event or try to influence public opinion in favour of decisions to be taken, to understand as best they can the latest situation in the highly fluctuating opinion polls. Understanding the statistics is the first step, knowing how little value these statistics are is the second step in mastering this subject. Considering the entire range of parameters that can modify thinking hic et nunc is a key factor in the taking of difficult decisions like in the recent Balkan crises or the Gulf , where difficult decisions have abounded in recent times.
This research, carried out by fellow in political science at Innsbruck University, a research director at the George C. Marshall European Security Study Centre at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany and a professor of sociology at the Brussels Royal Military Academy, provides eight chapters analysing eight fundamental aspects of this issue, the relationship between public opinion and the EU's new security and defence policies. The idea underlying each approach is observing how public perception of ideas and concepts like strengthened cooperation between Member States on security and defence matters, or the European Rapid Reaction Force, changes over time. The spirit of this approach also takes its inspiration from changes in the relevant communities in EU Member States in ideas of risk, ranging from fears of non-Western military blocks to the recent post-communist idea of the complex, diffuse risk of terrorism, natural or artificial risks of accidental technical accidents or deliberate ones like the accidental launch of nuclear missiles, ethnic conflict in Europe, NBC or conventional NBC contamination, organised crime, epidemics, etc.
Reading this book, readers will discover (aided by a plethora of graphics) how public opinion has changed with regard to the army, the police, the United Nations, NATO, politicians, the Church even, the justice system and many other institutions. To make these comparisons, the authors draw on the abundant existing polls (which they describe as empirical) along with Eurobarometer 54.1 carried out in autumn 2000 (and publicised in May 2001) by Belgian defence minister André Flahaut with the aim of getting a better idea of changes in European public opinion on the second pillar of common policy, as defined by the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, namely the EU's foreign and security policies.
Pascal Burgeon
*** ANDRE DUMOULIN, RAPHAEL MATHIEU, GORDON SARLET: La politique européenne de sécurité et de défense (PESD): de l'opératoire à l'identitaire. Genèse, structuration, ambitions, limites. Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Brussels. Internet: http://www.bruylant.be ). "Organisation internationale et relations internationales" series, No. 54. 2003, 938 pp. ISBN 2-8027-1689-1.
The full title of this huge, detailed book prefaced by the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, speaks volumes about its authors' ambitions - to attempt to "examine the premises and outcomes of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), in the military, political and doctrinal fields ". Messrs. Dumoulin, Mathieu and Sarlet describe their work as a "modest explanation, both analytical and descriptive, of the changeover from ESID to ESDP, looking at its institutional, diplomatic, operational, political, cultural and industrial dimensions", and do not simply describe the ins and outs of this cumbersome “changeover” (using various reference documents, useful to read or re-read) but provide their own comments, often highly critical of the players in the now clearly established process of considering this "sensitive, complex and moving issue". Where things at times suddenly start to take off, as proven recently by the Belgian initiative to relaunch European defence, supported by France, Germany and Luxembourg. (MG)
*** Les Cahiers de la Pesc. Institut européen des Relations internationales (27/A bld Charlemagne, B-1000 Brussels. Tel./Fax: (32-2) 2801495 - E-mail: pon30204@planetinternet.be). 2003, 35 pp.
This publication describes itself as a tool in the establishment of a “diplomacy of ideas”, attempting in this working paper to "consider the international situation" in the light of the Second Gulf War in order to measure its repercussions on the work of the Convention. Under the heading “Enlarged Unipolarism or Multipolarity?”, there is an attempt to interpret these disagreements in the West and in the debate surrounding the international setup of the future. There is a contribution from Jean-Louis Bourlanges ("Governing the European Union") and Ferdinando Riccardi on the need for the European Union to allow the development in its midst of “two Europes”. Last but not least, there is a foreword where the President of the European International Relations Institute, Irnerio Séminatore, adventures into a surprising and impressive “plea for an arbitrary analogy” between Machiavelli and Giscard, from the starting point that Bush and Blair's military campaign in Mesopotamia raised the same issues as Charles VIII's descent into Italy in 1494, fuelling the same disagreements about the foundations of the “political city” as during the Renaissance. This dispute was taken up by the Convention under a brutal crossing of swords at the dawning of the refound unity of the European Continent… "Is Giscard the modern reincarnation of Machiavelli, and beyond him, Satan?" The fact alone that this question is being asked should fill the Convention Chairman with pleasure! (MT)
*** ALESSANDRA LANG: Le risoluzioni del Consiglio di Sicurezza delle Nazioni Unite e l´Unione europea. Dott. A. Giuffrè Editore (40 via Busto Arsizio, I-20151 Milan. Tel: (39-2) 38089290 - Fax: 38009582 - Internet: http: //http://www.giuffre.it ). "Università degli Studi di Milano, Facoltà di Scienze politiche, Dipartimento di Studi internazionali", No. 18. 2002, 184 pp, 14 euros. ISBN 88-14-09744-5.
This research takes a timely look at an issue of clearly outstanding political importance, namely the connection between United Nations Security Council resolutions and the European Union. In five chapters looking at sanctions voted by the Security Council, relations between the EU and the Security Council, the implementation of UN resolutions in the EU, the actions of Member States within the framework of EU activity, and how domestic and EU action impacts on private individuals, the author demonstrates a concern for detail that bears witness to how seriously she has worked. This publication leaves the reader dissatisfied, however, since it tends to be too legalistically and affirmatively presented, with a lack of clear, detailed conclusions, new proposals or innovatory views. That said, the case histories and legal clarifications provide a good illustration of the complex constellation of the EU and the UN. Two organisations whose relations merit greater political attention and more detailed research and analysis. (PB)
*** Trans-Atlantic relations: a year after 11 September 2001. On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September 2002 The Acte Du Colloque organised a symposium at the Palais d'Egmont (Brussels). Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5129845 - fax: 5117202 - E-mail: info@bruylant.be - Internet: http: //http://www.bruylant.be ). "Bibliothèque de la Fondation Paul-Henri Spaak" series. 2003, 163 p. ISBN: 2-80271443-0.
As suggested by its title, this book aims to present an account of the discussions that took place at the symposium. Reflections upon this theme, Trans-Atlantic relations is divided into three parts: "Relations between Europe and the USA", "The European Convention" and the "economic situation". On the first subject, one of the participants brought up the new configuration of the context in which the two sides of the Atlantic find themselves. He considers that, "the existence of a single superpower and the uncertainties experienced by everybody, including the USA, are the reasons for the profound change in the relationship between the latter and their allies". That said, the person who came up with these ideas, perfectly summarised the existential anxiety present in current Trans-Atlantic relations and that the distressing intervention in Iraq has made this more so. In order to ensure "total freedom of speech", the editors of the book deliberately omitted the names of those contributing to the debate. That said, the list of participants leaves no surprises as to the quality of the debates. Viscount Davignon declares in his introduction that "this subject is perhaps too current". No truer words have been spoken about the few months old war in Iraq. Although the pertinent analysis is made difficult by the question of time, it is not, nonetheless, impossible to confirm the quality of the ideas relayed in this book. (AD)
*** PAUL SIMELON: Napoléon, César et les autres…. Le césarisme des origines à Alexandre Lebed. Editions Alzieu (19 rue Chenoise, F-38816 Grenoble. Tel: (33-4) 76510951). 2002, 274 p. ISBN: 2-914093-67-5.
Paul Simelon, Doctor of Philosophy and Literature, sets about examining the array of strong men, who since Roman Antiquity to the present day, have changed the course of history. Simelon believes that no historical necessity can be used by authoritarian systems, whatever they are, to justify the crimes for which they are guilty. That said, the author presents us with a paradox. Certain dictators have to a certain extent contributed to the development of democracy. This is the case , if this theory is to be believed, with the regimes known as "bonapartist" (first and second French empires) and for which the precursors are found in Caesars' Rome (dictatorships of Caesar and the Augustan principality). All gained power in a climate of civil war and which put an end to it by "reconciling" in an authoritarian fashion, citizens with the ideal of progress, as understood in their epoch: enlightenment for Bonaparte, the universal city for the Roman Caesars. Looking at more recent periods, the author is of the opinion that the Fifth Republic provides a Bonapartist facade and that only the democratic maturity of the country allowed it to avoid dictatorship. In the same way, Kemal Atatürk, father of modern Turkey and inspired by the French ideals of 1789, could be considered as an Anatolian Napoleon. Paul Simelon also asks whether General Lebed could have become a Russian Bonaparte in the shape of a Charles de Gaulle, despite this role finally being granted by history to President Putin.
In a sentence: as detestable as it may be, bonapartism or caesarism had sufficiently enough positive aspects to be assimila ted into diverse forms of fascism and Stalinism as experienced in the 20th century. We alone can judge. (MT)
*** ALAIN SERVANTIE: Le voyage à Istanbul. Byzance, Constantinople, Istanbul du Moyen Age au XXe siècle. Editions Complexe (24 rue de Bosnie, B-1060 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5388846 - fax: 5388842 - E-mail: complexe@editionscomplexe.com). 2003, 588 p. ISBN: 2-87027-707-5.
Siès bello Coustantinople, à faire veni foù…are the opening lines in this book. The expression can be thus translated: "You are so beautiful, Constantinople, that it could drive one mad". The author is a certain Mistral. Like the latter, Alain Servantie is in love with Turkey and even more so, with Istanbul. In the pages of this book, which is are as magical as the city, Servanties never ceases praising the beauty of this city. Working for the Commission, Alain Servantie is an expert on Turkey and its contemporaneity. But as it transpires, his objective is not only to examine the country rationally and methodically, but also to give a voice to the personal accounts of the country - A French crusader, a rabbi, an Arab traveller etc - which, like him, were enchanted by old Byzantium. Ranging from Strabon to Pierre Lotti via Chateaubriand and Flaubert, the author carefully reassembles texts that have rarely been glimpsed, or re-printed and which in French, are barely known and unedited but which at the same time bring an original clarity. The author uses the first person to describe his first hand experiences, observations and discoveries. His pages are full of spicy smells and are teeming with life. Each one of these extracts provide an erudite presentation. A formidable invitation to travel and to dream! (MT)
*** EIB Information. European Investment Bank (100 bd Konrad Adenauer, L-2950 Luxembourg. Tel: (352) 4379-1 - fax: 437704). 2003, No. 113, 20 p..
This edition of EIB Information draws up a list of European Investment Bank activities for 2002. Here we find for example, its action in favour of SMEs or financing facilities for operations in ACP countries. We can also read a report of the EIB conference for 2003 presenting the activities plan for the bank and the changes within it for the period 2003-2005, as well as the architectural projects for a future extension of its HQ.
*** 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 - Internet: http://www.editecom.com- E-mail: editecom@starnet.fr). May 2003, No 468, 62p. Subscription: 169 euros.
A former councillor at the Commission, Nicolas Moussis, attacks with an article entitled "European Community or European Union? " Proposal for an amicable separation". It is suggesting that the twenty-five Member States are given the chance to sign and ratify either the treaty on the community alone or the treaty on the Union. This will allow the CFSP to be managed according to a Community method and become the basis for a common foreign policy. In brief, this issue also includes articles on the draft European Constitution, economic globalisation, fiscal competition and the work of the European Ombudsman.
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. Groupe Liaisons (1 av. Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison. Tel.: (33-825) 825371 - fax: (33-1) 412299668 - Internet: http: //http://www.ls-europe.com ). May 2003, No. 80, 8 pp., 31 euros. Subscription: 757.58 euros.
Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland, "three Member States for a directive on social regression". Social liaisons are on the agenda of the session guided by the group in charge of preparing Council of Ministers meetings on social affairs, where some countries are sticking to a "text disallowing any principle of equal treatment for temporary workers". Elsewhere, the magazine examines the social impact of the Arcelor case, which anticipating the social impact of its new industrial strategy and launching almost simultaneously the information and consultation procedure of the European Works committee, works committees and national central work committees.
*** Internal Market Scoreboard EFTA States. EFTA surveillance authority (74 rue de Trèves, B-1040 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2861811- fax: 2861800- Internet: http://www.eftasurv.int ). May 2003, No. 12, 16 p..
At the very time that the agreement on the European Economic Area is creating an internal European market that goes beyond the borders of the Union and representing more than 300 millions inhabitants, this twelfth EFTA European free trade agreement report, assesses the level of success in countries taking part in the agreement. It provides information on the performances of EFTA member countries and the action taken by the surveillance authorities guaranteeing the rules of the internal market.
*** Grounds for complaint? Understanding the "Coffee crisis". Cato Institute's Center for Trade Policy Studies (1000 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Tel: (202) 8420200- fax: 8423490 - Internet: http://www.cato.org ). May 2003, No.16, 10 p.
Coffee constitutes one of the most significant commodities in terms of volume of trade. However, we are generally aware that for every cup of coffee that we drink the farmer who produced it often only earns a few centimes. The Cato Institute examines this problem and paints a picture of this sector, which is often at the heart of debates on globalisation.
*** Louvain. Université Catholique de Louvain et la fédération des Alumni UCL (Halles universitaires, 1 place de l'Université, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve. Tel: (32-10) 473647- E-mail: roufosse@adcp.ucl.ac.be). May 2003, No. 138, 35 pp, 2.5 euros, subscription: 20 euros.
This issue deals with a number of subjects directly involving the university and its students. It also takes into account a meeting between three hundred Israeli Jews and Arabs involved in the peace process. The main article in this issue focuses on the links and collaboration between the University and its region.