*** FELIX NKUNDABAGENZI, FEDERICO SANTOPINTO: Le développement, une arme de paix. La coopération de l'Union européenne et la prévention des conflits. Editions Complexe (24 rue de Bosnie, B-1060 Brussels) and Editions Grip (33 rue Van Hoorde, B-1030 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2418420 - Fax: 2451933 - admi@grip.org - Internet: http://www.grip.org ). "Les livres du Grip", No. 264-265. 2003, 149 pp. Annual subscription: 75 euros (Belgium), 85 euros (Europe), 90 euros (elsewhere). ISBN 2-87027-933-7
"Politics always must remain the centre of gravity of any development approach towards countries characterised by chronic instability"… This is the key idea argued in this book by two researchers at the Groupe de recherche et d'information sur la paix et la sécurité. And the European Union, in any case, has developed its development cooperation and conflict prevention policy around this idea. Looking mainly at relations between the European Union and ACP countries, the authors assess and contextualise the EU's aims, objectives and policies in this area. One of their observations is that European approaches send out a confused image given the multitude of different players, programmes and procedures.
What strategy inspires EU policy? It is based on lessons from its own history and several years of experience in Africa. Before providing economic support, and in order to avoid poisoning social tensions, the EU is currently attempting to take account of the cultural and ethnic dimensions of conflicts. The genocide in Rwanda served as a lesson in this connection. The EU is also trying to have an influence on the causes and players in conflicts, and to promote economic, social and political stability in developing countries. Rather than ineffective unilateral action on a foreign continent, like the intervention in Somalia in 1992 under the aegis of the United Nations, the European Union prefers these days to focus on existing regional or sub-regional structures. In the case of Africa, this means ECOWAS or the African Union. This is known as appropriation. In order to implement these strategies, the European Union uses analysis tools like Country Strategic Documents or the Gothenburg Programme, vital tools when it comes to implementing a long-term conflict prevention and development policy.
The final part of the study looks at the five concrete policies and cooperation programmes at the European Union. It first considers trade policy, directly linked to development strategies in the attempt to restore peace. Regional (or vertical) aid programmes are the European Union's main instruments when it comes to financial development aid. The main tool here is the Cotonou Agreement which, through the Lomé Conventions, links the European Union with ACP states. Then there are horizontal programmes connected with the environment, health, co-funding of NGOs, democracy and human rights. The Common Foreign and Security Policy is the fourth instrument at the disposal of the EU, the fifth being the Rapid Reaction Mechanism. It is based on existing structures but provides rapid reaction capability for crisis and emergency situations. This part of the book, like many others, is illustrated with examples and eye-witness reports that enable the reader to take in the full dimension of European cooperation and conflict prevention policy. A very detailed panorama!
Nathalie Joskin
*** SAKIKO FUKUDA-PARR (Ed.): Rapport mondial sur le développement humain 2003. Les Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement: un pacte entre les pays pour vaincre la pauvreté humaine. Economica (49 rue Héricart, F-75015 Paris). 2003, 367 pp, 25 euros. ISBN 2-7178-4700-6.
The Millennium development objectives are eight in total. They came from the text drawn up at the Millennium Summit in September 2000, held by the United Nations. The objectives set for 2015 include cutting extreme poverty in half, sending boys and girls to school and stopping the spread of AIDS. The book explains that UN members, international bodies and NGO are now basing their policies on these aims. The report notes, however, that delays have already set in, and it identifies the most difficult problems to be overcome, along with suggested concrete solutions. The report ends by arguing the case for a new partnership between rich and developing countries in areas of intervention like democratic governance, economic stability, health and education.
(NJo)
*** KATHRIN HÖHL, HARALD MÜLLER, ANNETTE SCHAPER, BURKARD SCHMITT: L'UE et la réduction de la menace en Russie. Institut d'études de sécurité de l'Union européenne, 43 av. du Président Wilson, F-75775 Paris cedex 16. Tel: (33-1) 56891930 - Fax: 56891931 - institute@iss-eu.org <mailto: institute@iss-eu.org> - Internet: http: //http://www.iss-eu.org
In the framework of its participation, from last year onwards, in a consortium of political research organisations from the United States, Russia, Europe and Asia, with the aim of stepping up the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the French Institut d'études de sécurité takes a look in this report at CTR activities (Cooperative Threat Reduction) implemented by the European Union in order to support non-proliferation action in the Russian Federation. The main, encouraging, conclusion of this research is that the European Union has made an important contribution in this connection through the Tacis programme and via common activity to achieve disarmament and non-proliferation in Russia. The publication describes the legal and institutional framework of the action undertaken by the EU, analyses in detail a series of concrete projects and makes useful political suggestions and recommendations for the drafting of a European security and defence policy. In so doing, it follows in the in the well-established tradition of the Cahiers de Chaillot reports.
(FOc)
*** ENZO CANNIZZARO (Ed.): The European Union as an Actor in International Relations. Kluwer Law (Distribution Centre, P. O. Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht, The Netherlands). 2002, 345 pp, 115 euros. ISBN 90-411-1771-7.
At a time when European heads of state are involved in bitter negotiations at the Intergovernmental Conference, particularly over the establishment of a European Foreign Minister, the book provides the reader with a timely study combining a look at the European Union's weight in the world on the one hand, and the impact the EU's weight has on the national sovereignty of EU Member States on the other. It takes a close look at in-built European schizophrenia by exposing the necessary connections for linking its political dwarfism with the fact of it being an economic giant. It crosses the boundaries between many disciplines, approaching its subject matter by analysing political, economic and legal elements. The first part focusses on decision-making procedures at the European Union for international relations. The EU's legal set-up in connection with international relations is analysed in the second part of the book. The publication summarises proceedings of scientists attending a conference organised by Macerata University.
(ADr)
*** CHRISTIAN PIPPAN: Die Förderung der Menschenrechte und der Demokratie als Aufgabe der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit der Europäischen Gemeinschaft. Peter Lang (1 Moosstrasse, Postfach 350, CH-2542 Pieterlen, Switzerland. Tel: (41-32) 3761717 - Fax: 376 1727 - publicity@peterlang.com - Internet: http: //http://www.peterlang.net ). 2002, 402 pp, 56.40 euros. ISBN 3-631-39055-6.
Human rights are being given more and more importance in the European Union's external relations. In a doctoral thesis for Innsbruck University's law school, Christian Pippan analyses changes in the concepts of democracy and human rights in the European Union. He focuses on the Lomé and Cotonou Accords with ACP states, examining the impact of positive and negative measures, successes and failures. In general, Pippan argues, the consistency and coherence of EU activity has to be ensured and measures should complement each other and be coordinated with Member States' policies. Greater transparency is required. The author concludes that the EU now has sufficient strategic and legal resources to effectively promote democracy and human rights in third countries. It is mainly down to the Commission and the Council to fully realise this potential.
(PB)
*** Le Courrier. Le magazine de la coopération au développement ACP-UE. European Commission, DG Development. Brussels. July/August 2003, No. 199, 50 pp.
This issue of the Courrier (newsletter) includes a very detailed report on non-state players and Cotonou, and an interview with the Director of the United Nations Population Fund.
*** The EU and the GCC. A New Partnership. The Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute (see above). "Policy Papers", No. 02/7. 2002, 16 pp.
This collective "Policy Paper" addresses the huge issue of relations currently extended, to be extended or to be improved with Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Holding half of all proven oil reserves and 15% of gas reserves, the region is due to double production in the next few years (for reasons explained in other issues of the same series of Policy Papers) but it has been ignored, relatively speaking, on the EU's agenda. This situation in no ways reflects the economic importance or the geographical and even cultural proximity of the region which, unlike many others, has always supported the West's policies as far as possible given their political means and sometimes in the fact of opposition from some sections of their populations. This publication gives an overview together with suggestions of possible activity in areas like policy, security dialogue, the Israeli-Arab conflict, human rights, education and human resources, trade and development, oil and gas, and the financial markets. A very short but pertinent study given its intelligent and 'human' interpretation of deadlocks caused by mutual misunderstanding.
(FOc)
*** HABIB GHERARI, SANDRA SZUREK (Eds.): L'émergence de la société civile internationale. Vers la privatisation du droit international? Editions Pedone (13 rue Soufflot, F-75005 Paris). "Cahiers internationaux", No. 18. 2003 50 pp, 30 euros. ISBN 2-233-00424-8.
International lawyers and eminent practitioners - like Commissioner Pascal Lamy - considered the phenomenon of emerging international civil society at a conference in Paris in March 2001 organised by Cedin Paris X-Nanterre. The conference looked at whether this undoubtedly powerful phenomenon announced the privatisation of international public law. This book gives a faithful account of the debates that focussed on two keys questions: how should the emergency of international civil society as a new player in international legal relations be understood? And does the concept lead to a change in the international legal order? The contributions reveal that the scale of the impact of private players on the international order cannot be denied, whether one looks at their contribution to international law or changes in international cooperation, particularly from the economic point of view. An observation that lead the participants to consider the role of the state.
(BHa)
*** La juridictionnalisation du droit international. Editions A. Pedone (see above). "Société française pour le droit international". 2003, 548 pp, 50 euros. ISBN 2-233-00423-X.
This book is the proceedings of the 36th conference of the Société française pour le droit international, organised by Lille II University in September 2002. It is divided into three weighty sections - jurisdictionalisation and international jurisdictions, jurisdictionalisation and jurisprudence in international law, and jurisdictionalisation and the administration of international justice. In the first part, Prof. Syméon Karagiannis (Université du Littoral-Côte d'Opale in France) explains that the multiplication of international jurisdictions only appears anarchic and one must avoid turning this into a system for fear of stubbing out the very idea of international law. Prof. Hervé Ascensio (Université Paris XIII) warns against an over-dogmatic, narrow approach to the idea of international jurisdiction, while Prof. Burgorgue-Larsen (Université de Rouen) paints a picture of jurisdictional regionalism. Prof. Peter Kovacs (Miskolc University) and Peter Pazmany open the second part of the book by analysing the multiple elements of growth and stagnation in international jurisprudence, while Prof. Emmanuelle Jouannet (Université Paris I) reveals that judicial decisions lead directly to laws, and Maurice Kamto (Université de Yaoundé II) studies the interaction between international and national jurisprudence. The part of the book looking at the administration of international justice includes essays by Philippe Couvreur, Registrar at the International Court of Justice, and Jean-Pierre Cot, Emeritus Professor at Université Paris I. The general conclusions are penned by Mohamed Bedjaoui, erstwhile President of the International Court of Justice, who welcomes progress made in jurisdictionalisation, arguing that it strengthens international law. The tome comprises a reference tool for lawyers.
(KSb)
*** SUSAN HANDLEY: New Neighbours. What does a bigger Europe mean for you? Local Government International Bureau, The Foreign Policy Centre (Local Government House, Smith Square, London
SW1P 3HZ. Tel: (44-20) 76643100 - Fax: 76643128 - enquiries@lgib.gov.uk ). 2003, 37 pp. ISBN 0 90790 239 1
An overview of the 13 candidate countries, their views and useful contacts.
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985 Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following documents:
*** Innovation & transfert technologique. DG Enterprise, Innovation Directorate (EUFO 2290, L-2920 Luxembourg. Fax: (352-4301) 32084 - Internet: http://www.cordis.lu/itt/itt-fr/home.html ). September 2003, No. 5/03, 32 pp.
Europe has made clearly needed progress with regard to innovation in the European research system. This positive change is an encouragement to take on an even greater challenge and bring innovation to all areas of political action. This magazine includes a dossier on innovation governance, with the Commission aiming to take on a role in this connection of facilitation and encouragement, with decisions being taken by national and regional bodies.
*** Inforegio panorama. DG Regional Policy, Unit 01 "Information and Communications" (41 av. de Tervuren, B-1040 Brussels. Fax: (32-2) 2966003 - regio-info@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/regional_policy/index_fr.htm). September 2003, No. 11, 16 pp.
This magazine begins with an interview with Jeremy Smith, Secretary General of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, who reports on the most recent assembly general of the CEMR and answers questions about issues like the challenges of enlargement and strengthening the urban dimension in the Structural Funds. Other subjects considered in this issue include aid for regional innovative actions, a report on Malta and southern Sweden.
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. Groupe Liaisons (1 Avenue Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison. Tel: (33-825) 825371 - Fax: (33-1) 44722027 - Internet: http//http://www.ls-europe.com ). October 2003, No. 88, 8 pp, 31 euros. Annual subscription: 757.58 euros.
This issue starts by looking at the draft directive on cross-border mergers, which is proving highly irritating to European employers, which argue that the compulsory application of workers' rights to consultation over cross-border mergers and the transfer of company headquarters. Liaisons sociales also looks at the transposition of the European agreement on teleworking in a guide by British employers and trade unions, and considers the transferability of company pension rights and prudential rules governing pensions institutions.
*** Gérer et comprendre. Editions ESKA (12 rue du Quatre-Septembre, F-75002 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 42865573 - Fax: 42604535 - Internet: http: //http://www.eska.fr ). "Annales des Mines". September 2003, No. 73, 94 pp, 20.58 euros. ISBN 274720580-0.
This magazine takes us on a trip through time to the discovery of the Chicago abattoirs, little known predecessors of production line work from the middle of the 19th century. It also looks at the decline and fall of financial participation in France in the same period. In addition, there are articles on the position of France Télécom technicians in this evolving industry and the challenges facing NGOs in terms of management.
*** Réalités industrielles. Editions ESKA (see above). "Annales des Mines". May 2003, 74 pp, 22.11 euros. ISBN 274720557-6.
At a time when society is questioning and querying ideas like zero risk, prevention and liability, at a time also when 'cindyniques' are developing, 'new' scientific disciplines studying danger and danger prevention, Réalités industrielles raises the issue from a multi-disciplinary angle in order to present multiple views of effective and innovative ways of managing risk and danger.
Reviews in brief
*** Slovenia News. Government PR and Media Office. July 2003, Ljubljana. This issue looks at the celebrations of Slovenia's tenth anniversary. *** Cahiers du Japon. Japan Echo Inc. Summer 2003, Tokyo. This magazine publishes view and analysis from Japanese newspapers. *** Europa-Informationen. Des Brüsseler Büro der Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland. September 2003, Brussels. This newsletter includes a series of articles on European current events and the corresponding web pages from the Europa site. *** Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies: 2003-2004. European University Institute. October 2003. This report outlines the Robert Schuman Centre's activities and research programmes.