*** PHILIPPE DE SCHOUTHEETE: La cohérence par la défense. Une autre lecture de la PESD. Institut d'Etudes de Sécurité de l'Union européenne (43 av. du Président Wilson, F-75775 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 56891930 - Fax: 56891931 - E-mail: institute@iss-eu.org - Internet: http://www.iss-eu.org ). "Cahiers de Chaillot" series, No. 71. 2004, 81 pp, €10. ISBN 92-9198-063-3.
Former political director at the Belgian foreign ministry, Permanent Representative at the EU and advisor to Commissioner Barnier, Philippe de Schoutheete is well-placed to know the ins and outs of the European Common Foreign and Security Policy, 'political cooperation' following the 1970 "Davignon Report". He recalls in this book the 'precautions' taken by the politicians of the time when they made the first hesitant steps (without too many disputes). One of the precautions taken was to leave defence out of initial discussions but leave the door open for it to be dealt with at a much later date. Today, observers recognise that that the European defence policy made a greater leap forwards than the so-called Common Foreign Policy. The statement made by France and Britain in Saint Malo on 4 December 1998, then the Cologne European Council of 3 and 4 June 1999 were the real starting point, comments de Schoutheete, adding that the most important decision was perhaps the appointment of Javier Solana as High Representative for the CFSP. The writes that with hindsight, the importance of the choice is striking. The newly crated job changed the nature, functioning and weight of the Council Secretariat and changed the role of the Presidency. History would no doubt have been different, he notes, if the wishes of some parties had been respected and a different official had been chosen. History would also have been different if, instead of the former Secretary General of NATO, a figure had been selected who was not trusted by the United States.
Only three years after Cologne, in July 2002, Commissioner Michel Barnier - to whom Philippe de Schoutheete was advisor - was made President of the defence workgroup of the European Convention (responsible for drawing up the Constitution). The author comments that in the view of the European Council, security and defence, jealously guarded preserves of the Member States, were not expected to have an important role in the Convention's work. The facts spoke otherwise. It was over defence, in fact, that the Convention made its most remarkable breakthroughs. Philippe de Schoutheete describes from the inside how the defence workgroup operated, particularly the visibility of cooperation between France and Germany (the alternate for the German delegation, Hans Bury, usually made a show of sitting next to the French government delegate, Pascale Andreani, he recalls). It would be a pipe dream to imagine that the players in these events had identical motivations, admits de Schoutheete, going on to analyse the motivations of the major players, particularly the British (whom he describes as being remarkably coherent - their aim being to keep the ability to genuinely influence both Washington and European allies on defence matters) and the French (for whom Saint Malo was a fundamental change of tack encouraged by the fact their British partner was even more attached than the French to intergovernmentalism). On Germany, the author notes that it found itself in what was a comfortable position for itself, namely in agreement with France and the United Kingdom, agreement reached at the three-way summit in Berlin in September 2003 that suggested establishing an operational planning centre at the EU Secretariat General). At that time, the Italian government's attitude was more reactive than proactive, he says, while Belgium took far-sighted views, often close to Franco-German ideas. The views of some neutral countries (like Austria, Sweden and Finland) changed considerably. The Poles are described by de Schoutheete as taking a 'yes, but' attitude similar to the Americans.
On the next steps, de Schoutheete says it will be necessary to consolidate basic rules of diplomacy among Europeans and in transatlantic relations, adding that he himself believes that on Iraq, reasonable application of the basic rules of diplomacy would have enabled the crisis to have been averted. Disagreements would not have been overcome, but the sting would have been taken out of their tail.
On European capacity, he writes that neither humiliating comparisons with the United States nor terror attacks were able to cause it to stumble. This leads him to make some advice - from the objectives set out in the European security strategy, it should be possible to define the number, intensity and approximate duration of the competing operations the EU is planning to pursue, in order to achieve a sharing of efforts. On the policy's coherence, he admits that it is not being formed in one go but one step after another. A step might consist of inviting the EU High Representative to Commission meetings when the Commission decides on foreign relations, or of merging the different representations of the Council and the Commission to United Nations bodies. He believes that so many taboos have been broken and so much dogma forgotten in recent years that it would be very surprising if solutions were not found to the 'considerable' difficulties still surviving today. Marina Gazzo
*** HEINRICH SCHNEIDER: Liquidiert Präsident Bush das Völkerrecht ? Macht, Recht und Europa in der heutigen Weltordnungspolitik. Europainstitut der Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (39-45 Althanstraße, A-1090 Vienna. Tel.: (43-1) 31336 4135, 4134, 4133 - Fax: 31336 758, 756 - E-mail: europafragen@wu-wien.ac.at). "EI Working Papers", No. 57. 2004, 45 pp, €7.20.
At first sight, the question in the title of this publication seems rhetorical or even polemical. Anyone knowing the author of this brief and concise study, an emeritus Professor at Vienna Univeristy, is perfectly aware that this distinguished political scientist does not go in for polemics or superficial ideas. On the contrary, he is characterised by well differentiated analysis, original perspectives and illuminating synthesis. This short work provides useful clarification of a series of myths and media and psychological conflicts between the US and the EU with regard to international policy. Heinrich Schneider demonstrates the weaknesses and legal and political problems surrounding existing international law when it comes to the new challenges, along with the problems of the 'new' military intervention in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. The author briefly compares key points in the security doctrines of the United States in 2002 and the 'Solana doctrine' adopted by the European Council in 2003. Schneider concludes with impressive historical and philosophical ideas that are perfectly simply and tangible at the same time - the move in the direction of the ideals of law, peace and non-violence, and criticisms of power are not a sign of Europe's weakness or lack of power, but can be seen as the sign of concern for humanity, a service for the global common good, which can be seen as one part of the European identity. A clear, positive and rational contribution to the debate concerning the EU's external identity and the future of international law in transatlantic relations. Not to be missed! (PB)
*** WENDELIN ETTMAYER: Eine geteilte Welt. Machtpolitik und Wohlfahrtsdenken in den internationalen Beziehungen des 21. Jahrhunderts. Trauner Verlag (Linz, Austria). 2003, 224 pp. ISBN 3-85487-460-X.
Today's divided world looks like organised anarchy in international affairs. In this monograph essay, Austrian ambassador and former MP Wendelin Ettmayer sheds light on this idea and casts his gaze down centuries of the modern epoch until the present day, noting slippage in the traditiaonl policy of power based the state and the absolute sovreighty of nation states, in the direction of a global philosophy of the welfare of the individual, characterised by humanitarian and environmental policies and progress in human rights. These changes culminate in new political instruemtns, like the big UN conferences of the 1990s, including new players in international relations like NGOs, the media and big business. From this starting point, the author makes an interesting argument that not only the single hyper power remaining in a unipolar world (the United States), but also failed states like Somalia have acquired, or kept, in an interconnected world, a degree of sovriegnty allowing them to ignore international obligations. For all other 'average' states, a new mixture of internal and foreign rpolicy, of internal and external sovereignty, and a new role for diplomacy, are necessary. Easy to read and clearly structured, this book provides interesting ideas and a personal overview of international relations. (PB)
*** Un acteur mondial. Les relations extérieures de l'Union européenne. European Commission (Official Publications Office. Internet: publications.eu.int). 2004, 22 p. ISBN 92-894-7415-7 pp. This brochure in the series "L'Europe en mouvement" describes Europe's role in the world to a wide audience.
*** Europes et mondes musulmans: un dialogue complexe. Groupe de recherché et d'information sur la paix et la sécurité (33 rue Van Hoorde, B-1030 Brussels. Tel: (32-2)2418420 - Fax: (32-2) 2451933 - E-mail: admi@grip.org - Internet: http://www.grip.org ). 2004, 164 pp. ISBN 2-8048-0011-3.
*** Europes et mondes musulmans: un dialogue complexe. Groupe de recherché et d'information sur la paix et la sécurité (33 rue Van Hoorde, B-1030 Brussels. Tel: (32-2)2418420 - Fax: (32-2) 2451933 - E-mail: admi@grip.org - Internet: http://www.grip.org ). 2004, 164 pp. ISBN 2-8048-0011-3.
This collection of essays published by GRIP provides a series of views on the complex relations between Europe and the Muslim world. The essays share a common starting point, however - that relations between Europe and the Muslim world have always existed, whether in terms of politics, economics or culture, and whether in terms of conflict or peace. Moreover, through its most recent round of enlargement, Europe cannot block dialogue with the Muslim world. This situation is confirmed by current events - the prospect of Turkey joining the European Union, deciding the shape of European foreign policy with regard to Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and managing the integration of Muslim minorities established within the territory of the European Union.
This means that dialogue between Europe and the Muslim world is inevitable. Since 11 September 2001, however, the debate has been dominated by a radicalisation of opinion. Some analysts even talk about a 'shock of civilisations'. It is this type of simplistic reductionist ideas and clichés that the authors of this book, who hail from both the North and the South, aim to move beyond, by providing other areas of reflection and debate. An entire section, for example, looks at the EuroMed partnership, where Roberto Aliboni, for example, writes that the way Europe approaches the Muslim worlds is dictated more by geography than by cultural parameters, hence the selection of a regional approach. He deduces from this that the security concerns about the South tend to be badly managed or threadbare, partly because of specific ideas about terrorism and the links between terrorism and immigration. Prof. Bichara Khader believes that enlargement of the European Union should not be viewed by countries on the Mediterranean as a threat to trade, European aid or immigration even. He feels that on the contrary, a more constructive attitude would see the latest round of enlargement as an opportunity to be seized. Assia Bansalah Alaoui recommends dialogue between cultures as a solution to the issue of re-forging the EuroMed partnership.
Another part of the book focuses on geopolitical and human challenges. Robert Anciaux raises the question of whether Turkey is a European country. He believes the policy to prevent conflict and keep the peace in the Eastern Mediterranean should be based on a Greece-Turkey-Egypt security triangle. He adds that Turkey joining the EU would allow Europe to reposition itself strategically along the borders of the Middle East and the Caucasus and preserve the EU's interests (particularly with regard to energy) in the region. Amin Ait-Chaalal addresses the vexed issue of the Middle East in an essay entitled "The European Union and the Middle East, political discretion that may endanger peace". The final essay by Felice Dassetto analyses the links between Europe and Islam, or the challenge of an encounter between civilisations. (STu)
*** Théâtre et développement: de l'émancipation à la résistance. Colophon Editions (25 rue Gratès, B-1170 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 6758156 - Fax: (32-2) 6758327- E-mail: info@colophon.be - Internet: http://www.coloophon.be ). 2004, 127 pp. ISBN 2-930254-11-4.
This series of essays is published by the 6 November Consortium of NGOs, 'Abbal' development associations ("Abbal" = Belgium, Bolivia and Latin America), Alternative and Colophon. It has been published as part of a series of joint development information and education activities with support from 'Coopération belge au développement'. The book describes various theatrical events organised in a series of countries in the South. Action theatre, forum theatre, theatre of the oppressed, community theatre, intimate or utilitarian theatre, all means of expression for people who are socially or culturally under privileged, with the aim of boosting their capacity to analyse how society functions. For each theatrical event, the authors explain the mechanisms underlying the theatre experience that help make a significant contribution to the broadening of the participants' horizons. (STu)
*** Japan's Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Policy. Directorate General, Arms Control and Scientific Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tokyo). 2004, 295 pp.
Published by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Directorate General for Arms Control and Scientific Affairs (non-proliferation) of the Japan Institute of International Affairs, this book aims to explain to the man in the street all the issues behind arms control and non-proliferation, an area which has been much in the news lately since the attacks of 11 September 2001 and an area where Japan is particularly active given the nuclear tragedies it experienced at the end of the Second World War. It sheds particular light on activities taken by Japan to get a series of countries, for example, to agree to ratify various international treaties and agreements, and provides a very detailed overview of the situation up until April 2004.
(MT)
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985 Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following document:
*** Environment for Europeans. DG for the Environment - Communication Unit (200 Rue de la Loi, B-1049 Brussels. Fax: (32-2) 2969560 - E-mail: envinfo@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/ environment/index_en.htm). December 2004, No. 18, 16 pp.
This issue coincides with the start of a new year and new European Commissioners taking up their work. For this reason, it naturally outlines new developments at DG Environment, starting with the new Environment Commissioner, Greek national Stavros Dimas. There is an article describing the career of this former lawyer, highlighting key points of his environment programme, like combating climate change, protecting biodiversity, health and sustainable development. The draft chemicals regulation known as REACH - Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals - is also covered, and there are articles on the action plan of the European Parliament's Environment Committee for the next five years and the impact of the Luxembourg Presidency on the Kyoto Protocol.
*** Politica Exterior. Estudios de Politica Exterior SA (49 Núñes de Balboa, E-28001 Madrid. Tel: (34-91) 4312628 - Fax: 5777252 - E-mail: revista@politicaexterior.com - Internet: http://www.politicaexterior.com ). January-February 2005, No. 103, 176 pp, 11 euros. Annual subscription: 93 euros.
Published before the referendum in Spain, this issue calls for a yes vote for the European Constitution. It warns that in the event of a no vote, the European integration idea could be weakened. Europe is both strong and fragile at the same time. By providing the EU with common law, it is explained that the Constitution will help push the European project forward and finally provide the EU with legal identity. The review also looks at the re-election of President Bush. In what way will it consolidate conservative values in the Republican Party? What was the impact of the Hispanic vote? How will his re-election affect transatlantic relations over the next four years? Other articles look at the Afghan presidential elections, democratisation in Iraq and the future of the monarchy in Saudi Arabia. There is also an articles on Spain's role in the EU's relations with Asia, an article on Brazil under President Lula, and relations between Islam in Morocco and democracy.
*** Forum. Bertelsmann Stiftung (256 Carl-Bertelsmann-Strasse, D-33311 Gütersloh. Tel: (49-52) 418181160 - 418181999 - E-mail: anette.sanders@bertelsmann.de - Internet: http://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/verlag ). 2004, No. 4, 40 pp.
Forum looks at the new distribution of power between the German federal government and the Lander in a series of articles on the reform of Germany's federal system. The review asserts the reforms could boost Germany's impact on the European scene through better coordination, more effective positioning and greater flexibility. Other articles look at citizen activities, like the "Bürger für Münster" foundation, German demographics and the role of the country in the global economy. There is also an article on Croatia's prospects for EU accession.
*** Europa - Informationen. EKD - Büro Brüssel (166 Rue Joseph II, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2301639 - Fax: 2800108 - E-mail: ekd.bruessel@ekd.be). November-December 2004, No. 105, 18 pp.
This issue looks back at 2004, considering issues like the outcome of the Kok Group deliberations on the Lisbon Strategy, the new Commission and the Dutch Presidency. It also takes a look at 2005, considering both political and ethical issues, like the EU's foreign policy (particularly with regard to the Middle East), the EU's neighbourhood policy, consultation over human rights and fundamental rights. Other articles look at the asylum policy and the integration of immigrants, and the need to invest in young people's knowledge and culture.
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. Groupe Liaisons (1 av. Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison. Tel: (33-8) 25800929 - Fax: (33-1) 44722027 - Internet: http//http://www.liaisons-sociales.com ). January 2005, No. 119, 12 pp, 32 euros. Annual subscription: 867.85 euros.
This issue analyses the new document on conducting social dialogue at the Axa group in Europe, explaining the role of the European Enterprise Committee in company restructuring and setting out nine main rules for managing the social impact of restructuring. Liaisons sociales Europe also provides a summary of a big conference on labour systems in the framework of the EU, looking at the working time directive, positive discrimination and company transfers. The review also looks at French case law on cross-border healthcare.