*** JOSIANE TERCINET (Editors): Les relations transatlantiques et l'environnement international. Etablissements Emile Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5129845 - fax: 5117202). "Etudes stratégiques internationales" series, No. 3. 2005, 262 pp., € 30. ISBN 2-8027-1954-8.
November 2003, the 9th colloquy of the France-Canada Association for Strategic Studies brought together academics, economists, legal experts and political scientists from the two sides of the Atlantic to examine Trans-Atlantic relations which were, at the time, very stormy. The meeting sought to take note of how these relations were developing, the influence have on international relations, currently being redefined. It also sought to assess how and to what extent the international environment responds to these relations. In an effort to make a clean sweep of the field of reflex ion, three themes were explored in detail and make up the three parts of this book. The authors then proceed to drawing up a balance sheet of Trans-Atlantic ties and look at future prospects. The position of the countries other national partners and how they interact within this Trans-Atlantic relationship is then analysed. Interaction within the USA, French and British triangle is studied at the time of the Iraqi crisis, with other contributions investigating the position of central and eastern Europe, "European images of the USA through the prism of the war in Iraq", as well as the place of France in relation to NATO with the "reaffirmation of a specificity" defining this relationship. The third part of the book focuses on the role of the "front line inter-governmental organisations", such as the European Union and NATO, "the new couple experiencing problems". The problems involved in enlargement to the east experienced by these two organisations is also scrutinised by Pr. Daniel Colard (University of Grenoble II), his Belgian colleague André Dumoulin (senior lecturer at the University of Liege and researcher at the Royal Military Academy in Belgium) who also look as the evolution of Common Foreign and Security Policy in this context of the Trans-Atlantic crises. The two final contributions tackle the "rising power" of the Union in security missions, with, for example, the police mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the E25 taking charge of peace keeping operations in Macedonia and Congo.
As the editor responsible for the book explains, (University of Grenoble II), this rigorous and critical examination reveals that despite the many blatant divergences within the "Trans-Atlantic relationship, it cannot be broken because it is not in the interest of either party to do so. There are, however, some contributions that clarify the abysmal division that developed during the Iraqi crisis, and which some commentators believe have changed this relationship definitively. To this end, the opening contribution by the lecturer in law at the University of Grenoble II, Jean-François Guilhaudis, puts forwards the following hypothesis on Trans-Atlantic relations, "a profound crises and which is likely to strongly affect, not only the western security system but the international security system itself". This, according to Guilhaudis, corresponds to a double crises. Firstly, "the decline of US leadership ", of an America profiting from the a system, in the role of “cheat”, confirming its "its egoism when it decides on trade protection and when it refuses to abide by the Tokyo protocol, insouciant about the future of humanity". The crisis of leadership can be seen in the Iraqi crisis by "an enormous diplomatic defeat" at the UN, which, faced with "a crisis of international", led, in the absence of weapons of mass destruction, engendering a "crisis of moral values" as well as a "crisis of efficiency", to the USA getting bogged down in Iraq. The other crisis identified by the author is linked to the "emergence of a European leadership" as, beyond their divisions, the Europeans defend principles and methods that "currently have a world audience that is greater than that of the USA". Based on this observation, the author provides some detail to what he would have imagined as the results of certain referendums on the Constitution. Jean-François Guilhaudis envisages two hypotheses, that of the rupture or divorce or of a re-foundation. "Whether the Europeans become the other power, is above all a matter of awareness of their part". This is of urgent import to those, in the weeks to come, who will be searching for ways to get the Union out of the fog that descended upon it after the no-votes and the failure of the European Council.
Michel Theys
*** CLAUDE ROOSENS, VALERIE ROSOUX, TANGUY DE WILDE D'ESTMAEL (Editors): La politique étrangère. Le modèle classique à l'épreuve. Presses Interuniversitaires Européennes - Peter Lang (1 av. Maurice, B-1050 Brussels. - e-mail: info@peterlang.com - Internet: http://www.peterlang.net ). "Géopolitique et résolution des conflits" series, No. 1. 2004, 454 pp.. ISBN 90-5201-231-8.
This is a remarkable book and the result of a collective effort carried out by the Crisis and International Conflict Study Centre at the Catholic University of Leuven. Its main thrust, as explained by the three editors of the book, in the introduction, is to “contribute to a clear comprehension and renewed analysis of foreign policy”. This claim, is not, on the face of it, excessive, as the authors highlight the permanent factors that have fashioned foreign policy developments and changes that are currently occurring Three questions weave the outline of their reflection. Firstly, what is the essence of foreign policy? Then, who makes the decisions about how it is devised and how it is applied? Finally, what factors have most influence on it and what interments can be used in its support?
The first part of the book focuses on the definition and evolution of foreign policy and lists a number of points in the analysis of its scope. The philosophical reasoning behind foreign policy and a political study of the traditional elaboration process then follow, as well as an insight into foreign policy management and decision making. Changes and upsets in the diplomatic world, to which the international order is subject, is then studied. The second part provides a more targeted analysis, with contributions looking into the conduct of major democratic countries such as France, USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Russia where countries arising from the ashes of decolonisation and chosen for their specificities: Lebanon; Algeria; Congo are studied. The authors then look at this post-modern phenomenon and diversification of actors in foreign policy, such as the international prerogatives of the European Union and the federal entities within the federal states. The third section looks at the decisive factors and most pertinent instruments in foreign policy, notably the demand for democracy, which has become an ever more sought after demand. What resources employed to these ends are also explored, which offer a reflection on international negotiations practiced, the ins and outs of economic coercion, as well as the military option. The final contribution looks at the “the ethical diplomatic formula” with its author illustrating the real substance of the matter and denouncing the possible difficulties.
For those in the know, the preface was signed by Ambassador Philippe de Schoutheete, former Permanent Representative for Belgium to the Union and advisor to former Commissioner Barnier. Identifying in a timely fashion the difference between foreign policy and diplomacy and in an incisive way, the US and European ways of dealing with the Iraqi crisis and the slippage resulting from the “internal dimension and the effect of announcing, in the short term”, have been highlighted in relation to the “external dimension and the long term results”.
(MT)
*** AUGUST PRADETTO (Editor): Die zweite Runde der NATO-Osterweiterung. Zwischen postbipolarem Institutionalismus und offensivem Realismus. Peter Lang GmbH Europäischer Verlag der Wissenschaften (1 Moosstrasse, Postfach 350, CH-2542 Pieterlen, Suisse. Tel: (41-32) 3761717 - fax: 3761727 - E-mail: publicity@peterlang.com - Internet: http: //http://www.peterlang.de ). "Strategische Kultur Europas" series, No. 2. 2004, 376 p.. ISBN 3-631-51234-1.
This collection of academic essays and articles provides a range of different perspectives following the second enlargement of NATO in 2004. German, Italian, English, French, eastern and central European researchers present the motives, conflicts and concepts linked to geographical extension of the North Atlantic Alliance in the old and new Member States. One essay also tackles the issue of Russia. The book is interesting overall and expands the notion of security architecture in Europe, that goes beyond the useless polemics on the “old” and “new” Europe.
(PB)
*** RUXENDRA POPA: La mission de désarmement de l'ONU en Irak: bilan d'une expérience sans précédent. Editions Pedone (13 rue Soufflot, F-75005 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 43540597 - Fax: 46340760). "Perspectives internationales" series, No. 26. 2005, 207 pp, €20. ISBN 2-233-00465-5.
Non-conventional arms inspectors first intervened in Iraq under the name of UNSCOM after the second Gulf War until 1999. After three years when they could not gain access to Iraq, they returned under the name of UNMOVIC (United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission), with the nuclear inspections being carried out by the IAEA. Their work was innovative on many levels and had a huge influence in the debate between supporters and opponents of the war that removed Saddam Hussein from power. Following on from disarmament efforts that began back in the 19th century, UN's disarmament mission in Iraq was innovative in many respects, as Ruxendra Popa demonstrates in her doctoral thesis. She shows how these unprecedented inspection techniques strengthened the UN's position in the world and its role in limiting weapons of mass destruction. In a clear and well-documented fashion, she demonstrates how the work of the weapons inspectors in Iraq - which can be qualified as a success in terms of continuous controls and verification, but was less successful in terms of actual disarmament - was among the most far-reaching and original disarmament work ever undertaken. The author comments, however, that this very success may jeopardise its transposition to future weapons inspection missions.
(FRo)
*** HURI TÜRSAN: Democratisation in Turkey. The Role of Political Parties. P.I.E.-Peter Lang (1 av. Maurice, B-1050 Brussels. E-mail: info@peterlang.com - Internet: http://www.peterlang.net ). "Multiple Europes" series, No. 31. 2004, 289 pp. ISBN 90-5201-236-9
The prospect of Turkey joining the European Union is the subject of passionate debate, and even interfered in the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty. One area of friction is the level of democracy achieved in Turkey, hence this book is extremely timely. Particularly because the training of Turkish political parties and their interaction is a very interesting case study since Turkey is one of the few non-Western countries where, as Dankwart Rustow points out, "even during the most rapid periods of Westernisation, political and cultural changes have always been led by the indigenous elite". The author outlines the change in political parties since they were formed in the nineteenth century under the Ottoman Empire to modern times, passing through the period of a single party from the foundation of the Republic of Turkey until 1946, the rise in inter-party rivalry in the 1950s and 1960s and the period between 1960 and 1980 when there were three coup d'etats. He studies in detail the mechanisms for training parties, political divisions and links with the majority and the opposition. The result is an extremely interesting book for people studying the dynamics inherent in political parties and people who want to gain greater understanding of Turkish political life. The book was written before the recent reforms.
(FRo)
*** STEPHAN SBERRO, JUAN PABLO SORIANO (Eds.): La Union Europea, su evolución y relaciones con America Latina y el mundo 2005. Instituto de Estudios de la Integración Europea, El Colegio de Mexico, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Miguel Angel Porrúa (4 Amargura, San Angel, Alvaro Obregón, 01000 Mexico, D. F.). 2005, 199 pp. ISBN 970-701-590-X.
In the fourth edition of this regular publication on relations between the European Union and Latin America, Stephan Sberro, co-Director of the Instituto de Estudios de la Integracion Europea of the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo of Mexico, and Juan Pablo Soriano, Research Coordinator at the same institute, outline recent developments in EU-Latin American relations, which have become much more intense over the years. Various authors contributed to the new edition, the first part of which describes major events influencing the life of the EU that are significant for Latin American countries, while the second part looks at social cohesion, a topic of growing importance in negotiations between the EU and Latin America, with preparations for the May 2004 Guadalajara Summit. The authors look at the launch of social dialogue between the EU and Mexico and the role of civil society, hoping their work will prove useful in preparing for the next Euro-Latin Summit, to be held in Vienna in May 2006. In the introduction, Stephan Sberro points out that after 2004, an important year in terms of the EU's relations with Latin America because of the Guadalajara Summit, 2005 is a decisive year for Europe. His comments were written before the outcome of the referendums on the European Constitution in France and the Netherlands was known, and before the breakdown of negotiations on the Financial Perspectives…
(MG)
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985 Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following document:
*** Face aux changements démographiques, une nouvelle solidarité entre générations. Livre vert. Direction General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. 2005, 29 pp. ISBN 92-894-9384-4
As is well known, Europe is ageing. Birth rates have slumped and life expectancy has grown, leading to an upturning of the age pyramid in most European countries. More than a third of the EU's regions have already seen a fall in their populations, partly due to growing problems with reconciling work and private life. Moreover, the baby boom generation born after the Second World War will soon be reaching retirement age, which will extend the deficit in the working population. All these elements compromise the future growth of the European economy and raise the question of the future of relations between the generations. This Green Paper looks at the issue, based on statistics published in the booklet. It studies the changes that will have to be made to working lives and the composition of the working population, which will include postponing the retirement age, better inclusion of young generations in working life and updating the education system, along with new approaches to immigration. The brochure includes an 8-page questionnaire inviting readers' comments on the issue.
*** 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 ). May 2005, No. 128, 16 pp, 32 euros. Annual subscription: 867.85 euros.
This issue looks at various ways of checking up on the unemployed in a dozen EU countries. It includes a table of the different formulas utilised, often involving penalties and a written commitment by the unemployed. Other articles look at consultations over simplifying health and safety directives and protecting workers from optical rays.
*** Europe infos. Commission of Bishops' Conferences of the European Community - Catholic European Study and Information Centre (42 rue Stevin, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2350510 - Fax: 2303334 - E-mail: debbichi-ocipe@tiscalinet.be). May 2005, No. 71, 12 pp. Annual subscription: 27 euros.
The centre spread of May's issue of Europe infos looks at Pope Jean-Paul II. Other articles look at the need for a European-wide immigrant integration policy, sustainable development in European politics, including in the 6th EU Action Programme for the Environment and European defence. Other articles take a more direct look at religion, such as the need for the Church to make the most of information and communication technology, and the United Nations Conference on Women, where sexual equality and abortion were discussed.
***Infoeuropa. Patronat Català Pro Europa (227 rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2310330 - Fax: 2302110 - E-mail: pcpe@infoeuropa.org - Internet: http://www.infoeuropa.org ). January -April 2005, No. 7, 12 pp.
This quarterly publication by Catalan employers is produced as a bilingual Catalan and Spanish newspaper and as a bilingual Catalan English newspaper. The same articles take up six pages in one language, translated into the other language upside down. This issue looks at the results of the Spanish referendum, the use of accession criteria as foreign policy instruments and the role of the EU as a conflict resolution tool. Mateo Sorinas, Director General of the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, explains the utility of the Council of Europe. The 'Opinion' section in the last two pages looks at airline overbooking and rural development.
Reviews in Brief
***Airport Business. Airports Council International Europe. May 2005, Brussels. This issue looks at security issues and limits to airport capacity, along with projects in the Middle East. ***Activity Reprot
2004. Fedichem. June 2005, Brussels. A concise look at major areas of concern to the Belgian chemical industry.