11 December 2018 No 27/28 ISSN 1664-7963

Current Concerns PO Box CH-8044 Zurich Current Concerns Switzerland The international journal for independent thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, Phone: +41 44 350 65 50 Fax: +41 44 350 65 51 and for the promotion and respect of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law

E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.currentconcerns.ch English Edition of Zeit-Fragen

Ukraine stages new provocation in Kerch Strait: pursuing hidden agenda by Peter Korzun, Expert on wars and conflicts

On 25 November, three Ukrainian naval Hungary ships made an unauthorised crossing Moldovan Ukraine through Russian territorial waters. The Romania Russian Coast Guard took measures Azov Sea Russia to force them to comply with the rules. Kerch They did not. There can be little doubt Serbia that Kiev sent those ships to deliberate- ly provoke Russia. Every ship that pass- Kerch Strait es through that waterway must contact Bulgare the Kerch Sea Port authorities, report her Black Sea route and destination, and be given per- Georgia mission to sail through. It’s really that simple, but Ukraine’s group of ships had not notified Russia in advance of their Greece plans. Warnings to stop their dangerous (map wikipedia/CC) maneuvering were met with a deaf ear. The Ukrainian vessels defiantly ignored try. The ongoing conflict with the self- vention on the Law of the Sea would take the requests to leave Russia’s territorial proclaimed republics has never prompted effect. Russia’s and Ukraine’s territorial waters. him to consider a state of emergency. But waters would extend for 12 nautical miles Kiev has rushed to accuse Moscow of he found the recent sea incident grave from their respective coasts. The interi- “military aggression.” The incident im- enough to justify the imposition of mar- or of that sea would become international mediately captured the headlines, with tial law prior to the presidential election waters, allowing NATO ships to enter the Western leaders raising their voices to that polls indicate he has a slim chance Azov Sea without restrictions. back Ukraine without even offering any of winning. Kiev also hopes that military aid from details about exactly what had happened The move would curb civil liberties NATO countries will increase, allowing or what had sparked this dangerous turn and give state institutions greater pow- it to build a powerful navy and coastal of events. NATO Secretary General Jens ers during the election scheduled for 31 defenses. It would like to have an inter- Stoltenberg wasted no time to express March 2019, if it is not postponed. Pres- national monitoring mission stationed in the bloc’s “full support for Ukraine’s ter- idential, parliamentary, and local elec- the Azov Sea, probably under the auspic- ritorial integrity and sovereignty, includ- tions, as well as strikes, protests, rallies, es of the OSCE and with the participation ing its full navigational rights in its ter- and mass demonstrations, are all forbid- of navies that are unfriendly to Russia. ritorial waters under international law.” den during a time of martial law. The in- Another thing the Ukrainian president Canada, Poland, and Denmark, in addi- cident at sea may not be the only prov- would like to see happen is for US Pres- tion to some other countries, were quick ocation that is planned. The situation ident Trump to cancel his meeting with to join their voices to the anti-Russian along the border with the self-proclaimed Russian President Putin at the G20 sum- choir. It serves their purpose to brush republics began to deteriorate as soon as mit in Argentina [as has already hap- aside both the details as well as any at- the reports about the sea incident start- pened]. tempts to try to gain insight into the real ed to pour in. Heavy shelling by Ukrain- What has prompted Kiev’s actions? It causes of this incident in particular or the ian forces of residential areas in eastern was the backing of the West. On 25 Oc- deterioration of the situation in the Azov Ukraine was reported during the evening tober the European Parliament adopted Sea in general. of 26 November. a resolution on the Azov Sea to express On 26 November, Ukrainian President Another motive – the provocation was its support of Ukraine. On 19 November, Petro Poroshenko signed a bill imposing staged to expedite the procedure of join- UN High Representative for Foreign Af- martial law. Once approved by parlia- ing NATO. The 2003 Russia-Ukraine fairs and Security Policy Federica Mogh- ment, it will remain in effect for at least agreement, which states that the Azov erini stated that the EU foreign ministers one month. Afterward it can be extended. Sea is considered to be the domestic wa- had discussed taking relevant “targeted The Ukrainian president did not raise the ters of both the two countries, can be an- measures” against Russia due to the sit- question of imposing martial law in 2014, nulled. A bill to repeal the treaty was in- uation in the Azov Sea. The US contin- when Crimea requested via referendum troduced in the Ukrainian parliament ues to expand its military assistance to that it be incorporated by Russia. Nor did (Rada) last summer. It forbids any war- Ukraine. The US already has a military he take that step in 2015 during the bat- ship from entering the sea without the facility in Ochakovo. Once the Oliver H. tle of Debalsevo Bulge in the heat of the consent of both nations. If that agreement fighting in the eastern part of the coun- is torn up, the 1982 United Nations Con- continued on page 2 No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 2 Once again the escalation is taken to a higher level German-French arbitration offers not credible by Karl Müller

On 25 November the Russian coast guard has seized three Ukrainian marine boats “The protection of the Russian border which are now kept in a harbour on the Crimean peninsula. Ukrainian marines is the task of the Coast Guard” have been injured and, for violating the km. On 29 November, on the occasion coast guard. The Russians had also an- Russian border, the Ukrainian ship crews of the current conflict between Rus- nounced that they would act in the same are to be brought to trial in Russia. sia and Ukraine, the German magazine way. If Ukrainian ships, under the acqui- As soon as the next day Russia was ac- Cicero asked Frank Elbe, the former escence [with the approval] of the presi- cused not only by the Ukrainian govern- German ambassador to Poland and dent, do not abide by the rules, they will India and head of the planning staff at trigger the current situation.” ment but also by the governments of var- the German Foreign Office under For- Shortly before in the interview Frank ious EU states, the EU itself, the NATO eign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Elbe had stated: “You also have to take and the US government. Russia was for his assessment of the situation. a look at the situation of Russia: The charged with exerting illegal violence So Cicero asked: “But is not the Rus- American effort to bring Ukraine and and planning to extend its power into the sian approach disproportionately ag- Georgia into NATO, the development whole Sea of Azov. Once again Russia gressive? To ram a ship and shoot at of a missile defence system, NATO’s ap- is threatened with sanctions and boycott people is not the way to help de-esca- proach to the Russian border. measures; the Ukrainian government was late the situation.” It is logical that this causes fear in demanding military support from NATO Frank Elbe replied: “The protection Russia. And that Putin cannot simply let of the Russian border is the task of the these developments happen.” and in particular Germany. None of the governments took into con- sideration that the Russian version might of an escalation of the conflict between ures are taken to prevent an escalation of be correct, stating that the Ukrainian ships Russia and Ukraine and the call for “de- the conflict? had violated the Russian border in order escalation” are not credible. Otherwise the to provoke and were not willing to leave approach would be a different one, tak- The statement of the German govern- Russian territory. ing the Russian version of the occurrence ment spokesman As a historian I have learned that it is also into account. This is why the Ger- That the position of the German govern- impossible to assess events the day after. man-French offer to arbitrate in the cur- ment is hardly “neutral” regarding the cur- It takes a thorough examination of many rent Russian-Ukrainian conflict is hardly rent events was demonstrated by the state- sources to acquire some kind of knowl- convincing. Not a lot is “neutral” in Ger- ment of government spokesman Stefan edge of what really happened. In the man and French government politics. Seibert on the morning of 26 November West’s dealing with Russia, this care and in the government press conference. Seib- diligence has long been neglected. But the Who is setting the tone in Ukraine? ert negated Russian rights on the Crime- political concept does not ask for dealing In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, an, again mentioned an “annexation of the diligently with facts; the goal is not to find Alexander Neu, member of the German Crimean against international law” and that the truth but to weaken Russia. Bundestag for the party Die Linke, stated the German government was also deeming on 26 November: “Ukraine’s sovereignty the construction of a bridge to the Russian Hardly credible corresponds to the sovereignty of a three- mainland as a breach of international law, Thus it is not surprising that after the in- year-old child, depending on his mum. Be- closing: “From the standpoint of the Feder- cident the German and French govern- lieve me. Ukraine itself has not much of a al Government there are severe questions, ments as well as the EU, the NATO Sec- say.” Although the German radio journal- mainly regarding the usage of military retary General, the US Secretary of State, ist reacted touchy on this statement it is an force by Russia for which we cannot see a the US Ambassador to the UN and many occasion to start thinking. If, as the Rus- justification on the basis of the facts hither- other Western politicians and media want sian side is claiming, the Ukrainian ma- to known to us.” Thus he sweeps aside the Russia to stand in the dock, pledging their rine actions in the Kerch Strait had indeed Russian argumentation in passing. It is un- support for the Ukrainian government – it been a deliberate provocation, the question derstandable that the Russian government is just another element in the longstanding arises: Who outside Ukraine is interested campaign against Russia. And unfortu- in such a provocation with all its potential nately we need to add: The alleged “fear” consequences – while officially all meas- continued on page 3

”Ukraine stages new provocation …” just okayed an amendment to proclaim lanes to be free and protected by law. continued from page 1 NATO and EU memberships as official The more political and military support foreign-policy goals. If approved by par- Kiev gets, the greater the chance that a Perry-class frigates arrive in Ukraine, liament, the Minsk accords will then be- spark will kindle a fire in the Azov Sea they will be followed by American naval come null and void, because Russia orig- that will spread further. The responsibil- instructors. The US presence and mili- inally agreed to comply with them on the ity rests with those who are egging Kiev tary infrastructure will gradually expand. condition that Ukraine remain a neutral on and thus whipping up tensions in pur- Great Britain is doing the same thing. state. suit of political goals. • The West’s support is encourag- No one needs such heightened ten- ing Ukraine to escalate the tensions. sions in an area with so much ship activ- Source: www.strategic-culture.org from Ukraine’s Constitutional Court has ity. All seafaring nations want shipping 27 November 2018 No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 3

”Once again the escalation …” continued from page 2 Federation in 2014. Experts in state and German-Russian relations. There many international law are assessing the situa- possibilities. From conversations and pub- does not feel encouraged to let the German tion differently. And we need to remember lic statements to concrete steps in rap- government “arbitrate”. that in March 2014, about one month after prochement, for example in German-Rus- the coup d’état in Kiev which was also di- sian twinning arrangements of towns (cf. The status of the Crimean peninsula rected against the Ukrainian population the interview at page 12). Regarding the “annexation of the Crime- tending towards Russia, an overwhelming The past days have shown that the cam- an against international law”: Continu- majority of the inhabitants of the Crimean paign against Russia is not over. On the ous repetition of this claim does not make voted in a secret referendum for an acces- contrary, playing with fire is practised, it correct. As of now there is no final in- sion of the Crimean to the Russian Feder- sometimes more sometimes less intense. ternational law judgement regarding the ation. In a turnout of about 83%, almost It is not sufficient to expect Russia to react accession of the Crimean to the Russian 97% of the voters cast their vote in favour in a calm and serene way towards perma- of this accession. The Crimean parlia- nent provocations. • ment has filed the application according- Escalation plans of a ly and the concerned Russian institutions US-American think tank have accepted it. All governments know Gabriel criticises “new edition of that Russia is considering the Crimean as At https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/ the gunboat diplomacy” blogs/ukrainealert/russia-s-provoca- Russian territory which is why it is logical tions-in-the-sea-of-azov-what-should- that it observes the corresponding rights “Former Foreign Minister Sigmar Ga- be-done the US think tank Atlantic and obligations. This includes the protec- briel campaigned for relaxation in Council made the following recommen- tion of the borders. the Ukrainian conflict. He told the dations in November 2018: “Ukraine Tagesspiegel that Germany should should give careful consideration to a German politics and international law ‘not allow itself to be drawn into a special operation that might disrupt Considering the manner in which over the war against Russia’. Gabriel criticised the bridge that Moscow built over the Ukraine’s demands for German war- Kerch Strait that joins Crimea to Russia. past 20 years German politics has treat- But that’s not all. Ukraine should invite ed international law also suggests that the ships against Russia and the proposal the United States and NATO to send a rhetoric of an “annexation against interna- to close international ports for Rus- fleet of armed ships to visit Mariupol, tional law” is not due to a desire for legal- sian ships from the Crimean region. the main city on the Sea of Azov coast ity but political interests. Gabriel called this a ‘new edition of and defy Russia to fire on or block As German citizen I am concerned with the gunboat diplomacy’.” NATO from exercising the right to visit the question how we can succeed in bring- Source: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/poli- Ukraine’s ports. Those ships should be ing more Germans to take a stand for an tik/ g20-gipfel-streit-um-deutsche-reak- armed and have air cover but be in- honest review of the German-Russian his- tion-aufukraine-konflikt/23706972.html structed not to fire unless fired upon.” from 1.12.2018 tory of the past 27 years and for improved

A special Christmas Gift A Gift Subscription of Current Concerns Current Concerns The international journal for independent thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, and for the promotion and respect of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law

Subscribe to Current Concerns – The journal of an independent cooperative The cooperative Zeit-Fragen is a politically and financially independent organisation. All of its mem­bers work on a voluntary and honorary basis. The journal does not accept commercial advertisements of any kind and receives no financial support from business organisations. The journal Current Concerns is financed exclusively by its subscribers. We warmly recommend our model of free and independent press coverage to other journals. Annual subscription rate of CHF 40,-; Euro 30,-; USD 40,-; GBP 25,- for the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hongkong, Iceland, Ireland, Is- rael, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Swit- zerland, United Arab ­Emirates, United Kingdom, USA Annual subscription rate of CHF 20,-; Euro 15,-; USD 20,-; GBP 12,50 for all other countries. Please choose one of the following ways of payment: - send a cheque to Current Concerns, P. O. Box, CH-8044 Zurich, or - send us your credit card details (only Visa), or - pay into one of the following accounts: CH: Postscheck-Konto (CHF): 87-644472-4 IBAN CH91 0900 0000 8764 4472 4 BIC POFICHBEXXX CH: Postscheck-Konto (Euro): 91-738798-6 IBAN CH83 0900 0000 9173 8798 6 BIC POFICHBEXXX D: Volksbank Tübingen, Kto. 67 517 005, BLZ 64190110 IBAN DE12 6419 0110 0067 5170 05 BIC GENODES1TUE A: Raiffeisen Landesbank, Kto. 1-05.713.599, BLZ 37000 IBAN AT55 3700 0001 0571 3599 BIC RVVGAT2B No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 4

When you want to sanction states, you call them “terrorists” by Thierry Meyssan The new unilateral sanctions by the Unit- of the present war, but are intended to pun- pany Promsyrioimport. This company ed States against Iran, Russia and Syria ish the “atrocities” committed by these three is paid by the private Syrian company add to the previous actions concerning “regimes”. However, on the verge of winter, Global Vision Group, which is itself fi- the same three targets. They now form the they mostly concern the supply of refined nanced by the Iranian company Tabir most unforgiving embargo in history. The petroleum to the Syrian people so that they Kish Medical and Pharmaceutical. way in which they have been organised is may light their homes and keep warm. – Finally the Global Vision Group trans- illegal according to the definition of the It is not necessary to specify that the fers a part of the money it receives to Charter of the United Nations – these are three states targeted deny the “atrocities” Hezbollah and Hamas. weapons of war, designed for killing. of which they are accused, while the Unit- This a cock and bull story: ed States pursue the wars that they started – The International Coalition has the of- For his visit to Moscow on 8 November, in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria. ficial objective of fighting Daesh. How- ambassador James Jeffrey was tasked with The US sanctions were not decided by ever, numerous testimonies over the last explaining the current US obsession with the United Nations Security Council, but four years attest that it had alternative- the expansion of Persian influence in the by the United States alone. They are ille- ly bombed the Islamic state whenever it Arab world (Saudi Arabia, Bahrein, Iraq, gal in international law because in order to exceeded the zone which had been allo- Lebanon, Syria, Yemen). Washington now make them lethal, Washington is attempting cated to it by the Pentagon (the Wright wishes to formulate this question in geo- to force third-party states to associate them- plan), and that, on the contrary, it had strategic rather than religious terms (Shias/ selves with the motion, which constitutes parachuted weapons to Daesh in order Sunni), while Teheran is organising its na- a threat to the states targeted and therefore to maintain its position in the specified tional defence around forward posts com- a violation of the United Nations Charter. area. The two entities worked together posed of shiite Arabs. The United States have the sovereign right to destroy Syrian refineries. Moscow then considered the possibility to refuse to enter into commerce with other – What is the purpose of implicating the of negotiating on Tehran’s behalf for the eas- states, but not to exercise pressure on third- Russian government in the transfer of ing of unilateral US sanctions, in exchange party states in order to harm their targets. petroleum from Iranian refineries to- for its military withdrawal from Syria. Pres- At one time, the Pentagon claimed that in- wards Syrian ports? ident Vladimir Putin confirmed his proposi- flicting damaging treatment on a particular – Why would Iran suddenly need Syria tion, not only for his US opposite number, nation would lead its people to overthrow to transfer money to Hezbollah and but also for the Israeli Prime Minister, dur- its government. That was also the theoreti- Hamas? ing their meeting in Paris on 11 November cal justification for the bombing of Dresden – Why would Syria transfer Iranian for the celebrations marking the centenary during the Second World War and the end- money to Hamas while the Palestinian of the end of the First World War . less embargo against Cuba during the Cold organisation – whose leaders are mem- He attempted to convince the Western- War. However, in the space of 75 years, this bers of the Muslim Brotherhood – is at ers that Russia alone in Syria was prefer- theory has never, absolutely never, been ver- war with them? able to the Irano-Russian tandem. Howev- ified by the facts. Now the Pentagon is con- Steven Mnuchin doesn’t bother with long er, he could not guarantee that Iran would sidering using detrimental treatment against explanations. As far as he is concerned, have sufficient authority over Hezbollah – a nation as a weapon of war like any other. Syria is criminal state and Russia is its ac- as both Washington and Tel-Aviv pretend – Embargoes are designed to kill civilians. complice, while Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas to be able to order it to withdraw also. The ensemble of systems currently used are all “terrorists”. This is the most impor- Washington’s only answer, nine days against Iran, Russia and Syria constitute tant point, the word that cancels out thought. later, was to announce the eleventh series the most gigantic siege system in history1. A French proverb assures that “When of unilateral sanctions against Russia since These are not economic measures, but – you want to drown your dog, you claim the beginning of August. This was accom- without any possible doubt – military ac- it has rabies.” So there’s no point expect- panied by a ridiculous speech according to tions implemented in the economic sector. ing logic in Secretary Mnuchin’s answer to which Russia and Iran had together organ- In time, they will probably lead to a divi- President Putin’s proposition of mediation. ised a vast plot aimed at maintaining Presi- sion of the world into two parts, just as in Progressively, the United States are dent Assad in power and expanding Persian the period of USA-USSR rivalry. withdrawing their troops from the conflicts control in the Arab world. Secretary Mnuchin insisted at length on in which they were engaged, and replac- This rhetoric, which we believed had the fact that these sanctions were aimed ing them with mercenaries on the ground been abandoned, assimilates three states (the above all at the interruption of the sale of (the jihadists) and economic sanctions, the Russian Federation, the Syrian Arab Repub- hydro-carbons, meaning depriving these modern version of the medieval siege. • lic and the Islamic Republic of Iran) as ma- countries – mostly exporters – of their main Source: www.voltairenet.org from 27 November chines in the service of three men (Bachar financial resources. 2018 al-Assad, Ali Khamenei and Vladimir Putin) The mechanism described by Steven (Translation Pete Kimberley) who are united by the same hatred of their Mnuchin is as follows: respective peoples. It ignores the massive – Syria is presently unable to refine pet- 1 Although during the Middle Ages, Christianity popular support they enjoy, while the Unit- rol since its installations were destroyed accepted wars between the Catholic sovereigns, ed States are profoundly torn apart. either by Daesh or by the Internation- it condemned military actions against civilians. In the 13th century, the Catholic Church there- We can leave aside the stupid assertion al Coalition’s bombing raids against fore condemned all sieges when they concerned that Russia is aiding and abetting the con- Daesh. not only soldiers but also populations. This quest of the Arab world by Persia. – For the last four years, Iran has been sup- ethic has remained that of the Holy See until According to the US Secretary of the plying refined petrol to Syria in violation today. For example, Pope John-Paul II opposed the United States when they applied economic Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, who presented of previous unilateral US sanctions. This sanctions against the Iraqis during the reign of the unilateral US sanctions on 20 Novem- petrol is transported by Western compa- Saddam Hussein. His successor, Pope Francis, ber, they do not form the economic section nies working for the Russian public com- remains silent on this question. No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 5 Endanger nationalists and neo-Nazis in Ukraine peace throughout Europe? by Matthias Erne, lawyer, Zurich

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, a kind of nationalism has emerged in its re- publics, hampering, in part even hinder- ing the solution of various current prob- Russia and CIS lems on the Eurasian continent, with former Soviet republics possible long-term effects on the security of Europe. In its most extremist form, this nationalism is presently manifesting itself in Ukraine. It is an expression of an iden- Russia tity crisis in this country. However, this 1. Belarus 6. Azerbaijan 11. Tajikistan article is not about revealing the histo- 2. Ukraine 7. Kazakhstan ry of the newly formed republics in 1991. 3. Moldova 8. Uzbekistan Rather, the connection between national- 4. Georgia 9. Turkmenistan ism and European security are to be il- 5. Armenia 10. Kyrgyzstan lustrated.

With the Soviet Union disintegrated 1991 a multi-ethnic state, in which lived about Mongolia 100 ethnic groups. The political elites in the successor states then faced the prob- lem of creating an independent national Iran China identity in order to protect themselves in (Infographic ma) the long term against reintegration into a successor realm. For ideological rea- from the High Commissioner for Nation- dominant Armenian population, a new sons, the leadership of the Soviet Union al Minorities (HCNM): Diplomats from minority problem is growing, because never paid much attention to the question EU and NATO countries probably made these people are not allowed to run Ar- of nationality. Relations between Sovi- sure that the HCNM did not become too menian language schools and they have et republics were close in every respect, active. More recently veteran associa- to hold services in their churches accord- and especially Russians, Belarussians tions of former members of the SS have ing to the rites of the Georgian Orthodox and Ukrainians played an important role become increasingly active in the Bal- Church. For the Armenians, for whom in many smaller constituent republics. tic republics, appearing in public in uni- religion is part of their self-image as a Many territorial issues remained unre- form, organising commemorative march- nation, this is hard to bear. In Armenia solved. That was the difficult starting po- es, erecting monuments and rejoicing at and Azerbaijan, even before the final col- sition at the end of 1991, when the Soviet the high prestige they enjoy in these coun- lapse of the Soviet Union, conflicts arose Union ceased to exist. tries. Today they receive state pensions. and pogroms occurred in some places. The handling of the nationality prob- And the younger generation is fully in- This severely hampers the search for a lem did not succeed equally well every- volved in this tradition. The official rep- solution to the conflict in Nagornyi Kara- where. While Russia and Kazakhstan, resentatives of these countries sometimes bakh. with their more than 100 resp. 50 ethnic show difficulties in distancing themselves groups, regard themselves as multi-eth- from these activities. Belarus nic states, other former republics began The Republic of Belarus also faced the to demarcate themselves sharply. Central Asian republics problem of demarcating itself from the The republics of Central Asia also suc- big neighbour in the East. But Belarus ap- Development in the Baltic republics ceeded in demarcation on the basis of lin- proached this problem with a sense of pro- This was especially easy for the Baltic re- guistic, religious and cultural characteris- portion, and after the events on the Maid- publics, which had little in common with tics. But they coped well with the Russian an Nezalezhnostiin in Kiev in 2014 and Russia in language, religious and cultural minority and the Russian language. In later on, hardly anyone believes that the respects. The basis of their national un- Central Asia, unresolved territorial issues Ukrainian way is worth following. derstanding was and is their language. and the influence of radical Islamists – However, Estonia and Latvia in particu- especially from the Gulf region – play a Ukraine lar quickly began to disadvantage their destabilising role. Ukraine in its present form is a result of the Russian-speaking minority systematical- secession from the former Soviet Union. Its ly. This minority today accounts for about South Caucasus territory was determined after the Second a quarter of the population in both coun- The situation is completely different in World War according to political and mili- tries. The problem took on such propor- the South Caucasus: In Georgia as well tary criteria. Since independence, Ukraine tions that the OSCE was obliged to ap- as in Armenia and Azerbaijan, political has pursued a policy of Ukrainianization point a special envoy. However, these elites believe that only a person speaking based on the understanding that a nation- states will not have to fear any criticism the state language can be a citizen. Geor- al understanding must be on the basis on gia in particular, under the leadership of the Ukrainian language. This culminat- * Matthias Erne is an established lawyer in Zurich and Wil. He has a sensorium in international law Zviad Gamsakhurdia, expressed prob- ed in a statement by former President Vik- and follows geopolitical affairs as a Swiss citi- lems in dealing with national minorities. zen under this aspect. In the Djavacheti region, with its pre- continued on page 6 No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 6

”Endanger nationalists and neo-Nazisin …” continued from page 5 “Western countries, too, not only tolerate these goings-on, tor Yushchenko that his goal was to make they even promote them: Neo-Nazis from the Ukraine were the use of the Russian language in Ukraine disappear within two generations. The Rus- trained in military camps in the Baltic States, in Poland and sian minority, which made up about a quar- Georgia. US, Canadian and British instructors trained these ter of the population, became the first tar- get of the political elite in Ukraine. This volunteers at the so-called Peacekeeping Operations Centre did not only apply to the Crimea and Don- bass, but also to the cities on the Black Sea near Lviv. Gladly, one uses the universal argument of neo- coast, especially Odessa, with its mixture Nazism against political opponents in one’s own country. of Russian, (Crimean) Tatar, Greek and Jewish populations. It did not bode well for But when Ukrainian and other Nazis fight against Russian the Romanian, Hungarian, Slovakian and citizens in Donbass and against Russia in general, Wash- Belarusian minorities in the country, any more than for the autochthonous Russians ington, Brussels and Berlin are happy to turn a blind eye.” in the Carpathians, who are not officially recognised as an ethnic group of its own. Ukrainian Uprising Army in 1942. If they not only tolerate these goings-on, they A first attempt to secede Ukraine from are able to arm themselves from the large even promote them: Neo-Nazis from the the Soviet Union was made by Ukrainian number of illegally circulating, unregis- Ukraine were trained in military camps nationalists under the leadership of Stepan tered weapons from the various wars of in the Baltic States, in Poland and Geor- Bandera and Roman Schuchewitsch in the the first half of the 20th century and from gia. US, Canadian and British instructors summer of 1941, after National Socialist the disintegration of the Soviet Army in trained these volunteers at the so-called Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Dur- the early 1990s, they represent a power in Peacekeeping Operations Centre near ing the whole war Ukrainian nationalists the state that is not to be ignored. This is Lviv. Gladly, one uses the universal argu- made a common cause with National So- also causing concern in the neighbouring ment of neo-Nazism against political op- cialist Germany, put guards in concentra- states of Ukraine. And to this mass of vi- ponents in one’s own country. But when tion camps and participated in the brutal olent protesters, the Ukrainian police held Ukrainian and other Nazis fight against fight against partisans in Ukraine and Be- against with a ridiculous number of 200 Russian citizens in Donbass and against larus. Since then, Ukrainian nationalists police officers. This clearly shows that In- Russia in general, Washington, Brussels have always struggled to distance them- terior Minister Arsen Awakow is happy to and Berlin are happy to turn a blind eye. • selves from National Socialism. let these thugs act as they please. The followers of Bandera and In keeping with this, on the same day Zhuchevich were now very much in de- in Kiev, a convention of ultra-right na- mand with the outbreak of the conflict in tionalists from all over Europe and North Current Concerns Donbass. Their volunteer organisations America was held, star guest of which The international journal for independent had been important for Ukraine in 2014, was the notoriously known Greg John- thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, one often hears, and the rulers in Kiev tol- son, a white nationalist who wants to and for the promotion and respect erate them. On the other hand, Ukraini- build an ethnically pure state in the US of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law an officials are always happy to point out whose citizens are of white skin colour that the nationalists can only win a few per only. His understanding of the state co- Publisher: Zeit-Fragen Cooperative cent of the votes in elections. On 14 Oc- incides with that of many nationalists in Editor: Erika Vögeli tober of this year, about 10,000 support- the former Soviet Union. Address: Current Concerns, ers of the Nationalist Volunteer Battalions The list of state-tolerated abuses P.O. Box, CH-8044 Zurich gathered in the city centre of Kiev to com- against national minorities in Ukraine Phone: +41 (0)44 350 65 50 memorate the establishing of the so-called is long. Also in the future, the rulers in Fax: +41 (0)44 350 65 51 Kiev want to uti- E-Mail: [email protected] lise the gangs of Subscription details: Crimea hooligans to help published regularly electronically as PDF file Kerch establish their Annual subscription rate of Bridge 6,1 km SFr. 40,-, € 30,-, £ 25,-, $ 40,- understanding for the following countries: of the state. If Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Ukraine is to be Cyprus, , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, maintained with Greece, Hongkong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Tusla Island, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Nether- its present-day lands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, (map wikipedia)6.5 km on dikes Kerch Strait or on stilts borders and in Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab ­Emirates, its form of state, United Kingdom, USA Bridge 1,4 km then the govern- Annual subscription rate of SFr. 20,-, € 15,-, £ 12,50, $ 20,- ment will have for all other countries. Taman Peninsula, to take coercive Account: Postscheck-Konto: PC 87-644472-4 5 km on a dike or measures, call on stilts The editors reserve the right to shorten letters to for martial law the editor. Letters to the editor do not necessarily or resort to other Total length of the «Crimean Bridge» reflect the views and opinions of Current Concerns. provocations. © 2018. All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or With access and parts on land: 19 km Western transmission of this publication may be made without written Russie permission. (Infography wikipedia) countries, too, No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 7

Extremist nationalism in Ukraine me. Since 2014, Ukraine has been ex- it, suspects were three local functionar- and magazines published by the Centre, periencing an increase in National So- ies of the party “Svoboda” (Freedom). In computer equipment and correspondence cialist crimes, which represents a seri- 2012, the monument was smeared with with representatives of local authorities, ous threat to the security of the entire the words “Death to Magyars”, “Here is Kiev authorities and diplomats. European area. Ukraine”. Source: http://alternatio.org/events/all/ In Budapest Ukraine was asked to item/60245-sbu-stremitsya-seyat-strah-i-un- The accelerated Ukrainisation was one “leave the Hungarians alone”. There was ynie-sredi-obschestvennyh-organizatsiy-rumyn- ukrainy-dlya-bezuslovnoy-i-uskorennoy-ukraini- of the causes of the conflict in Eastern no official comment from the Ukrainian zatsii Ukraine four years ago. Meanwhile, not side. only nationalist formations and organisa- At the national level, Ukrainian De- Representatives of the Romanian com- tions, but also law enforcement agencies fence Minister Stepan Poltorak discussed munity described the Ukrainian law have become instruments for the govern- with Transcarpathian Governor Gennady enforcers’ actions as “a return to KGB ment to suppress law-abiding citizens of Moskal the development of military in- practices” and accused the Ukrainian se- Ukraine. frastructure in Mukachevo and Uzhgorod curity service of harassing the Romanian Here are a few facts: and the possibility of stationing the 128th cultural centre “Eudoxio Gurmuzaki” on mountain brigade in the city of Beregovo. ethnic grounds, by means of visitations. 1. With regard to the Hungarian mi- This brigade belonging to the Ukrainian Source: https://ru.tsn.ua/ukrayina/v-rumyn- nority in Ukraine army actively participated in the hostili- skom-kultcentre-vozmutilis-iz-za-obyskov-sbu- On 27 February 2018 an unknown per- ties in the Donbass, especially in the De- i-obvinili-silovikov-v-diskriminacii-1171221.html son deposited an explosive device on the balzevo battles. In 1956 it had been part of 3. With regard to Poles windowsill of the office of the Hungari- the Soviet troops that suppressed the Hun- an Cultural Bureau of Transcarpathia in garian uprising in Budapest. In January 2017, a monument to Poles Uzhgorod. The explosion caused a fire A full statement was made by Bog- who had been murdered in the course of which destroyed the entire interior of the dan Chervak, head of the Organisation a joint punitive expedition of the SS divi- building. of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). He sions “Galicia” and the UPA was blown Previously, on 4 February 2018, described the Budapest actions as inter- up. The rubble was painted with pic- a Molotov cocktail had been thrown ference in the internal affairs of a neigh- tures of blue-yellow and red-black flags through the window of this office. bouring country, and for something like as well as with SS runes. Source: https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/ that, he declared, people got “their face After the restoration of the monu- rus/articles/2018/02/27/7078141 smashed” (“За это бьют по зубам ...”). ment in the middle of March 2017, it In July 2013 an arson attack was car- Decisive steps were needed to demon- was again smeared with the “Wolf hook” ried out on the Hungarian Cultural Cen- strate that Ukraine had to be respected. of the SS division “The Reich”, which tre of Transcarpathia in the city of Be- This could be done by stationing Ukrain- is now also a symbol of the battalion regovo. The building was set on fire at ian troops in Transcarpathia and carry- “Azov”, with swastikas and the Ukrain- night when nobody was in the office. ing out a military pacification (боевое ian trident, as well as with slogans like After throwing a brick through the win- слаживание). “Death to the Poles” (“Смерть ляхам”). dow of the Union of Hungarians, the un- Source: https://odnarodyna.org/content/luckiy- known perpetrators poured a flammable 2. with regard to the vystrel-iz-granatometa-v-evropu mixture into the room and set it on fire. Romanian diaspora In February 2017, the building of the The perpetrators of the attack have not On 22 May 2018, the Ukrainian intel- Consulate General in Lviv was paint- yet been identified. ligence service SBU opened an inves- ed red and smeared with the inscription In April 2013, the monument to Sán- tigation due to the suspicion of separa- “Our country”. dor Petöfi on the Ferenc Rákoczi II square tism. On 11 June, twelve members of the https://ukranews.com/news/477908-zdanye- in Beregovo burned. What had been the Ukrainian intelligence service searched genkonsulstva-polshy-vo-lvove-oblyly-krasnoy- background of the arsonists – vandalism the Romanian Cultural Centre in Cher- kraskoy-myd-vystupyl-s-zayavlenyem or provocation – could not be determined. nivtsi. Some historical maps dedicated to In March 2017 the Polish Consulate In 2007 the monument was covered with the 100th anniversary of the modern Ro- General in Lutsk was bombarded with black paint. Here also the perpetrators manian state were the reason for initiat- grenade launchers. have so far remained unknown. ing this criminal case. Among them was Source: https://nv.ua/ukraine/events/strelba-iz- A similar thing happened to the mon- a map of the so-called Romagna Mare granatometa-v-lutske-mestnye-smi-soobshchili- ument to Sándor Petöfi in Uzhgorod, (“Greater Romania”) from 1918-1940, o-vzryve-v-genkonsulstve-polshi-884389.html which was desecrated more than once: which included part of today’s Czernow- The SBU remains in the dark about In March 2009 it was covered with white itz region. the motives of the perpetrators: Either paint, and the sword was broken off four The Romanian Cultural Centre in it is a terrorist attack, hooliganism [sic] times, in 2016, 2015 and 2011. Chernivtsi accused the security servic- or the revenge of an individual who has In March 2014, at the height of the es of discrimination based on ethnicity. been denied a visa. civil commotions in Kiev, a monument They alleged that the Ukrainian intelli- Source: https://odnarodyna.org/content/luckiy- dedicated to the 1100th anniversary of the gence service SBU was trying to create vystrel-iz-granatometa-v-evropu arrival of the Hungarians in the Carpathi- fear and discouragement in the public or- 4. With regard to Belarussians an Basin was set on fire on the Veretskij ganisations of Romanians in Ukraine, so Pass in Transcarpathia. Ever since its in- as to accelerate Ukrainisation, said the In April 2018, provocative inscriptions stallation in 2008, this monument has be- head of the centre, V. Teritsanu. SBU staff could be read in the streets of Chernig- come a constant object of vandalism. In had spent the whole day on the Centre’s 2011 an arson attack was carried out on premises, confiscating books, newspapers continued on page 8 No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 8

”Extremist nationalism...” was thrown in December 2016, and the located. During the pogrom there were continued from page 7 attempt at arson in a synagogue in Lviv also police representatives present who in June 2016. called the ongoing lawlessness, dur- ov, the contents of which were directed Source: https://ru.molbuk.ua/chernovtsy_ ing which a group of Nazis beat Roma against Belarusian citizens. news/136060-vandaly-yaki-splyundruvaly-syn- children and women out of their homes, agogu-v-chernivcyakh-vchynyly-ryad-inshykh- Source: https://0462.ua/news/2006038 “subbotnik” (Saturday work). zlochyniv-po-vsiy-ukrayini-avakov.html Yuri Goncharov, head of the Chernigov Source: Youtube: “Представники regional SBU, appealed to the residents 6. with regard to Sinti and Roma Нацдружини Огненный зачищають of Chernigov and the region to stop at- табiр ромiв у Голосiiвському парку - вiдео Куiv Куiv LIVE”, “Видео цыганского tempting to incite ethnic hatred. On 1 July 2018, a 30-year-old woman рейд погрома в Киеве”, “Огненный Лысой was killed with a knife stab to the neck Лысой: кто и почему сжег лагерь ромов 5. With regard to Jews on the premises of the railway depot in ромов на Лысой горе?” On 30 June 2017, the anniversary of the Beregovo. The Ukrainian police opened Under pressure from international Lviv Pogrom, Ukrainian nationalists criminal proceedings, but allegedly human rights organisations, the interi- held a festival in Lviv in honor of Roman found no motive for murder related to or ministry opened criminal proceed- Shukhevich, a collaborator with the Na- sex, race or other forms of discrimina- ings in respect of the pogrom – but noth- tional Socialists and with members of tion. This was also the statement of the ing happened. The ultra-right, who felt the “Nightingale” battalion, which was Transcarpathian regional administration. themselves to be immune to prosecution, directly involved in the murders of Jews In the night from 23 to 24 June 2018, immediately began new pogrom actions: during the Second World War. a group of young Lviv Nazis attacked a – On 9 May 2018, the nationalist youth On 26 April 2018, unidentified per- village of Sinti and Roma in one of the burned down a camp of Sinti and sons set fire to a memorial to the victims suburbs of Lviv and killed one of its in- Roma in the village of Rudnoje near of the Holocaust in Ternopil, where more habitants – a 23-year-old man from Tran- Lviv; than 100,000 Jews had been killed dur- scarpathia. The Pogrom participants – On 22 May 2018, Nazis attacked a ing the Second World War. were members of the ultra-right organi- camp of Sinti and Roma in the Terno- Source: https://apostrophe.ua/news/society/ sation “Трезвая и злая молодежь” (lit- pil region; accidents/2018-04-27/v-ternopole-oskvernili- erally: “Sober and Wicked Youth”), a – On 27 May 2018, activists from vari- pamyatnik-jertvam-holokosta-opublikovano-vid- suborganisation of the Nazi group “Mis- ous ultra-right organisations staged a eo-s-momentom-podjoga/128453 anthropic Division”, which is close- pogrom against Caucasian and Turk- On 2 May 2018, when Odessa called to ly associated with the volunteer battal- ish stalls at the Kiev market near Le- mind the victims of the fire at the House ions and especially with the battalion snaya metro station, in order to show of Trade Unions in 2014, in which 48 “Azov”. The group’s online social media that not only Roma could become vic- people were killed, Tatyana Soikina, accounts are full of quotes from Hitler tims of nationalist attacks; head of the Odessa branch of the “Right and Mussolini and clearly show the rac- – On 7 June 2018, the activists of the Sector” and veteran of the so-called ist views of its members. According to “National Brigade” destroyed Sinti “anti-terror operation” in Donbass, human rights activists in Lviv, these neo- and Roma houses in Goloseevsky promised to create “genuine Ukrainian Nazis went to the camp only to kill, and Park. order” in Odessa. Ukraine belonged to if there had been no intervention of the Source: https://ukraina.ru/opin- the Ukrainians, not to the Jews and not police, there would have been more cas- ion/20180625/1020524252.html to the oligarchs, she said, and chanted ualties. They injured a ten-year-old child The acts of violence against Sinti and “fame for Ukraine”. with knives, and also his mother who Roma are an important indicator of the Source: https://www.dni.ru/socie- tried to protect her son. creeping nationalist tendency in Ukrain- ty/2018/5/4/397200.html Source: https://ukraina.ru/opin- ian politics. Other anti-Semitic acts were the smear- ion/20180625/1020524252.html The Ukrainian Nazis benefit from the ing of anti-Semitic slogans on the syna- On 21 April 2018 the Nazis of the “C14” total defencelessness of the national mi- gogue in Chernivtsi in November 2016, group destroyed a camp of Sinti and norities on the territory of present-day the desecration of Rabbi Nachman’s Roma in Lysa Hora, in the territory of Ukraine and from the tacit support of the grave in the city of Uman, on which the the Kiev district Pechersk, where almost Ukrainian government and authorities. head of a pig with a swastika carved in it all national authorities of Ukraine are No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 9 Federal Council and Parliament show unusual resistance Stocktaking at the beginning of the 2018 winter session by Dr iur. Marianne Wüthrich

The federal referendum on the self-deter- land would do well to follow their exam- PIC new contributions to the EU will only mination initiative (SBI) is over. Only one ple. On 29 November, even in the Ger- be considered if the EU grants unlimit- third of the voters voted in favour. One of man Bundestag, the proponents of the Pact ed recognition to Swiss stock exchanges the main reasons for the disappointing only very narrowly prevailed (372 in fa- and visible progress is made in bilateral result is once again an extremely sharp vour out of 644 votes, 153 against, 141 ab- relations”. The Finance Committee fol- counter-campaign, which was largely stentions).3 lowed suit. The Foreign Affairs Commit- based on untruths that were deliberately Actually, the Federal Council is sole- tee (FAC), on the other hand, recommend- set into the world. For example, the slo- ly responsible for the decision to sign the ed that the Council of States approve the gan “No to the anti-human rights initia- Pact, because it is so-called “legally non- payment with 6 votes to 6 and the Presi- tive” or the absurd claim that acceptance binding”. Shortly before the referendum dent’s deciding vote.7 of the initiative would result in the “auto- on the SBI, however, this prime example In the Council of States debate from 29 matic termination” of hundreds of impor- of the dominance of executive power rat- November, the proposal of the minority tant contracts for the economy. That and tled many parliamentarians. The Parlia- of the FAC (six members of the FDP (the why these statements do not apply has al- ment has now taken this important busi- Liberals) and SVP parliamentary groups) ready been explained in detail in Current ness into its own hands, and Federal surprisingly prevailed. The following con- Concerns. Part of the counter-program Councillor Ignazio Cassis has cancelled dition was attached to the federal decree was also the propaganda against the au- his trip to Marrakech. on the framework credit for cohesion: thors of the initiative, because the SVP It is to be hoped that the National Coun- “Obligations may only be entered into on (Swiss people’s party) has been in the way cil will at least join the Council of States the basis of this framework credit if there on the path to Brussels for 26 years (EEA and thus support the serious objections of are clear signs of improvements in bilater- vote 1992). its own Political Institutions Committees. al relations with the European Union and But the real challenge in the run-up The effects of the migration pact on our the EU does not adopt any discriminatory to this and many other referendums in sovereignty and public welfare would be measures against Switzerland”. recent and future years is the uniquely so serious that the Parliament should actu- The Council of States finally voted al- strong position of the sovereign in direct ally subject the decision to a popular ref- most unanimously in favour of this minor- democracy. The bringing down of the SBI erendum. That is not yet the case - but it ity proposal from the “centre-right” (by is merely a piece in the mosaic of the big can still be done. the way, the no vote and the two absten- business game with the aim of breaking tions came from the SVP parliamentary open the sovereign states - not just Swit- Cohesion billion: A clear sign from the group, because the latter is fundamentally zerland. Ultimately, it is therefore the Council of States to Brussels - a fine opposed to payments of cohesion funds). Swiss people themselves who must con- democratic political lesson! Such a thing rarely happens in the Council stantly oppose attempts to crack the sys- On 29 November, the Council of States, of States! According to an insider, this as- tem embodying the Swiss model. as first chamber, approved the payment of tonishing result is also related to the forth- It is the task of every citizen to main- a further CHF 1.3 billion over ten years coming elections: Most voters do not want tain and strengthen this resistance. We to the EU Cohesion Fund4 only on condi- people’s representatives to fill the EU cof- expect our representatives of the people to tion that the EU renounces discriminato- fers with our billions in tax revenue for be attentive and persistent in safeguard- ry measures against Switzerland - and this nothing. ing the rights of the people and parlia- practically unanimously, with 38 votes to For the National Council, which will ment. After the vote is before the election: 1 and 2 abstentions.5 probably deal with the framework cred- The federal elections in autumn 2019 will Background: As is well known, last it for cohesion in the spring session, the certainly come - and are already showing year’s President of the Confederation stakes have been set. some effect! Doris Leuthard promised EU Commission President Juncker 1.3 billion Swiss francs Negotiations on the framework agree- ment between Switzerland and the EU UN Migration Pact: Council of States in November 2017 in front of running are deadlocked demands vote in parliament cameras - without having been authorised to do so by Parliament and without de- A unique farce has been taking place be- On 29 November, the Council of States, manding any consideration in return! tween Brussels and Berne for four years as first chamber, refused with 22 no to 14 In the summer of 2018, the Federal now. The EU wants to create a “roof” over yes with 4 abstentions to drop the signing Council led – after that! – a consultation the more than 100 agreements between of the Pact entirely.1 After all, it clearly procedure (Federal Council press release Switzerland and the EU in order to cre- decided with 25:15 votes that the Federal of 29 September 2018). Many partici- ate “common rules” (= EU law) and thus Council has to submit the Pact to parlia- pants, including a whole number of can- “legal certainty” (for whom?). In fact, ment for approval.2 On 6 December, the tonal governments, demanded that the such a construct was doomed to fail from National Council will decide on two iden- Federal Council and Parliament only pay the outset because the EU system hap- tical motions. the money “if Switzerland’s interests are pens to be incompatible with the Swiss The migration pact aims at a worldwide safeguarded in the dossiers that are cen- state structure. Accordingly, the parties free movement of persons, in the sense of tral to their relations with the EU”, for ex- are getting increasingly entangled in the global capital, and thus at the weakening ample the Glarus state councilor.6 negotiations. of sovereign states and democracy (see Along this line, the Political Institutions Now the EU Commission has once Current Concerns from 14 November and Committee of the Council of States voted more painted the town red: According to 28 November). Already five EU members 6 to 4 in favour of a temporary suspension and other states reject this idea. Switzer- of cohesion payments: “In the view of the continued on page 10 No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 10

”Federal Council and Parliament …” wants “to reach agreement with the EU on decide how EU law is to be interpreted. A continued from page 9 the framework agreement before the end court of arbitration could at most decide of the year”.9 on a few important disagreements. What- the press, EU Commissioner Johannes But what is absolutely new is that the ever legal content the Federation of Trade Hahn has once again set the Federal two SP (Swiss Social Democratic Party) Unions or the Federal Council today refer Council a “final date”, 7 December.8 For Federal Councillors Simonetta Sommaru- to as red lines – something quite differ- its part, the Federal Council has postponed ga and Alain Berset – who have actually ent is of real central importance: If Swit- the meeting planned for 30 November to always been in favour of closer integration zerland were to commit itself to adopting 7 December. Because it is now in a com- of Switzerland into the EU – do not want laws that the EU would not adopt for an- pletely new situation: For the first time its to leave the trade unions out in the rain other 5 or 10 years, we as citizens would majority has fallen - against the frame- now and have therefore taken sides with waive our political rights in advance. And work agreement. (The Federal Council is the two SVP Federal Councillors Ueli that applies to an unknown number of a collegial government and takes its deci- Maurer and Guy Parmelin, who have al- laws with unknown contents. Whether in 5 sions according to the opinion of its ma- ways been opposed to a framework agree- or 10 years EU leaders will allow restrict- jority). ment. This means that four Federal Coun- ing themselves by the red lines, they once cillors are opposed to the other three from promised Switzerland, is most question- Majority in the Federal Council has the FDP and CVP (Christian Democratic able. It is also still unclear for how many turned: No to the current version of People’s Party), i.e. the Federal Council as and for which bilateral agreements Swit- framework agreement a whole is opposed to the current version zerland would have to adopt EU law. For some time now, the discussion in of the agreement and to Brussels. So the real reason why the Federal Berne has mainly revolved around the ac- Council won’t tell us what exactly is in- companying measures for the free move- Wage protection discussion distracts- cluded is obvious: If we could read it in ment of persons, which – not only from from actual legal natureof Framework black and white where Brussels wants to the point of view of the trade unions – are Agreement intervene, then the federal government of indispensable for the protection of domes- Despite these new majorities, the Fed- Berne can forget about signing the frame- tic jobs from wage dumping and sham eral Council has still not disclosed what work agreement. service companies. The EU, on the other should really be in the treaty. For the mys- hand, insists in principle on the adoption terious framework agreement would have Trade unions want to prevent of EU law, which protects employees far to overcome the high hurdle of a popular a yes to Limitation Initiative less against immigration from other EU referendum, which would understandably On 31 August 2018, the SVP and the states. On 27 November, three Federal give the EU turbos in the Bundeshaus a Auns (Action for an Independent and Councillors met for the umpteenth time headache. However, keeping the contents Neutral Switzerland) submitted their with the heads of trade unions and em- of the treaty locked up for this reason does popular initiative “for a Moderate Im- ployers’ associations and with cantonal not comply with the rules of direct democ- migration” (“Limitation Initiative”). representatives. The programme on the racy. This initiative calls for the termination Swiss television news “Tagesschau” last- Anyway, the essential contents have of the Agreement on the Free Movement ed 1:02 minutes and brought nothing new: long been known: Switzerland would have of Persons (FMPA) if the Federal Coun- The trade unions insist on the Swiss wage to automatically adopt past and future EU cil is unable to negotiate a cessation with protection measures, the Federal Council law, and the EU Court of Justice would the EU within one year. This is why, ac- cording to recent newspaper reports, An institutional framework agreement union leaders are insisting so firmly on the Swiss accompanying wage protec- with the EU must be subject to mandatory referendum tion measures. Not that their trade un- The Federal Constitution stipulates liminary draft of the Federal Council for ionists should come up with the idea that Art. 140 Mandatory referendum an extension of the mandatory referen- by managing immigration independently 1 The following must be put to the dum to they could protect themselves even better vote of the People and the Cantons: “international treaties whose imple- against wage dumping. [...] b. accession to organisations for mentation requires an amendment to the Federal Constitution or which con- By the way, the limitation initiative is collective security or to supranational the result of the parliament’s failure to im- communities: tain provisions of constitutional rank in one of the following areas [...]” (Federal plement the constitutional article on con- If the National Council and the Council Constitution Art. 140 para. 1 b to new).1 trolling immigration (mass immigration of States should ever approve a frame- It is to be expected that some parliamen- initiative). And the reason for the non-im- work agreement – which we hope will tarians hope that the optional referen- plementation is that the majority of our not happen – then, from the point of dum (without a majority of the cantons) view of constitutional law, an obligato- elected representatives have stared trans- will reduce the risk of failure somewhat. ry vote by the people and the cantons is fixed like rabbits at every frown of the la- But keeping the people’s rights small in necessary. For although the Framework dies and gentlemen in Brussels when for- the election year is not a favourable op- Treaty is not identical with EU accession, mulating their changes to the law. tion. And to postpone the referendum it would result in massive restrictions beyond autumn 2019 for tactical reasons on the direct-democratic and federal- The small state of Switzerland is much would be too transparent a manoeuvre. ist rights of citizens in broad areas of more flexible than some people think So, either an obligatory referendum – or law that are not yet known. The expect- much better: an abort of the whole ex- In fact, the EU states themselves have ed cutbacks in people’s rights are com- ercise. a great interest in a neighbourhood on parable to those that would occur if we were to join the EEA. In 1992, Parliament good terms with Switzerland. Although it 1 “Mandatory referendum for internation- therefore made this subject to a manda- is small, it has a great deal of purchasing al treaties of a constitutional nature; imple- power and, above all, financial solvency. tory referendum. mentation of Motion 15.3557 Caroni”. Ex- This classification under constitution- planatory Report of the Federal Department Brussels would also be reluctant to fore- al law is confirmed by the current pre- of Justice and Police FDJP of 15 August 2018 continued on page 11 No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 11 Rostock – Centuries of experience in dialogue with Russia Interview with Roland Methling, Lord Mayor of Rostock (Germany) cc. Rostock is a member of the International Asso- ciation of Peace Messen- ger Cities (IAPMC). The Lord Mayor of Rostock, Roland Methling, attended the 29th General Assem- bly in Volgograd from 29 October to 2 November. At the same time the V. Inter- national Forum “Dialogue on the Volga: Peace and Mutual Understanding in the 21st Century” was held. Representatives of cities and municipalities from 20 countries of the world took part to discuss the pres- ervation of peace and the possible role of municipal- ities. On the sidelines of the two events Roland Meth- ling gave the following in- terview to Current-Con- Since 1991 traditional sailing ships from all over the world cerns. meet once a year at the Hanse Sail in Rostock. (picture wikipedia) Current-Concerns: Mr Methling, Rostock close cooperation with another 10 cities to draw the balance and to encourage each and Kaliningrad in Russia - until the end worldwide. other to continue these partnerships. of the Second World War it was Königs- Our town twinnings began in 1957 with And especially the partnerships with berg in East Prussia – have been involved Szczecin, formerly named Stettin. At that Russian cities are very important. in a town twinning cooperation since time it was taboo in the GDR to name it 1991. How did you start, and what moti- Stettin, that sounded like revanchism. This Why is this so? vated you personally to become active in actually shows that it was not taken for Rostock’s relations with Russia already this field? granted; Szczecin was a German city until begin in the Hanseatic period, for example Roland Methling: Rostock is an interna- 1945. In the meantime, however, a deep with Nizhny Novgorod. Skins from Russia tionally oriented city. It’s coming from friendship has developed. It is the oldest were an important trading commodity of our history. As a Hanseatic city and sea- German-Polish town twinning. the Hanseatic period in the 13th and 14th port, we are situated waterfront and have There are now more than 500 town centuries. Novgorod was the northernmost always been dependent on trading and twinnings – contracts between municipal- Hanseatic trading base. The sailors head- maintaining relationships with our neigh- ities and local authorities in Germany and ing for Novgorod are also a legend in the bours. The city of Rostock currently has Poland. In 2017 we invited all German- history of the Hanseatic League. 14 official city partnerships and maintains Polish town twinning partners to Rostock continued on page 12

”Federal Council and Parliament …” to organise student exchanges much less Foreign Affairs Committee of the Council of continued from page 10 bureaucratically and even cheaper – and States FAC-S 18.4106. UN Migration Pact. Sub- mitting the approval decision to the Federal As- in addition we were even able to finan- sembly cially support foreign guest students. It 3 Neue Zürcher Zeitung from 30 November 2018 go most bilateral agreements. In addi- goes without saying that we want to con- 4 FDFA. Business 18,067 “Economic and social tion, the small state of Switzerland has tinue to engage in a lively economic and disparities in the enlarged EU. 2nd Swiss contri- the enormous advantage of being very cultural exchange with the other Europe- bution to selected EU countries”. flexible and, thanks to direct democra- an states and their peoples, as we have al- 5 SRF News from 29 November 2018 cy and a certain inherent thrift, is usu- ways done, but please on an equal foot- 6 Consultation response Canton Glarus 19 June ally able to make ends meet better than ing. 2018 https://www.admin.ch/ch/d/gg/pc/docu- • ments/2948/Zweiter-Schweizer-Beitrag_Stel- other countries. We could live well with- lungnahmen.pdf 1 Motion Germann 18.3935. UN Migration Pact. out an FMPA and especially without the 7 Press releases of the PIC-S from 12 October No signature by Switzerland. On the decision of land transport agreement. We can cer- 2018, of the FC-S from 19 October 2018, from the Council of States: SRF News of 29 Novem- the FAC-S of 26 October 2018 tainly also live without EU stock mar- ber 2018 8 ket recognition, just as we found a viable 2 Motion Political Institutions Committee of the St. Galler Tagblatt from 30 November 2018 way after being thrown out of Erasmus+ Council of States PIC-S 18.4103 and Motion 9 SRF News from 29 November 2018 No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 12

”Rostock – Centuries of experience …” continued from page 11 Roland Methling tional meeting of the traditional sailors (independent) was “Hanse Sail”. He has been Lord Mayor of born in Tessin, dis- the Hanseatic City of Rostock since 2005. After 1945 we established very close trict Rostock-Land, He won the elections twice at the first relations, because the Rostock port was in 1954. He grad- attempt, most recently in 2012 with 53.8 an important connection for shipping to uated at the Uni- percent. During his term of office it was the Soviet Union. At that time, the econo- versity of Rostock possible to completely reduce the defi- my was very closely linked: First and fore- in 1972 with a de- cit in the municipal budget of formerly most, these were reparations that had to gree in engineer- around 230 million euros with the sup- be rendered. Ships were built for the then rm)(picture ing. From 1978 he port of the state of Mecklenburg-West- Soviet Union. The first ships were ships worked in vari- ern Pomerania. The largest and eco- that had been sunk in the Baltic Sea. We ous areas of responsibility in the Inter- nomically strongest city in the state of recovered them, restored them and hand- national Seaport of Rostock. In 1990 Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has he moved to the administration of the thus fully regained its financial power ed them over to the former Soviet Union. Hanseatic City. There he led the interna- to act. The exchange of goods between the Sovi- et Union and the GDR was very intensive. league and later in the second league. ta - these ships were originally German They were the main trading partners, and That, too, can come from town twinning. ships that were delivered to the Soviet many goods came by sea. Rostock’s econ- But I think it’s particularly important Union as reparations after the Second omy at that time existed from close rela- for town twinning that one continues pro- World War. These ships are also today tions with the Soviet Union. Rostock was moting trust, that these encounters show the stars of our Hanse Sail. We are the sea trading centre for the Soviet Union that we all have the same tasks, similar courting them. We court them all year and the gateway of the GDR to the world. worries in the family or in the munici- round and have offered these ships a As is well known, however, this gate was pality itself, which, of course, also has a home for many years, for example in the only open to people in one direction until strong unifying effect. nineties, when things went very badly 1989. downwards in Russia. These ships were You mentioned earlier the importance of once the pride of Soviet shipping, these And then what happened to the town Rostock as a city of shipbuilding - also “white swans”, but at that time they were twinning agreements? for town twinning. Can you explain this very run-down. In the decades following the war, town in more detail? Even the crews, who used to walk twinning was also to a certain extent The port in Rostock was, as already men- through the cities in ironed uniforms and state-run. Our first partnership towards tioned, more open in one direction in white sailor suits, to show the naval power the Soviet Union at that time was Riga. the decades after the war. At the turning of the former Soviet Union. After 1991, all Today Riga is our Latvian twin city. Just point in 1989/1990 we made the decision this was very rundown. We also took care like Rostock, Riga is over 800 years old, a in Rostock that we wanted to invite to a of these ships. We brought them over the Hanseatic city, and we are still very, very tall ship meeting in Rostock in 1991. At winter in the nineties, in the truest sense closely connected today. We are happy that meeting, the Hanse Sail, more than of the word. when we meet in Riga an international 100 traditional sailing ships came to Ros- assortment of other Baltic Sea cities and tock - also ships under steam, which also With all the crew? international partners, because that is of belong to the world cultural heritage – at With the crew. And of course, we built up course also one of the upsides of town that time from 13 nations. The wonderful a piece of friendship and commitment, so twinning, that one gets to know the town thing was that we could say for the first that these boatmen feel very comfortable partners of one’s own twin towns. If one time: We invited you. If you invite us, we with us. We are envied for that. This is were to continue such a card system: We are prepared to come. We also bring our such a small piece of history. They love to have 14 town twinnings, Riga has 10 town ships, and we come in person. For forty come back, and they come when we invite twinnings. If you now add 10 more each, years it was just a phrase if someone from them and when we need them. One always then 140 cities would come together, and Denmark or Holland invited us. has to acknowledge, that these skippers in five steps we would probably be able to have hard sailing schedules, they are in reach the whole world. Where do the ships come from attending training, in the nautical college in Kalin- On such occasions you can build up a the Hanse Sail today? ingrad or in Rostock itself. We tell them, lot of initial contacts that may be helpful. From the US, from Sweden, from Eng- for example, that it would be nice if they And this is of course always important land, from Holland, from Spain. The could come to our Russia Day on 17 Oc- for municipalities, especially if someone Hanse Sail has become an annual meet- tober. And the Nautical College adapted is interested in Rostock, from Russia or ing. These ships are wooed stars, they de- its schedule and they came to Rostock on Poland - or from cities in Norway, Den- light your eyes. By all means, you have 17 October and “provided a scenery” for mark, China or the USA, with which we to visit us and have to see it. You have to 850 participants on the third Russia Day. also have partnerships. Then you have have seen it: when these ships are visible a first contact and can inquire: Do you on the horizon, also the Hanseatic cogs Exactly, only recently Russia Day took know him, is it worth getting in touch that come regularly. With these seven cogs place in Rostock for the third time. with him? What do you have to pay at- in front of the old town scenery you actu- Russia Day is an initiative of the state gov- tention to? ally have the feeling that you are thrown ernment of Mecklenburg-Western Pomer- But of course, it also helps if one plays back into a somewhat former time. This ania. It was held for the first time four football like in Rostock. When FC Hansa takes place every year on the second years ago, in 2014. At that time there were Rostock was still playing in the first Bun- weekend in August. – also with a very sceptical eye – some desliga, we wanted some contact with representatives from the German Foreign Sweden. Within 5 years we had up to six Do any ships come from Russia? Ministry. The conflict in Ukraine put a Swedish players in our football-team at Russia has the largest traditional sailing heavy strain on relations between Germa- that time, who have contributed over 15 ships in the world. These are the sail- years to the fact that we played in the first ing ships, the real stars of every regat- continued on page 13 No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 13

”Freedom, Democracy and …” continued from page 12 “Trust and truth are basic values for living together. This ny, Western Europe, NATO and Russia. includes knowledge about our history, as well as knowl- But while many politicians only talked about the fact that one should not break edge about the issues in history that still cause mutual dis- off contacts, we actually maintained these trust today. We must also do something about the very cur- contacts. We continued to cultivate our contacts, and so the third Russia Day this rent reservations that still exist towards Russia – but also in year with 850 participants had even more guests than in previous years. 10 contracts the opposite direction. Russia is the largest country in the were concluded between economic entre- world, but it has had to experience time and again that na- preneurs and institutions, which underline that nothing will work without Russia. tions dared to cover the country with war.” Without Russia, we do not want to shape Europe nor the future. from the seven sister countries since the about our history, as well as knowledge It is important that we play an active end of the seventies, and we continue to about the issues in history that still cause role here, and we support this. The partner do so today. That’s why it was a bit sym- mutual distrust today. We must also do region for Mecklenburg-Western Pomer- bolic that we set up an exhibition area, an something about the very current reserva- ania is Leningrad Oblast, in other words extension, next to the Art Gallery. We are tions that still exist towards Russia – but the district around St Petersburg. But it is also dedicated to art in the Baltic Sea Re- also in the opposite direction. Russia is the still called Leningrad Oblast. There are gion. But we also have a focus on East- largest country in the world, but it has had also top cultural achievements there. We ern European art in order, together with to experience time and again that nations have invited the Taurida State Symphony the University of Rostock, to scientifically dared to cover the country with war. Orchestra of Leningrad Oblast to Rostock. research the art of socialist realism, i.e. as This is why Volgograd, the former This orchestra helped to shape the Russia an element of Eastern European culture. It Stalingrad, is such a special place. Any- Day. And we made it possible to have an is also part of European culture, a culture one who wants to form an opinion from avant-garde art exhibition in a new exhibi- that is more than a thousand years old. But the outside about Russian politics, Rus- tion area of our Kunsthalle, which we built many still associate Eastern Europe with sian decisions, Russian behaviour, even in Rostock this year to celebrate our 800th predominantly communist art. today, should have been to Volgograd. He birthday. The first exhibition came from should be a little concerned with history, Russia. Also this is a symbol, a small sign. One notices that you hold your city so and he will understand much better that dear. Here in Volgograd you have rep- Russia, of course, acts in its own interest We would like to take another look into resented your city. How could one raise out of experience in history. But I have recent history. What significance did Ros- awareness of the importance of town the impression that this interest is always tock have in the GDR? twinning? directed towards having equal conditions Rostock was the exposed point of the for- I would like to come back to something I in the world, and that presupposes that mer GDR to achieve recognition as a GDR said earlier that is close to my heart: The Russia is also acknowledged in such a state on an international level. Until 1975, friendship with the ships has given rise to world. Rostock organised the Ostseewoche (Bal- the idea and now also the Russian’s wish to Back to your question: Town twin- tic Sea Week), an international festival held celebrate the 100th birthday of the Sedov – ning is an international task. Because it annually from 1958 to 1975. It usually took a Russian four-mast barque built in Kiel in is voluntary work, because most cities in place at the beginning of July in the Ros- 1921 and now used as a sailing school ship Germany are indebted, the work on it is tock district and was held under the motto: – in Rostock. Of course, we are trying to often neglected. Even if the mayors and of “The Baltic Sea must be a Sea of Peace”. give Sedov a present, that is, to contribute course the people in the cities get involved The Baltic Sea Week then had “seven a little to the fact that this ship can be on in this international work, the international sisters”: Denmark, West Germany, Swe- the way as an ambassador on the world’s work does not get the rank it deserves be- den, Finland, Russia, Poland and the oceans for another hundred years. cause of our duties and daily tasks, name- GDR. To repeat an important sentence And perhaps a story will explain the ly to provide kindergarten places and to again and again: “The Baltic Sea must be importance of town twinning or interna- organise the school and to maintain the a Sea of Peace.” This sentence, I think, is tionality. I grew up in the GDR, but what streets and to secure the social tasks. still true. It has been possible to preserve I mean has little to do with communist the Baltic Sea as a Sea of Peace for sev- education, but with a basic humanist at- How could that be resolved? enty-five years. This must be continued. titude: we belong together in this small The closing event of the German Russian In 1975, at the Helsinki Conference, world. Year of Local and Regional Partnerships the CSCE, East and West decided reduce It can only be peaceful if it is peaceful took place in Berlin in September. It was propaganda efforts mutually to some ex- all over the world. In fact, one can only noted that last year there were over a thou- tent. That is why there was no longer a live well in Europe if the other almost sand activities between German and Rus- Baltic See Week as an event to unite na- 8­billion people on our planet can live in sian municipalities. Opportunities to meet tions; because in East and West it was peace, freedom and dignity as well. I be- at eye level and reduce reservations, but also regarded as a propaganda event. In- lieve this is a challenge. We must work to also to shape a piece of multipolar world stead, there were summer festivals. The ensure that, over the next thirty or forty together. That gives us hope, and that is Kunsthalle, which I mentioned, was built years, these humane living conditions are what we should be guided by. in 1968 for the 750th birthday of the city, created at every point on this earth. This is but also in connection with the Baltic Sea how I grew up, and this is my basic atti- Mr Methling, thank you very much for the Week, as a cultural site for the Biennale tude: Everyone is part of it. interview and continue to enjoy and suc- of the Baltic Sea Countries. There has Trust and truth are basic values for liv- ceed in your important work. • been an exhibition of avant-garde culture ing together. This includes knowledge (Translation Current Concerns) No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 14 “Children Accuse – Children-Victims of NATO aggression against FR Yugoslavia” by Dr phil. Barbara Hug

The NATO war against a small Balkan country is soon celebrating its 20th anniversary. Serbia and Kosovo-Methochia today, then already the fragmented Yugo- slavia, experienced a “blitzkrieg” that Hit- ler could not have done better. Novi Sad, Belgrade, southern Serbia and Kosovo have been bombarded with cluster bombs and mini-nukes bringing forth to this day their cruel trail of destruction of life. The Commission of the Revealing of Crimes Against Humanity and against the International Law of the Federal Repub- lic of Yugoslavia reveals in the present book the fate of the children who were re- lentlessly sent to suffering and death. Au- thor is Dr Margit Savovic, then Minister of Human Rights in the Yugoslav govern- ment. Only a few hundred copies of this documentary have been printed, although it provides substantial background for un- derstanding the magnitude of attacks on the civilian population in April/May 1999. In the fields, when harvesting or driv- ing the cattle, when playing in the barn, at school, on the bus trip, at the weekend visit to relatives – death came mercilessly. Children were victims, as were their par- ents and grandparents – all civilian victims. Precision weapons hit the tractor, where often the whole family was sit- ting. Craters show the violence of the im- pact. Who really knows the villages and areas where all this happened? Finding a map and locating the sceneries would be worthwhile. The testimonies produced by the regional police stations give an im- pression of the circumstances of death, of with torn heads, carbonised bodies, doc- the nature of the injuries, we see bodies umented in the hospital, autopsy reports, the destruction of residential buildings, photographic images complete the testi- monies of the survivors. Branislava Pavlovics from Ralja for ex- ample, who lost her husband and her chil- dren, places on record (see above). The Yugoslav Committee of UNICEF composed this collection – but it was not allowed to reach the public. The 500 printed copies disappeared, and only thanks to Dr Savovic posterity gets a copy thereof. The death of a child also destroys the lives of the parents and of the whole family. Every breath parents live with their children and for their chil- dren. The emotional connection is so close and unique that the parents, so to speak, die with their children. Who can gauge this suffering and injustice caused by the “blitzkrieg”? In the meantime, Serbia and Kosovo Table of contens of the book are experiencing a constantly rising can- No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 15 “Austria’s peace message to the world” On the national exhibition “200 years Silent Night! Holy Night!” by Urs Knoblauch, cultural journalist, Fruthwilen TG

The Christmas carol “Silent Night! Holy Night” sung in many languages world- wide celebrates its 200th birthday. A song of hope on peace in hard times It was born during hard times. People in Austria and Bavaria suffered for more than 20 years in the Napoleonic Wars. At the beginning of the 19th century French war troops were in the country, poverty and violent crime were part of everyday life in Austria. After Napoleon’s defeat, the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815) led to a new order in Europe, which also affect- ed Salzburg, Tyrol and Upper Austria. As from 1816, after changing of power rela- tions Salzburg no longer belonged to Ba- varia, but to Imperial Austria. In this sit- uation of historical upheaval, the song strengthened the hope of togetherness, justice and peace and was intended to help people and countries to unite in mu- tual goodwill. Franz Xaver Gruber composing in Arnsdorf with Joseph Mohr, coloured litho- th Austria will celebrate the 200 anni- graph by Franz Kulstrunk, around 1920 (Edition Tyrol). (Illustration from the versary of the beautiful song, its gene- accompanying book) sis and history of impact at nine places worth seeing and in museums with exhi- cial exhibition in the “Salzburg Museum set to music by the Upper Austrian teach- bitions and events until 3 February 2019. Neue Residenz”, which was thematically er Franz Xaver Gruber. He composed In this context, a richly illustrated musico- designed according to the six song verses. the deeply human melody in D major for logical publication was published “Stille At an international conference in St. Vir- two singing voices with guitar accompa- Nacht. Das Buch zum Lied” by Thomas gil, Governor Wilfried Haslauer recalled niment. It was first chanted by Mohr and Hochradner and Michael Neureiter (Ed.) Salzburg’s commitment to be “ambassa- Gruber on 24 December 1818 at the end of (ISBN 978-3-7025-0865-4). Founded as dor of the idea of peace”. At the confer- the Christmas Mass. The song then went an association, the “Stille-Nacht-Gesell- ence a variety of aspects of “200 years of around the world. schaft” (Silent-Night-Society) was par- peace message uniting the people” were ticularly proactive and has also published discussed under the motto “culture(s) of Insights into the biographies the “Stille-Nacht-Wegbegleiter” (Silent- peace”. The exhibition is accompanied by of the two song writers Night-Guide). the book “Stille Nacht 200. Geschichte. At the various exhibition venues, the It is the first decentralised regional ex- Botschaft. Gegenwart” (Silent Night 200. visitor is introduced to the biographies hibition in Salzburg, Oberndorf, Arnsdorf, History. Message. Presence). of the two creators of the song. “Joseph Hallein, Hintersee, Wagrain, Mariapfarr, Mohr was born in Salzburg on 11 De- Hochburg-Ach and Fügen in the Zillertal. Christmas and peace carol as UNE- cember 1792 as an illegitimate child and In most places, visitors can visit a “Silent- SCO’s intangible cultural heritage was baptised in the Salzburg Cathedral. -Night-Museum”, stroll along a peace trail The pleasant events make it clear that the A cathedral vicar”, so the introductory designed for the exhibition or visit a spe- people not only have a very close relation- text to the national exhibition, “recog- ship to this people-uniting carol with the nised the abilities of the young man and Christmas message of the birth of Christ, helped him to become a priest. His first ”’Children Accuse –’” continued from page 14 but that the carol is sung across all bor- position was in Mariapfarr, where in 1816 ders of religions and cultures worldwide. he wrote the text of the song. In 1817 he cer rate, caused by the ammunition used. It has since been translated into 300 lan- moved to Oberndorf, where he met Franz A test area for new weapons, that was guages, interpreted in a variety of artis- Xaver Gruber and the fruitful cooperation also the 1999 war. Nobody feels respon- tic ways and included in the Immaterial began. On Christmas Eve 1818 the world- sible, nobody wants to take responsibili- Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in 2011. famous song was heard in the church of ty. We should certainly take note of it. • The National Exhibition and the “Aus- St. Nikola.” In the Salzburg Museum and Savovic, Margit. Children Accuse – Children-Vic- tria’s peace message to the world” focus the Oberndorf Silent-Night-Museum, vis- tims of NATO Aggression against FR Yugoslavia. not only on the creators and their biogra- itors can gain an insight into the work Ed. by Yugoslav Commission for the cooperation phies, but also on beautiful cultural land- of the two personalities, the creation of with UNICEF, Belgrade 2002, 490 p., ISBN 86-7552-013-1 scapes, places and museums. The lyr- the song, the included message of peace ics, originally a poem with six verses and and its dissemination throughout the en- The book can be ordered in its electronic form the title “Silent Night, Holy Night”, were tire world. In the Silent-Night-Museum in against a contribution towards costs at b.hug@ written in 1816 by the Salzburg priest Jo- thurweb.ch. seph Mohr and two years later musically continued on page 16 No 27/28 11 December 2018 Current Concerns Page 16

”Austria’s Peace Message …” school was like at the beginning of the itiative, Wagrain owed the construction of continued from page 15 19th century under teacher Franz Xaver a school building”. The Silent-Night-Mu- Gruber. At that time, learning was car- seum is located in the “Pflegerschlössl”, Hallein you can meet the composer Franz ried out so well with the simplest ways where visitors can enjoy the song melody Xaver Gruber on theme walks and by a and means, with large classes and with- in numerous languages and instrumental- visit to the museum. From 1835 to 1863 he out professionalised pedagogy that admi- isations or get to know Christmas dishes “stayed with his family in the Salinenstadt rable building-up work was possible in from all over the world. and worked as a choirmaster, as an organ- all areas of the country. In Fügen Castle in Tyrol, the notes of ist of the city parish church and as a foun- Mariapfarr is a famous place of pilgrim- the Christmas carol were found in the lug- dation administrator”. Here he composed age with a Silent-Night-Museum, which gage of organ builder Carl Mauracher, over 90 masses in addition to the Christ- was newly designed for the anniversary who was on his way to Zillertal. Accord- mas carol. “The ‘Halleiner Liedertafel year and shall commemorate the heyday ing to oral tradition, Silent Night! Holy 1849’, founded by him and his son Franz, of pilgrimage as well. The purpose of re- Night! has already been sung in 1819 and still exists today.” Gruber died in 1863 and ligious pilgrimages is to find inner peace, three years later on the occasion of the found his last resting place in Hallein. The reflection and orientation. Here the young visit of Emperor Franz Josef I. and Tsar F. X. Gruber memorial house in Hoch- priest Joseph Mohr wrote the text for the Alexander I. of Russia in the castle of burg-Ach, with a newly designed path of Christmas carol. It is also the birthplace of Count Dönhoff. “Tyrolean traveling ven- peace which leads to Oberndorf, takes vis- his father and Mohr’s first office. In 1827, dors, jokers, dancers and singing fami- itors back to the life of Franz Xaver Gru- he moved to Hintersee. The village had lies – predominantly from the Zillertal – ber, son of a peasant linen weaver family. only 272 inhabitants at that time. The po- spread this and many other songs and the You can also learn more about the sition as a priest was financially poorly en- alpine culture to the USA and St. Peters- composer in the Arnsdorf Silent-Night- dowed. “Yet he tried to support the poor. burg.” The special exhibition in the castle Museum: “From 1807 to 1829 Gruber According to tradition, he has passed on shows the worldwide dissemination of the worked as a teacher, sacristan and organ- firewood of the parish and has purchased Christmas carol in more than 30 rooms. ist in Arnsdorf. It was the first position of and given away meat from poachers. He This cultural peace initiative of Austria the young teacher who, soon after enter- also took special care of the children’s ed- is very meritorious. It makes the longing ing service, married the widow of his pre- ucation.” This is an impressive example of for peace and the manifold cultural con- decessor.” The place has the oldest still how the church built up schools, hospitals tribution of the people obvious. It is to be used school building in Austria. Gruber and social institutions. After moving to Wa- hoped that the musical message of peace must have composed the melody here. grain in 1837, Mohr also took care of the will sound around the globe. • The traditional schoolroom suggests in- church, pastoral care, care of the poor, and Further information: www.landesausstellung2018. vestigating the question of how the education until his death in 1848. To his in- at, [email protected], www.stillenacht.at

Cooperative founded – Future of the Peter-Sodann-Library now assured 2 June 2015). In the meantime, more than rubbish tips or incinerated in power sta- 2.5 million books have been collected. tion furnaces in 1990. At the up-coming Leipzig Book Fair In addition to this, the cooperative from 21 to 24 March 2019, Peter Sodann wants that the lifework of “Peter Sodann” and the chairman of the coopera- and his wife be continued; Peter Sodann tive’s supervisory board, Dietmar Berg- was almost the only one in the former er, will present the cooperative together GDR to recognise the incipient outrage with “Zeit-Fragen” on the topic “Peter- at everything that was printed in the GDR Sodann-Library – GDR Literature from as one of the most culturless acts in uni- 1945 to 1990”. fied Germany and to defend himself With respect to the founding of the cooper- against it with his initiative. (Bild zvg) ef. On 17 November 2018 the ative the following press release appeared: The foundation meeting decided founding meeting of the cooperative “Pe- upon the statutes of the cooperative and ter-Sodann-Library eG – against trans- On 17 November 2018, 46 interested and voted for the committee. Dietmar Berg- gression” was held in Staucha, Saxony. willing people met in Staucha at the place er, Chemnitz, was elected chairman of By this founding Peter Sodann, whom of the Peter-Sodann-Library and founded the supervisory board; Peter Sodann, as many vividly recall as “Tatort”-Inspector the “Peter-Sodann-Library eG* – against deputy chairman will also be involved in [famous detective series in German TV], transgression”. the work of the cooperative library. Other has provided a framework for his collec- The concern and goal of this unique co- elected board members are Bernd Paw- tion of GDR literature 1945–1990, to pre- operative is that the literature, which was lowski, Otterwisch, and Klaus Lehmann, serve his life’s work for future generations. published after World War II in East Ger- Radeberg • When in 1989 books from the GDR were to many, be collected, secured and be made be disposed of by trucks, he was outraged: available to the following generations. * eG=registered cooperative “You throw away your history”– and called With their membership and without nos- for the books not to be destroyed, but to be talgia, the members of the cooperative For further questions to stored. Many have responded to this call to want to be given back its dignity for the Dietmar Berger, this day (c.f. Current Concerns No 14 from literature of the GDR, which was taken to Tel. 0049 172 7983170 No 12 2 August 2011 CurrentCurrent Concerns Concerns Supplement Page 17 Art that leads into the centre of human life Looking back on 60 years of work performed by Theo Dannecker by Peter Küpfer

Zurich artist Theo Dannecker pre- to present his book. It could clearly be with a less crowded visit in the next few sents a comprehensive work documen- seen as an expression of the artist’s at- days and had the opportunity to meet the tary in three volumes: at the same time tachment to his home town. The three- artist in person and talk to him about his a biography of the artist, a contem- volume work was presented to the pub- art. It also led right into the middle of porary testimony and a work of art. lic by art historian Dr Vera Ziroff Gut, human life, its threats and its richness. In the sumptuously crafted work, the who has been following and comment- The vernissage of the book and the artist tirelessly deals with the questions: ing on the work of the Zurich artist for Adliswil exhibition allowed close friends What is man? Who am I? In which world years. By giving an overview of the doc- and art lovers to experience the artist up are we living? And what is my contribu- tion, as a fellow human being and as an artist, to make it more human? The im- pressive synthesis between biography, testimonial and art is in itself a work of art.

The present three volumes document, page for page, the development of the art- ist and his ever-moving work. At the same time, it documents his personal becoming, as a contemporary and as an artist, and his constant examination of our unfortu- nately most torn world. What holds it to- gether, according to the irrefutable mes- sage of the artist Theo Dannecker, is man himself: the human element. Its traces and manifestations, at the same time the art- ist’s unshakable belief that it will eventu- ally assert itself in the humanitarian ques- tion of war and peace, and his knowledge of it, are tangible page for page in the three thoroughly arranged volumes. To argue in peace. Theo Dannecker in conversation with Touching vernissage – exhibition visitors. (picture pk) Exhibition attracted many people umentation she conveyed important stag- close, for many a visually moving, human On that Thursday (04-10-2018), the even- es of Theo Dannecker’s impressive ar- encounter. Among the visitors were many ing of the vernissage, people crowd- tistic career and the development of his who had also experienced the artist as ed around the former schoolroom of the art, on the basis of selected examples. an art teacher in his painting school at schoolhouse Brugg, now a cultural cen- The vernissage of the book was accom- the heart of Zurich; it has “produced” tre, where the art book was presented by panied by an exhibition of the artist’s whole generations of art lovers. Among Theo Dannecker. The artist had spent his central works. Following the presenta- the many visitors to the exhibition – as first school years in this very building. tion and appreciation of the book, the the guest book with its appreciating en- The former mayor Harald Huber said audience was able to indulge in a selec- tries shows – was Fritz Billeter, who at in his opening speech that for Adliswil tion of key works by Theo Dannecker in the time had “discovered” the then little- it was not the first exhibition of “their” the rooms of the neighbouring Galerie known young Zurich artist and had rec- Theo Dannecker, but a great honour that Kunst Süd, as far as the stream of inter- ognised him as an independent personal- the artist had now also chosen Adliswil ested visitors permitted. Many caught up ity. • No 12 2 August 2011 CurrentCurrent Concerns Concerns Supplement Page XVIII A construction site for peace Book launch and exhibition of Swiss artist Theo Dannecker in Adliswil 2018 by Dr Vera Ziroff Gut

To mark his eightieth birthday, Theo ry and secondary school, and then com- Dannecker presents his lifework in a pleted an apprenticeship as a decorator three-volume documentary, an art ob- and upholsterer in Zurich. When asked, at ject itself. It was printed, numbered and what stage he consciously started to paint, signed in an edition of 100 pieces. It cov- he answers: Max, his older brother, was ers a working life, a period of 60 years. very good at drawing and skiing, he sup- The documentary is far from showing all ported him in a way that he could learn of the artist’s drawings, paintings and ob- both very quickly and well from him. In jects, but it does contain a plentiful num- primary school – Theo adds modestly – ber of key works. On the basis of this there were colleagues who painted bet- publication, we can understand his de- ter than he did. But he was fascinated by velopment in drawing and sculpting dur- painting and did not let it go. When in the ing his studies, his inspirations from trav- new Kronenwiese primary school build- elling, further education and study visits, ing the painter Fis executed the mural which then lead to first successes and later “Noah’s Ark” he had a great admirer in to numerous exhibitions. But it also re- Theo and involved the boy in his reflec- veals doubts, crises and changes, which in tions. As is well known, all species seek turn feed into a continuous development shelter on the Ark, and there are two ways dedicated to the most important issue of to get in. In terms of the crayfish the artist our time: building a peaceful world worth asked Theo: Across which board did the living in. crayfish get into the ark? Theo, of course, indicated the closest. “No,” said Fis, “the The farmer (fig. 2) It all started in Adliswil crayfish move backwards and therefore Theo Dannecker was born in 1938 in head for another board.” Theo mentions Adliswil, Zurichstrasse. He grew up as this childhood experience, because this the youngest of four children of the Dan- answer made him realise that the artist necker family. In Adliswil he attended the not only paints what he sees, but reflects kindergarten with Aunt Marta, prima- upon it too, and from that he concluded at the time: “I can do that too.” So the scene was set for him to become a painter. Training

To be admitted to the “Kunstgewerbes- chule” (School of Ap- plied Arts in Zurich), a folder with draw- ings had to be submit- ted and a three-day en- trance exam had to be sat by the applicants. Theo’s folder caught Statuette of the farmer (fig. 3) the eye and showed that he no longer be- longed to the prelimi- we leaf a little further, travel sketches nary course. Thus he show what Theo learned during his study was allocated to a class years. In Barcelona he spent the night in of more mature stu- the youth hostel and painted a gouache dents, led by Heinrich picture of the mansion on the opposite Müller, a well-known hill in expressive colours. The water car- painter from Thalwil. rier and the farmer with his expressive This is where the doc- profile (fig. 2) testify to the increase in umentation begins: liveliness and expressiveness. During his It starts with a sheet stay in Ibiza, the young artist retreated from the drawing port- completely to solitude, convinced of re- folio, showing a Vio- clusiveness being an indispensable pre- lin and the drawing of condition for the creation of great works Violin and the drawing of a top hat with gloves and a top hat with gloves flowers (fig. 1) and flowers (fig. 1). If continued on page XIX No 12 2 August 2011 CurrentCurrent Concerns Concerns Supplement Page XIX

”A construction site for peace” portioning, spa- continued from page XVIII tial drawing and painting; but Theo of art. Back in Adliswil he made a statu- Dannecker knew ette of the farmer (fig. 3). With this stat- of course that the uette and a few other objects and draw- art scene had long ings, he applied at the Royal Academy changed. Kienholz of Arts in Copenhagen, in order to fur- e.g. had seized on ther develop his sculptural skills. He was issues such as dis- awarded a scholarship for the class of crimination and Professor Eikoff, a Despiau student. But violence in his so- more than by the Despiau school Theo cially critical en- then was intrigued by Picasso and cubist vironments, and art. In his free evening hours he sculpt- Joseph Beuys did ed a cubist venus after the 1908 discov- his performanc- ered 30,000 years old Venus of Willen- es and as a sculp- dorf. In addition, he collected aluminum tor called for so- Dargebotene Hand (Helping Hand, fig. 4) waste and used it to make the sculpture cial sculpture as Dargebotene Hand (Helping Hand, fig. a creative con- 4). In 1963, still based in Copenhagen, tribution to society and politics. art, drawing on his trips, in the open air he participated in the competition about After a year of studying, when Profes- or, like classical artists, in museums. a sculpture for the cemetery of Adliswil. sor Eikhoff sent Theo Dannecker’s best It was good to have a classical artistic nude drawings to an exhibition, Theo Rauma drawings training as a prerequisite for correct pro- moved on, in search of himself and his In 1964, Theo Dannecker was awarded a scholarship by the canton of Zurich and went to Dublin. This is where the first Rauma drawing (fig. 5) came into being, which, as was confirmed by his Zurich artist friend Alex Sadkowsky at the time, could be seen as a very special achieve- ment. In Zurich, however, nobody want- ed to exhibit these masterly, spatially complex pencil drawings, which the art- ist presented in black boxes. Until a gal- lery owner advised him to turn to the well-known art critic and cultural editor of the Zurich quality paper “Tages-An- zeiger”, Fritz Billeter. Theo loaded his Rauma drawings in the black boxes on his moped and drove to where he hoped to meet Billeter. He recommended him a quite new gallery and wrote an excel- lent review under the title “Die Phantas- tik des Alltäglichen“ (The Phantastical of the Everyday). It states: “Theo Danneck- er, born in 1938 in Adliswil, where he has returned to after long travels to the Med- iterranean, Ireland, England, Canada, and the US, exhibits, to our knowledge, for the first time in Switzerland, and his drawings give rise to the most beautiful hopes. [...] Dannecker shows front views of houses, of floors, which he alienates and raises into the fantastic. Walls expect- ed to be strictly orthogonal are distended into caves and hiding places; rooms be- come canyons and unfathomable shafts [...] At first glance, Dannecker might be seen as a soft Piranesi; but in reality, the fantastic and the surreal recede toward the mundane. [...] Coming from the de- monic and the dreamlike, he breaks into the light, but not into the brightness of higher insight and transfiguration, but of the pointless trivial.” (translation Current Concerns) The comparison with Pirane-

Rauma drawing (fig. 5) continued on page XX No 12 2 August 2011 CurrentCurrent Concerns Concerns Supplement Page XX

”A construction site for peace” every psychologically trained person can This way of working which he had continued from page XIX see: If he was looking for a way to find gained through the analysis of the Rauma- an answer to his question, then he must drawings has ever since been part of his si, the great Italian engraver of the eigh- learn to better understand himself and creative process. To present a topic first of teenth century, was quite true, because his fellow human beings. all out of the situation, out of a feeling that Piranesi’s Carceri etchings, architectural For Theo Dannecker this was the start- results from immediate life-context, to an- fantasies, had impressed Theo very early. ing point for a psychological study in the alyse it and, in addition, to check the com- With this exhibition Theo Dannecker be- broadest sense. He took up studies about position in terms of flawlessness. And for came known in one go. He sold well; now the importance of early childhood devel- quite a while, Theo Dannecker included he was one of them. Several other exhibi- opment and education at home, school this analysis right in the picture. tions followed, together with other Zurich and in society, about the constitution of artists like Richard P. Lohse, Wilfried society and much more. As a result, he Lovers reading Moser, Otto Müller, Hans Josephson, wondered if the Rauma drawings could In 1994, when Theo Dannecker resumed Alex Sadkowsky and Max Bill. be related to his early childhood impres- figurative painting, his themes and his The Rauma drawings thus play an im- sions. At first they had been brought into painting changed and he then formulat- portant role in the development of Theo being far away from Adliswil, in Ireland, ed his theory, following Leo Tolstoy: “Art Dannecker’s work, it was through them in self-imposed loneliness. When ques- should create formal and spiritual order”. he became known. But they also lead to tioned further, however, it showed that The artist vividly presented his new con- a comprehensive image analysis and to a visual and emotional childhood impres- cept of art in his series of pictures “Lov- more conscious self-analysis and dissec- sions had been aesthetically processed, ers reading” (fig. 7) in his St. Moritz exhi- tion of the socio-political problems of our places of childhood, places of experi- bition. Here, various painterly techniques time. ence (“Erlebnisorte”), as he calls them: are used to develop a vivid picture of a the birthplace on Zurichstrasse, the par- love relationship. Contribution to a better world ents’ house in Austrasse, the mural from He chose a certain format and placed In 1967, during stays in Canada and the the Kronenwiese schoolhouse, the long the lovers at the centre of his composi- US, Theo Dannecker was confronted wards of the children’s hospital or the tion. In the first picture, the two figures with the student protests against the Vi- pipes of the Ritom power plant in Tici- are fixed almost abstractly with adhesive etnam War, and the problem of war and no. Many details appeared in these pic- tape and executed in fast wide pink brush peace has not let go of him – both as a tures. It was remarkable that in this se- strokes. The two figures are embedded in person and an artist – ever since. When ries of images, man played only a minor a green nature, which is also briefly indi- he heard that in Zurich these issues were role. cated with a broad brush. What is impor- being discussed in groups of the indi- In two analytical photo spreads Theo tant: Already in this picture the woman is vidual psychologists Friedrich Liebling captured the “places of experience”. Thus, holding the book, a symbol of knowledge. and Josef Rattner, he went there, partici- new, complementary works were created, Picture 2 concentrates on the naturalistic pated and and asked his question - what which explain contextual and formal rela- elaboration of the composition. The natu- he as an artist could contribute to a bet- tions. Theo Dannecker has moved on, deal- ral body contours are outlined with char- ter world? Friedrich Liebling gave him a ing with human history and capturing every coal and worked out in pink. The man is response that included a task for life, as step of his development, doubts and in- prominently settled in the foreground in sights in textual images and a natural position. The two persons have concepts, presenting them clearly taken on portrait-like features. In in exhibitions and making the third picture the relationship develops, them accessible in this docu- the woman moves into the foreground, mentary. For a few years, he the man straightens up and turns towards completely renounced picto- her. The surrounding nature, the curved rial representation and devel- tree trunks and branches form a protective oped his conceptual art. circle around the couple. The blue back- In 1972, Theo Dannecker ground, dense and compact, also suggests opened a private art school spatial depth and is complementary to the in Zurich. Since then, he yellow bodies. The “disturbing” black has been teaching drawing rectangular frame says: the artist does not and designing, turning to want to show an idyll, something else is the younger generation as happening here. Let us add what is writ- a teacher and, as he calls it, ten: they are reading Frieda Fromm-Re- doing basic research. ichmann’s publication “Psychology”. So In 1973, for the exhibi- the picture now says: Man, part of nature, tion of Zurich artists in the becomes a mature individual only through Aargauer Kunsthaus, he de- his interpersonal relationships, through signed a text as a catalogue his dealings and relations with his fel- contribution that fascinated low men, by getting to know the others. me as an art historian – at On the basis of eroticism, of mutual at- the time I got to know Theo traction, love is presented here as a mental Dannecker. “As an artist, I and spiritual process, a process of educa- have to understand my inten- tion and human development, the result of tions and my actions exactly, which is a feeling of security and together- so that I do not run the risk ness, i.e. happiness. The harmony found in of contributing to the great the picture is depicted in panels four and errors that torment people.” (fig. 6) (fig. 6) continued on page XXI No 12 2 August 2011 CurrentCurrent Concerns Concerns Supplement Page XXI

”A construction site for peace” continued from page XX five through various painterly concepts, in confrontation with the Zurich Concrete Art. And in the last picture the found har- mony, the found order is dissolved into a two-coloured flat structure, yellow the fig- ures and the nature green. Studio Painting 1996 Theo Dannecker demonstrates his new conception of art, his conceptual and or- ganisational thinking in his first Studio Painting of 1996 (fig. 8), on the subject of learning how to learn, to draw and to paint. Art is no longer created in soli- tude; it is taught and learnt. The artist pre- sents his studio as an art school. The ar- rangement of the persons, the pupils and art students with the painter, who is their teacher, represent a first level of order: Within the circle there are those art stu- dents who are learning different tech- niques. The standing person in front on the left is using the classical articulated puppet for her drawing. The person stand- ing behind her is holding up her pencil to take measurements. The male black-and- white figure, presented very plastically, is holding three chisels and a hammer in his hand; he embodies the work of a sculp- tor. The figure seen from the back sitting in front of the table is drawing the ana- tomical specimen of a stag beetle accord- ing to nature. Outside the circle are those concerned with art theory, art historical tradition and art education. Of course, it is very important to note what is read and what role models one deals with. The young woman is reading “The artist and his time” by Camus, a lecture rendered by Camus at the Nobel Prize ceremony in 1957. Here he warns the artist not to engage in a party programme; he should rather acquire an ethical attitude to his “Lovers reading” (fig. 7) profession and to society. At the front of the picture, stands Theo lusions is expressed Dannecker’s positive war painting Guernica. Already in 1977, Dannecker as the teacher. With a string, view of the world, a differentiated, con- in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Theo he is pointing to the centre of the picture: structive view of the world and of man. In Dannecker had designed his portfolio to the beautiful self-portrait by Albre- this studio art is not a secret; it is taught “Wir Menschen und der Krieg” (“We hu- cht Dürer. Dürer wrote very encouraging and learned. But if art is to endure, the mans and war”). The Weeping Head (fig. words about creativity in his “Didaktika”: fundamental social values must be includ- 9 on p. VI) from 1990, an expressive pro- “No man can create a beautiful portrait out ed in this process. file drawing, was executed after reading of his own imagination, if he has not filled Romain Rolland’s novel “Clérambault, the his mind by means of much painting ac- We are at war Story of a Free Conscience in War”. It ex- cording to nature. This can no longer be The second volume of the work edition in- presses grief over the condition of human called personal, but has become ‘art’, won cludes the works of the mature Theo Dan- beings like us, who cannot live together in and learned through that practice which necker, if we want to stick to art histori- peace even after the fall of the Berlin Wall, germinates, grows and bears fruit.” cal terms. I do not know how to express after the so-called collapse of the Soviet In a third room in the background of this in a better way, but it is life itself that Union. the picture, slightly above Dürer’s por- Theo Dannecker paints now. Almost all The memorial against war (fig. 9 on trait, we see in perspective extension Theo the paintings show people, and sometimes p. VI), a grey-black plaster head, was de- Dannecker as a painter at his easel, in the there are even flower paintings like the veloped from a stone the artist found in gilet rouge favoured by Cézanne. There homage to Manet. Venice on the day the Americans began are many allusions to major fellow artists, But there is news, not long in coming: bombing Afghanistan. He laments the war to Rembrandt, Cézanne, to the artists of It’s war, delivered by a head that seems to Zurich Concrete Art; and in all these al- have been borrowed from Picasso’s anti- continued on page XXII No 12 2 August 2011 CurrentCurrent Concerns Concerns Supplement Page XXII

federation, and to the Swiss model. Theo Dannecker never forgets his fellows, those in need. International law applies to everyone Under the title “Building Peace – Inter- national Law Applies to Everyone” (fig. 12), Theo Dannecker shows an example of how humiliated and severely aggrieved peoples might be given back their digni- ty through the conclusion of peace. In the main picture, representatives of the west- ern world meet representatives from Af- ghanistan, Iraq and from African tribes. In this historic meeting a Western politi- cian comes to meet an Afghan with the words: “We have done wrong”. So the first step is from the West. The admission of guilt, the willingness to make amends and to listen to another and to understand one another” are mentioned here as prerequi- sites for a genuine peace agreement. 2006 Studio painture If we ask Theo Dannecker how he got there and how he came to be so certain in his will to create peace without war, with- out preventive wars, then we can find his answer in his 2006 Studio Painting (fig. 13). Here he has gathered all those people Studio Painting of 1996 (fig. 8) around him who encouraged him in the idea of “creating peace”: ”A construction site for peace” provides emotional security (fig. 10), but Immanuel Kant, for example, the continued from page XXI also demands humanity (fig. 11) and the German philosopher, called his writing assumption of responsibility. Other pic- of 1795, in which he developed a first victims of the past 25 years in Yugoslavia, tures are dedicated to the school, to learn- sketch of international law, “Perpetual Kosovo, Bosnia, Congo, Iraq, Afghani- ing, to education, to the importance of the Peace”. It is regarded as the most impor- stan, Palestine, Syria, Yemen ... In its de- primary school in building direct democ- tant treatise on war and peace in the Ger- stroyed parts, its torn surface and its hol- racy, and others again are dedicated to the man language. He concluded with the re- lows, the head on the one hand symbolises cooperative, to self-sufficiency, to inde- markable sentence “that perpetual peace the suffering of the war victims, and on pendence, to the economic and political the other, in its protrusions and distortions construction of society, to the Swiss Con- continued on page XXIII the grimace of the aggressors. Building peace But Theo Dannecker does not stop at the graphic accounts of misery and war crimes; he wants to contribute to the con- struction and shaping of a peaceful world. “Progressing towards a humane society with the help of depth psychological in- sights into human nature” is the title of an exhibition that he is producing together with Urs Knoblauch and others. Danneck- er’s theme is now “Building peace”. He creates an art campaign in form of 1000 numbered and signed wooden tablets dis- playing this inscription, which he distrib- utes all over the world in the course of 10 years. One of these tablets can be found with the Moscowitz couple in Israel, one on the counter of the electrician’s shop at the Kreuzplatz in Zurich, or one at the Fazer cafe in Helsinki. Under this motto, however, he also organises numerous ex- hibitions with an ever-changing focus. He creates images of human development and of the family, which on the one hand The Weeping Head and the memorial against war (fig. 9) No 12 2 August 2011 CurrentCurrent Concerns Concerns Supplement Page XXIII

Pestalozzi, pedagogue and social reform- to bring about a peaceful and beneficial er, adds an important humanitarian ac- policy; Tolstoy founded schools for his cent to the protest against war with the serfs, for the poorest, for the people. The aid he gave to surviving war orphans. He contribution of artist colleagues Pablo wanted to strengthen their whole person Picasso and Francisco Goya and other through a natural upbringing and educa- personalities on the subject of “creating tion. peace” can be supplemented here by the The importance of education for viewer. Here only as much: Theo Dan- peaceful coexistence is pointed out sev- necker, the artist, is dressed in comple- eral times in this picture. The two prom- mentary colours to his wife Sibylle and inent figures in the centre of the fore- is drawing a portrait of Käthe Kollwitz ground, the elegantly dressed humanist at his easel. Käthe Kollwitz - after her- Erasmus of Rotterdam with his scroll self losing a son in the First World War – and Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy in worked for peace with all her might. Her his modest white cotton garb, repre- famous 1924 poster “Never again War!” sent the pedagogical idea. So does Sib- is well known. ylle, Theo Dannecker’s wife and herself So here in the studio painture people are a pedagogue. Erasmus’ scroll quotes the gathered who, with pen and brush, in word beautiful sentence from his pacifist “La- and deed, protested against war, who con- ment of Peace”: “Peace is hardly ever so tributed to the development of popular ed- unjust that it would not be preferable to ucation, pedagogy, human rights, human- the apparently most ‘just’ war”. Eras- itarian international law, the founding of mus devoted himself to the education of the regent, later Charles V, in order continued on page XXIV Emotional security (fig. 10)

Humanity (fig. 11)

”A construction site for peace” continued from page XXII is not an empty idea, but a task that must be solved bit by bit”. At the right image edge of Dannecker’s studio picture, Kant sits at at a table. Friedrich Schiller, the partly cut-off figure viewed from behind standing near him, was a great admirer of the philosopher and was initially fasci- nated by the ideals of the French Revolu- tion. However, when he learned of the ex- ecutions, he turned away in outrage and disgust and even wrote a pamphlet de- fending Louis XVI. Thus he is portrayed here not only as the poet of personal and political freedom - as whom we all know him - but also as a man of balance. Close behind Kant the contemporary Heinrich International Law Applies to Everyone” (fig. 12) No 12 2 August 2011 CurrentCurrent Concerns Concerns Supplement Page XXIV

”A construction site for peace” dependence, for non-violent and peaceful sibility in this society. With this work doc- continued from page XXIII coexistence. umentation he hands over his life’s work to Theo Dannecker has been performing us, so that we can gain inspiration and joy the Red Cross and the Good Services, and his task as a man and as an artist for 60 from it. And as he lets us go, he entrusts us who deployed their vitality for political in- years now, and he has fulfilled his respon- with a task: Rolling the Stone of Justice. •

2006 Studio Painting (fig. 13)