October 2009 No 18 ISSN 1422-8831 Current Concerns PO Box CH-8044 Zurich Phone: +41 44 350 65 50 Fax: +41 44 350 65 51 E-Mail: [email protected] Current Concerns Website: www.currentconcerns.ch The international journal for independent thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, AZB and for the promotion and respect of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law 8044 Zurich English Edition of Zeit-Fragen

“Two countries cultivating excellent relations”

Speech of the President of Russia, Press Conference with Dmitry Dmitry Medvedev Medvedev and Hans-Rudolf Merz at the Official Meeting with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Hans-Rudolf Merz, in Kehrsatz, Switzerland thk. It was the first time in the history of both from having different forms of government. It states that a Russian President paid an offi- also demonstrates how people of different eth- cial visit to Switzerland. The meeting’s rel- nicities, cultures, and religions, speaking dif- evance for both states is not to be under- ferent languages, can coexist in harmony. Of estimated. This was expressed in several course, for centuries, Switzerland has stood statements by both the Russian President and apart for its tradition of neutrality – and in the Swiss President of the Federal Council the 19th century, Russia was a key proponent (Bundesrat), Hans-Rudolf Merz. of Switzerland’s neutrality and independence President Medvedev arrived on Monday at the Vienna Congress. Even today, neutrali- 21 September at Zurich Airport, where he ty gives Switzerland national sovereignty and was welcomed by the President of the Fed- credibility as an active participant in multilat- eral Council, Merz. After the welcome cere- eral diplomacy and a mediator in settling in- mony he went by a special train to the Fed- ternational conflicts, including in issues that eral Council’s country residence near Berne, Mr President just spoke about. where he delivered his address dealing with Switzerland, a nation free from the prob- Switzerland’s role among the leading states lems tied to alignment and other prejudices, and with the relationship between Switzer- holds a dignified position in today’s modern, land and Russia. In doing so, Medvedev multipolar world, doing everything it can to showed profound knowledge of the founda- strengthen it. It is no accident that Switzer- tions of Switzerland’s political system and land is home to the headquarters of most in- emphasized the relevance of a neutral micro- fluential international organisations – all President Dmitry Medvedev and the President of the Swiss Federal Council Hans-Rudolf Merz at their state. As Swiss citizens are used to form their those who work constructively with our gov- common press conference, 21 September 2009. (photo thk) own opinion on the exact and full wording of ernments to promote security, stability, trust, texts, Medvedev’s statement is documented in and cooperation, in Europe and throughout thk. On Monday afternoon Switzerland and tial and belong to the indispensable foreign the original. the world. Russia signed four bilateral treaties, later efforts”. Important parallels in the current po- We appreciate our Swiss colleagues’ pos- that day President Medvedev and the Presi- litical affairs were appreciated by Merz when Mr Federal President, Ms Merz, ladies and itive attitudes toward the idea suggested by dent of the Federal Council Merz answered he remarked that: gentlemen, members of the Federal Council, Russia of developing a legally binding agree- questions of the media. Interest of media re- “We are both not members of either Euro- Your Excellency, ment on European security. It would be based pesentatives to participate in this conference pean Union or NATO, but we share common on a non-aligned approach to providing secu- was enormous and the communications team security interests. Obviously we discussed I would like to thank the Federal Council of rity in the Euro-Atlantic region. We count on of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign this architecture of security politics and the Switzerland for this invitation to visit your your active participation in the ongoing dis- Affairs (Eidgenössisches Departement des fact that our interests are quite closely relat- wonderful country and for the warm welcome cussion on the architecture of this security. Äusseren, EDA) was put to the test – it was ed here.” I have received. Security, in the widest sense of the word, professionally mastered. Moreover, Merz reported about the “pro- This is the first visit by a Russian leader to will also be a central topic during our talks At the beginning of the press conference tecting power mandate which Switzerland Switzerland in the history of our bilateral re- in Bern. This is not only a matter of disarma- the President of the Federal Council Merz, fulfills for Russia in Georgia and for Geor- lations, and for us, this is a significant, spe- ment, weapons control, or preventing and set- as the host, reported about the subjects of the gia in Russia”, with which all sides are en- cial event. The goal of this visit is to strength- tling international conflicts, but also a matter talks he had with president Medvedev, and tirely satisfied. en relations between our two nations and to of financial and economic security. It is par- the friendly and open atmosphere between the greatly advance our cooperation in all areas. ticularly relevant on the eve of the G20 sum- two statesmen became apparant. Firstly Hans- Free trade agreement in preparation We are happy to see that our partners feel mit in Pittsburgh. Rudolf Merz pointed out that “both countries between the EFTA and Russia likewise, which will undoubtedly be condu- I find it telling that two of the major con- had a different history” leading to “different The third point covered economy. Merz cive to success on both sides. temporary economic forums currently take development”, but nevertheless there are his- stressed that despite the global economic cri- We also count on reinforcing this common place in Davos, Switzerland, and St Peters- torical events shared by both countries, and sis trade between both countries had remained success by signing joint documents. burg, Russia. Of course, the Swiss forum is he drew attention especially to these “points stable so far. Both imports and exports stayed Russia has a long history of respect for the much better-known, but we are also striving of contact”. He reminded the audience of ar- nearly constant, certainly speaking “in fa- Swiss nation. As far back as the end of the 18th to develop our own forum. In general, these chitects, for instance from the Tessin, who vour of products and markets”. There are al- century, the Russian historian Nikolai Kara- forums have turned into a platform for dis- had lived and worked in Petersburg centuries most 600 companies in Russia which are to- mzin described Switzerland as a land of free- cussing ways to intensify the global econo- ago, but also of the many farmers and crafts- tally or partially based on Swiss capital, and dom and prosperity. Here in this land, many my, particularly in the conditions of a global men who had emigrated from Switzerland to likewise there are more and more Russian in- of my great countrymen first came up with crisis. We are also interested in addressing Russia and contributed to the country’s de- vestors who “engage in our country’s econo- some of their finest work; at the same time, problems of energy supply, approaching the velopment. One event of historical signifi- my”. And both are convinced that co-opera- there have been some very well-known, shin- matter both from the angle of its consumers cance was mentioned by Merz as one of these tion should be intensified. ing examples of Swiss participation in Rus- and suppliers. “points of cultural contact”, namely the he- The fourth point was referred to by Merz sia’s development. To conclude my greetings and introducto- roical crossing of the Alps by Russian Gen- as “bilateral partnership” with Russia. The Today, we will be marking the 210th anni- ry remarks, which are directed toward every- eralissimus Suvorov in 1799, who lead his relationship between Russia and Switzerland versary since Alexander Suvorov’s army hero- one present, I would like to say that Russia soldiers in the Second Coalition War against is based on a “Memorandum of Understand- ically crossed over the Alps, and we will con- supports dialogue among participants in in- Napoleon; it shaped the history of both coun- ing” signed two years ago. That document tinue our observance tomorrow with special ternational relations – dialogue that is as fair, tries and was praised by Hans-Rudolf Merz covers and regulates the eight “most impor- events. Switzerland carefully preserves the open, and wide as possible. as a “prime example of both art of war and tant areas of the two countries. On Monday memory of Suvorov’s deeds, which serves as I hope that we can discuss many of the is- steadfastness”. He told the audience that he another four treaties were signed, namely more evidence for the historic basis of our re- sues mentioned with our Swiss colleagues and the Russian President would travel to An- one about visa issues, an agreement about re- lations. I am happy that tomorrow, I will pay using the same language, especially since dermatt the following day in order to com- patriation, one about emergency aid and one tribute to my ancestors at the site where these Mr President has just demonstrated his ex- memorate together the 210th anniversary of about sports. events took place. This kind of respectful at- cellent proficiency in our language, and is this common historical event. An important issue is the mutual interest in titude toward historic events serves as an im- happy to use it beautifully at any opportuni- a “free-trade agreement between Russia and portant condition for successful joint cooper- ty. I hope that this will help us to hold pro- Common security interests the EFTA”, which is “especially desirable and ation and partnership and shows the maturity ductive, substantial talks and will be condu- Secondly, the President of the Federal Coun- welcome” from the Swiss point of view. At of our civil societies and the politicians in cive to expanding our bilateral dialogue and cil Merz reported about their talks concerning the same time Merz mentioned that the Rus- power. Unfortunately, we sometimes witness cooperation. international partnership and stressed the ap- sian President had promised his support for examples to the contrary, when attempts are I would like to thank you again for your preciation of Russia’s “strategic significance” Switzerland when it will hold the “Mandate made to turn history into an instrument for very warm welcome. • throughout history and to this day, due to her for the European Council’s presidency from political pressure. “size, her population, resources, her culture November”, especially in the priority areas of Switzerland stands as an example of the Source: http://eng.kremlin.ru/text/speech- and history”. For “a small country like Swit- benefits to Europe’s development that result es/2009/09/21/1054_type82914_221759.shtml zerland relations to such countries are essen- continued on page 2 Page 2 Current Concerns No 18 October 2009

“Press Conference …” continued from page 1 Switzerland – A Stable and Important Trading Partner the European Council which is human rights, Opening Remarks of the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev at the News Conference democracy and constitutional state issues. So following Russian-Swiss Talks in Berne, 21 September 2009 after his short opening remarks Merz sum- marized the relationhsip between Russia and Ladies and gentlemen, my task has been tle, Schindler Group and others operate in the significant number of alliances that Switzerland as follows: “Two countries cul- greatly facilitated, because my colleague, successfully in Russia. Russian companies exist on the European continent, and tivating excellent relations, with no conflicts Mr President Merz, told you everything in the Swiss market are also well known: therefore we are very concerned about and only minor disagreements – due to the that we talked about over the last four or Renova, Rusal and other businesses are how these issues of security will be ad- peculiarities of the two countries.” so hours, the time that I have been on the very actively involved in the Swiss econ- dressed. In my opinion the current system territory of the Swiss Confederation. omy. still has flaws. This was readily apparent Medvedev praises good relations with First of all, I would like naturally to For this reason after the news confer- in the 1990s and unfortunately there was Switzerland thank Mr President and my Swiss col- ence we will be meeting with what Mr another conflict that occurred last year. So After these statements President Medvedev leagues for their warm and cordial wel- President called the creme de la creme of I think that work on this treaty will con- made his speech (see original text) and come, for their true hospitality, which we Russian-Swiss business. I am sure that this tinue. Our Swiss colleagues have said that praised the good relations cultivated by the felt from the moment we arrived in Swit- exchange will be interesting. an exchange of views on this subject and two countries, he too mentioned the episodes zerland. The third dimension of our relations in- a discussion of this document are of inter- of shared history. He emphasized the eco- And we really did have a productive ex- volves foreign policy. For us Switzerland est to them. nomic co-operation of the two countries. Re- change of views on various issues. Mr Pres- has always been and will always be an im- This issue involves global energy secu- garding foreign affairs, Switzerland has al- ident has mentioned almost all of what we portant foreign partner. We appreciate rity, and I believe that this topic is also in ways been an important partner. talked about, but he outlined four areas, the mediation efforts being made by the essence a reflection of our common ap- Since Switzerland is one of the biggest fi- and as a guest I must identify a minimum Swiss Confederation which has been given proaches to the issue of how we are to nancial places in the world, Medvedev spoke of five, otherwise it would seem that we credence to assist in settlement of the live in Europe, to provide not only politi- in favour of her participation in future G 20 did not have enough to talk about. consequences of the Georgian-Ossetian cal and military security but also econom- summits. I will start with history. Of course, the conflict, and we are grateful to our Swiss ic security. Special emphasis was put by Medvedev history of our countries is very different – partners for acting as mediators currently I once again drew attention to Russia’s on Euopean security. Particularly for Swit- they have different geopolitical situations representing our interests in Georgia. initiative aimed at establishing a new en- zerland and Russia, as they do not belong to and sets of traditions. On the other hand, I also think that the upcoming Swiss ergy security regime, and I think that dis- we have a lot of interesting episodes in presidency in the Council of Europe will cussion of these issues should be contin- any alliance, this is a sensitive issue. our common history. Of course, one of the truly serve to strengthen democracy and ued. It is in the interests of all Europeans, Medvedev spoke about security, not only key pages is associated with Generalissimo civil society, and will contribute to achiev- and certainly in Russia’s interests. from the political and military, but also from Suvorov’s crossing the Alps. ing the goals that the institutions of the That makes for four subjects. Of course the economic perspective. Russia wants to We are very grateful to our Swiss friends Council of Europe have set themselves. the future is very important for us, and “take the initiative for a system of economic for commemorating this event which is es- Another subject to which I would like to we believe that the future bodes extreme- security” since this is in the interest of both sential not only for our country but also draw your attention is the efforts made to ly well for our relations, that there is great Europeans and Russians. At the end of his for the history of Switzerland and, in our overcome the consequences of the crisis: potential for their development. We have remarks the Russian President pointed out opinion, was an important mission by a We talked about these, including those ef- agreed to further improve our treaties that Russia was interested in a more inten- Russian military commander that was forts being made by the Group of Twenty. and agreements. And following the sign- sive co-operation with Switzerland in various crowned with success. We exchanged our views on who should ing today of the four agreements which areas and that further negotiations are already And of course we are very pleased that make decisions affecting global economy, Mr President just mentioned, in the near scheduled for this October. the anniversary of these events will occur how representative the Group of Twen- future we intend to intensify work on “Tax evasion was never encouraged” during our stay: We will fly tomorrow and ty actually currently is, what role Switzer- other documents. In the month of Octo- see how it looks today and perhaps im- land might play in such discussions. We ber there will be a meeting of the inter- In the following discussion which also covered agine how it was 210 years ago. We have concluded that Switzerland, because it is governmental commission, which will be the bank secret and UBS issues, Merz reiter- enough imagination to conjure up Gen- such an important financial centre, should considering six new documents. These in- ated how the compromise with the USA had eralissimo Suvorov and the soldiers who participate actively in the discussion of volve important agreements in the field been negotiated and that between the two con- bravely crossed the Alps to achieve a very various issues on the agenda related to of scientific and technical cooperation, stitutional states of Switzerland and the USA important political and military result. the settlement of the crisis and the cre- intellectual property and in several other and how an “Agreement” had been established But this is not the only shared page in ation of a new financial architecture. On areas. If we can move forward on these allowing for mutual administrative support ac- our history. Mr President talked about this score there are different opinions, but documents, then of course we will create cording to the OECD standard rules of § 26. the large numbers of our compatriots my own view is that this is crucial, not only a very strong regulatory groundwork for He also elaborated on the difference between who travelled between the Russian Em- for Switzerland but for the future of inter- future progress. tax fraud and tax evasion since this difference pire and the Swiss Confederation both at national finance. These, then, are the results, and every- is still of practical relevance within Switzer- that time and, incidentally, continue to do There is one subject which definitely af- thing that the President of the Swiss Con- land. In Switzerland “the private sphere is es- so today. I can say that if it used to be pri- fects all of us, the future configuration of federation and I have not talked about pecially protected”, and the bank secret serves marily traders who travelled between our security systems in Europe. I once again you can now proceed to ask us. Thank primarily for the “protection of privacy”. For two countries, now business representa- drew attention to Russia’s initiative in this you. that reason the state does not interfere with the tives do so with pleasure and are finding regard, I mean the possibility of a treaty Source: http://eng.kremlin.ru/text/speech- bank accounts of individual persons. So far more and more points of contact. on European security. If we confine our- es/2009/09/21/1428_type82914type82915_ the bank secret had never encouraged fraud or Of course for me certain cultural ref- selves to Russia and Switzerland, we are 221782.shtml evasion. Merz emphasized that both matters of erences are very important, because as much closer because we are not involved fact had always been regarded as criminal of- someone who was born and raised in St Petersburg it is very noteworthy that fences and were prosecuted. “Tax evasion was Ceremony at the Suvorov-Monument never protected.” Only the degree of penalty some of the magnificent palaces which is lower in tax evasion as compared with tax were built there are associated with the with the Russian President, 22 September 2009 fraud. The protection of the private sphere will name of Domenico Trezzini, and this is stay intact in Switzerland. Merz added that also part of our common cultural herit- Switzerland will soon disappear from the so- age. I talked about this during an inter- called grey list of the OECD since all obliga- view with the Swiss media and would like tions had been met. to emphasise it again. Now let us talk about where we stand Bank secret a “basic right” today. In fact we consider Switzerland The Russian President, who in his capaci- to be one of our most stable and impor- ty as a lawyer had also worked on the bank tant trading partners. The economic cri- secret issue, defines this conflict as one be- sis has not had a great impact in this re- tween private and public law. Controversies gard, although of course there has been may develop between the private sphere and a drop in trade. Let us hope that all these public interest, in which case privacy has the ties will be restored soon. We feel quite confident about the prospects here, not priority in his opinion. That does not mean only because of the general economic though, that the state should have no power recovery in the world, but also because to safeguard its interests. As far as interna- the amount of investment that exists be- tional issues are concerned the OECD stan- tween our two countries is quite signifi- dard should be observed, and an agreement cant and measured in billions of dollars. should be made. This will be part of G 20 Swiss direct investment in Russia in 2008 negotiations. Should Russia have to approach “Today’s celebration has once again shown how greatly revered the son of Russia, the great amounted to about 4 billion dollars. Rus- General Suvorov is in your country, and how much you respect our shared history. And we Switzerland regarding issues of Russian cit- sia‘s companies in turn invested consider- izens, which might happen, these issues are deeply grateful to the federal, cantonal and local authorities, and to those in charge of able sums in Switzerland. I do not have to Switzerland’s armed forces, to everyone involved in preserving the memory of these events should be settled “based on the signed treaties single out the companies involved – every- and taking care of the various monuments.” Excerpt from the speech of the Russian Presi- and agreements with Switzerland” . Howev- body knows who they are. Let me just say dent at the Suvorov-monument. (photo thk) er these would be singular cases, as Merz had that major Swiss companies such as Nes- already stressed. “Every state has of course the right to tax its citizens, that goes with- out saying, that applies to Russia too, but one must not interfere with basic right of the citi- Switzerland could play here, Medvedev re- security level declines.” He views the impor- At the end of the press conference the im- zens” and he would count “ the bank secret as plied that those states without membership tance of Switzerland as a neutral state in its pression remained, that the representatives of one of the basic rights of the citizen”. status in any alliances such as EU or NATO “ability to moderate”. Switzerland could me- both states had met with openness and mutu- should be interested in it. diate between other states and this was very al respect as well as the clear will to achieve Co-operation on an equal footing The security level has considerably de- important for security structures. “Switzer- co-operation on an equal footing. • When he was asked about the project of a se- creased in the last 15 years. “There are no land as a nation has always been very suc- curity agreement in Europe and which role ideological alliances any longer, but still the cesful and relaible in this regard.” October 2009 No 18 Current Concerns Page 3 Israel as Protecting Power of the Sunni World? Does Israel now succeed Great Britain and the USA as a “regional policeman” in the Middle East – a new edition of the “Devil’s Game” according to Robert Dreyfuss? ts. The rhetoric concerning a possible Israe- li war of aggression against Iran is becoming worse and worse – high Israeli officials open- ly discuss this option while the Israeli media dispute Zbigniew Brzezinski’s statement that the US Army would refuse to allow Israeli bombers to fly over Iraq including all the con- sequences.1 And while the big war drums are beaten louder and louder, Israeli and Amer- ican politicians, secret service people and members of think tanks bring into play an- other figure as a solution of the problems in the Middle East. And so Dr John Chipman, general man- ager of the International Institute for Stra- tegic Studies (IISS) formulated the follow- ing at a conference in Geneva2: “Most Arab states share with Israel the assessment that the Iranian regime frequently acts as a poten- tially destabilizing force. But that congruence of strategic interest cannot easily find pub- lic expression because the unsettled Israeli- Palestinian issue leaves Arab states unable to ally themselves with Israel.” The two-state solution nothing but a pretext? Concerning the two-state solution of Pales- tine next to Israel, Chipman argued that in private moves certain Israeli think that the main strategic purpose of arriving at a two- state solution would be to legitimize Israel in the eyes of moderate Arab public opin- Arab oil fields – above the Shaybhah oil field in Saudi Arabia – in future under Israeli military “shield”? (photo reuters) ion. That in turn would permit Arab states to normalize diplomatic relations with Isra- with Israel as the lucky bystander tipping get of Iran, after Iraq, reported Kedar. They Iran is momentarily urgently needed, in full el and to work alongside Israel against such the scales? were all in fear of Iran in the Middle East. possession of its forces. Why? As a “natu- continuing threats from Iranian supported Yes, the danger for the direct neighbours of ral” arch-enemy of the Sunni and Wahabbite regional groups or even Iran itself. Arabs and Israeli against Persians? Iran was bigger than the danger for Israel. Taliban, Shiite Iran should assist NATO in Chipman also made clear that a two-state Dan Meridor, deputy Prime Minister and All these Arab states were nearer to Iran, the Afghan disaster and thus save the west- solution may not lead to immediate peace; Minister of the Israeli intelligence service and besides less able to defend themselves ern military alliance from breaking apart. however, it would create the political legi- said exactly the same thing when he stressed than Israel. Israel was in a much better posi- True to the motto: The enemy of my enemy timacy for Israel that would allow certain at the conference quoted above, that it was tion. Kuwait and Bahrain did not have a pos- is my friend. Arab states to support Israel against radical Iran, which holds the leadership over the sibility of resisting an Iranian attack. The It remains to be seen whether in Machi- groups that are also threatening those same revolutionary Islam; therefore an Iran pos- Iranian Ayatollahs, however, would hate avellian Brzezinski line of thinking Iran are Arab states. sessing nuclear weapons would endanger not the Sunni Arabs, therefore it did not mat- to likewise be played off against Israel, and So far Chipman’s statements. A State of only Israel, but also the Gulf States. Israel’s ter to them, if Arab Sunnis died in an attack the Sunnis are to be played off against the Palestine is thus above all intended to con- highest secret service agent pointed out that against Israel.4 Shiites, or whether Israel is needed as re- front Iran with an united front of Arab states if the formation of two states, Israel and Pal- These three statements show that behind gional power in order to contain Arabs and in alliance with the nuclear power Israel? estine, was ahead, the US leadership was of the scenes obviously not only the planning Persians. The Gulf States, up to now depending on the great importance. At the same time howev- but also the complete transformation of the military power of the USA, intimidated by er, the USA would urgently have to solve the Middle East is in full swing. The future may “War is obsolete!” the former common enemy Saddam Hussein problem of the nuclear armament of Iran.3 show whether in this process the role of the Finally, we may not give up hope that con- – remember Kuwait 1990/1991 and its pro- Mordechai Kedar, Israeli professor for policeman at the Persian Gulf – not fully free flicts in the age of nuclear weapons can be tection money payments to the USA in the Arab studies and according to Swiss radio from selfish motives – is transferred from settled peacefully and on the grounds of in- 1990’s – those Gulf States now threatened DRS member of the Israeli secret service the USA to Israel. Believing Robert Drey- ternational law. It is still true that the worst by Iran and so, again intimidated, depend- for many years, is currently on tour through fuss’ remarks in his book “Devil’s Game”, of all crimes is a war of aggression, as laid ing on Israel? As a new edition of the ne- Europe, claiming to render the Europeans according to which it were the British, who down in the Nuremberg principles after oconservative war strategy of the provoked sensitive to the threat by Iranian missiles, organized the Muslim Brotherhoods in order World War II. Or, to say it in the words of so-called “clash of civilizations”, this time which could also reach Europe. The same to use them as instruments against Arab na- the US officer Doug Rokke, who was to re- however internal Islamic, between the Shi- Mordechai Kedar expressed in an interview tionalism, and believing his remarks that Is- move the radiating uranium ammunition for ite Persians and the majority Sunni Arabs, in the mentioned program with remarkable rael originally supported the Hamas in order the Pentagon after Gulf War I: In times, in similarity to Dan Meridor and John Chip- to weaken the Fatah; the task transfer from which weapons are used, which can never be man that the Saudis did not support the Arab the USA onto Israel is nothing else but a part eliminated because their radioactive half-life Current Concerns is an independent journal produced brothers in the war against the Shiite Hiz- of a tradition, in which the Devil’s Game, amounts to 4.5 billion years, for example, we by volunteers that is not supported by advertising. bollah in South Lebanon 2006 but support- the satanic principle of “divide et impera”, must say: “War is obsolete”. Especially and Any financial contribution is greatly appreciated. ed Israel. Moreover, with the attack of Israel has been predominant for decades.5 above all a nuclear war of aggression against on the Gaza Strip at the beginning of 2009, a country, that has never before attacked any the Saudis did not support the Sunni Hamas, Realization of “blood borders” due? other country in its history. • Current Concerns because of their background support by Iran, In any case, we should observe the gener- The international journal for independent but they supported Israel. Why? The ex se- al geopolitical situation and re-read Ralph thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, cret service agent Kedar gave the following Peter’s article in the Armed Forces Jour- and for the promotion and respect answer: Saudi Arabia has a conflict with the nal with the ghastly title “Blood Borders”. 1 see Haaretz.com, 21/09/2009; of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law Shiites, and also has problems with the Shi- Peter describes the Middle East before and www.haaretz.com ites in their own country. The Saudis feared after the transformation along the “blood 2 The 7th IISS global Strategic Review “The new that in their homeland and in Iran the Shi- borders”, in which the separation into Sunni Publisher: Zeit-Fragen Cooperative Geopolitics”: www.iiss.org/conferences/global- ites could take over Shiite areas in the East and Shiite states, a three-part Iraq, an am- strategic-review/global-strategic-review-2009/ Editor: Erika Vögeli plenary-sessions-and-speeches-2009/sixth-plena- Address: Current Concerns, of Saudi Arabia, which would be particular- putation of Saudi Arabia especially around ry-session-dr-john-chipman/ P.O. Box, CH-8044 Zurich ly volatile as it is the area in which the large the eastern areas rich in oil, likewise Iran, Phone: +41 (0)44 350 65 50 oil fields of the Saudis are situated. the reduction of Pakistan with the new state 3 www.strategische-studien.com Fax: +41 (0)44 350 65 51 of Baluchistan, a free Kurdistan etc. are 4 E-Mail: [email protected] The old game of “divide et impera”? dashy.6 Kontext of 9/17/2009, 9.06 am in Swiss Radio Subscription details: DRS. www.drs.ch/www/de/drs/sendungen/top/ Answering to the remark of the DRS journal- In addition, we shall see whether the con- kontext/5005.sh10097933.html published regularly ist that Israel seemed to be the bottleneck in trast between Brzezinski-Obama-Amer- annual subscription rates: SFr. 72. – a much larger conflict in the Middle East, ica and Netanyahu-Israel will turn out to 5 Robert Dreyfuss. Devil’s Game. How the United € 45. – / £ 28. – / $ 66. – (incl. postage and VAT) States helped unleash fundamentalist Islam. New Account: Postscheck-Konto: PC 87-644472-4 the secret service trained Kedar outlined the be genuine or only superficial. According York 2005. ISBN 0-8050-8137-2. Printers: Druckerei Nüssli, Mellingen, Switzerland course of the fronts as follows: For exam- to Brzezinski’s concept in his book “The www.robertdreyfuss.com ple the Emir of Qatar forms a coalition with Grand Chessboard”,7 where he claims that The editors reserve the right to shorten letters to the 6 editor. Letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect Iran, the Hizbollah and the Hamas today. it is necessary to control Eurasia in order to www.armedforcesjournal.com/2006/06/1833899 the views and opinions of Current Concerns. Other states would also change the sides, to- control the world, and in which the individu- 7 Zbigniew Brzezinski; The Grand Chessboard: wards Iran, if the world did not do anything al states are nothing but figures in a game of American Primacy and Its geo-strategic Impera- © 2009. All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this tives. Basic Books, New York, 1998. publication may be made without written permission. against Iran. Egypt and Jordan were both chess, a manipulated mass, which are played worried, but Saudi Arabia feared Iran most. off against each other, and according to his 8 www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/65251/zbigniew- The Saudis knew that they were the next tar- latest essay in Foreign Affairs8 the chessman brzezinski/an-agenda-for-nato Page 4 Current Concerns No 18 October 2009 South America to Resist US Military Presence by Gisela Liebe, Switzerland Europe is being demonstrated by existing since 1952. I would like to South American states how to put tell him in all friendship: If they have up resistance to US military pres- not succeeded in fighting the guer- ence. On 28 August, the 12 Unasur rilla and the drug traffic in all these (Union of the South American Na- years, we should think of other ways tions) member states met for talks in to solve this problem in Unasur.” Bariloche, Argentina to discuss the “The majority of drug consum- new military treaty between Colom- ers are not living on our continent. It bia and the USA. With this treaty, would be good if the US, instead of the US are allowed by Colombia to fighting drug traffic within our states, make use of and expand seven mil- would do so within their own borders itary bases, where up to 1,400 US – but drug consumers are also voters, troops may be stationed. of course.” Lula proposed a meeting with Obama so that the US President Most of the South American states could clarify his political intentions reacted highly alarmed to the expan- in South America. In addition, he de- sion of US military presence in Co- manded a legal warranty that the US lombia. Venezuela and Ecuador in troops could not be utilized for mili- particular feel directly threatened. In tary missions outside Colombia. the run-up to the summit, Argentina At the end of the summit, a com- and Brazil were also clearly against mon declaration was adopted, con- the new US military bases. Argenti- firming the intention towards a na’s President Cristina Fernández de peaceful cooperation and resolv- Kirchner, who initiated this summit, ing of conflicts within all Unasur unmistakably remarked: “We cannot states. The presence of foreign forc- allow the USA, after having export- es should threaten neither the sov- ed to us the economic crisis and the ereignty and integrity of a South swine flew, to bring a war-like situa- American nation nor peace and se- tion to our region, as well.” curity in the region. The Foreign In the run-up to the conference and Defense Ministers of the Unas- Bolivia’s president Evo Morales ur states plan to meet in September suggested “continental plebiscites” to debate confidence-building mech- on US army presence outside the anisms and to analyze the contents USA, and said: “This way the peo- Population and governments resist US military bases. (photo reuters) of the US white book on “Strate- ples of the continent, not the imper- gy for South America”. The South iums would decide upon this deployment.” for sovereignty. Therefore, we reject install- increased it. The Brazilian President Lula American Defense Council of Unasur had According to the constitutions of Venezuela, ing foreign military bases”. Hugo Chavez da Silva pointed out that the South Ameri- been founded in March 2009. At the same Ecuador, Bolivia and Nicaragua, the deploy- asked Colombia to present the wording of the can countries have made great progress in time, the South American Council against ment of foreign troops is not allowed. The treaty in order to know what it is really about. their cooperation. He proposed that the Un- Drug Trade was commissioned to work out USA had to clear their air base in Manta, Ec- He quoted from the White Paper of the US asur should seek their own solution for the as soon as possible a strategy and an action uador. Reconnaissance and transport planes Southern Command Air Force, where the ob- issue of drug traffic, independent from the plan which can serve as a base for fighting that had been stationed in Manta until today jective of the military bases to achieve mili- US: “Our colleague Uribe is trying to prove the illegal drug traffic more efficiently to shall now be transferred to Colombian air tary control in the region is being explained. us that the US bases in Colombia have been dedicated authorities. • bases. Rafael Correa [President of the Republic It does not come as a surprise that the ex- of Ecuador and current President of Unasur] pansion of US presence in South America is presented an extensive documentation, com- quite apprehensive. The US hegemonial strive piling arguments why there should be no US Unesco Declares Ecuador in South America continues to be pursued de- bases in Latin America. “Ecuador had a US terminedly, also under Obama. As it is often military base in Manta. Let us not be fooled: Free from Illiteracy the case in South America, the USA justi- there is no way to control what the US Amer- fies its military presence with the war against icans are doing on the bases they had been gl. Two years after President Rafael Cor- one of the Quechua languages much used in drug trafficking. Since 2001, the USA has al- granted by Colombia. Who should control rea’s initiation of a literacy campaign in his Ecuador. Teaching material for further lan- ready invested 346 million Euro in the so- them?” Correa said it would be impossible country, the Unesco declared Ecuador to be guages and nationalities is being prepared. called Plan Colombia, without any remark- to verify if a given plane is starting from the free from illiteracy. A special programme, “voluntad”, was im- able success. military base to control the drug traffic or Within only two years the illiteracy rate plemented for convicts in the 34 rehabilita- The summit of Unasur in Bariloche lasted if it is intercepting communication of other was successfully lowered from 9.3% to tion centres of the country. A programme of eight hours instead of the envisaged four. The countries or interfering with their surveil- 2.7%. About 420,000 people learnt to read their own was also developed for the border entire conference, where all 12 South Amer- lance radar. “We have experience in this in and write. The director of the office for na- provinces near Peru and Colombia, as well ican heads of state were present, had been Ecuador; we should no longer be naïve.” He tional education in the Ecuador Ministry of as for people with different handicaps, as for live-broadcasted. President Barack Obama proposed that the defense council of Unasur Education, Mery Gavilanes, outlined the instance Braille for the blind. did not attend the conference. should deal with the topic extensively. Correa five different programmes wherewith dif- Altogether, 12,000 literacy facilitators Whereas Colombia’s President Álvaro reported how US troops on the military base ferent target groups had been reached. were employed. 190,000 students from Uribe defended the military treaty as an ef- in Manila were in command of the local secu- The programme “Manuela Sàenz” was the senior classes were also included in fective assistance against drug trafficking and rity forces. This was confirmed by Evo Mo- directed towards the Mestizo population, to the programme. Their activities as litera- put emphasis on the fact that Colombia did rales who took the view that foreign military whom 500,000 course books in the Spanish cy teachers were made a constituent part not give way by an inch of its sovereignty, bases should be banned from Latin America. language were distributed. For indigenous of their own school education to gain their nearly all other heads of state, with the excep- Correa and Morales pointed out that the and rural communities the programme “Do- high school certificate. • tion of President Alan García of Peru, voted presence of the DEA, the US Drug Enforce- lores Cacuango” was developed, in which against the military bases. Uruguay’s presi- ment Administration, not only did not help instruction took place exclusively in Kichwa, Source: teleSur-Pl/ve-PR, 8 September 2009 dent Tabaré Vázquez said: “Uruguay stands in the fight against drug trafficking, but it

Sri Lanka Human Rights Must Be Observed – Reconciliation Is Needed ds. After an armed conflict lasting twenty Whatever both war parties were guilty (1) Persons taking no active part in the hos- (d) the passing of sentences and the carry- years, the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil of, in the course of the clashes, both par- tilities, including members of armed forces ing out of executions without previous Eelam) laid down their arms on 17 May this ties are said to have seriously violated inter- who have laid down their arms and those judgment pronounced by a regularly year. On the following day, the government national humanitarian law. Since the end of placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, constituted court affording all the judi- of Sri Lanka proclaimed the end of the war, the war, the responsibility for observing the detention, or any other cause, shall in all cial guarantees which are recognized and President Mahinda Rajapakse promised human rights of the defeated Tamil fighters circumstances be treated humanely, with- as indispensable by civilized peoples. out any adverse distinction founded on to uphold the Tamil minority’s rights and to and of the civilian population lies with the (2) The wounded and sick shall be collect- race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or close the country’s ethnic devides. Contra- Sri Lankan Government. The international ed and cared for. wealth, or any other similar criteria. To this ry to this promise, the human tragedy of the community must demand that the Sri Lankan An impartial humanitarian body, such end the following acts are and shall remain Tamil population continues to this day. The Government abides by international law and as the International Committee of the Red prohibited at any time and in any place reports from Sri Lanka are alarming (“Neue must invite both parties to reconcile. As a re- Cross, may offer its services to the Parties whatsoever with respect to the above-men- Zürcher Zeitung” of 12 September). Around minder article 3 of the Geneva Convention to the conflict. tioned persons: 300,000 Tamil refugees are still kept in in- (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Per- The Parties to the conflict should further (a) violence to life and person, in partic- ternment camps under deplorable conditions. sons in Time of War: endeavour to bring into force, by means of ular murder of all kinds, mutilation, The UN’s international organizations and the Art 3. In the case of armed conflict not of special agreements, all or part of the other cruel treatment and torture; ICRC have no access to the camps. And, ac- an international character occurring in the provisions of the present Convention. cording to “Journalists for Democracy in Sri territory of one of the High Contracting (b) taking of hostages; Lanka”, the situation of media representatives Parties, each Party to the conflict shall be (c) outrages upon personal dignity, in The application of the preceding provi- has not improved. On the contrary, threats bound to apply, as a minimum, the following particular, humiliating and degrading sions shall not affect the legal status of the and intimidations have increased. provisions: treatment; Parties to the conflict. October 2009 No 18 Current Concerns Page 5 UN General Assembly – Decided Criticism of War Monger Party Evidence of increasing self-confidence of the majority of nations km. A few days before the opening of the 64th basic considerations of due process are ab- A few days before the President of the Gen- fectively addressing many crucial issues re- General Assembly, on the 14th of September, sent in the sanctions procedures. The mem- eral Assembly had said: “I believe that it is not lated to international peace and security and Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, President of bers of the G 20 themselves are not subject far-fetched to note that the whole world knows that it requires comprehensive reform in order the 63rd UN General Assembly, held his fare- to the same scrutiny. Switzerland advocates a that, among many other truths, some of our to overcome the increasing limitations arising well speech. The outgoing President empha- level playing field and a much better consul- most powerful and influential Member States from its restrictive methods and narrow deci- sized why the General Assembly, which rep- tation among non-members of the G 20.” definitely do not believe in the rule of law in sion-making base. resents the vast majority of states and nations, However, many leading political represent- international relations and are of the view, Only a strong General Assembly, which gained some more of the respect and signifi- atives linked to the US government still be- moreover, that complying with the legal norms vigorously exercises its deliberative, poli- cance which it was originally entitled to. This have as if they could set the tone. This seems to which we formally commit, when signing cymaking and decision-making roles will be was accomplished through various initiatives, to resemble the state Third Reich Germany the Charter, is something that applies only to capable of enhancing multilateralism as the one of it being the United Nations Confer- was in after the Battle of Stalingrad in the weak countries. […] best option for relationships between States. ence on the World Financial and Economic winter of 1942/43. Each objective observer Certain Member States think that they can It must be borne in mind that the most sig- Crisis and its Impact on Development, which knew that with this devastating defeat the war act according to the law of the jungle, and de- nificant revitalization has been the capaci- took place from 24th to 26th June 2009. was lost. But the Minister for Public Enlight- fend the right of the strongest to do whatev- ty demonstrated by the General Assembly to A few days ago, the British Prime Minis- enment and Propaganda, Josef Goebbels, was er they feel like with total and absolute impu- address existential economic problems that ter Gordon Brown suggested that the G 20 not shy of calling for the total war in Febru- nity, and remain accountable to no one. They it had been unable to tackle for almost three should become a kind of world government ary 1943. Are the leaders of the western su- think nothing of railing against multilateral- decades. Revitalization is a political rather (Spiegel Online of 22 September). In contrast perpowers still not aware of the fact that they ism, proclaiming the virtues of unilateralism than a technical issue.” to this, the President of the General Assembly have lost all credibility throughout the world while simultaneously pontificating unasham- The outgoing President of the General As- stated: G 8 and the G 20 will continue to be during the last 20 years? That their policies edly from their privileged seats on the Secu- sembly concluded with the following words: significant minorities. However, this is more failed miserably at the expense of billions of rity Council about the need for all Member “All of this, and many other equally serious due to the fact that they are rich and power- people? That there can be no return to po- States conscientiously to fulfil their obligations anomalies, is what has brought many to be- ful than to their demonstrated ability to do litical expansion of power? That even re- under the Charter, or be sanctioned (selectively lieve in the urgency of the need to reform the things well. We cannot and should not forget fined strategies and deceptions in the style of of course) for failing to do so. The sovereign United Nations. But during this year as Pres- that, after all, it is because of the extreme- Obama or Brezinski are of no avail? equality of all Member States and the obliga- ident of the General Assembly, I have come ly grave errors committed by them, and the The Iranian President has also held a tion to prevent wars are, for them, minor de- to the conclusion that the time has already Bretton Woods institutions run by them, that speech to the UN General Assembly. There tails that need not be taken very seriously.” passed for reforming or mending our Organ- the world is currently undergoing what could is still a great deal of polemics against it from A few lines before he said: “We are at a crit- ization. What we need to do is to reinvent it, well turn out to be the worst crisis in history. the West which replaces the desire to find out ical juncture on the path that we set out upon and we need urgently to do it ad majorem In his speech to the General Assembly, the what was actually said, for example: “The era in San Francisco 64 years ago. The institutions gloriam Dei, which is to say, for the good of Swiss Federal President Hans-Rudolf Merz of capitalist thinking and imposition of one’s established at that time, like all institutions, the Earth and of humanity.” also made some spot-on remarks regarding thoughts on the international community, in- have undergone a natural, gradual and inevi- The division of mankind is no natural law. the G 20: “The G 20 has taken over a role tended to predominate the world in the name table process of attrition. As a consequence, It would be a benefit and a tremendous re- in discussing important global issues. This of globalization and the age of setting up em- the present crisis is affecting both internation- lief for mankind if all governments respec- development must not take place at the ex- pires is over. It is no longer possible to humil- al economic governance and policy. ted and supported human rights. The nations pense of other nations or global institutions iate nations and impose double standard poli- There is broad consensus that the United could have a big share in getting their govern- such as the UN. The G 20 lacks legitimacy; cies on the world community.” Nations Security Council is incapable of ef- ments to act accordingly. • “Lebanon is More Than a Country, Solidarity with the Somali People Lebanon Is a Message” instead of “Operation Atalanta” by Professor Roger Achkar, Lebanon Interview with Carlo Sommaruga, member of the Swiss National Council Numerous conflicts have occurred between The Mamelouks, Sunni Muslim slaves of thk. On 15 and 16 Sep- strate one’s solidarity. Real solidarity is the Muslim and Christian nations, countries, Turks, had bitterly persecuted and massa- tember the Swiss Na- one you build up with women and men, par- groups, tribes and confessions throughout the cred Shia Muslims in Lebanon before con- tional Council (“Na- ticularly with those living in situations of history of mankind since 632 BC. In Leba- ducting massacres against Christians. When tionalrat”) discussed war or violence. Solidarity does not mean non, the two religions have shown that they Lebanese Shia and Sunni Muslims waged the Swiss involvement cooperation with European states, which are perfectly capable to live together in peace war against each other, Maronite Christians in the “Operation have come to the political decision to set up and harmony for many centuries if a well bal- had the opportunity to be peace mediators Atalanta”. Meanwhile a naval force. In this case true solidarity is anced power sharing system can be further between them which has strengthened their the National Council the one with the Somali people. These peo- promoted and maintained. position in Lebanon. voted against this in- ple suffering and depending on internation- The Lebanese consensual system that The Lebanese political consensual system Carlo Sommaruga tervention. A broad al help are located on Somali ground, not brings together nineteen (19) different con- has therefore naturally developed and flour- alliance has been formed across all party on the sea. For this reason, the internation- fessions who were destined to live together, ished during fourteen centuries of Muslim lines opposing the deployment. Carlo Som- al Swiss operation must primarily focus on has a Christian Maronite Head of State. The and Christian cohabitation and cooperation. maruga, National Councillor of the Social the mainland. Maronite Church, who struggled for the es- This system is a healthy model of peaceful Democratic Party, strongly rejects a Swiss tablishment of the Lebanese Republic with relations between the two religions in a sin- intervention. In the following he defines his How could Switzerland contribute to pac- the help of the French, is a part of the Roman gle country. This model, if respected, will position. ifying the situation in Somalia and off the Catholic Church since the 8th century and is promote peaceful relations between Mus- coast? the most powerful Christian Church in the lims and Christians in the Middle East and Current Concerns: What’s your view on the Switzerland should make humanitarian aid Middle East. This Church has promoted and the world. Swiss soldiers’ intervention offshore Soma- and aid to developing countries their priori- maintained relations with the Western World It may be appropriate to mention at this lia? ty. Concerning humanitarian aid these mil- in general and with Catholic Western coun- stage that Telelumiere, the Christian Maronite Carlo Sommaruga: Switzerland and its sol- lions of Swiss francs budgeted for the partic- tries in particular for the past fourteen (14) religious TV channel that spreads the Gospel diers have no place in the “Operation Ata- ipation in the “Operation Atalanta” could be centuries. It is crucial for the survival of this of Jesus Christ mostly in Arabic throughout lanta”. spent on the World Food Programme which consensual system that the President of the the Arab countries and the world, organizes does not have sufficient means to help the So- Lebanese Republic be a member of the Chris- occasional meetings with Muslim Sheikhs to Why should Switzerland stay out of that in- mali people. Within the framework of the de- tian Maronite community for obvious histor- conduct comparative studies between the two tervention? velopmental aid Switzerland can contribute ic reasons. religions on air. “Operation Atalanta” is primarily the result to strengthening the rule of law in Somalia. It The christians have been frequently perse- The Lebanese consensual system has of several European heads of states and of calls on many years of experience in this field cuted and massacred in the Middle East and therefore demonstrated that it is a definitive Javier Solana declaring their will to set up of cooperation. the world. Western countries have maintained factor of stability between Islam and Christi- a European military power. Being a deposi- By the way: Peace and economic develop- a detailed record of the massacre of 1860, anity in the Middle East and the world. This tary state of the Geneva Conventions as well ment in Somalia can only be re-established when the Ottoman Turks have assisted mem- is why Pope John Paul II said during his visit as being a neutral state – even if it is about an by strengthening the Somali authority of the bers of the Druze community to massacre to Lebanon in 1997: “Lebanon is more than active neutrality – Switzerland cannot assent state. Somalia should also be given the means Lebanese and Syrian Christians in an attempt a country, Lebanon is a message”. The Leb- to such political and military actions, partic- to protect its territorial waters and its coasts to exterminate all Christians in Lebanon and anese consensual system will inspire Arab ularly if it has no influence on the concurrent against looting or devastation of the natural Syria. French, Austrian, British, Prussian and and Middle Eastern countries to better inte- circumstances. resources, especially caused by over-fishing Russian diplomats, further to the military in- grate and accept minorities which will cer- This is not a UN-“Peacekeeping” or or by the illegal disposal of waste. tervention of Napoleon III of France and his tainly prevent potential future wars, conflicts “Peacemaking” operation – that is not the troops, agreed to appoint, for the first time, a and hostilities. Religious minorities will def- issue. We are talking about a police opera- Which role should Switzerland play with- Christian ruler over Mount Lebanon because initely be better protected and their rights re- tion in international waters having a clear- in international conflicts according to your it became obvious that this is the only way spected if they are allowed to be represented ly confined mandate: i.e. the protection of opinion? to considerably reduce the risks of potential in the government. the North’s economic interests. The ques- Switzerland has to become active in the field massacres of vulnerable Christian minorities Humanity never needs weapons when tion would be entirely different, if it was an of mediation and facilitation [Good Servic- who have been a target for the past fourteen there is love, respect and understanding UN-armed force with the clear goal to pro- es] in cross-national conflicts or in areas of centuries. among peoples and religions. The gospel tect only the UN-ships. Here these ships only tension. One example is the conflict between It is worth noting, that at many occa- of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew serve as an alibi. Turkey and Armenia. We have a large com- sions in their history, Lebanese Christians 26:52 says “He who takes the sword, dies by petence in this area, which is international- and Muslims have assisted each other to the sword” and according to the Apocalypse Should Switzerland not help other states? ly accepted. get rid of foreign rulers. Shias and Chris- 13:10 “He who takes the sword must die by The question of solidarity is of particular tians, for example, have assisted each other the sword, and this is the perseverance of the importance in a society. But the vital point Mr Sommaruga, thank you very much for this to get rid of Mamelouk rule in Lebanon. Saints.” • is knowing with whom one should demon- interview. • Page 6 Current Concerns No 18 October 2009 Northern Ireland’s Steps towards Reconciliation An exemplary peace model also for other trouble spots in this world by Dr Titine Kriesi, Switzerland

When in 1969, London’s domineering polit- ical elite decided to send troops to North- ern Ireland; the war against Irish-Republi- can Catholics was to continue for some more decades, following many centuries of British colonial policy. After nearly 40 years of – euphemistically called “troubles” – a peace treaty was settled in May 2007. Peace be- tween so-called archenemies? Not long be- fore, somebody who dared to believe Cath- olics and Protestants were capable of such a conciliatory step ran the risk to be mildly smiled at as a dreamer. Once more, the ques- tion was raised whether it was not another trick in order to start a new religious con- flict for a further “divide et impera”. How- ever, against all prophecies of doom, the Irish have now worked things out together in order to solve their problems and to establish a future of peace and reconciliation. North- ern Ireland committed itself to dialogue and peace. Neither for the population nor for the Northern Irish, for the Irish or for the Brit- ish politics there is no turning back. In the following, we will take a closer look at what was possible before and after 7 May 2007 – especially concerning the important role of the peace process as a model and a dawn of hope for other trouble spots in our world, i.e. in the Middle East, in Sri Lanka, Africa or somewhere else. “Since the peace treaty and the establishment of the common government, life in Northern Ireland has changed for everyone. […] The peace, long over- due, made it possible that the people could begin a new century with a lot of hope and confidence. This chance may not be lost: Equality in dialogue and At the end of the 1980s, secret negotiations partnership without the claim to power are required.”(photo caro) between the Irish-republican Sinn Féin party and the British government started.1 In 1998, 1968 – Catholic citizens Never use violence to ment. Thus the Ministers of the Republic they led to a peace agreement, the so-called claim their civil rights solve political conflicts of Ireland and of Northern Ireland discuss Good Friday Agreement2. Its most urgent The Protestant side, which felt connected to Following London’s direct rule (with small trans-boundary topics that affect the life of concern was the political agreement between Great Britain, formed a one-party power in interruptions), Northern Ireland was entitled all people on the whole island.15 all political parties with the priority to final- Northern Ireland for nearly five decades. That to autonomy. In accordance with the Good • The “Government Of Ireland Act” of 1920 ly finish four decades of violence.3 Everybody meant, among other things, that the constit- Friday Agreement all those involved were (that divides Ireland into the two states who had taken part in the agreement should uencies were manipulated in favour of the obliged never to use violence as means of so- “Free State Ireland” and “Northern Ire- be able to pursue the respective political goals Protestants; however, Republican clubs, the lution of political conflicts. On the contrary: land”) was withdrawn by the British Gov- using peaceful and democratic means, with- Republican Party Sinn Féin and the Irish-Re- They should be willing to negotiate and es- ernment (!). At the same time, the British out having to fear discrimination or repres- publican Army (IRA) were forbidden. Catho- tablish peace. Those who had been privileged Government committed itself explicitly to sion. The uniqueness of this agreement was lics were discriminated because of their reli- up to now had problems in committing them- respect the result of each future vote over that different points of view were included.4 gion, e.g. when they applied for housing and selves to equal rights. Privileges, however, the course of the border between North- This outcome was absolutely different from jobs. Those who possessed a house – mainly should now belong to the past. Catholics were ern Ireland and the remainder of the is- all earlier attempts.5 Before the Good Friday Protestants – were allowed to vote; this was to have equal rights. An end should be put to land, which is to take place at least every 7 Agreement there were parties, as for exam- however refused to the usually poorer Catho- the war against a phantom, against complete- years, even if the result of the vote should ple Paisley’s “Democratic Unionist Party”, lics. Rights and claims of (Irish-catholic) Re- ly normal citizens, who did nothing else than be the territorial unit of the island. which had refused any dialogue with the Re- publicans were openly ignored by the state. demanding equal rights. It was a torturously • The establishment of a human rights com- publicans for decades. Nevertheless, looking The division of the island had not made things slow process to accept the challenge and to mission both in Northern Ireland (6 coun- back, the accomplishment of the Good Fri- better: Since 1921 until the new outbreak of follow the same path as partners from now ties) and in the Republic of Ireland (26 day Agreement seems to have been the light- riots in 1968, violence against Republicans on. Nevertheless, during the 9 years starting counties) and an all-Irish committee of er part of the enormous task of implementing was institutionalised. The civil rights march from 1998 until the peace treaty on 7 May both commissions. the agreement. Defying all difficulties, how- in Derry on 5 October 1968 tried to counter 2007 progress was obtained, which in former • With the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, ever, more progress was made possible than such injustice.7 A new chapter of Irish history times had been beyond thinking. a police ombudsman had already been in- ever before in Irish history. was thereby initiated. At the same time, this troduced whose office examines all com- march also marked the beginning of a rapidly 2007 – Peace treaty results in plaints over a failure of the police in- A sidelight on history escalating conflict, which led to a long war re- an all-party regional parliament dependent of denomination, including The Gaelic tribes of Ireland were being op- sulting since 1971 in a mass of innocently in- One day after the peace treaty, on 8 May 2007, significant historical cases. This authori- pressed in the course of Anglo-Norman con- terned, condemned and tortured people con- the first all-party government was established ty has worked satisfactorily during the last quest starting from the 12th century.6 The victed under the Special Powers Act.8 From – an important break in Ireland’s history: The 10 years and has led to uncover important Presbyterian Scottish (English) settled among now on, civil and human rights for Catholics two largest parties, the DUP with Ian Pais- police scandals (an example of it is the ev- others in the north of the Catholic island and were persistently claimed and grinded out by ley12 as Prime Minister and Sinn Féin with idence of the co-operation of the former suppressed the Irish over centuries in the different organisations. Martin McGuinness as its deputy, wanted to Northern Irish Royal Ulster Constabulary course of the British colonisation. It was only form a joint government and co-operate in RUC with the pro-British murder com- a coincidence that the confessions were dif- 1998 – The Good Friday Agreement peace. Peter Hain, British Secretary of State mands). ferent and it has never been the cause for war. brings about historical change for Northern Ireland, said, “…what happened • The plans for the democratization of the As a matter of fact, it was the claim for power, 30 years later, in 1998, the Good Friday on the 8 May 2007 showed the world how a police in accordance with the recommen- however, which made religion its instrument, Agreement came about after a tough strug- ‘Shared Future’ can emerge from even the dations of the “Independent Commission and insofar the religious-racist divides were gle. It was accepted by all participating part- most bitterly divided and blood stricken past. on Policing” were to be implemented. very old. In 1921, Ireland was divided and ners, approved by the parties supporting it And we must never forget how much misery The police was almost exclusively Protes- disintegrated into two states in order to se- and accepted in a popular vote!9 Moreover, and suffering that caused.”13 The contrast could tant before 1998, but then the “new” po- cure power: The “Free State of Ireland” in the peace agreement fixes a number of im- not be bigger: The pro-British Paisley wants a lice (Policy Security of Northern Ireland the south (predominantly Catholic, which portant fundamental rights like the right of united Northern Ireland with Great Britain, PSNI) tried to achieve a 50:50 relationship became the “Republic of Ireland” in 1948) freedom of religion and opinion and a spe- while the pro-Irish McGuinness is proud to be between Protestants and Catholics since and the newly created artificial state “North- cial Human Rights Charter for Northern Ire- an Irish Republican, who fights for a united 2001 (in the meantime every fourth police- ern Ireland” (with two thirds of Protestants), land in addition to the European Convention Ireland.14 The fact that they got together nev- man is Catholic). which was governed by the application of its on Human Rights.10 By fixing the same rights ertheless, shows the unusual persistence, with • Renewed public investigation into the emergency acts and which became a consti- for all those mentioned in the Good Friday which the aim was pursued – recalling the ter- massacre of 1972 or “Bloody Sunday”, tutive part of the United Kingdom. The pro- Agreement, the “Unionists” saw their union rible death toll that had been paid over cen- which was preceded by a “civil rights pro- British protestant “Unionists” of Northern with Great Britain in danger. Moreover, the turies. For nearly two years now the former test against internment without process”16. Ireland, who regard themselves as members Protestant part of the population that had adversaries have run the independent regional Thousands of witnesses were summoned of the British nation, wanted to become mem- been privileged so far, feared to lose its priv- government together. The development, which and made a statement, not least the high- bers of the union with Great Britain, in order ileges. Besides, they saw themselves deprived was given a push, changed the life of each in- est members of the British Government to secure their own dominance. of their Protestant identity by a demograph- dividual citizen. Key element of any co-oper- and the British Army, like e.g. the former The Catholic minority in the state was to ic development (1 million Protestant/500,000 ation, so McGuinness, has always been peace Prime Minister Edward Heath and general be kept away from governing, in order to ex- Catholics) shifting towards a Catholic major- and reconciliation. Sir Mike Jackson. (Today, on the 37th anni- clude unification with the southern Republic ity. For this reason, the agreement, which versary of the massacre, the families of the of Ireland. Thus the so-called religious-rac- should have granted ultimate equality for the Significant historical changes since 2007 victims are still fighting for justice.) ist divides did not become smaller, but larg- Catholics, has met with tough resistance up • For the first time all Irish institutions for • The co-operation of smaller and larger er and deeper. to our days.11 both states were established by the govern- communities produces positive change: October 2009 No 18 Current Concerns Page 7 The Theory of Direct Democracy by Dr Rene Roca*, Switzerland Little research has been done on direct de- virtues call for the individual to subordinate realized in the Swiss “Landsgemeinde”. In his a) Starting from 1830 a new culture of assem- mocracy in Switzerland. For political scien- his private interests under the “bonum com- work “Contrat social” he depicts this as fol- bly (“Volkstage”) developed in the Swiss tists and jurists, however, this form of de- mune”. lows: “If you observe the happiest people in the cantons, linking to older forms and chal- mocracy with all its facets has become a In Switzerland, the republican roots go world, if you see, how a group of peasants set- lenging the elite. These people’s move- topic from time to time. In Switzerland as back to the late Middle Ages. So a second tle the state business under an oak tree and al- ments were conservative on the one hand, well, the science of history focused mainly research approach comes into focus, that of ways behave sensibly you cannot but feel con- however, they also carried early-socialist on social and economic history. The histo- communalism. The Swiss historian Peter tempt for the refinement of the other nations positions. ry of democracy as political history has been Blickle points to the communal self-organi- which render themselves famous and miser- b) Political actors enforced the principle of largely ignored. It is necessary, however, to zation of the old “Eidgenossenschaft” and in able by such means of art and secret-monger- publicness, which meant that all political minutely reconstruct the historical context this context to the significance of the coop- ing, can you?” (Fourth book, chapter 1) affairs concerning the community had to in which Switzerland’s political system de- erative working together in the communities/ Seen from a point of view of the history of be publicly discussed. veloped. Only then the social sense and the municipalities as the democratic primordial ideas, Rousseau was the creator of the concept c) Since 1830 the press was developing and political value of the direct democratic insti- cell (the three “selves”: self-determination, of “people’s sovereignty” and defined it as fol- the freedom of the press was enforced tutions will become accessible and only that self-help, self-responsibility). Thus Switzer- lows: “For the same reason that it cannot be al- against quite some resistance. Newspapers will provide an insight into the social psycho- land possessed ideal conditions – building on ienated, sovereignty cannot be deputized; it es- made public debates possible and eventu- logical context which our political culture is a specific democratic culture – to be able to sentially consists of the common will and the ally defined the political agenda more and embedded in. further develop certain pre-modern forms of will cannot be deputized. So the delegates of more. democracy. In this process the reception of the people are not the people’s representatives, Birth and development the 18th century Enlightenment was of great they are merely its mandates […]; they cannot d) Pioneers like Heinrich Pestalozzi point- of direct democracy in Switzerland significance. ultimately decide. Any law that is not decided ed to the significance of education. The on by the people itself, is invalid, it is no law elementary school system developed in a The roots: republicanism and communalism The idea of the sovereignty of the people at all.” (Third book, chapter 15) communal frame and became an important Switzerland, of all European countries, pos- The British historian Quentin Skinner, who, task of every single community. This way sesses the oldest and most stable of republi- in the past, frequently co-operated with Pathways to direct democracy the communities/municipalities strength- can traditions. The definition of the term “re- Pocock revitalized the field “history of po- in Switzerland ened their reputation of “schools of democ- public”, i.e. “res publica” points to a crucial litical ideas”. Skinner emphasizes the signifi- With these words Rousseau describes the racy”. element of democratic culture. An affair, a cance of the historical context in which ideas contents of a debate which was initiated in Conclusion political problem, becomes a “public matter” develop and of the political actors who pick the cantons in 1830 starting out from the that means a matter that concerns all citizens up an idea in a specific way and put it into po- “Landsgemeinde”-democracy: People were Democracy is basically a moral achieve- of a specific political area. In his research ap- litical practice. searching for ways to improve the indirect de- ment. The above mentioned British histo- proach of republicanism the British historian In the course of the Enlightenment the mocracy, promoted by the French revolution rian Pocock contributed an important so- John G.A. Pocock emphasizes the fact that democratic development in Switzerland and by Helvetia, with elements of direct peo- cial-psychologist element in the context of since the 16th century an alternative civic hu- gained special momentum and dynamics. It ple’s rights and to ultimately solve the issue the history of democracy. The question of manist model has been developed. This “re- was discussed comprehensively and was en- of power. The first example of a direct dem- the ethical dimension of political processes publican model” has at its core the ideal of riched with own ideas. The enlightened natu- ocratic institution was the so-called “Veto”, is always a question of the image of human- the self governing community of economi- ral law which laid the foundation for the con- (antecedent of today’s referendum.) Begin- ity (“Menschenbild”) as well. It is part of a cally independent and protective citizens, cept of equality and which transferred the ning with 1830 the “Veto” gained accept- positive “Menschenbild” to believe that hu- able to defend themselves. The citizen, who contract theories onto the level of the nation- ance in all Swiss cantons in different forms manity is capable of political participation. is politically active, strives for freedom and al state seemed to have been manifested po- and was the hitherto most radical manifesta- This is taken up by Procock’s definition of stability as his ethical objectives. These civil litically in the form of the Swiss “Landsge- tion of the people’s sovereignty. In this sense a “positive” freedom, underlining with this meinde”-democracy. the “Veto” was the decisive step forward to a term the fact that man must actively mould * Three years ago Dr René Roca founded a “Forum This “Landsgemeinde”, a pre-modern form genuine “true” sovereignty of the people. In his surroundings in order to preserve free- for Research of Direct Democracy” and has already th organized 9 seminars. He has been establishing a of democracy ,served as a reference model the second half of the 19 century, referen- dom he achieved. multidisciplinary network of researchers for a mutu- for the people’s movements of the 19th centu- dum and initiative also won through on the The direct democratic development in al exchange of knowledge. Thus, a prolific debate has ry. On this basis a bold merging of tradition national level, which is unique in the world Switzerland during the 19th century was also already been unfolded. Next year he will be organ- and modernity was possible and gave birth to up to this day. the beginning of a discussion of virtues in izing a big conference on the topic “Current State of Research on Democracy in Switzerland”. He himself direct democracy. This development of direct democracy this country during which increasingly more has been working on a habilitation on “Genesis and The Geneva philosopher Jean-Jacques was successful mainly because of four con- justice and more peaceful conditions were es- Development of Direct Democracy in Switzerland”. Rousseau considered the “ideal state” to be ditions: tablished. •

10 - The co-operation of Unionists and Re- Acknowledging injustice for ers the English Prime Minister: Blair had “made cf. Wolff, Stefan. Zur Menschenrechtssituation in what it is contributes to peace a significant and import contribution to the Irish Nordirland nach dem Friedensabkommen. In: Men- publicans has proved to be meaning- peace process”. Hain Peter: Political developments schenRechte, 3/1999, pp 42–45. ful, because the quality of life of fami- Since the peace treaty and the establishment in Northern Ireland since March 2007. House of 11 lies and their neighbours has improved. of the common government, life in Northern Commons Library, 15 November 2007, p. 8. McGuinness, Martin: Keynote Speech Ard Fheis, 29 February 2008, p. 2f. (The communities, Hain says, are how- Ireland has changed for everyone. Soldiers, 4 Adams spoke in Gaza and Israel about the Repub- 12 ever still split in some parts. There are checkpoints, tanks disappeared from the lican’s fight and the Northern Irish peace proc- On 5 June, Peter Robinson became successor of still too many so-called peace walls, streets. The British troops withdrew after 38 ess. He called for an end to all armed conflicts and Paisley; like Paisley he is also president of the Democratic Unionist Party DUP. which divide the communities.)17 years.20 Politics, too, seem to have irreversibly emphasized that a dialogue including all parties - Continuation of “integrated” schools: changed. This success, McGuinness claims, concerned was the most important thing. Many 13 http://www.nio.gov.uk/statement-by-peter-hain- of those he had talked to placed their hopes in secretary-of-state-for-northern-ireland-9-may- Public education was separated accord- was only achieved, because each citizen, who the Good Friday Agreement to establish peace in 2007/media-detail.htm?newsID=14391 ing to denominations in 1921; the first got mad at the discrimination of a part of the Norhtern Ireland. “If the political will is there”, 14 integrative school with 28 pupils, i.e. population, made his own contribution for the Adams said, “then this will also be true for the cf. “We oppose […] any effort to impose unity Protestants and Catholics in a mixed fight against injustice by clearly acknowledg- Middle East.” (cf. Gerry Adams in Gaza and Israel. through violence or the threat of violence.” In: An Phoblacht, 23 April 2009.) http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/docs/dott/ class was opened in 1981. In 2008 there ing injustice as what it is.21 The British Secre- ba161005.htm were already 62 (!) mixed schools with tary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, 5 “Die Palästinenser schauen inzwischen nei- cf. Hain, Peter: Azadeh Pak: Political develop- 19,000 pupils or 6% of all pupils in emphasized in a reconciliatory way that they disch nach Nordirland. Und viele Forscher sagen, ments in Northern Ireland since March 2007, warum kann man hier im Land einen Lösungsver- House of Commons Library, 15 November, p. 6. Northern Ireland. had to find means in order to master the past; such nicht so angehen, wie man das in Nordirland • The “Irish Language Act”, which demands the needs of the victims and the survivors gemacht hat, nämlich dass alle Parteien mitein- 15 cf. Adams, Gerry: The Good Friday Agreement: A the linguistic equality of English and Irish would have to be met.22 This should also hap- ander reden, und zwar ohne Ausschliessung ir- historic and defining event. An Phoblacht, April 3, (Gaelic), was to be legally embodied for pen in view of the murders of March 2009, gendeiner Seite […], wir stehen eine Woche vor 2008, p. 2: Social, economic and cultural programs the first time. This is all the more impor- who did not find any support and aroused 40 Jahren israelischer Besatzung […].” (Interview for mutual understanding and reconciliation be- with Helga Baumgarten, political scientist at the tween the communities is supported. tant, if one considers that in the 1980s only deep abhorrence. Palestinian university Birzeit. In: Deutschlandra- persons, who identified themselves to the The peace, long overdue, made it possi- 16 Internments under the “Special Powers Act” after dio Kultur, “Nordirland als Vorbild für den Nahen 9 August 1971 mean that mainly innocent people British occupying power only in Gaelic or ble that the people could begin a new cen- Osten”, 25 May 2007, p.2) were arrested etc. In: McGuffin John, 1973, Intern- spoke their native language in court, were tury with a lot of hope and confidence. This 6 Otto Frank: Der Nordirlandkonflikt. Ursprung, ment, p. 1. arrested.18 (In the Republic of Ireland, how- chance may not be lost: Equality in dialogue Verlauf, Perspektiven. Munich, 2005, cf. pages 7, 9, 17 cf. Hain, Peter. Azadeh Pak: Political developments 85. ever, Gaelic has been the official language and partnership without the claim to power in Northern Ireland since March 2007, House of for decades.) are required. The same process is urgently 7 McGuinness, Martin: “Forty years ago, on the Commons Library, 15 November, p. 6. • The composition of the new victim com- waiting in other countries. Northern Ireland streets of this city, men and women from different 18 mission was to acknowledge victims and showed it: Stop the war, start the dialogue backgrounds, from different generations, from dif- cf. Osuch, Florian, Belfast. Irisch im Kommen. AG ferent political roots came together as equals and Friedensforschung an der Uni Kassel, aus: junge survivors of every background – especially and establish peace. • Welt, 25 August 2007. Republicans and security forces – equiva- we demanded our rights.” Derry 1968: A turning 1 Today’s Deputy Prime Minister, Martin McGuin- point for Civil Rights and the North. An Phoblacht, 19 An Phoblacht, 20 Nov. 2008, p. 2. lently. 9 October 2008. ness, was chief negotiator of Sinn Féin on its way 20 After the withdrawal of British troops, 5,000 sol- • On 18 November 2008, the Protestant 8 tot he Good Friday Agreement. (As deputy IRA Adams, who spent several years in the concentra- diers remain stationed. “Sie trainieren dort für Prime Minister Peter Robinson (Paisley’s commander-in-chief he had been one of the most tion camp Long Kesh, said to “The Guardian” in successor of 5 June 2008) and his Catholic den Einsatz im Irak und in Afghanistan – und wanted terrorists in the 1970s, and later became summer 2004, that the photos of the torturings in können jederzeit von der nordirischen Polizei zu deputy McGuinness agreed on the assign- Minister of Education.) Abu Ghraib had not been a new sight for him, since Hilfe gerufen werden.” cf. Wuhrer Pit.: Operation ment of police and jurisdiction from Great 2 Adams, Gerry, today’s president of Sinn Féin, met he had systematically been tortured together with Schweiz. Schweizer Wochenzeitung WOZ, 16. Au- Britain to Northern Ireland. The sched- with Tony Blair in October 1997. He was the first like-minded prisoners in the 1970. cf. McGuffin gust 2007. Sinn-Féin-leader to speak with a British Prime John, 1973, Internment, p.1, www.irishresistance- ule of the implementation is open. A “his- books.com/internemnt/intern8.htm. 21 Adams, Gerry: “ensure that commitments given int torical event”, Robinson and McGuinness Minister since the partition of Ireland in 1921. Their negotiations lead to the Good Friday Agree- 9 the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements are said. Robinson went on: “The agreement, “[…] (Nordirland über 71,1%, Republik Irland impelmented” in: An Phoblacht, 8 Januar 2009. ment. über 94,5% Ja-Stimmen).” Wolff, Stefan: Zur which we achieved, represents a very satis- 3 cf. Adams, Gerry: The Good Friday Agreement: Menschenrechtssituation in Nordirland nach dem 22 cf. Hain, Peter: Azadeh Pak: Political develop- fying resolution to the most difficult issues A historic and defining event. An Phoblacht, April Friedensabkommen. In: MenschenRechte, 3/1999, ments in Northern Ireland since March 2007, […]”.19 3, 2008, p. 2 and 1; Adams praised among oth- pp 42–45. House of Commons Library, 15 November, p. 6. Page 8 Current Concerns No 18 October 2009 Sustainability Needs New Economic System World Resources Forum presents declaration on 17 September 2009 thk. From 15 to 16 September, the first World Resources Forum was in session at Davos/Switzerland. Dr Xaver Edelmann, Declaration of the World Resources Forum member of the executive board of the EMPA (Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und For- Preamble schungsanstalt – Swiss Federal Laborato- The recent financial crisis has dramatically shown how flimsy the banking and in- ries for Material Testing and Research) vestment institutions are that were supposed to be so robust, and how vulner- officiated as president of this forum. The able they are to false expectations of continued rapid growth and consequent meeting’s main topic was the industrial na- over-exploitation of the monetary and fiscal arrangements that serve as surro- tions’ unrestrained and wasteful exploita- gates for the real economy. tion of resources. At the same time, ways to What is true of the economic system is also true of the ecosystem. Beyond a massively reduce the wasting of resources critical threshold, the services that the biosphere has evolved and provided over were envisaged and discussed. millions of years can breakdown with little warning and with much loss to human, Since the consumption of fossil fuels is on social and economic values. everyone’s lips these days, it was rather the The underlying deficiencies that can cause failure or collapse of ecosystems boundless exploitation of metals which was are much the same as for economic systems: short term profit maximization, made the main topic. For the production of toxic by-products, wrong pricing signals, and the failure by governments to im- mobile phones alone, 40 different chemical plement precautionary policies because of insufficient controls and inadequate elements are needed. Two tons of materials early warning systems. The surprise element is enhanced by the absence of prop- are needed for the fabrication of a laptop er accounting methods and the scarcity of requisite skills in systems analysis and weighing two kilograms. management. Xaver Edelmann considers the cur- rent crisis as a chance for a fundamental The extent to which the economy and material wealth can grow are constrained rethinking – no more fooling around in a by the limits set by the Earth’s resource endowments. Technology and innovation throwaway society but turning towards a re- Dr Xaver Edelmann (photo zvg) can in some cases extend these limits, but rarely by very much. sponsible dealing with resources. We need We, the supporters of this Declaration, strongly believe that economic stability a pivotal change of our consumer behav- pean resource consumption model, we would in our finite world depends on how quickly we can introduce low impact produc- iour and thus of our economic system to- need at least two more planets by 2050.” Hu- tion systems that can satisfy human needs and bring quality of life to all people. wards one that is not only based on eco- mans today extract 60 billion tons of raw ma- Traditional environmental technologies are no longer enough. Decoupling the nomic growth but also on a consideration terial from the crust of the earth each year meeting of human needs from the use of nature’s resources will require radical- of social aspects. Xaver Edelmann firmly which is 50 per cent more than 30 years ago. ly new infrastructures, goods, services, processes, systems and business models. believes that individuals as well as the soci- Though the world economy uses fewer re- While some changes in lifestyle, consumption patterns and production systems ety are capable of learning and thus a fun- sources to produce one Swiss Franc or Euro will certainly be necessary, it is technically possible to achieve this without aban- damental change of behaviour will emerge. of GDP than 30 years ago the overall resource doning the things that we value most. We must slip these thoughts and insights in use is still increasing. It is now widely accepted that wellbeing is more than material consumption. the economic disputes so that they can be New political framework Human fulfillment includes factors such as education, health, safety, freedom discussed on a wide basis. One of the aims from violence, environmental quality, social embeddedness, leisure, and equi- is to have these thoughts influence the WEF The participants in the WRF acknowledged ty. Despite huge technological progress, many aspects of human wellbeing have (World Economic Forum). We are replicat- the random extirpation of natural resourc- not increased in industrialized countries since the mid 1970s; some are even de- ing the press release and the resolution of es as the principal physical cause for the in- clining. the World Resources Forum below. creasing ecological degradation and instabil- ities, including climate change. This is why We call for a new global strategy for governing the use of natural resources Climate change is only a symptom of another the WRF Declaration suggests to massive- that generates fair access to them for present needs while maintaining their avail- even greater problem: our current economic ly reduce the material input into the western ability for future generations. By combining efficiency and resource productiv- system needs too many natural resources. On economy and to drastically increase resource ity targets with sufficiency norms evolved through participative mechanisms, it 16th September, the participants of the World productivity at the same time. To meet this should be possible to avoid the traditional type of growth rebound effect some- Resources Forum (WRF) in Davos launched enormous challenge we need to come up with times experienced. a declaration listing suggestions how to solve huge technical innovations. […] this problem. Core message: Politicians must As long as the price for natural resources internationally agree on per capita targets for is low compared to that of labor, industry will Call for Action natural resource extraction and consumption. not deliberately move in that direction. Only On 15th and 16th September international lead- governments can provide incentives by ad- For the reasons stated above we urge political leaders to adopt a strategy of re- ing experts convened in Davos and Nagoya justing the economic framework conditions. source governance consisting of the following elements: (Japan) for the first World Resources Forum The prices for natural resources need to tell 1. Seek international agreements on world-wide per-capita targets for natural (WRF). the ecological truth. Political measures like resource extraction and consumption to be effective by 2015 at the latest, the The German Environment Minister, Sig- the ones above plus an increased resource main objective being to bring about an absolute decoupling between econom- mar Gabriel, warned in his message to the productivity will leave room for developing ic development and resource use, the implication being less resource inputs for WRF: “Europeans use ten times as many nat- countries. • more value. ural resources as people in Africa or Vietnam. Source: www.worldresourcesforum.org/wrf_decla- 2. Introduce effective policy measures to greatly enhance resource productivity If all people on this planet follow our Euro- ration as well as curbing demand over time, in the form of standards, higher taxes on resource use with the possibility of reduced taxes elsewhere, cap and trade mechanisms, etc. 3. 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