28 November 2018 No 26 ISSN 1664-7963

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

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For a factual clarification of history, causes and effects of migration A new book by Hannes Hofbauer An Interview with Hannes Hofbauer * On 20 October 2018, Hannes Hofbau- er presented his book “Kritik der Migra- “Hundreds of thousands of single Mus- ing economic cycles, indeed the tech- tion. Wer profitiert und wer verliert (Cri- lim men, hundreds of thousands of re- nical prerequisites for them, from the tique of Migration. Who benefits and who jected asylum seekers and an unknown development of energy supply to the number of illegal residents create the school system, will not succeed without loses)” in Switzerland. Following his lec- greatest demographic, social, cultur- a young, agile generation. But it is pre- ture, Current Concerns conducted the fol- al and political problems both in their cisely this generation, the men ahead, lowing interview with him. countries of origin and in the coun- who has gone into foreign countries tries of destination in Western Europe, and is bitterly lacking at home; it forms Current Concerns: Mr Hofbauer, today above all in Germany, Austria and Swe- a bridgehead that will trigger subse- you presented your new book “Kritik den. The effects in their home country quent migrations.” der Migration. Wer profitiert und wer are evident. States destroyed by wars verliert”. What motivated you to take up and crises, societies permeated by mu- Hannes Hofbauer. Kritik der Migration. tual hatred of the respective enemy Wer profitiert und wer verliert. this rather explosive topic? (Critique of Migration. Who benefits and Hannes Hofbauer: This can be traced would need every helpful hand for re- construction. The creation of function- who loses.) 2018, p. 159 back to years of experience with the topic of migration: On the one hand, I am con- vinced – as probably many people are – the awareness there. I’ll have a look at his- state of research on the question of mi- that migration is an expression of ine- tory, and I’ll have a look at the causes, and gration? quality, of great regional inequality – of also at the effects of migration, both in the It struck me that seen from my social- an inequality that is growing ever stronger migrants’ countries of origin and in their scientific approaches – I am an econom- worldwide. On the other hand, I have seen countries of destination. ic historian – migration actually did not that in many liberal milieus – anyhow left- occur at all in research for many dec- wing milieus – migration is presented as Migration is not a ades. Today, social scientists, histori- something positive. So I thought to my- condition of human life ans, and political scientists are increas- self, I would like to dedicate myself to this In your book you also described the start- ingly concerned with migration. At first contradiction; I will try to contribute to ing point for your research. What is the glance, I find that interesting, and it probably has to be done. Then, howev- er, there is the observation that is very *Hannes Hofbauer Wer profitiert und wer verliert (Critique was born in Vien- of Migration. Who benefits and who central in this more recent migration re- na in 1955. He is an loses, 2018) search, which says: “There has always economic and social been migration”. I would agree to that, historian and works but the more recent migration research as a publicist and implies with this statement that migra- publisher. Numer- tion is a condition of human life, and that Hannes Hofbauer ous publications is where our paths separate, the paths of (picture ma) at Promedia Ver- the more recent migration research and lag, among others: my own view of migration, because I am Verordnete Wahr-heit – Bestrafte Ges- of the opinion that admittedly, migration innung. Rechtsprechung als politisch- es Instrument (Prescribed Truth – Pun- has always been there, is human, but it ished Attitude. Jurisdiction as a political is not a condition of human life. I can instrument, 2011); Slowakei. Der müh- also underlay this with figures, as I have same Weg nach Westen (Slovakia. The looked at what has happened since the ardous road to the West (together with Second World War, at how many people David Noack), 2012); Die Diktatur des in the world have to leave their homes Kapitals. Souveränitätsverlust im post- every year. You can see that in the 1950s demokratischen Zeitalter (Dictatorship to the 1970s it was about 0.6% of the of Capital. Loss of sovereignty in the world’s population and from the 1990s post-democratic age, 2014, 2nd edition 2015); Feindbild Russland. Geschichte on it was 0.9%. So it is increasing, but einer Dämonisierung (Enemy image of that is still far from being proof that mi- Russia. History of Demonisation, 2016, ISBN 978-3-85371-441-6 (Book) gration is a condition of human life; it is 5th Edition 2017); Kritik der Migration. ISBN 978-3-85371-864-3 (E-Book) continued on page 2 No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 2

”For a factual clarification …” continued from page 1 “In their study published in July 2016, But it gets worse. According to the IMF the IMF statisticians took the trouble study, the monetary remittances of em- rather the opposite: The norm is not the to quantify the macroeconomic conse- igrants to their home countries are im- quences of mass migration for the coun- pairing the local economy. […] migrant; the norm is the one who stays. tries of origin. Her findings reveal the The lack of young and healthy people EU eastward enlargement whole absurdity of the structural ine- and thus the disproportionately high quality between East and West and as- proportion of old people in the mi- policy has stimulated migration sign the crucial importance to migra- grants’ countries of origin also cause What do you say about EU policy on mi- tion. Without migration, according to exploding costs in the health and pen- gration? You spoke of immigration to the the IMF, Eastern Europe would have a sion systems, which the states cannot EU “by way of asylum”... significantly higher Gross National Prod- cover. ‘The departure of some of the I want to go back a little before I get to uct (GNP); specifically: ‘If there had youngest and brightest makes Eastern this immigration by way of asylum. I be- been no emigration between 1995 and Europe’s catching-up process with ad- 2012, the real GNP would have been 7 vanced countries a major challenge,’ the lieve that the European Union, in its en- per cent higher on average (slightly dif- IMF concludes in diplomatic language.” largement, has pursued a policy that has ferent from country to country)’. (Hofbauer, pp. 211) fueled and incited migration, by leading to a clash of completely different levels of living, working and salary – in the east- welcome, but was indeed somehow fuelled being able to protect themselves. This de- ern enlargement in 2004 and then again by it, although it was clear from the out- stroys agriculture and farmers in these in 2007 with Romania and Bulgaria. The set that the Geneva Convention does not countries and deprives them of their basis European Union has done nothing to har- apply to war refugees. The Geneva Con- of subsistence. This, in turn, means that monise these levels. As a community and vention is intended to protect people who their sons, or even they themselves, have economic union, it has indeed harmonised are racially, politically or religiously per- to set out to find a better life elsewhere. the economic sphere – one can also speak secuted, but it cannot protect people flee- of a convergence of the economy. In other ing from zones of crisis and war. Never- Do you have a specific example of this? words, the exchange of goods, the move- theless, the European Union – and above It all began in Ghana; that was one of the ment of capital and the provision of ser- all Germany – acted as if these people first countries with which such a part- vices have been quasi treated convergent- were entitled to asylum. Subsequently it nership agreement was concluded. In the ly, but not so the social spheres. These was seen that half or even more than half poultry market there, for example, 95% areas were left to the national states. of the people who applied for asylum in of poultry was offered on the local mar- The consequence of this was that coun- Germany have already received a negative ket by local farmers before the agreement tries met and clashed, in which wage lev- asylum decision, and in Austria the figure between the European Union and Ghana, els were ten times or – as in Bulgaria – is as high as 70%. In other words, it was and only 11% afterwards. twenty times lower, if we compare them clear from the outset that it was complete- to Germany – where people have com- ly absurd to ever want to deal with this Wars cause migration pletely different life designs. I think that mass migration via the asylum question. You said that Ms Merkel’s welcome ad- this encouraged mobility and migration. But this happened in 2015 with what I dress in 2015 and her statement “We can In 2012, the World Bank noted that 20 call the great migration of Muslims. do it” set off a wave of migration, but that million people from Eastern Europe had the real causes have a much longer his- left their homes for the West. Later it even Termination of Lomé Convention tory. found that this bloodletting of mass mi- brings devastating consequences I think Merkel’s welcome was just the icing grants has hindered the growth of Eastern for Third World countries on the cake. The causes of migration for European countries by about 7% of their What were the consequences of the ter- the Muslim world – for many of those mil- GDP on average. mination of the Lomé Convention in this lions of people – go farther back. There I context? am thinking, say, of the wars that the USA IMF made incorrect recommendation Since the year 2000, the European Union in particular started, often with NATO However, the International Monetary has been concluding so-called partnership support, sometimes only with a coalition Fund (IMF) did not draw the conclusion agreements with African and Caribbean of the willing, as in the case of Iraq, where that this was a mistake, but rather rec- countries. These are bilateral free trade Germany and France, for example, did ommended that the countries in the East agreements – such as on customs duties – not participate. These wars have had ex- should accept migrants from even poor- which until then, through the Lomé Con- treme consequences in terms of destabilis- er countries further east, such as Ukraine, vention of 1975, had given various Third ing these countries. I am talking about Iraq Albania or Belarus. That has also hap- World countries the opportunity to protect from 1991, when the first so-called “Desert pened: In recent years Poland has “im- their markets from European imports, so Storm” took place, until 2001 with the al- ported” over a million Ukrainians for as to develop their own industry, for ex- leged revenge for 9/11, although there was cheap jobs, and so has Slovakia for its au- ample. This has been abolished with these little evidence. In the meantime, countries tomotive industry. partnership agreements from the years like Yemen, Mali and Libya have been cov- 2000 and following. Since then, free trade ered with wars, and there was also interfer- Merkel’s welcome adress opens door has prevailed, and free trade – as we all ence in the Syrian civil war. When I think for immigration “by way of asylum” know – always favours the economically only of countries such as Syria and Iraq, To return to the question of why the Eu- stronger. We now see it in the great dis- these had actually been stable countries be- ropean Union finds it so difficult to dis- pute between the US and China: China fore these interventions took place, at least tinguish between the definitions of asy- is suddenly the power that advocates free in the sense that no waves of migration lum and migration – I believe that this is trade, and the US is beginning to take pro- were triggered. And later these countries not entirely unintentional either. The Eu- tectionist measures. For the Third World were completely destabilised, destroyed, ropean Union opened the asylum door for countries in Africa this means that they territorially fragmented and the people had migrants, at the latest with this move that are now exposed to the overproduced ag- may not have been triggered by Merkel’s ricultural products from Europe without continued on page 3 No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 3

”For a factual clarification …” the aim was to weaken the Assad govern- munerate work that is heavy or low? There continued from page 2 ment. are examples where hard work can be paid well. You don’t need cheap foreign workers to set out to flee from the war, because they … and to stock up the in waste water works in certain cities like no longer had a livelihood – these were the European labour market” Vienna or for garbage collection in certain actual triggering causes for migration. Of course, there was also the intention of communes. There the local workers are not acquiring these young people for the Eu- only well paid, but they also have a worthy UN refugee camps have ropean labour market, or at least choos- job that is generally well-recognised. That been subsidised less ing some of them. I remember a situation would be, so to speak, the opposite course In addition, it was precisely during the where Lithuanian entrepreneurs went to a of action, and that should be taken. Syrian civil war that people tried not to camp somewhere in Hungary and chose a flee too far from it, but to stay close to few thousand Syrians. Well, that was partly Alternatives to the expansion their homeland. Most of them have be- rather unsavoury. I think it is important to of mobility and migration come “displaced persons” in Syria; as it discuss these things together with the mi- In your opinion, where could a construc- were, they had to go to other places. Sev- gration issue and not to keep them a secret. tive discourse on the question of migra- eral million went to places outside their tion begin? You spoke of “progressive country, to Jordan, to Turkey. That re- What is going wrong protectionism”. mained so for about two years, until these with the Keynesian and I encountered this keyword when I read camps, which were administered by the liberal discourse on migration Colin Hines’ book “Progressive Protec- UN, were subsidised less. This in turn has In your opinion, what has so far been tionism”. It is about bringing together an to do with the fact that the USA and other going wrong with the discourse on migra- ecological discourse that is, in principle, countries have cut their contributions, and tion? critical of mobility. The Viennese trans- then – this was perhaps the triggering ef- There are several discourses. For exam- port expert Hermann Knoflacher once fect – came Angela Merkel’s welcome ple, a Keynesian discourse that is a bit so- said: “Mobility reflects a lack of space”. adress, so that the people knew they had cial democratic. It says: With this mass Applied to the question of migration, this the chance to go to Germany or even fur- migration one can solve, i.e. stimulate of- means that you have to be critical of mi- ther north, and so took to the road. ficial demand by creating housing for the gration. This in turn would mean that in- migrants, by offering German courses and stead of expanding mobility and migration Hosting young Syrians liable to mili- value courses for the migrants and many behaviour – what the UN now wants to en- tary service: “The aim was to weaken other things, thus building up a so-called force in its migration pact at its Marrakech the Assad government… migration industry. This might also help meeting in December – one would rather You took a closer look at the Balkan route to counteract or overcome export dips – focus on autocentric development, on im- and made observations. Can you say any- which are a recurring occurrence. port substitution, on fair economic trea- thing more about that? This Keynesian discourse overlooks ties and not on free trade, but instead on Yes, anyone can still watch it on youtube, the fact that the economic costs for all resistance to free trade treaties. I also call because these films are available. I my- this would be extremely high. The Ger- this a concept of economic subsidiarity, in self, for example, was at the Vienna west man economist Konrad Schuler estimates which paths are made shorter, production station and took a look at this misery. Of that the German budget will be burdened chains smaller and where supply chains are course that was heartbreaking and really a with 47 billion euros annually in the next not extended – in other words, so ultimate- problem. But there are also youtube films four to five years due to this migration in ly local markets are strengthened against from the Budapest stations, where you can 2015/2016. That is 15 % of the German globalism. see that about 90 % of the arrivals were budget, and of course this affect other plac- young men, very few families or women es where savings must be made as a result. Thank you very much, Mr Hofbauer, we – only one here or there, almost none at Then there is another particular error wish your book may get the necessary at- all. And these young men were between in the Keynesian discourse: It does not tention. There is an urgent need for this about 18 and 25 years old – of course you take into account the costs – and this is book, and we hope that the discussion on don’t know what class they came from – very, very important to me – which this migration will be given the objectivity it but what they made visible was that they drain of young people causes in the re- needs. • were conscripts for the Syrian army. And spective countries. How do you imagine because they were precisely not in the Syria or Afghanistan or African countries Syrian army, many of them were, in prin- can be rebuilt after these economic cri- “Anyone who finds it morally and polit- ciple, deserters. This circumstance – men ses or wars? The Keynesian discourse is ically reprehensible that Bengali seam- liable to military service who were not in therefore a completely Eurocentric one. stresses jammed up in decrepit facto- that army that fought against the Islamic Another discourse is the liberal one. It ries work hard for a pittance for the state, which was at its height in 2015 – I assumes that we need constant migration world market cannot positively con- find this fact understandable for each indi- and also these large Muslim migrations in note the constant import of people vidual: Who wants to be sent to war? But order to replenish our labour markets and from the ‘global South’ into the central on the other hand, of course, this poses keep them moving. The main argument is regions of this world. The outsourcing a structural problem, and one must also that (in Germany, Austria and Switzerland) of jobs to low-wage locations and the ask oneself why the European countries no local wants to do low work. One can mass immigration of uprooted workers or Germany accepted these men. Here it to the ‘global North’ are too similar in counter this by saying that here we have their structure of exploitation.” is also the issue of a geopolitical question: another question which has to be decided (Hofbauer p. 8) between work and capital: How do you re- No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 4

Sustainability and free trade – No to one-way liberalisation Consistent approach to sustainable development Schweizerische Vereinigung für einen starken Agrar- und Lebensmittelsektor (SALS)* The Schweizerische Vereinigung für einen crease in food imports. In 2017, the vol- mon interests of producers and processors in the Swiss agricultural and food sectors. It is committed starken Agrar- und Lebensmittelsektor ume of agricultural products exported to a producing Swiss agriculture and a strong food (SALS) takes a clear stance on the sustain- from Swiss raw materials to the Merco- industry. The companies and sector organisations ability and liberalisation of trade in agri- sur states was extremely low. For cheese, affiliated with SALS Switzerland generate a total cultural products. Food cannot be equated it was 25 tons. annual turnover of over 16 billion Swiss francs and with other products. A consistent attitude In the event of a possible agreement employ over 160,000 people. towards sustainable development requires with the USA, SALS Switzerland believes Information: Hans Jörg Rüegsegger, Präsident SALS, Riggisberg, +41 79 393 87 50, a No to unilateral liberalisation. that the risks for the Swiss agricultural and David Rüetschi, Geschäftsführer SALS, Lausanne, food industries and consumers would out- +41 79 677 82 12 Sustainable development weigh. The American food culture differs Sustainable development is an impor- fundamentally from the Swiss culture. tant prerequisite in the elaboration of the GMOs and growth promoters are taboo in framework conditions. According to arti- Switzerland and widespread in the USA. cle 104a of the Constitution, cross-border Secure self-determination! trade relations are subject to the criteria Transformation of First of all, I would like to thank all the for sustainable development. The conclu- unilateral liberalisation letter writers for their information on the sion of free trade agreements which con- SALS Switzerland is of the opinion that referendums. tribute to a substantial increase in the vol- the continuation of one-way liberalisation The Self-determination Initiative is nec- ume of food imports or to the promotion is no longer possible. Free trade agree- essary and will determine the future of of imports of food produced under dubi- ments must in future be less static and our country. When the Confederation was ous production conditions does not con- contain safeguard clauses that allow a founded in 1291, the Federal Letter was tribute to sustainable development at ei- country to react to new developments. Cli- drawn up. It begins with the words “In ther national or international level. mate change and the expectations of the the name of the Lord, amen” (“In nomine population require dynamic adjustments domini amen”). Among many other things Mercosur and the USA to the framework conditions. Today’s very it says that Swiss confederates should SALS Switzerland has its sights set on static trade agreements do not provide ad- judge Swiss confederates and not judges free trade agreements with North and equate answers to the constantly chang- of foreign rulers. Our Confederation has South America. The new Brazilian Pres- ing challenges. been in existence for 727 years, as has the ident, Jair Bolsonaro, who is very close above proven recommendation. It is still to the agricultural lobby, wants to get Lausanne, 15 November 2018 valid today. Citizens, think about the re- out of the climate agreement, abolish the sponsibility for our beautiful country and Ministry of the Environment and reduce * The Schweizerische Vereinigung für einen stark- vote! With a “Yes” we strengthen our in- en Agrar- und Lebensmittelsektor (SALS) is an um- nature conservation zones. It is unthink- brella association that brings together over 60 in- dependence. able for SALS Switzerland to support dustry organisations and companies along the value an agreement that would lead to an in- added chain. SALS Switzerland defends the com- Fritz Trachsel-Zürcher, Zell

Current Concerns The international journal for independent thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, and for the promotion and respect of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law Subscribe to Current Concerns – The journal of an independent cooperative The cooperative Zeit-Fragen is a politically and financially independent organisation. All of its mem­bers work on a voluntary and honorary basis. The journal does not accept commercial advertisements of any kind and receives no financial support from business organisations. The journal Current Concerns is financed exclusively by its subscribers. We warmly recommend our model of free and independent press coverage to other journals. Annual subscription rate of CHF 40,-; Euro 30,-; USD 40,-; GBP 25,- for the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hongkong, Iceland, Ireland, Is- rael, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Swit- zerland, United Arab ­Emirates, United Kingdom, USA Annual subscription rate of CHF 20,-; Euro 15,-; USD 20,-; GBP 12,50 for all other countries. Please choose one of the following ways of payment: - send a cheque to Current Concerns, P. O. Box, CH-8044 Zurich, or - send us your credit card details (only Visa), or - pay into one of the following accounts: CH: Postscheck-Konto (CHF): 87-644472-4 IBAN CH91 0900 0000 8764 4472 4 BIC POFICHBEXXX CH: Postscheck-Konto (Euro): 91-738798-6 IBAN CH83 0900 0000 9173 8798 6 BIC POFICHBEXXX D: Volksbank Tübingen, Kto. 67 517 005, BLZ 64190110 IBAN DE12 6419 0110 0067 5170 05 BIC GENODES1TUE A: Raiffeisen Landesbank, Kto. 1-05.713.599, BLZ 37000 IBAN AT55 3700 0001 0571 3599 BIC RVVGAT2B No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 5 National Council and Council of States will vote on UN migration pact in winter session by Dr iur. Marianne Wüthrich

Switzerland will probably not sign the a global solution to the problems of mi- knows how things stand. And it continues: UN migration pact in Morocco on 10/11 gration”. “Its aim is to define common benchmarks December. Now that all four responsible However, in today’s reality, this claim for orderly migration for the internation- parliamentary commissions have voted is very daring. If, despite its centralist or- al community, which would also result in on the proposals from various parties, ganisation, the EU does not manage to a reduction in irregular migration”. In re- it is on the table: three out of four com- overcome the migration problem and im- ality, the latter would probably also in- missions, the Political Institutions Com- pose a solution on its member states, how crease, because many more people would mittees of the National Council and the can the “global community” manage it? Is hope for regular migration. Council of States (PIC-N and PIC-S) as the EU trying to push its unsolved prob- On the planned worldwide reorgani- well as the Foreign Affairs Committees lem towards the UN pact and thus disci- sation of labour migration, short extracts FAC-S have agreed to motions which in- pline its own members? Some EU mem- from the 32-page document, which is struct the Federal Council “not to ap- bers like Austria and the Czech Republic dense in content and rather difficult to un- prove the UN migration pact as intend- have already announced that they will not derstand, will be quoted and considered ed, but to submit the motion for approval sign the pact. The “target countries” of the here. In this way all parts would have to to Parliament in the form of a federal de- migration pact are, as is well known, in be discussed and examined.7 cree”.1 Only the Foreign Affairs Commit- Europe, including Switzerland. The major Under objective 5: “Enhance availa- tee of the National Council FAC-N re- immigration countries, the USA and Aus- bility and flexibility of pathways for reg- jected an initiative in this direction by 14 tralia, will not sign the document in their ular migration” we read among other votes to 11.2 part. things: “We commit to adapt options and Like many other countries, Switzer- pathways for regular migration in a man- The majority of the FAC-S, for exam- land is already making a major contribu- ner that facilitates labour mobility and de- ple, stated that “a decision of this magni- tion to the admission of migrants on its cent work reflecting demographic and la- tude should not be taken bypassing parlia- own initiative. A quarter of the Swiss pop- bour market realities, […] with a view to ment [...]. In addition, some members of ulation are foreign nationals, tens of thou- expanding and diversifying availability of the commission fear that the pact will fuel sands of asylum seekers find their way pathways for safe, orderly and regular mi- international expectations that will put to us every year (around 18,000 in 2017, gration.” (Item 21) Switzerland at a disadvantage in the fu- around 39,500 in the peak year of 2015), “We commit to…” doesn’t really sound ture. They are of the opinion that the pact many of whom are admitted temporarily “legally non-binding”! contains requirements which are at least or permanently. In addition, since March unclear or incompatible with Swiss legis- 2015, 3000 people in need of protection … or human trafficking lation and reject a signature by Switzer- have been admitted directly from the cri- in the digital age land.” These serious concerns are diamet- sis region around Syria via the UNHCR, In 21.a) to j), various measures are list- rically opposed to the Federal Council’s spread over three years.4 In September ed which are intended to set global labour trivialising assertions: The guiding princi- 2015, Switzerland also promised to ac- migration in motion by the states conclud- ples and goals “fully correspond to Swit- cept 1500 people in need of protection ing “international and bilateral coopera- zerland’s migration policy” and: “There is who had landed in Italy or Greece as part tion arrangements, such as free movement no need for Switzerland to take action in of the EU redistribution programme, and regimes, visa liberalisation or multiple- domestic politics.”3 it has promised its participation in further country visas” […] (b) In doing so, they The Council of States will now vote EU redistributions.5 should “review and revise existing op- on the proposals on 29 November and the The fact that Switzerland is participat- tions and pathways for regular migration, National Council on 6 December. It is to ing in these UN and EU actions is also with a view to optimise skills matching in be hoped that both councils will say no to quite correct insofar as it does so freely labour markets, in accordance with local the signing of an agreement whose impact and willingly and can control immigra- and national labour market demands and on Swiss law and Swiss migration policy tion itself. As is well known, this is only skills supply, in consultation with the pri- can only be partially assessed today and the case to a limited extent. However, the vate sector and other relevant stakehold- which moreover, has not been discussed fact remains that only individual sover- ers” […]” (c). publicly. eign states can seek and find suitable so- It is therefore obviously a matter of By rejecting the migration pact, the Na- lutions to global problems together with skimming off qualified workers from low- tional Council and the Council of States other sovereign states of the world. wage countries (where the urgently needed can effectively prevent the signature by workforces are then lacking!) and deploy- the Federal Council on 10 -11 December. Strange change of “irregular” to ing them anywhere in the world, where a “orderly” migration by “soft law “... globalised corporation may just need peo- Solutions to global problems only The scepticism of the parliamentary Com- ple who do not grumble about third-class possible through sovereign states mittees is understandable in view of the working conditions. Those readers who The FAC-N, which is the only one of the press release of the Federal Council from do not allow themselves to be deterred by four commissions to recommend that the 10 October 20186: There the migration the long sentence constructs and contin- Federal Council approve the migration pact is referred to as “soft law”, i.e. “not ue reading until 21j) will learn the details pact, justifies this as follows: “The ma- legally binding, but politically binding”. of the migration to be organised, for ex- jority of the commission is in principle of What does the Federal Council mean by ample by means of “temporary, seasonal the opinion that global problems can only “politically binding”? Then it would be and circular programmes as well as fast- be tackled and solved at multilateral level. better to admit that the pact is “legally This pact is therefore a first step towards binding” after all, since at least everyone continued on page 6 No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 6

”National Council and Council of States ...” continued from page 5 Self-determination Initiative – Prominent voices from the business world track programmes in areas with lack of mw. The fact that opponents under the disputed Convention on Human Rights manpower” or “by issuing flexible, con- leadership of the trade association econ- or the principle that treaties must be ad- vertible and non-discriminatory visas and omiesuisse have organised such a fierce hered. [...] It is about the Federal Consti- permits”. referendum campaign against the deci- tution, which has to stand above all. It is sion-making power of the people shows about the primacy of our Swiss law over “Circular migration” that generally the Swiss sovereign values an increasingly extensive interpretation The construct of “circular migration” the common good and the direct dem- and application of international law with- originates from the EU project “Well- ocratic structures that have developed in our own country”. Rolf Dörig is also being 2030”, elaborated by the Brussels over centuries more highly than the in- President of the Swiss Insurance Associa- terests of some powerful large corpora- tion (SIA) and as such a member of the think tank “European Policy Centre”. Cir- tions in blurring and mixing of the legal Executive Committee of economiesuisse. cular migration is described as follows: spaces of sovereign states. There is a As well former banker and FDP mem- “A considerable part of cross-border mi- growing number of people in business as ber Konrad Hummler says Yes to the ini- gration does not lead to permanent set- well, who cannot be locked in a “party tiative on the grounds that self-determi- tlement in the destination country. Some grid”, but say Yes to the Self-determina- nation is a “liberal-democratic concern”. migrants return to their country of origin tion Initiative, because they want to pre- Particularly noteworthy is the state- after a certain period, others move on to a serve direct democracy and the greatest ment by Gerhard Schwarz, former head third country or ‘commute’ (e.g. seasonal- possible independence as indispensable of the NZZ business editorial office and ly) for short stays between two countries. strengths of Switzerland. then director of the globalisation friend- ly think tank Avenir Suisse. He says that The boundaries between ‘temporary’, ‘cir- Independence of Switzerland as a the Self-determination Initiative is “quite cular’ and ‘seasonal’ forms of migration locational advantage and self-de- compatible with liberal principles”. The 8 are thus fluid.” termination as a liberal concern Initiative is “no threat to the business lo- The fact that such a migratory life goes Mark Ineichen, managing director of cation.” He adds that he considers such against most people in the long run is the family business Otto’s AG in Sursee statements as “substantively wrong and probably to be masked by the term “well- with 2000 employees throughout Swit- unwise in terms of voting tactics.” The being”. zerland, considers the priority of nation- fact that the referendum gives primacy al law to be “absolutely right”. Ineichen of national law over international law is Disempowerment of sovereign does not expect any danger for the ac- “nothing extreme. This priority also ex- states and uprooting of people cess of Swiss companies to internation- ists in a similar form elsewhere, for ex- al markets: “The economy is adaptable, ample in Germany”.1 Reading objective 5 of the pact, several we will find solutions.” Switzerland’s in- In view of these role models there things become clear: On the one hand, dependence is a 100% locational advan- may be other personalities who dare to with pliable visas and fast courses, any- tage in international competition.1 raise their voices in favour of strength- one could be made a “regular” migrant - Rolf Dörig, Chairman of the Board of ening direct democracy and the separa- but only as long as the company can use Directors of various groups such as the in- tion of powers. him. Then he or she is dispatched again surance group Swiss Life and the world’s with one click. On the other hand, the na- largest recruitment agency Adecco, com- 1 “Fight for the Self-determination Initia- tional laws of the individual states are to ments in the same newspaper report as tive: Prominent entrepreneurs break out follows: “This vote is not about party pol- of no-front” by Patrik Müller. Schweiz am flow into each other and converge through itics, nor is it about the completely un- Wochenende from 10.11.2018 “cooperation”, so that ultimately everyone could stay anywhere. In this way, the sov- ereign states would gradually lose con- The only winners of these inhumane mi- 2 FAC-N press release from 6 November 2018 trol over migration in their territory and gration programmes would be global cor- 3 “Federal Council approves UN migration pact”. at the same time the cultural cohesion porations without grounding. Federal Council press release from 10 October 2018 of the Swiss or Austrian or other popu- One cannot imagine what effects the 4 “Federal Council adopts additional measures for lation would be dissolved in a multicul- “improved ways for regular migration” the victims of the Syrian conflict”. Press release tural network that would go far beyond in the 4.0 society would have on our own from 6 March 2015 what we already have in some agglom- jobs and our good vocational training: 20 5 “Switzerland is participating in the EU’s first erations today. For the individual, the de per cent highly qualified people and 80 programme for the redistribution of refugees and is stepping up its assistance on site”. Press facto compulsion to permanent migration per cent with mini-education who would release from 18 September 2015 out of economic hardship would mean in- have to fight with the influx of masses for 6 “Federal Council approves UN migration pact”. creasing uprooting instead of belonging cheap jobs with “flexible” working condi- Press release from 10 October 2018 to a community that is one of the indis- tions ... • 7 http://www.un.org/depts/german/migration/A. pensable basic human needs. The fact is CONF.231.3.pdf 1 8 that the vast majority of people want to re- Press release of the FAC-S from 12 November cited by the German Federal Agency for Civic 2018. See identical motions of the PIC-N (press Education bpb at http://www.bpb.de/gesells- main in their familiar country if they are release from 2 November 2018) and the PIC-S chaft/migration/newsletter/56902/wanderungs- not forced to migrate by war and hardship. (press release from 9 November 2018) formen No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 7 Who in Germany has broken with democratic practice? The German Bundestag debated the UN migration pact by Karl Müller

On 8 November 2018 the German Bun- destag, upon request of the AfD faction, Petitions to the Bundestag were not made public debated three applications regarding the km. In recent weeks, 19 petitions on the The mere discussion about immigration UN Global Pact for Migration (cf. Current UN migration pact have been submitted is thus referred to as a dangerous dis- Concerns No 25 of 14 November 2018) – to the Petitions Committee of the Ger- turbance. one each by the AfD, FDP and Bündnis man Bundestag. Usually petitions are On Wednesday, the majority of the 90/Die Grünen for one hour. On reading published so that others can join in with petition committee supported this cen- the parliament protocol, three points catch their signatures on the internet. This is sorship. The AfD made an appeal to the eye: not the case for petitions to the UN mi- publicise one of the petitions. Even the 1. The AfD faction opposes German par- gration pact. The “Berliner Zeitung“ CDU shows an opposition to the migra- ticipation in the Migration Pact. wrote on 7 November 2018: tion pact as well. […] The migration “[...] none of them will be published. pact was boycotted by the USA. Austral- 2. All speakers of the other factions sup- This was decided by the secretariat of ia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, the Czech port the German approval of the Mi- the Committee on Petitions. [...] Some Republic, Croatia and Denmark have al- gration Pact, albeit partially with con- of the 19 petitions had to be reject- ready bailed out. There is a lot of dis- tradicting claims. ed for factual reasons, but most were cussion everywhere. Only not in the 3. The verbal insults of all other parties not. One of the texts is available to the German Bundestag. Here the debate is represented in the parliament against ‘Berliner Zeitung‘. Every migration pol- presented as a danger to ‘intercultural the AfD members of parliament icy needs a democratic legitimation‘, it dialogue‘ and prevented.“ says. The Bundestag should vote on the reached a high level. On 8 November Source: https://www.bz-berlin.de/berlin/ they included “conspiracy theorists”, migration pact. But even this text was kolumne/bundestag-zensiert-petitionen- rejected. The Bundestag wrote as justi- der-buerger-zum-Uno-migrationspakt “liar”, “racist”, “völkisch”, “extremist fication that petitions of this kind were right-wing”, “shabby” or “like a phy- vom 7 November 2108 ‘likely to burden intercultural dialogue‘. (Translation Current Concerns) sician poisoning his patients”. Keep in mind: The attacks against the AfD imply attacks against millions of Ger- Who is right? Additionally it must be cordance with international law”. The man citizens – polls have shown that permitted to question the speakers of international law mentioned here is not the Migration Pact is highly contro- the CDU/CSU faction to comment the the peremptory international law (cf. versial also among German citizens. point brought up by the independent Current Concerns No 24 of 5 Novem- There is a vast amount of gleichschal- member of parliament Frauke Petry: ber 2018) but in general any interna- tung among public dealings with the “So if the pact is meant to foster the tional law, that means, any kind of in- AfD, its members, sympathisers and implementation of human rights in all ternational agreements. What about the voters. In Germany there is hardly an- those countries where they do not work sovereignty of states as soon as the con- yone who is neither close to the AfD today, please explain the citizens why tent of the Pact has become “interna- nor stirring up public opinion against this pact should be successful in plac- tional law”? this party and who raises his voice to es where the Universal Declaration of Revealing was the statement of the call for democratic virtues. We may Human Rights failed.” CDU politician Stephan Herbarth. At justly ask the question: Who in Ger- 2. In contrast to the AfD speakers all the very beginning of his speech he many has broken with democratic other speakers emphasised that the Pact said: “After the catastrophe of World practice? was legally non-binding and each state War II Germany decided to approach Regarding the content of the debate in the would maintain its sovereignty in ques- the great challenges of our time in an Bundestag, the following points were rel- tions of migration. Indeed, the text of international way [...]. Our military se- evant: the Pact characterises itself as a “non- curity is organised in an alliance with 1. Among the proponents, the assessments legally binding cooperative frame- many nations; our economy is organ- of the consequences of the UN migra- work”. At the same time the 32 tightly ised internationally; our environmental tion pact are highly divergent. Speak- written pages contain many “commit- protection is organised internationally ers of the CDU/CSU faction claimed ments” for the signatory states includ- and we will be able to cope with the that Germany was already fulfilling ing a myriad of details. Why the effort challenges of migration only through all commitments of the pact and the to stipulate all these details if the re- an international approach.” benefit would be that upon acceptance sult is meant to be non-binding? The 3. How can the contradictory attitude of of the pact, all other signatory states claim that sovereignty would remain Die Linke faction be understood? Its would also fulfil the commitments, untouched might be a similar attempt speakers argued in favour of accept- thus reducing migration pressure on of deception. Indeed, the draft for the ing the Pact. At the same time Sevim Germany. Speakers of Bündnis 90/Die Pact states that it reaffirms “the sover- Dagdelen of Die Linke stated: “By the Grünen saw this differently. For them, eign right of states to determine their way, none of the points important to acceptance of the pact by Germany own migration policies...”, but in the us as Linke have been incorporated would imply that the migrants serging same sentence it states that this ap- [into the Pact]. Thus it is clear that the towards or already living in Germa- plies only “in accordance with interna- Migration Pact is not about combating ny finally receive all the “rights” they tional law”. Also, the next, very long, the causes of the exodus. Neither a ban are entitled to, i.e., Germany would clause of the draft ends with the con- become more attractive for migrants. dition that everything must be “in ac- continued on page 8 No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 8

”Who in Germany has broken ...” continued from page 7 the African and Latin American states They asked for global justice but what demanding to tackle the reasons and they received is a brain drain, the loss on arms exports nor a stop of the de- to finance economic development in of their skilled professionals. This structive free trade agreements with the countries of origin have not been brain drain on behalf of the profit of the southern nations has been adopt- heard in New York. Justifiably these the large corporations eventually is ed. People are leaving their homes, countries have criticised the focus on serving to dispossess the southern na- but not voluntarily. They also have a – quote – utilisation of ‘human capi- tions. I find this neo-liberal utilitarian right not to leave. [...] The voices of tal’ – unquote – for the wealthy North. thinking cynical.” •

Critique on UN migration pact comes from different sides in Germany

km. Boris Palmer, green mayor of the lum seekers is not allowed because of the CSU politician Silke Launert sees the German city of Tübingen am Neckar and pact. In fact, a great deal of internation- dangers of the migration time and again an unconventional think- al law works according to the principle of The Upper Franconian CSU Bundestag er in his party, though not fundamentally “soft law”, which means that although member and former prosecutor Silke against it, also has taken up a critical po- the text does not state that it is legally Launert advocated in vain on 6 Novem- sition with a longer Facebook entry re- binding, it will become binding due to po- ber 2018 during a parliamentary group garding the proposed UN migration pact. litical pressure and courts over time. [...] meeting of CDU/CSU for a vote on the Criticism of this pact comes also from At the present time, I consider UN migration pact. As a former prose- within the ranks of the CDU and CSU. the signature of the Federal Govern- cutor, she was very aware of the dan- ment wrong for two reasons: First, gers of immigration and could not ap- Green Mayor Boris Palmer: too many points contain a lack of clar- proach it naïvely. The risks, from crime “Do not sign migration pact” ity. These points must first be clarified. to social structures, was not discussed Boris Palmer writes that after an event Secondly, without a clarifying debate, at all within the UN pact, according to in Baden-Baden he “forced himself to a signature would massively increase Launert. doubts about our state, our democ- read the original document. To me at “If we want fewer people to come first it seemed completely unproblem- racy and our media in large parts of to our country because we have to in- atic. The goals are all traceable and cor- the population [...]. “(Source: https:// tegrate them first, we need signals that rect. I want the international communi- www.facebook.com/ob.boris.palmer/ not everyone can come,” said the for- ty to jointly fight the causes of fleeing posts/2136395966399924) mer prosecutor. “I fear that the migra- and to help in times of emergency. But tion pact will even encourage migra- Opponents of UN migration pact tion. Migrants must be informed at all when I tried to refute the objections within CDU form up expressed in right-wing circles, I came stages of their fleeing about how to le- gally enter Germany,” Launert contin- across many problems for which there The Berlin “Tagesspiegel” reported on ued. “There may be a soothing effect. were no answers. The document is very 13 November 2018, that the opponents That is the danger. Although I also see difficult to understand and not to inter- of the international migration agree- that there are many good approaches pret unambiguously. Here I would have ment are forming in the CDU: “The so- in it.“ needed help from professionals. There called ‘Berlin circle’, a group of con- She was disappointed that her voice is nothing to find on the internet. [...] servative MPs, who will reject the UN on migration has never been heard For the first time you can now read, in migration pact, if it results in obliga- within the group over the last three German, the withdrawal of Austria in an tions for Germany. The members of the years. The more she cares about the mi- expert opinion written for the Austrian circle want to make their consent de- gration pact, which has even greater negative consequences. “Unfortunate- Federal Government in which [...] many pendent on the fact that the Federal ly, everything that I have said occurred, doubts are justified. The main problem: Government attaches to the pact a uni- and I am afraid that I am right again,” immigration and asylum are conceptu- lateral declaration in which obligations says Launert. ally not always cleanly separated. What are excluded from the content for Ger- In this question the mood in the one would always support for fleeing many. [...] Arnold Vaatz (CDU), faction group is split. Half of the group is for from war and persecution is often un- deputy of the Union and Marian Wendt it, the other against it. In a secret vote, acceptable for immigration into the la- (CDU), Chairman of the Petitions Com- the chances of rejecting the pact would bour market. Example: The goal of guar- mittee in the Bundestag, also belong to be even greater, according to the pol- anteeing a legal entry to a safe haven the Berlin Circle. [...] itician. “Ultimately, the discussion has for people fleeing a war can only be The “value union”, which is in close now flared up. I hope that now more deemed false by a brute. However, for a contact with the Berlin Circle, has now members read through the UN migra- migrant worker, a right to a safe border announced a ‘nationwide signature tion pact and yet again talk with practi- crossing does not exist. campaign’ against the migration pact tioners, “says the CSU politician. Even the initially convincing argument within the Union. From the bottom- (Source: https://www.epochtimes.de/ that the pact only demands what has up of the party, the ‘value union’ also meinung/liebeserklaerung-an-migrant- long been standard in Germany, is unfor- wants to increase the pressure on the en-kommentator-steingart-und-csu- tunately not viable. That is not true for Union faction to agree to the pact only, -politikerin-launert-ueber-die-gefahren- all cases because of the unclear defini- if it is ensured that no additional obli- des-un-migrationspakts-a2704429.html tion of migration. Some of the demands gations arise.” from 11 November 2018) are so malleable that debates may begin (Source: “Der Tagesspiegel” from soon, that this or that restriction on asy- 13 November 2018) (Translation Current Concerns) No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 9 The Brexit, the EU and British Democracy by Nicola Ferronato, political scientist, Switzerland On 23 June 2016, after a long and com- prehensive debate, the British people 585-page text to decide on divorce held a referendum on whether the United nf. An agreement between the EU and ic, social, environmental and tax rules Kingdom (UK) should remain in the Eu- the UK is finally on the table. This com- of the EU (carbon emissions, work- ropean Union (EU) or not. To the ques- plex and very technical text of 585 ing hours), without having a say in the tion “Should the United Kingdom remain pages, already approved by the Euro- making of these rules. a member of the European Union or leave pean Commission, is supposed to pave Is former remainer Theresa May the European Union?” a majority of sev- the path for a healthy divorce. It is, making the same mistake as Margaret however, the subject of sharp criticism, Thatcher at the end of her career, when enteen and a half million people voted particularly from the Leavers, since it she was ostracised and did not listen to “Leave”, which meant the divorce. A cer- does not take into account the will of her cabinet members who warned her? tain British elite, unhappy with the result, the people expressed on 23 June 2016. Worse, is she signing the political sub- is calling for a new referendum since the The present deal would pull out the UK mission of the UK to the EU and put- result came out. According to this glo- from the decisional process of the EU ting in threat the Unity of Great Britain balised elite from the “remain” camp, the without taking it out from its norma- and Northern Ireland? Four Ministers UK can only survive within the suprana- tive frame. Summed up, the British peo- have quit due to their discontent over tional, and increasingly integrated and ple will have no say in the EU anymore the deal: Esther McVey, Shailesh Vara, centralised EU. The decision to leave the yet will be subject and subordinated to Suella Braverman and, above all, Dom- inic Raab the former Brexit secretary. It EU is “catastrophic” and the people who EU rules. For most leavers, this is the worst possible case scenario as a no- is worrying, that the person who forged voted this way “do in no way understand deal situation, or even staying in the EU and negotiated this agreement with his the high challenges at stake”. This is why would be much better as the UK would own hands resigned. Mr Raab, who suc- we need another referendum to overturn at least have a say on the rules it fol- ceeded David Davis, who also resigned the course of Brexit. In the end, the peo- lows. Even on the labour side, MPs re- because of the detrimental course Brex- ple are ignorant and erratic: they have to ject the “empty deal” that would make it was taking, said “I cannot support this vote again, but this time, correctly. a “vassal state” out of the UK. The deal agreement, which contains two big fatal provides, for example, that if no solu- errors [...] with a clear conscience, as it The mandate the British Government re- tion is found for the Irish border until threatens the integrity of the United ceived from its people on 23 June 2016 1 July 2020, the UK must stay in the Eu- Kingdom on the one hand and impris- ropean Union Customs Union (EUCU) ons the country in a system in which it is clear and precise. The British citizens and Northern Ireland in the single mar- no longer has a say for an indefinite pe- have shown their will to take back con- ket. The UK would hence be subject to riod of time [...]. This will harm the econ- trol of their borders and recover politi- a great number of commercial, econom- omy and destroy democracy.” cal, economic and judicial independence and sovereignty. But more precisely, it was demanded the UK gets out of the free to square one”. There is no way, howev- term economic consequences of Brexit. movement of persons’ treaties, the single er, that the so-called hard Brexiters and The question on the ballot was, before an- market, the customs union, the Common even the labour party will ratify the text ything else, about the freedom and sover- Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Common in question, as its’ “inacceptable” clauses eignty of a people. A people that does not Fishery Policy (CFP), the Court of Jus- remain unchanged. It is hard to imagine anymore approve the non-elected Europe- tice (ECJ) and the judicial system as a that the deal will pass at this stage indeed. an leaders, the EU rules, the EU flag and whole etc. The mandate is as clear as day. The probability of a “no-deal” divorce re- the anthem it never voted for. The result Yet it turns out that the democratic deci- mains likely and it would pave the path for was clear: the people want to self-govern sion does not please a certain globalised a World Trade Organisation (WTO) based their country. remainer elite, which since 23 June 2016, relation between Britain and the EU. And yet, this is nonsense according to is tirelessly fighting to overturn the course the remainer elite. Indeed, history tells us of the referendum, whereas the leavers, The real matter: it is not the first time that an elitist minor- thinking the battle was over and won, rest democracy or bureaucracy? ity expresses its’ lack of respect towards on their laurels. Today this elite calls for The left and the remainer elite argue that democracy. The episode of the 2005 ref- a “People’s vote”, as if it did not already Theresa May’s “empty” deal and the dark erendum on the European Constitution take place, to validate or reject the treaty economic perspectives are reason enough is a sad example. The French and Dutch that is being finalised at this very moment. to make people vote again. In reality, the people had voted “NO”, hence against the actual situation, although complicated, project. Yet at the time already, the demo- The negotiations does not at all justify a second referendum cratic decision was ignored by a Euro-fa- On 25 November, the European Commis- on Brexit. In 2016, the British people took natic elite that decided to implement the sion signed and thus validated the divorce the most important decision in its’ histo- text of the Constitution through the Lis- deal after more than a year and a half of ry, and consciously. The people have ex- bon treaty. This had not been a surprise troublesome negotiations. Now the EU has pressed their long-term vision for a Unit- of course as Jean-Claude Junker declared, given its green light to the text (that strik- ed Kingdom outside of the supranational before the referendum results came out: ingly resembles the treaty of Rome), the institution of the EU. They have expressed “If it’s a Yes, we will say ‘on we go’, and Prime minister has to pass it through Par- their vision of an autonomous and inde- if it’s a No we will say ‘we continue”. liament and therefore convince a majori- pendent country, where the people can In 2008, it was the turn of the Irish ty of colleagues that they should back the democratically hire and fire their repre- people to hold a referendum on the Lis- deal. Although aware she does not enjoy a sentatives. Therefore, one can say that the bon treaty and to suffer the same experi- majority to uplift her deal yet, she plans to problematic to which the British people ence as the French and the Dutch. When persuade a majority of MPs who if failing responded in the June referendum large- to back the deal will take Britain “back ly exceeds the mere question of the short- continued on page 10 No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 10

”The Brexit, the EU and …” hurt democracy in Britain. By the way, is would be needed. In fact, the rise of the continued from page 9 it not funny that everybody finds it nor- populist parties in Europe is an immediate mal that an American with Hungarian an- response to the EU’s failure to tackle un- the Irish people voted “NO” to the trea- cestry is financing with millions political employment and the migration questions. ty in question on 12 June 2008, Brussels campaigns abroad? Would we not be a lit- Yet what is important to the peoples is not immediately rejects the referendum result. tle more critical if such amounts of money necessarily important to the rulers. The Worse, it organised a second referendum came from Russia? democratic deficit has played a major role on the same question (2009), to overturn in the Brexit referendum and has tipped the result. The democratic deficit in the balance in favour of the leavers. The Strangely enough, the same elite who Europe: a challenge for all British people, who had the impression fiercely opposed a first Brexit referen- The European democratic deficit can be not to be heard anymore in Europe, want- dum, arguing that such a complex ques- noticed in politicians’ discourses. It then ed change. Now the relations between tion could not be given to the people, now crystallises in their actions. Similarly to the divorced ones need to be safeguard- wants a second referendum on the exact Mr Junkers words on the 2005 Constitu- ed. It could be beneficial for both parties same question. This is how the campaign tion referendum, numerous personalities involved in the divorce, for example, to for a “People’s Vote” started. By announc- from the British and European elite lashed find a solution similar to the Swiss model ing apocalyptic economic conjectures, the out at the decision of June 2016. Here are based on the European Free Trade Asso- remainer elite hopes to scare off people just a few examples: ciation (EFTA). Of course, Switzerland enough to overturn the course of Brex- In a discourse of 5 April 2017 at the never had to separate itself from the EU, it. During a conference in Freiburg on 1 EU Parliament, Guy Verhofstadt called and a relationship can certainly continue October, Jean-Claude Junker said that “if Brexit “a loss of time […] a stupidity”. on a factual level following a divorce. • talks go wrong, then no more British air- Likewise, Andrew Adonis, former British planes can land on the continent”. This is Minister, has encouraged the project of a an absurd propaganda campaign. Yet they second referendum during one of his inter- had done it before: the remain camp had ventions at Chatham House when he said: announced between 500,000 and 800,000 “the problem is not to decide what Brexit job losses right after the 23 June 2016, if we want because the problem is Brexit it- Current Concerns people voted for Brexit. An immediate re- self […] we can and we must stop Brexit”. The international journal for independent cession was announced as well as a di- A little quip imposes itself here: let’s re- thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, minuation of salaries and exports. And all place the term “Brexit” with the synonym and for the promotion and respect of this would be felt right away as a di- “the people”, the result being: “the prob- of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law rect consequence of the vote. But what re- lem is not to decide what the people want ally happened? The exact opposite. Un- because the problem are the people itself Publisher: Zeit-Fragen Cooperative employment has not been this low for […] we can and we must stop the people”. Editor: Erika Vögeli decades (approximatively 4%), exports This shows the contempt some politicians Address: Current Concerns, increased and salaries were raised. have towards the poplar’s will. P.O. Box, CH-8044 Zurich This disrespectful behaviour towards In an open letter, three eminent former Phone: +41 (0)44 350 65 50 the democratic process poses an enor- British politicians also insulted the dem- Fax: +41 (0)44 350 65 51 mous challenge to European countries, ocratic decision saying there were two E-Mail: [email protected] which is commonly called “democratic types of people in favor of Brexit. In the Subscription details: deficit”. It is the combat between globali- letter, one can read: “There are two sorts published regularly electronically as PDF file sation and the people. Brexit epitomises of advocates of a blindfold Brexit in Brit- Annual subscription rate of SFr. 40,-, € 30,-, £ 25,-, $ 40,- this phenomena as foreign global and left- ain. The naïve optimists and the cynical for the following countries: ist elites intervene in the internal affairs of pessimists”. Hence, according to the three Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, the UK to stop Brexit. The most compro- politicians, it seems that people who voted Cyprus, , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hongkong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, mising example of foreign intervention in for Brexit are either stupid or dumb. These Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Nether- UK domestic affairs is George Sorros’ fi- very eminent politicians are no others than lands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, nancing of the remain camp and the “Peo- Tony Blair, Prime Minister from 1997 to Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab ­Emirates, ple’s Vote” campaign. He offered around 2007, Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minis- United Kingdom, USA 80,000 pounds to the remainers, accord- ter from 2010 to 2015 and Michael Hes- Annual subscription rate of SFr. 20,-, € 15,-, £ 12,50, $ 20,- ing to the BBC. Although we do not know eltine, Deputy Prime Minister from 1995 for all other countries. how heavily he financed these groups in to 1997. Account: Postscheck-Konto: PC 87-644472-4 total, we also know he has given 400,000 A much-needed reconciliation of the The editors reserve the right to shorten letters to pounds to an NGO called “Best for Brit- the editor. Letters to the editor do not necessarily ain”, which organised the pro-EU dem- rulers and the ruled ones reflect the views and opinions of Current Concerns. onstration in London end of October. In The EU cannot continue to develop with- © 2018. All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or the end, one can say that Mr Sorros hit the out the peoples. Rather than more political transmission of this publication may be made without written Bank of Britain in 1992 and now wants to integration, more democratic integration permission. No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 11 Thinking about Stalingrad means: Never again war! Heinrich Gerlach and his novel “Durchbruch bei Stalingrad“ (Breakthrough at Stalingrad) by Dr. rer. publ. Werner Wüthrich

Recently a book has been published with eration and help of the Soviet authorities, the strange title „Durchbruch bei Stal- ingrad”. The author Heinrich Gerlach wrote the manuscript three times. It is a piece of German and Russian history. The original version rested for decades in the “poison cabinet” of the Soviet Interior Ministry and was only recently discovered by historians in Moscow. The new publi- cation is based on this original version.

Authors and journalists who write in this and the last century against the eternal killing in the many senseless wars often have a hard time. Daniele Ganser, for ex- ample, today repeatedly refers in his lec- tures and writings to the many illegal wars which in the last two decades have most- ly been started by states from the “West- ern community of values” with strange reasons or even lies. They had devastating consequences, so they are a main cause for today’s refugee and migration prob- lems. Because of its clarity, Ganser is pre- Sovjet soldiers in Stalingrad, January 1943. (picture wiki) sented as a conspiracy theorist and has to live with a number of disadvantages. (cf. published a newspaper and actively acted Resistance against Hitler also from “From Censorship to mainstream Media against Hitler with leaflets and a radio sta- Russian POW camps and mass manipulation” in Current Con- tion. In addition, briefly the past history: cern of 9.10.2018) In the summer of 1943, two groups The officers of the BDO pursued the goal In the first half of the last century, writ- formed in the prison camps. In July, a that clearly thinking officers of the Wehr- ers and journalists could usually only write group of exiled Communists founded the macht remove or eliminate Hitler. Thus, from exile against the war. However, there National Committee for Free Germany they hoped to end the war and above all are some exceptions : Leonhard Frank, a together with prisoners of war. Wilhelm to prevent the total collapse of Germa- German, wrote his book “Der Mensch ist Piek, Walter Ulbricht, Johannes R. Bech- ny with all its political and social con- gut” (Man is Good) in exile in Switzerland er and others were among them. They in- sequences. General Walther von Seydlitz during the First World War. He was able vited high officers of the 6th Army to par- was elected president of the BDO and jus- to sell the book well and buy a house in ticipate. Most of them, however, refused tified his decision: Zurich from the proceeds. Other authors on the grounds that activities from cap- “The last decisive factor for me was the such as Romain Roland have also called tivity would violate their oath as German consideration: If our participation makes from here against senseless killing in the officers and be treason against the fight- it possible to realize even a small part of trenches of the First World War. ing troops. Soon, however, some changed the Russian assurance, then one must not During the Second World War, the their attitude – abandoned by Hitler. close one’s eyes to its participation. Hit- Scholl siblings published leaflets at their In September 1943, 95 high officers of ler’s insanity will lead Germany so sure- university against Hitler’s criminal war. the Stalingrad Army, in particular, found- ly to its downfall that also very unusual They were soon discovered and executed. ed the Bund Deutscher Offiziere BDO. activities will be necessary to save what (League of German Officers) They were remains to be saved.” (“ Durchbruch bei Experiences in Stalingrad, assured by Stalin that if they were able Stalingrad”, p. 596) written from the soul to bring about a change in the leadership From the beginning Heinrich Gerlach Heinrich Gerlach, the author of the book of the Wehrmacht so that the war could was one of the most active members of the “Durchbruch bei Stalingrad”, also wrote be ended, he would work for the preser- editorial staff of Freies Deutschland. They against the war – but from the “protec- vation of Germany within its present bor- published a newspaper (which was read in tion” of a Russian prisoner of war camp. ders. The Battle of Stalingrad had been the camps), produced leaflets (which were As a teacher, he was often responsible for won. Militarily, however, there was a kind dropped) and wanted to change history the wall and camp newspapers in the var- of stalemate in the summer of 1943. The via a radio station. Gerlach also worked ious camps, and he found time to write blood toll and the damage were immense, with the exiled communists over follow- the experiences after the Battle of Stal- and the Wehrmacht continued to remain ing months. He disagreed with them in his ingrad in the winter of 1942/43 from his with an army of millions in the country, political conviction. He emphasized in his soul. By the end of the war it was to be and it was to take a full and ardous year contributions that he was neither a Marx- a book of 600 pages, which he entitled before the Allies opened the second front ist nor a Communist, and that he did not “ Durchbruch bei Stalingrad”. He also in Normandy. Whether the second front like everything he saw here. But they had worked in the editorial department of would really take place was not sure at Freies Deutschland, which, with the tol- that time. continued on page 12 No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 12

”Thinking about Stalingrad …” quences later. At the end of war, in May the commission on foreign policy Grig- continued from page 11 1945, Gerlach had it finished. The script – orian and the chief of KGB, Beria. Pre- an extensive work of 600 pages accurate- sumably even Stalin had notice of it. The a common goal in the editorial staff in the ly written – accompanied him during his statements of the top politicians were dev- fight against Hitler and against the crimi- five years lasting odyssey through differ- astating: In the shorter assessment which nal war. ent detention camps in the Soviet Union Grigorian sent to Suslow he says totally But Heinrich Gerlach was also aware and he guarded his work like his own life. adverse to the facts: “The novel clearly that his fight against Hitler was danger- In 1945 the prisoners of war in the shows that the author was and remained a ous. He had to expect to be sentenced to about 600 camps were divided in work- staunch SS-man. A restitution of the book death in absentia. What he did not know ing battalions of 750 or 1000 up to 1500 which represents a defamation of the So- and what actually happened: His wife was men,working in the construction indus- viet people and an eulogy of Hitlerism is visited by the Gestapo in Königsberg, and try, agriculture and forestry but mainly in not advisable.” (p. 668-673) Moreover the together with the three children she was the reconstruction of the destroyed Sovi- historians came across a statement of Wal- taken into clan custody and imprisoned et cities. (p. 639) Stalin promised to re- ter Ulbricht, later head of State Council of in a camp near Munich (where they were lease them home in groups until 1949. The the GDR, which was disastrous for Ger- later liberated by the Americans). name of Gerlach often was on the list of lach. Ulbricht wrote about Gerlach: “A On July 20, 1944, Gerlach and his fel- the repatriates, but for unknown reasons typical representative of the Hitler army, low officers at BDO felt that they had was left out again and again. He became gifted but not honest. Tries to gloss over achieved their goal. The radio reported suspicious and had a feeling of being ob- his true opinions with his information to that Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg had served. He feared for his script and for Soviet organisations. […] (p. 623) All to- made an assassination attempt on Hitler. weeks he laboriously compiled a dupli- getherdifferent wasthe assessment of the That was exactly what they had wanted cate in tiny handwriting and with abbrevi- communist professor Arnold with whom and encouraged. Finally, officers of the ations so that 600 pages fit into an exercise Gerlach had worked together in the edito- Wehrmacht in Germany had taken things book. This he hid in the double bottom of rial team Freies Deutschland (Free Ger- firmly under their own control, so they a suitcase that he gave to a comrade who many): “Gerlach was one of the ‹most ac- thought. The disappointment was great was allowed to travel home. But the hid- tive, prudent and capable officers in camp – Hitler had survived and was to have ing-place was discovered and Gerlach was number 160”. (p. 623) Stauffenberg and thousands who had sup- visited by the Soviet secret service who Today the question arises about the real ported him killed, and many others. The examined his things, found the script and reasons that led the Soviet leadership to most prominent was Erwin Rommel. They confiscated it. object to the restitution. The Cold War was all could no longer tell whether and how already under way in 1950. The Korean Heinrich Gerlach and his colleagues in the Script becomes Victim of the Cold War War had begun. Military virtues like will- editorial office of Free Germany had en- Expatriate communists like professor Ar- ingness to sacrifice and bravery were in couraged them in their struggle against nold with whom Gerlach had worked to- demand on both sides – connected with Hitler. gether reassured him. His book was inof- making up and reinforcing enemy stereo- fensive and after his repatriation he could types. Statements against the war didn’t fit Completion of Work in May 1945 reclaim it from the ministry of the interi- in with this scenario. In addition the Sovi- In these months in every free minute Ger- or. They were wrong. His claim for resti- et authorities had asked Gerlach and other lach wrote his novel “Breakthrough at tution provoked nervous activities in the prisoners of war if they would continue Stalingrad“. Gerlach had made the expe- senior leadership of the Soviet Union. The collaborating with the Soviet Union after rience that he could collaborate quite well Secret Service (KGB) had ordered two their imprisonment. They offered Gerlach with individual communists. So he talked expert opinions – an elaborate and a short to edit a journal for art and literature in the to some of them about his novel and gave one. Decades later historians in a military Soviet Zone (East Berlin). The KGB, too, them parts of it to read. They supported archive came across a correspondence expressed their interest for a collaboration him and found the text to be inoffensive. between the minister of interior Suslow after the imprisonment. The collaboration with Walter Ulbricht in- , the general secretary of the Commu- deed didn’t work what should have conse- nist Party, Malenkow, the chairman of Return in 1950 Until this time Gerlach had never crossed the bounderies he had set for himself and Who really wants to know what “war” is ... remained true to himself, and he said no. ww. Anyone who compares Heinrich If only the unsolved migration and But he noticed that others who had said Gerlach’s account of the war with the refugee problem would not exist! But no, too, run into difficulties and were even media coverage of today’s wars will no- here too one often succeeds in obscur- accused. Now he wants only one thing: to tice huge differences. Since the Vietnam ing and diverting our attention from survivet and to return home. So he agrees War, there are almost only “embedded the fact that many wars from Yugosla- in pretence. This emergency lie was his journalists”, involved and part of the via to Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Libya, Iraq, ticket out of war imprisonment and for his war effort. Unfortunately, there is often Afghanistan and Yemen are one of the family reunion. not much else to say about NGOs, some main causes of the problem. And new Soon Heinrich Gerlach was back teach- human rights organisations and gener- wars are being prepared. The building ally the mainstream media. The rappor- up of the Cold War has long begun . - ing a school class in Berlin just like be- teurs adopt the propaganda, report uni- Should you undertake to read the 600 fore the war – but he had his difficulties. laterally, spread lies and remain above pages «Stalingrad»? Anyone who really His life had been so different for the last all on the surface, so that the reader wants to know what “war” is and who eleven years. Besides, he couldn’t forget does not notice the reality any more and also accepts that a “breakthrough” hap- “Stalingrad” . He had a message that he can easily be led to the erroneous view pens in his head, will not set the book wanted to pass on to the young adults and that war is something normal and be- aside. That’s why Heinrich Gerlach wrote to the coming generations by all means, longs to life. (see “From Censorship to the novel. For “The dead and the living” and he conceived the plan to rewrite the Mainstream” in Current Concerns No 23, (Mortuis et Vivis)is his dedication on the novel a second time. He came to realize 16 October 2018) first page. that this was not so easy. He had “forgot- No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 13

”Thinking about Stalingrad …” The situation of the soldiers in Janu- The novel is extremely dense but easy continued from page 12 ary 1943 became worse and worse cold, to read. It covers wide areas of the human hunger, epidemics, wounds, death, de- psyche, military affairs, history, politics ten” a lot. Human beings tend to block out spair paralyzed the soldiers. Because of and philosophy. Gerlach describes the war dreadful things. With the help of a psy- the frozen ground the dead could no long- with all its horrors. However, he does not chologist he began to recall hisexperi- er be buried. Often they were piled up like focus on military procedures – but on the ences of Stalingrad step by step – a dif- logs next to the military posts, or were left soldier as a human person who somehow ficult endeavour. He succeeded. But he lying under the snow. Supplies quick- tries to cope with the extreme situation and needed four years until the second edition ly ran out. In mid-January 1943, General with himself. As a grammar school teach- was on the table and could be published – Paulus reported to Hitler that there were er Gerlach was used to talking to his stu- this time with a completely different title: 16,000 wounded not provided for – most dents. Thus he masterfully succeeded in “The Betrayed Army” was the name of the of them lying in improvised hospitals and involving the reader in countless conver- new novel.Followed later on by the sequel that the supply situation was catastroph- sations – between soldiers, sargeants, of- about the years of imprisonment under the ic. (p. 385) He asked for freedom to act ficers, between Lieutenant Breuer (Hein- title: “Odyssey in Red”. or permission to stop the fight. Two hours rich Gerlach’s alter ego) and his driver, The original version of 1943 should later Hitler replied: “Freedom to act re- between captains and colonels, between rest more than half a century in an archive fused – surrender not allowed”, “fight to German soldiers and captured Russians in Moscow until Carsten Gansel, profes- the last bullet”, “fight to the last man”. and also with inhabitants of Stalingrad try- sor of literature at the University of Gies- Further wireless messages in these weeks ing to survive in the basements – and ask- sen, found it in 2012. He compared the were: “You can rely on me, I will get you ing themselves “why“? novel of 1956 with the original edition of out”, “Generous supply will be rolling in”. 1943 and found differences, so that he fa- Such promises were intended for the Generals in bondage to Hitler voured a word-for-word edition. Now it is simple soldier, who believed in Hitler As first lieutenant, Gerlach had no ac- available. to the end. High officers knew that the cess to the actual command of the army. troops, which were normally available as But he was lucky to be sent to a prison- “Breaktrough at Stalingrad” reserve forces, were nowhere near. Hitler er-of-war camp for officers who under the The novel is to a great extent autobio- had sent them to the Caucasus to conquer Geneva Convention were not required to graphic. Hans Gerlach was a German the oil fields of the Caspian Sea. They work. There, immediately after the bat- teacher at the grammar school in a small were also in trouble and on the retreat – tle he found time to start writing down town near Königsberg in East Prussia. in any case they were far too far away to his experiences and so to unburden him- In summer 1939 he was drafted for the be of any help. self of the horrors – first as a diary, then Wehrmacht at the age of 33. He took part The end came at the beginning of Feb- as a novel. There he met some of the 22 in the Battle of France and then in the ruary. When the snow finally melted in captured generals from Stalingrad, one of war against Yugoslavia. Then they waged spring, the Russians buried the bodies of whom had repeatedly been flown out of war against the Soviet Union – in the be- 142,567 German soldiers. The number of the encirclement during the battle to re- ginning, similar to France, it was a trium- dead Russian soldiers and civilians, how- port to Hitler and then returned with his phant blitzkrieg. Meanwhile Gerlach had ever, was much higher. About 90,000 Ger- instructions. They realted the conversa- been promoted senior lieutenant. Short- man soldiers were taken prisoners.. How- tions at the head of the 6th Army, at the ly before Stalingrad things did not go ever, they were so run-down, wounded, Führer’s headquarters, and sometimes as quickly anymore. Worse: In November discouraged, sick, half or almost com- from Hitler’s lunch table, to which they 1942 the 6th Army with about 250,000 pletely starved to death that the death rate were invited. Gerlach incorporated their men weretr trapped by the Russian army in the following weeks and months was narratives into his novel – so that the read- . Reader s with a good knowledge of his- about 90 percent. er can see the desperate situation from the tory might find the title of the book bi- perspective of the very top. Gerlach em- zarre and think: A breakthrough through Staying human in an extreme situation phasizes in his epilogue that nothing is in- the Russian lines has never happened. With the title “Breakthrough at Stalin- vented, everything is based on “personal Hitler had forbidden the 6th army to un- grad” Gerlach didn’t mean a military con- experiences and conversations with Ger- dertake anyimmediate breakthrough out cept, but the breakthrough in the minds of man soldiers and officers who fought at of the siegeh and any retreat. The reader the soldiers gradually realizing that they Stalingrad”. must excercise patience over many pages, were involved in a criminal war, and even until he finds out step by step what is be- more – that “war” is a crime against hu- A literary masterpiece hind the strange title “Breakthrough at manity. The novel becomes a harrowing The novel has been written by a master of Stalingrad”. literary testimony and an anti-war novel. language. Two passages may serve as an In his choice of title literary expert Ger- example: Gerlach describes the decisive Hunger, cold and death lach referred to a much quoted passage attack led by the Russians against a weak Göring had promised Hitler to supply the by Ulrich von Hutten (1488-1523): “I do spot in the German front: entrapped army by air – with 600 tons of not dream of the happiness of old times, There! Suddenly the air fills with a food and war material every day. Howev- I break through and do not look back”. sinister and eerie hissing and whiz- er, he miscalcualted the situation. From That’s what he did, too. zing sound. Cries of fear and shouts the beginning on, the rickety Ju-52s man- At the beginning of February 1943, of alarm ring out. And then, in an aged less than half of the promised sup- many officers, including high ranking instant, the storm is upon them. All plies. Often heavily loaded they were officers, committed suicide by shooting of a suden a forest of flames erupts shot down by the Russians or crashed themselves. Death seemed easier for them from the rumbling ground, and a after a failed landing. At the beginning than slow decay or “certain death in cap- hailstorm of shrapnel comes whis- of January 1943 the Russians had con- tivity” – as Goebbels claimed in his prop- tling towards them, as clouds of quered the airfields, and then supplies aganda. For Gerlach, staying alive was sulphurous smoke billow across the were cut off completely. After that, the a breakthrough – the first act in his fight dramatic situation increased. against Hitler and for Germany. continued on page 14 No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 14

”Thinking about Stalingrad …” continued from page 13 The Bund Deutscher Offiziere (BDO) (League of German Officers) in historiography plain. […] Fountains of earth burst ww. In the history books the league of “The eventual failure of the activities of upwards, forming a wall that then German officers is today rather a mar- the Bund Deutscher Offiziere (League of comes crashing down on the mine- ginal phenomenon. Colonel Claus von German Officers) in which Heinrich Ger- field in front of their position, set- Stauffenberg is the hero and main rep- lach has been involved as a member of ting off the charges, shredding the resentative of the German resistance the editorial Freies Deutschland in the barbed-wire entanglements, bur- against Hitler. His story has been de- subsequent period, does not change the ying trenches and machine-gun scribed many times, acknowledged and fact that the founding was an honorable nests, and whipping up a mael- made into several films. In the Federal Re- attempt, given the hopeless military situ- strom of pieces of wood, weapons public of Germany the activity of the Stal- ation to spare the German people great- ingrad officers in the BDO was disputed est losses and destruction of the coun- and human body parts, before roll- for a long time. Again and again, certain try.” (p. 605) He counts the BDO officers ing on to the rearward artillery po- circles misrepresented them as “useful id- – and with them also Heinrich Gerlach – sitions. All to the accompaniment of iots of the Soviets.” It was not until Ger- to the circle of resistance against Hitler – a terrible seething, roaring, howl- man and Russian historians gained access on a par with Stauffenberg or the siblings ing and cracking sound… The very to archives in Moscow in the 1990s that Scholl (Weisse Rose). Wolfgang Thierse, ground on which they are standing, this view changed: Professor Gansel, who Bundestag President, also did this at the torn and lacerated, flinches under made the publication of “Breakthrough commemoration ceremony for the Ger- the hellish onslaught of material. at Stalingrad” possible, clearly states: man resistance in the year 2000. What a piece of work is man…! minating a bunker in Stalingrad…” From the German Federal Government The directors of the film studio, subse- (p.662) nobody took part in them. Differences quently making these or similar scenes with Putin or not – it is incomprehensi- into a film, would need tons of pyro- Carsten Gansel – sensitive discoverer ble that the Chancellor (who now wants technic material without even remotely of the original version to build a European army) did not both- achieving the effect Gerlach expresses in er to pay her respect to the 142,567 Ger- these few lines. That Gerlach’s six-hundred-page novel is man soldiers buried there and to their And this is how Gerlach describes his immediately followed by an afterword of relatives. The far greater number of Rus- return to Berlin from his captivity as a nearly two-hundred pages is rather unu- sian soldiers and their families and the prisoner of war on 22 April 1950: sual. The reader senses that “Durchbruch inhabitants of Volgograd would have de- bei Stalingrad” has become for its discov- served this respect even more so – no- Slowly he climbed the steps up to erer, Carsten Gansel, professor of liter- body, after all, invited Germany to in- the ticket barrier. […] His legs grew ature, a matter of the heart. He careful- vade Russia and the city on the Volga heavier and heavier. There was the ly examines the historical and political river, and the dead on both sides did not barrier now, beneath the large sta- circumstances under which Gerlach had die voluntarily. Officials of the German tion clock. And behind it, huddled in written his novel. Particular attention is Armed Forces were not at Volgograd, ei- a corner by the ticket booths as if in being paid to the activities of the “League ther. As Michael Henjes from the Feder- fear, stood a woman […] [He] went of German Officers” and the “National al Ministry of Defence put it: “Stalingrad up to her. A boy was standing beside Committee for a Free Germany”, and to is a myth that is not so much present an- her, as tall as her. A child’s drawing Gerlach’s editorial work for its newspaper ymore. In the Federal Armed Forces this showing a tree and house and two yellow suns above. Two suns illu- “Free Germany”. Moreover, he compares is no longer an issue today. Threads have the original version with the second ver- been cut.” (“Hannoversche Allgemeine sion, which Gerlach wrote ten years later. Zeitung” from 1 February 2018) – In In addition, Gansel carefully analyses the the end, only a small group was present two expert reports on the book that were – some people of the city partnership of commissioned by the Soviet leadership Cologne and Chemnitz with Volgograd, and places them in their proper context. some MP’s of the leftist party and a few Comparing the second version with of the SPD. the original version, Gansel notes that in A “Durchbruch” („breakthrough“) to the later version the author’s perspective new insights and to a new way of think- has slightly changed. Here Gerlach puts ing is as important today as after the Sec- the criminal methods of warfare adopted ond World War. This would at the same by Hitler into the foreground – which is time defuse the migration problem – far also reflected in the new title “The Forsak- more than the a UN global migration en Army”. By contrast, the original ver- pact. The publication of Gerlach’s har- sion focuses more strongly on the soldier’s rowing account comes at precisely the wide-ranging inner world of thoughts and right time. • emotions and on the existential questions that arose in Stalingrad. Sources: Gerlach, Heinrich, Durchbruch bei Stalingrad, 75 years after Stalingrad: Munich: DTV, 2017. lest we forget! Gerlach, Heinrich. Breakout at Stalingrad. Trans- th anniversa- lated by Peter Lewis. London: Apollo, an Imprint February 2018 marked the 75 of Head of Zeus, 2018. ry of the Battle of Stalingrad. In today’s Diedrich, Torsten. Ebert, Jens. Walther von Sey- Volgograd, where a huge memorial com- dlitz. Nach Stalingrad – Feldpostbriefe und memorates the event, large commemo- Kriegsgefangenenpost 1939–1955. Göttingen: ISBN 978-3-423-14600-5 ration ceremonials were taking place. Wallstein Verlag, 2018 No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 15 Colonial goods – success against the mainstream Nostalgic grocery store with charm by Heini Hofmann

Everyone is talking about corporate im- aging, ranking, upgrading and being in. Restructuring and modernizing must take place everywhere come hell or hight water. One concept follows the other. Switzerland’s last colonial goods store, which has been successfully putting its money on nostalgia for over 150 years and now in its fifth generation, proves that there is another way.

In the fast food age, food degenerates into loveless, industrial mass goods. Hence the desire for more originality. The fact that such an experiment can be worthwhile is shown by the example of the Zurich fam- ily business Schwarzenbach, a curiosity and at the same time flourishing contem- porary document. When you marvel at the countless exotic products in the old-fash- ioned shop windows and close your eyes for a moment, you think you’re seeing a The nostalgic window displays of the last colonial goods store. (picture FSZ) camel caravan passing by, dark-skinned people working in the shade of palm trees, changed since it was founded. There is no kinds (foreign military service, founding and all the scents of Arabia caress your riding on the wave of short-term success settlements, mission), on the other hand nose. But the dream is reality. here, pursued by the compulsion of con- by foreign trade, i.e. industrial exports and In Zurich’s old town, to the right of the stant change and renewal. It is not about by importing cheap colonial goods. river Limmat, between Oberdorf and Nie- being in, but staying oneself, unlike the In the past, these somewhat exotic- derdorf, less than a hundred metres from others. looking colonial goods shops with their Grossmünster (Great Minster) and diag- Here, an independent corporate cul- foreign assortment existed everywhere, onally opposite the Cabaret Voltaire, not ture, which one might smile at as dusty, both in the cities and in the countryside. far from Gottfried Keller’s favourite pub is courageously and consistently passed In order to do justice to history and proba- or the house where Comrade Lenin spent through generations in order to gain long- bly also to New German, this name gradu- the time before the Russian Revolution, in term added value in the sense of constan- ally disappeared completely after the Sec- the middle of the history-laden old Zurich, cy and the resulting trust. A seemingly ond World War – with the exception of there it is, this flourishing contemporary unreal, out-of-time recipe that seems to Schwarzenbach’s colonial goods shop in document. work perfectly thanks to its uniqueness Zurich’s old town, which can already look and originality. The own path, even if it is back on over a century and a half. Different from the others stony, often proves to be more purposeful This last colonial goods store in Swit- than the more comfortable mainstream in A touch of 1001 nights zerland may seem antiquated due to its business life. This magical institution is reminiscent of awareness of tradition. But that’s decep- a grocery store from earlier times. The tive, because the Schwarzenbachs out- In the rear view mirror of history shop fittings, sales counter and wall racks shine a lot in terms of company imag- Historically, colonialism (= economic ex- date from the Gründerzeit period. Old ing and corporate identity. Where else pansion with political domination) is a lettering promote the products: Colonial in Switzerland is there a retail shop as a strained term. Colonies were the mostly goods, coffee roasting, tropical fruits and family business whose patron, in the fifth “overseas” possessions acquired by Eu- canned food. The note “Detail und Mi generation (!), bears the same first name, ropean states. Modern colonialism began gros” refers to earlier house and hotel de- from Henry I to Henry V, which also re- parallel to the great discoveries in the 15th liveries. The window displays are a sen- tains its old company name (colonial century and was a mix of trade interests, sual land of milk and honey from 1001 goods), which explains the origin of the exploitation of raw materials, political in- nights. goods, and which still displays the origi- terests and the urge to missionise – a chap- What began in 1864 with pasta, eggs, nal shop fittings and assortment as usual? ter of history with a great shadow cast. spices and coffee is today a huge assort- This consistent pursuit of a personal After decolonisation, economic and ment of around 3,000 items: 17 different touch, which today almost enjoys cult sta- cultural relations between former colo- coffee blends (the green coffee purchased tus, is reflected in the Schwarzenbach co- nies and their former – as it was so nicely by the customer single-handedly is roasted lonial goods store in its individual identity called – “motherland” continued to exist twice a week visible from the street) and as an authentic product of its own biog- to this day. no less than 150 types of tea. You can try raphy. Like a rock in the surf, this relic Small Switzerland has never owned any both in the attached tea café and find out stands in the midst of the hectic pace of colonies. But at least indirectly it also took that tea and coffee, like wine or cheese, an accelerated economic world. Its win- part in the process of European expansion, dow displays and shop fittings have hardly on the one hand by emigrating of various continued on page 16 No 26 28 November 2018 Current Concerns Page 16

”Colonial goods – success …” Advantages of the small business allows us to react immediately and cor- continued from page 15 In the past the exotic products came from rectly to the assortment sorting. As soon the colonies; today people travel them- as newly introduced products have estab- are regional products with their own char- selves and get to know foreign specialities, lished themselves, they are often copied acter, shaped by climate, soil and process- which they would like to have at home. into their fine food lines by large distrib- ing. This changes and increases the supply and utors.” Today, the shopping basket is enor- adapts to demand. The modern grocer emphasises this mously rich. The colourful range of dried Heini V. Schwarzenbach, the great- with obvious pride: “Direct contact with fruits, berries, nuts and kernels in the great grandson of the company founder the producers is also decisive, and we open assortment is particularly impres- and current company manager in the fifth spend a lot of time on this. We are always sive (see box). There is also a large selec- generation, is visibly proud: “Because on the move with our eyes open and there- tion of honey, jam, chocolate and candied a small company is more agile, it can fore know which products are the best. fruit, salt, mustard and spice specialities, react more quickly to customer wishes. And we check them in advance and only oil and vinegar, pulses, flour and flakes, In general, in addition to the quality of buy fresh produce” Success over genera- rice and pasta. And of course everything the offer, proximity to the customer and tions seems to prove him right. • without self-service, but with informative his individual advice play a decisive role; sales advice. because the feedback from the customers (Translation Current Concerns)

Range of dried fruit HH. “They are not only healthy thanks to their concentrated nutrients, vitamins and trace elements; they also have an ecological advantage thanks to more en- vironmentally friendly transport by sea and land instead of by air”, stresses one saleswoman. From all corners of the world Classics among the dried fruit are figs, such as the small wild ones from Iran or the thin-skinned Izmir figs. For the fruit- less season dried figs have always been basic foodstuffs like bread. As fresh figs are very sensitive and can only be kept for a short time, dried figs are also bet- ter suited for transport and are even cheaper. In addition there are also pitted dates from Tunisia or huge Medjool dates from California, banana chips from the Philippines, banana fingers from Costa Rica, pineapple from Thailand and Togo, mango slices from Mexico, papaya slices Dried fruit in all colours. (picture FSZ) and coconut strips from Thailand, Aus- can be eaten as they are or can be inte- Roman giants, brown almonds from tralian ginger, jackfruit from Sri Lanka, grated into desserts or fruit salads. Spain and also white (ferranges) and kumquats (baby oranges) from the Phil- aperitif salted almonds, Californian al- ippines, nectarine halves from California, Berries, grapes, nuts, seeds mond sticks (not to be missed in any bak- kiwi slices from Iran, jumbo apricots from Among the dried berries and grapes are ery) and bitter almonds. California, “Kurpflaumen” (pitted dried Chilean strawberries, cranberries from Moreover peanuts and wasabi-crust- prunes) from Chile and red sour cherries Oregon, gooseberries from Colombia, ed peanuts, Bolivian Brazil nuts, Indian from Michigan. barberry berries from Iran, Spanish mala- cashew kernels, Kenyan macadamia nuts, Of course – despite the colonial con- ga grapes (muscatel), raisins from Greece Californian aperitif pistachios and Portu- cept – local products are not missing: (currants) and sultanas from Turkey or guese pine nuts. Finally sunflower and sour-aromatic Fellenberger prunes, Swiss extra large ones (flames) from Chile, the pumpkin seeds from Austria, although apple rings with the peel, apple slices latter as a seedless alternative to mala- here the colonial origin should be put with the peel as in grandmother’s times ga grapes. into perspective again ... for “Schnitz und drunter” (an Aargau There are also nuts in all variations: speciality) or “Gute Luise”-pears for cas- Grenoble walnuts, Chilean walnuts, ha- seroles or dried pear bread. Dried fruit zelnuts from Italy, plus the extra large (Translation Current Concerns)