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SI COUNC'I IN BUDAPEST

The SI Council met in Budapest on 2 - 3 December 1994. The main theme of discussions was 'Social democracy in central and eastem Europe: deepening democracy - developing an efficient economy - promoting social iustice'.

Budapest, where Prime Minister bring a message. To you, of the world, I have the impression Gyula Horn and the Hungarian course, and to all the Hungarian that our authority, both political Socialist Party, MSzP, had been people, but also to all the peo- and moral, is growing stronger in government for some six ples of central and eastern and wider... We are a unique months, was a most appropriate Europe'. type of organisation, which, venue for the meeting, as SI Pres- This gathering of parties, he although it has a long history, ident Pierre Mauroy stressed in said, represented a constantly seems to me extremely modern'. his opening remarks. 'We are developing Socialist Interna- In central and eastern Europe, with you', he told Hungarian tional. 'More than sixty organi- Pierre Mauroy said, 'there is now socialists, 'The presence here of a sations from all parts of the a demand for a new social equi- hundred parties, representing world are applying to ioin us! librium reconciling indispens- social democracy in all its diver- And thanks to the actions of our able freedoms with the legiti- sity, bears witness to that. We parties and governments around mate ideal of justice and social progress. I am convinced that we referred to the recent gains for iointly chaired by Jiri Horiik, are at the historic meeting point peace in the Middle East and in Czech Social Democratic Party, of these aspirations and the val- Ireland, to the restoration of the CSSD, and Piero Fassino, Italian ues of social democracy. What democratically elected president Democratic Party of the Left, we all feel today is the powerless- of Haiti, and to the continuing PDS, to forge strong relation- ness of liberal capitalism to war in the former Yugoslavia. ships with left-wing parties in establish a global equilibrium The worst option in that con- the region. He said that those in compatible with these values... flict, he said, would be for the Hungary who had worked for After twenty-five years of crisis, international community to give reform and democracy had been social democrats are calling for a up in the face of failure thus far strongly influenced by western different conception of develop- to find a peaceful settlement. European social democracy and strongly supported by a number Gyulo Horn of SI parties in western Europe. The decisive victory of his party in the elections of May 7994, he said, was the culmina- tion of flve years intensive work and was almost unprecedented in the extent of the defeat inflicted on the previous right- wing government. 'The failure of the conservative right in Hun- gary was no accident. Right-wing conservative forces are failing one by one also in other coun- tries in this region. Only a new Ieft imbued with the spirit of 2 Europe,' the prime minister told delegates, 'will be able to effec- ) tively build up a new social sys- tem that is also sensitive to ment which respects not only He called for maximum sup- social issues. We realise, how- macro-economic balances, but port for the initiatives of the ever, that we have to face also the just aspirations of the United Nations, stressing that a immense challenges. Never in people, of our societies, and the future strong and respected UN the history of mankind has a desire - which has been ours ever must be born now, in the midst market economy been built from since the Brandt Report - for a of the conflict in the former the top down, or state property better balance at world level'. Yugoslavia, and on the fiftieth privatised on such a large scale He went on to speak of the anniversary of the organisation's as in Hungary and central and importance of European cooper- creation. eastern Europe today... The Hun- ation, and eventual integration, Concluding, he said:'central garian Socialist Party is building as well as cooperation with Rus- and eastern Europe is henceforth capitalism in Hungary. This capi- sia and the other countries of the part of a world which is open, talism must reconcile market former Soviet Union, while rich in possibilities. Our task will forces and economic perfor- warning against regional intro- be arduous, we know that. Our mance with social iustice, soli- spection and stressing that there hopes are enormous; we are darity and equality of opportu- should be no question of central proud of that. We will stmggle nity. It is unprecedented... that and eastern Europe 'competing' for the progress of our ideas. This the accumulation of capital and with Africa or Latin America for is the promise of Budapest, and the building of social partner- international attention and we shall keep it!' ship which can be seen in Hun- assistance. Gyula Horn, welcoming the SI gary and the region today should 'We are living through one of Council to Budapest, expressed be done side by side, controlled those exceptional moments appreciation of the work done by government policy. This is a when everything is possible, but by the Socialist International, task that can be accomplished everything is also terribly frag- and its Committee for Central only by a left-wing party. It must ile', the SI president said. He and Eastern Europe, SICEE, be done, if we want to avoid lais- sez-faire capitalism. It is, of Social Democratic Party, BSDP; unemployment, poverty and course, a very painful process, Aloyzas Sakalas, chair of the insecurity. fraught with tension for the Lithuanian Social Democratic Democratic socialist parties whole of society, but we have no Party, LSDP; Petre Roman, leader had consistently presented the other sensible options'. of the Democratic Party, Roma- view, summed up by Milos He called for the whole inter- nia; Pauline Green, chair of the Zeman, that'economic growth national movement of democra- European Parliament Group of should lead toward a higher tic socialism to lend its support the Party of European Socialists; quality of life' and that 'social and experience to this process. Sergiu Cunescu, president of the iustice does not mean an egali- The obiective for Hungary, he Romanian Social Democratic tarian society, but a society of said, was to ioin the European Party, PSDR; Araz Alizadeh, presi- solidarity'. Such arguments had Union, where regional security dent of the Social Democratic met with substantial success, and could be ensured and close coop- Party of Azerbaiian, SDP; Vassily the recent electoral victory of the eration enioyed with neighbour- Lipitsky, chair of the Russian Hungarian Socialist Party was ing social democratic parties. Social Democratic People's Party, not an isolated episode, all con- L6szl6 Kapolyi, leader of the RSDPP, and co-chair of the Russ- curred. In a number of countries, Hungarian Social Democratic ian Social Democratic Union; people had begun to vote against Party, MSzDP, also welcomed and Aleksander Kwasniewski, the numerous iniustices caused delegates to Budapest. He said chair of Social Democracy of the by right-wing policies and an that democratic socialist parties Republic of Poland. untramelled free market and in and governments in other coun- Many speakers described the favour of a fundamental right to tries had always been the best Council meeting as symbolic, social iustice and solidarity. friends of democratic political and paid tribute to Hungary as Social democratic parties were and economic development in the home of the first impetus growing stronger almost every- Hungary. He stressed that his towards democratic transforma- where in the region - a trend party would do its utmost to tion in central and eastern reflected also in Russia, with the support the Hungarian Socialist Europe, and now the site of an recent formation of a Social Party in promoting socialist important victory for democratic Democratic Union, bringing values. socialism. 'It makes one feel together six smaller social demo- In the ensuing debate on the good to come to a country gov- cratic groupings. meeting's main theme, partici- erned by social democrats, in Much emphasis was also pants heard contributions from particular in this part of Europe placed on the crucial role of cen- many party leaders, including where a few years back this new tral and eastern European coun- Rudolf Scharping, chair of the reality would have been tries in the future of the whole Social Democratic Party of Ger- unthinkable', Rudolf Scharping continent; on the desirability of many, SPD; Milos Zeman, chair said. opening the European Union to of the Czech Social Democratic Leaders from the region all countries which wished to Party, CSSD; John Prescott, emphasised the difficulties their ioin; on the importance of eco- deputy leader of the British parties had experienced at first in nomic cooperation and coopera- Labour Party; Massimo D'Alema, attracting support when, as tion in the field of security; on national secretary of the Democ- Aloyzas Sakalas said, 'for almost the need for a Europe-wide ratic Party of the Left, PDS, ItalY; 70 years the ideals of equality, approach to issues of minorities, Anne-Marie Lizin, president of social justice, labour and free- immigration and asylum; in Socialist International Women; dom in this region were utilised sum, on what John Prescott Paavo Lipponen, chair of the as a cover for a brutal totalitarian called 'the long-term transforma- Finnish Social Democratic PartY, system'. They described the tion of our European continent. SDP; Erdal Indnti, SI vice-presi- widespread revulsion against Not a European Union of haves dent, Social Democratic Peoples' public provision and the work- and have-nots, where richer Party, SHP, Turkey; Akis Tsochat- ings of the state, the high expec- nations exploit the advantages of zopoulos, general secretary of tations of the all-powerful mar- market forces, cheap labour and PASOK, Greece; Makoto Tanabe, ket encouraged by politicians one-way flows of trade. lt is our SI vice-president, Social Democ- and ideologues of the Right, and aim to reduce those differ- ratic Party of Japan, SDPJ; the quickly evident reality - entials'. Philippe Busquin, chair of the alongside many real and encour- The Declaration on Central Socialist Party, PS, Belgium; Petar aging gains - of social and eco- and Eastern Europe subsequently Dertliev, leader of the Bulgarian nomic polarisation, increasing adopted by the Council looked i

to the many elections due in the economic progress were inti- elections had been held in sev- next two years and defined the mately linked, and continuing eral countries. He focused in par- SI's central obiective in the support was needed for the rapid ticular on the elections in Mex- region as support for parties of implementation of elections. ico, where a delegation of the social democratic inspiration, to The International's determina- Socialist International had ensure that those parties tion to continue offering every observed the poll, and in the obtained the best possible elec- support to the peace process was Dominican Republic, where an toral results and increased parlia- reflected in the resolution SI delegation had also been pre- mentary representation. (The adopted by the Council (see page sent and had been prominent in declaration is printed in full 43). condemning widespread irregu- below, together with the other larities. He also referred to the resolutions of the Council). Sl Committees important Miami Summit on The Council also received reports economic American integration, The Middle East from the chairs of other SI com- to be held a few days after the SI Also on the Council's agenda mittees, as well as a report from Council, and to the much wel- was a report from the SI Middle Secretary General Luis Ayala on comed restoration to office of East Committee, SIMEC. Hans- all the activities of the Interna- President Aristide in Haiti. Jtirgen Wischnewski, Social tional in recent months (printed Democratic Party of Germany, in tull on page 35). Resolutions, decisions who chairs the committee, Ant6nio Guterres, SI vice-presi- As well as its Declaration on reported on its meeting in Cairo dent, general secretary of the Central and Eastern Europe, the in November. The Council Socialist Party of Portugal and SI Council adopted in Budapest extended heartiest congratula- co-chair of the SI Africa Commit- resolutions on Africa, Azerbaljan, tions to Israel's Labour prime tee, reported on the committee's Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, minister, Yitzhak Rabin, and for- meeting at the end of November Haiti, Human Rights, Iranian eign minister, Shimon Peres, as Abidjan (see report page in on Kurdistan, the Middle East, the well as to PLO Chair Yasser ZO), as well as on the SI mission People's House in Prague, and Arafat, on their receipt of the to observe the elections in the implementation of Quota for Nobel Peace Prize. Shimon Peres Mozambique in October. The women's representation. addressed the Council. He resolutions of the meeting in After deliberations by the SI stressed the much changed Abidjan on the current situation Finance and Administration nature of today's world, with the in a number of African countries, Committee, SIFAC, the Council end of the cold war and with as well as on African integration, agreed to propose to the next SI technology constantly tran- were adopted by the Council and Congress that the Hungarian scending national boundaries. In are printed in full on page 37. Socialist Party (at present an this new international climate, The SI Committee on Human observer party of the Interna- he said, he regarded the Middle Rights, SICOHR, met in Geneva tional) be given the status of full East peace process as utterly irre- early in November, as reported member; that full membership versible. He recalled Issue 311994. the Socialist in Committee be granted to the Party of the International's important role, Chair Peter Social : Jankowitsch, Democratic Left, Slovak Repub- since the 1970s, seeking peace Democratic Party in of Austria, lic, and the United List of Social I in his region, and appealed to reported to the Council on that I Democrats, ZL, Slovenia; and the SI and its member parties in meeting and on the current con- that observer status be granted to government to now give every cerns committee, as of the Social Democracy of the Repub- i support to the PLO reflected the in building in resolution subse- lic of Poland and to Unia Pracy, up the economic infrastructure quently adopted by the Council UP, Poland. of the self-ruled territories. (page 42). Speaking for the PLO, Ilan SI Vice-President Jos6 Francisco Halevi also stressed the urgent Pefla G6mez, leader of the need for delivery of the Dominican Revolutionary P arty promised economic aid, without and chair of the SI Committee which the people of Gaza and for Latin America and the the West Bank would not see an Caribbean, SICLAC, gave a improvement in their daily lives. report on recent political devel- Equally, he added, political and opments in that region, where I

SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT TO THE COU'VC'L IN BUDAPEST

, Czech Social Democratic Party and of Asian parties and organisations were I am very pleased to report to the Coun- Piero Fassino of the Italian Democratic present in Tokyo, where our regional cil at our first meeting in Budapest. I Party of the Left. For our committee, committee also met again on the eve of thank the Hungarian Socialist Party and which met in Budapest on the eve of the the Council meeting. We have made the Hungarian Social Democratic Party Council meeting, this was a retum visit. new contacts with parties in Asia and for their hospitality in this historical and The committee last gathered in Budapest the Pacific and deepened existing rela- strategically important European city. in May, at a crucial moment, during the tionships, both with SI member parties last days of campaigning for second and with others who share our politi- Ourmeetinghere will give a temendous the perspectives. impehrs to the work of the Socialist hter- round of Hungary's general elections. cal national in this region, central Europe. In the recent meetings of this com- In June, I had the opportunity of going It has been a particular pleasure for mittee and in all our ongoing work, the to Pakistan for meetings with the me to visit Hungary several times over International has been much preoc- prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, leader recent months to prepare this meetin& cupied with the continuing tragedy in of our member party, the Pakistan just as Prime Minister Gyula Horn the former Yugosalvia. We are in con- People's Party, and other leading rep- and the Hungarian Socialist Party tact with social democratic parties resentatives of the party, govemment began their work in government. Our working for peaceful and democratic ministers, and parliamentarians. We dis meeting today serves to underline the ends in the former Yugoslavia and cussed the PPP's participation in the SI solidarity of our International with the the International continues to support and the SI Committee for Asia and the prime minister and with his party and all efforts towards peace, despite the great Pacific, as well as the current situation our support in the considerable tasks difficulties encountered by such ini- in Pakistan itself and the region. ahead of them. tiatives. Our committee has established a One more focus of attention for the series of priorities, reaffirming our ,, SI Committee for Central and Eastem commitment to help strengthen demo The concerns of central and eastem Europe is the elections curently taking cratic development where it is already Europe have always been among the place, and our support and solidarity for under way, our solidarity with those still parties part. for concerns of the Socialist Intemational, the social democratic taking stnlggling basic democratic fteedoms, especially since the great events of Another recent initiative was the visit and our support for social democratic SI led vice-pres parties, particular 1989 and 1990 which so changed the of an delegation by our and in for newly ident, Philippe Busquin; developing political forces. f,ace of this region. leader ofthe AII in the Socialist International Belgian Socialist Party, PS, to Bucharest The next meeting of the SI Committee reioiced with the people of central for talks with the leadership of a num- for Asia and the Pacific will be held in and eastem Europe in the peaceful rev- ber of Romanian political parties. Their Manila on 11 and 12 February 1995, olutions of flve yean ago and firmly sup meetings and discussions will help to hosted by the Philippines Democratic ported the quest for freedom, democ- inform the Intemational's continuing Socialist Party, PDSP. As well as show- racy and an efEcient economy. Equally, contacts and dialogue with those polit- ing support for those working for we are aware of the contradictions ical forces in Romania which share our democratic development and social policies brought by an unregulated transition to principles and values. democratic in the Philippines, important to a market economy. We have seen Contacts and activities in central and it will be an opportunity iniustice and social and economic eastern Europe will certainly continue further develop the International's profile, Asia hardship, and we very much welcome to be a very important area of the Inter- contacts and activities in recent election results which indicate national's work. Our committee will and the Pacific. year Prague. that a growing number of citizens are meet next in attracted by the ideas of democratic ,v Socialist socialism. ,il Since we met in Tokyo, the leamed of the The International's presence in this Just as the present meeting is a signif- Intemational with sadnes death of one of ourJapanese lead- part of Europe and our contacts and part- icant one for our work in central and inJuly nerships with parties of democratic eastern Europe, so the last meeting of ers, SI Honorary President Eiichi Naga- socialist inspiration in almost every our Council in Tokyo in May was sig- sue. A former leader of the Democratic country of the region have developed nifrcant for the krtemational in Asia and Socialist Party and former SI vice-pres- rapidly. Many of these parties meet reg- the Paci6c. Following the very successful ident, he was an active and long- of participant Interna- ularly in our SI Committee for Central inaugural meeting the SI Committee standing in the work. He missed. and Eastern Europe, SICEE, under the for Asia and the Pacific in Kathmandu tional's will be much a year ago, an unprecedented number Many of us were still in Tokyo when ioint chairmanship of Jiri Hor6k of the we heard the news of the sudden forces in Rwanda in restoring law and Intemational denounced the inadequate death on 72 May of John Smith, our order, public infrastructure and the econ- conduct of the elections and in July, vice-president, leader of the British omy and the safe resettlement of prior to President Balaguels inauguration Labour Party and chair of the SI Com- refugees. in August, issued a statement stressing mittee on Economic Policy, Develop- We held a meeting of the SI Africa that new elections should be held as ment and Environment. Since assum- Committee a few days ago in Abidian, soon as possible. An agreement was sub- ing the leadership of his party just two Ivory Coast, at the invitation of our sequently reached between the politi- years before, he had taken a leading role member party, the Ivory Coast Popular cal parties in the Dominican Republic in the work of our International. His Front, which is the main opposition that the current presidential term will death was a great shock and a great sor- party in that country. The co-chairs of be shortened to two yean, with new elec- row. Though he was active in the the committee will make a full report tions to take place in 1996 after a thor- Socialist Intemational for a short time, to the Council in Budapest on this t!vo- ough process of electoral reform. The his contribution was decisive and will day meeting, which was well-attended International will continue to give endure. by representatives of SI member parties the fullest support to our member and many invited guests from all parts party and its leader and to call for the v of Africa. The committee continued its rapid implementation of reforms. Turning to our work in Africa, I am focus on the democratisation process An SI delegation was also in Mexico pleased to report a constant expansion and the role of social democracy in for the presidential and parliamen- of our activities and our positive and use- Africa, considering in particular the polit- tary elections held there in August. We ful relationships with many like-minded ical situations in Equatorial Guinea, in attended many polling stations in a wide political forces. Gabon, in Ivory Coast, in Mauritania, variety of places and observed a calm I headed an SI delegation to Mozam- in Togo, and in Zaire. It examined recent and orderly voting process, with a bique at the end of October to observe economic developments in Africa and high level of participation, marred the important and long-awaited elections their social and political implications, here and there by the reported inade- for president and parliament, which and a statement was adopted on the quacy of voting provisions for electors marked the oilmination of the UN-spon- question of African integntion. Also on who were away from their homes. At the sored peace process. We obsewed a poll the agenda were the crucial questions conclusion of the voting our delegation in which voter turnout was high and of conflict resolution and humanitar- underlined that the SI should continue procedures meticulous. We met the ian action. In the present context ofboth to strengthen its relations with Mexi- incumbent president and leader of crises and hopes in Africa, the Socialist can political forces committed to the Frelimo, Joaquim Chissano, as well as International is a signiflcant platform welfare, progress and democratic devel- other party and government leaders. for the many parties which share our opment of the Mexican people - aims President Chissano was decisively social democratic values and priorities. which are shared by our International. returned to office, while the Frelimo The Intemational strongly supported party will be the largest in parliament. vt President Aristide of Haiti during his We wish them well and will do all we Socialist Intemational delegations have enforced three-year exile after the coup can to support them, as the people of also been in Latin America to observe d'6tat of 7997, and has warmly wel- Mozambique look to their new demo- elections. In May I led an SI mission to comed his restoration to office, stress- cratically elected government for eco- the Dominican Republic for the presi- ing that Haiti requires continued assis- nomic and social reconstruction after dential, parliamentary and municipal tance ftom the intemational community more than 30 years of colonial and cMl elections. SI Vice-l'resident Jose Francisco to help it recover from the disastrous sit- waf . Pefla G6mez, the leader of the Domini- uation of the last three years. In lt 7992, an SI delegation was in can Revolutionary Party, PRD, was a response to an invitation ofrom Presi- Angola to observe the elections there. presidential candidate. Having visited dent fuistide, we will be holding the next These were ftee and fair, but sadly there polling stations in many parts of the meeting of the SI Committee for Latin was not to be a peaceflrl democmtic tlan- country, the SI delegation reported America and the Caribbean, SICLAC, in sition. Our concem for Angola and sup- serious irregularities affecting the car- Port-au-Pflnce on 18 and 19January. It port for democratic forces there has con- rying out of truly free, fair and informed will be a practical demonstration of sol- tinued. We warmly welcome the recent elections. Thousands, we noted, had idarity with the president and his peace agreements and look forward to been unable to vote because their newly appointed govemment, which a better future for our friends in the names did not appear on the electoral includes ministers of PANPRA and MPLA and for all the Angolan people. register. Similiar reports were made by KONAKOM, the two SI parties in Haiti. Another focus ofour deqr concem has other international observers. The The chair of SICLAC, Jos6 Francisco been the terible events this year in country's electoral authodties subse- Pefla G6mez, will make a full report to Rwanda. The Socialist International quently declared the incumbent pres- the Council on developments in the has called on the international com- ident, Joaquin Balaguer, re-elected, region conceming our member parties. munity to give every possible political and reiterated the claim after a recount SICLAC continues to be an active and and economic support to democratic of some of the votes cast. The Socialist influential force for solidarity and the exchange of views and expedences Jericho and Jordan. A priority in the tx among democratic socialist parties in the coming months will be the encour- The SI Committee on Human Rights, reglon. agement of dialogue between the gov- SICOHR, met early in November in ernments of Syria and Israel. Geneva, where it continued its con- vil We are also concerned about devel- sideration of the follow-up to Iast Support for the peace process in the Mid- opments in the Maghreb, where the con- year's World Conference on Human dle East is an ongoiong priority for the tinuing conflict in Algeria is a cause of Rights and welcomed as a special guest Intemational. We are proud of the role grave disquiet. Support for our party in the United Nations High Commis- played by our members in the imPor- Algeria, the Socialist Forces Front, FFS, sioner for Human Rights, Jos6 Ayala tant developments of the last two in its quest for dialogue between aII par- lasso. The chair of the committee, Peter years. Our warmest congratulations ties and the holding of truly democra- Jankowitsch of the Austrian Social go to our vice-president, Yitzhak Rabin, tic elections, is a priodty for the Inter- Democratic Party, SPOe, wiII be report- and our former vice-president, Shi- national as a whole. ingto the Council on that meeting. The mon Peret as weII as to Pl.O Chair Yasser Shortly after our Council last met in High Commissioner, whose post was Arafat, on their receipt of this year's Tokyo, the working group established established as a direct result of the World Nobel Prize for Peace. by SIMEC on the Kurdish question met Conference and the wishes expressed by, The Intemational organised a meet- forthe fint time and began a programme among othen, the Socialist Intemational, ing of our Middle East Committee, of discussions and visits. The working described to the SI committee his work SIMEC, in Cairo on 5 and 6 November, group elected Conny Fredriksson of the and priorities, with particular empha- at the invitation of the governing Swedish Social Democratic Party, SAP, sis on the situations in Rwanda and National Democratic Party, NDP. The as its chair. It has since held a further Burundi. He expressed appreciation chair of the committee, Hans-Jurgen meeting. At the end of June ConnY of the priority given by our lntemational Wischnewski of the Social Democratic Fredriksson and Karim Pakzad of the to human rights questons and his hope Party of Germany, SPD, will make a full French Socialist Party, PS, travelled to for the fullest dialogue and cooperation report to the Council on that meetinS. northern Iraq on behalf of the Inter- - a sentiment strongly endorsed by the The committee continues to bring national to hold talks with the leaders committee. together SI member parties fuom the of the PUK and the KDP after differences Another priority in the field of Middle East and beyond with invited arose between these two Kurdish par- human rights is a democratic socialist representatives of other countries in the ties with whom the SI has long-stand- strategy against racism, intolerance region and of the PLO. tn the days before ing contacts. Our mission proved a use- and xenophobia, as reflected in the draft our Cairo meeting, the International ful contribution to the easing of that resolution being presented to the warmly welcomed the signature of situation. Council. The exchange of views and the peace treaty bettveen Israel and Jor- experiences on this very urgent issue, dan. The committee focused on the sit- begun at the recent Geneva meeting, will uation in the autonomous Palestinian vil, be continued by the committee in areas, following the return of PLO Members of the Council will recall that the coming months. Chair Yasser Arafat to head the new questions of regional and global secu- Following our activities together Palestinian National Authority, stress- rity were high on our agenda earlier this with the other political Internationals ing the importance of early elections and year in Tokyo. Since then our attention in the context of the World Conference practical assistance to the electoral has remained on situations of conflict on Human Rights, there are also plans process. or potential conflict, as already stressed for further ioint initiatives on human A basic perspective of our Interna- with regard to our ongoingcommitment rights such as the holding of a meeting tional is that peace and security are in the Middle East and in the former in Canada next year. dependent on political and economic Yugoslavia. development. SI President Pierre Mau- The policies for peace and security of x roy reflected this when he said in a state- the Japanese government, now headed The presence of the UN High Com- ment in JuIy, 'It is not acceptable that by Tomiichi Murayama, the leader of missioner for Human Rights at our meet- difficulties of an economic order com- the Social Democratic Party, are of ing in Geneva and our fruitful discus- promise the enormous progress actrieved great significance. sions with him are in line with the thanks to the determination of the PLO In Europe, we have warmly wel- continuing positive development of the leaders and the Labour government of comed the ceasefires recently declared International's working relationship Israel'. In this context, intemational eco- by both sides in the long-standing with the United Nations. As we nomic assistance to the peace process Irish conflict and are proud of the roles approach the Sfth anniversary of the was the other main item discussed in played in that peace process by the lead- foundation of the United Nations, it is Cairo. ers of our member parties in the Repub- timely to reiterate our commitment to In February or March of 1995, the SI Iic of Ireland and in Northern Ire- its work and aims, and no doubt the committee hopes to meet in Israel for land. Socialist Intemational will be prominent the frrst time, travelling on to visit Gaza, in commemorating that anniversary. Following the attendance at our last the Colombian Liberal Party, was inau- xilt Council meeting of the chair of the gurated as president, following his I want also to mention that preparations Preparatory Committee for next year's victory at the polls in June. continue for the Socialist Intemational UN Social Summit, plans continue to SDPJ Leader Tomiichi Murayama Conference of Mayors, to take place in ensure that our International will have has sinceJune been at head of gov- the Bologna, Italy, on 28 and 29 Jantary a Elections major input in that event. erffnent inJapan. held inJune 1995 under the title'The Urban Face of In June, I had a meeting with repre- in Luxembourg returned to power the Socialism'. The conference will be sentatives of the United Nations Pop- coalition which includes the Socialist chaired by our president, Pierre Mauroy, ulation Fund, UNFPA, again along Workers'Party, POSL. mayor of the city of Lille, and hosted with the secretaries general of the In September the Swedish Social by the Italian Democratic Party of the other Internationals. We discussed the Democratic Party, SAP, Ied by Ingvar Left, PDS. It wiII bring together social- holding in 1995 of a third Round Carlssorr, rcturned to power after an elec- ist mayors from SI member parties Table Population Develop- Denmark on and tion victory. In the Social and others invited as guests, from dif- ment. Our good collaboration with the Democratic Party, Ied by Prime Minis- ferent continents and regions, to position UNFPA ensured that the paper ter Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, continues exchange their experiences of practical of the party Socialist International, as well as as the largest in the coalition gov- socialism in an urban context. The con- a ,oint statement of the four political emment following September's elections. ference will adopt a 'Declaration of Internationals, were official documents After the elections in Austria in Octo- Bologna', drawing on the contributions of September's UN International Con- ber, Chancellor Franz Vranitzky, Ieader of prominent socialist municipal lead- ference on Population and Develop- of the Social Democratic Party of Aus- ers around the world. ment. tria, SPOe, continues at the head of a When I was recently in Africa I took In the light of these developments and coalition government. And the Barba- the opportunity to briefly visit South of the Socialist International's central dos labour Party won a decisive victory Africa for meetings with our friends in commitment to support for the UN, we in elections in September and formed the ANC. In our discussions, they indi- year have applied this for the re-clas- a new gove[rment under Prime Minister cated their interest in hosting the next sification of our organisation's con- Owen Arthur. meeting of the sI council in South sultative status with ECOSOC (the UN In Germany the Social Democratic Africa. Economic and Social Council) so that Party has increased its representation we may have the opportunity of taking nationally, though still in opposition, x,v an even more active role in UN activ- and reinforced its position as the The SI is now truly global in its activ- ities. I have submitted a dossier on the strongest party in the second chamber ities. There is no region of the world activities of Intemational the in support of parliament. The British tabour Party where it is not active and I am happy of the United Nations'aims, which wiII for its part scored very well in local and to say that the pace of our work is con- be considered by the responsible UN European elections in May and June, stantly quickening. This cannot how- meets consolidating its position committee which in March as the strongest ever be sustained if the International is 1995. pafty at municipal and district level, not assured of the financial resources while in Greece municipal and provin- necessary to carry out its growing cial elections in October xt confirmed the functions. There are a number of mem- Following year's Panhellenic this elections, the Socialist Movement, PASOK ber parties which have not fulfilled their Party of European Socialists largest maintains as the party. flnancial commitments. I must appeal its position as the largest group in the once again for the prompt payment of European Parliament. We congratulate xil membership fees, while reminding Pauline Green, of the British I had the pleasure Labour during recent months member parties of the relevant articles Party, her election as first on the of attending on behalf of the Interna- of the International's statutes. woman leader of the PES group, and tional the congresses of several mem- Klaus Hiinsch of the Social Democratic ber parties. Another important event at xv Party of Germany on his new role as which I represented the International Even as our Intemational celebrates the president of the European Parliament. was intemational the summer camp for gains for peace and democracy repre- The International was happy with young people organised by the Inter- sented by such positive events as the recent electoral successes for SI mem- Falcon national Movement/Socialist recent elections in Mozambique, we are ber parties. The victory ofthe Hungarian Educational International this sum- constantly aware that the absence of war Socialist Party last May is in the forefront mer in Germany. And in September we and the presence of ballot boxes are not of our minds as we meet in Budapest. held a working group meeting in Lon- enough. Sustained and peaceful demo- In the Netherlands, labour Party representatives leader don with of the Social- cratic development goes hand in hand Wim Kok took office as prime minister ist Intemational and the labour Sports with economic and social progress. The in August at the head of a new coalition International, CSIT, another associ- cause ofpeace, democracy and lust social government including the PvdA. In the ated organisation of the SI. We plan to and economic development is at the same month, Ernesto Samper, leader of meet again and develop ioint activities. heart of all our International's work. AFRICA Obiang's regime to respect the com- 3. reminds the parties in opposition that, mitments made during the conclu- in order to ensure that the Paris Accords sion of the National Pact with the demo- are adhered to, it is their duty to Angolo cratic forces and at the Conference of remain united within the HCR, within The peace agreements signed in Lusaka Sponsors (in three years no viable cen- the govemment and within the National on 20 November bring new hopes: peace sus has been able to be established); Assembly, in Angola is an absolute necessity in a - Condemns President Obiang's regime 4. immediately calls on the Gabonese country tom by a bloody civil war. The for its politital obstinacy and its sys- people and the Gabonese institutions last phase of this civil war, provoked by tematic violations of citizens' funda- to obtain from the present govemment the refusal of UNITA to accept the elec- mental rights and freedoms; the strict implementation of the Paris tion results of September 1992 which - Offers its encouragement and support Accords, in order to prevent the return were declared free and fair by the to the democratic political forces of the to another deadlock in the political, eco- United Nations, has turned out to be Platform of the United Opposition nomic and social situation in Gabon, more murderous than before. (POC), in partiodar the Convergence for S.encourages the parties to the Paris The Socialist Intemational is optimistic Social Democrary (CPDS), whose exis- Accords to resolve the difficulties of that these hopes for peace will not be tence is threatened; implementing the Paris Accords, by dashed and it calls upon all political - Commits the worldwide socialist means of intemal negotiations and inter- forces in Angola to support the peace political forces and the intemational national mediation implied within process and to truly respect the cease- community to follow with exteme vi8- the Paris Accords and laid down by the fire. ilance the situation created by the Paris Accords. Angola is now the only country of arbitrary and dictatorial regime of southern Africa which has not suc- General Obiang Nguema, and to exert lvory Coost all necessary pressure for start of a cessfully accomplished a process of the - Considering that free and transpar- genuine democratisation process democratic development and political iointly ent elections are the requirement for the all the parties concerned accor- stabilisation. Angola is a country with with in expression of the people's sovereignty dance with the agreements already enormous economic potential and and the Suarantee of social peace in a cannot resign itself to a situation of made but not respected. democratic regime, under-development caused mainly by - noting that the political parties in the the war. Too many human lives have Gobon Ivory Coast have long been demanding already been lost. Angola desewes a bet- - Considering the role played by the the setting-up of minimal conditions for ter future. PGP (Gabonese Progress Party) and universal and democratic suffrage, The Socialist Intemational calls upon the regrouped parties within the HCR envisaging an agreed electoral code and the intemational community, especially (High Council of the Resistance) to cre- an independent electoral college, the United Nations and the states of the ate an independent electoral commis- - noting that the draft law on the elec- region, to make an effective commit- sion, to promote the rule of law, and to toral code put before parliament by the ment in the next stages of the peace form a government of consensus in Ivory Coast government is far from process. l,ack of vigilance by the inter- order to implement the Paris Accords; meeting these minimal requirements, national community after the agree- - Considering that the Paris Accords The Socialist International: ments of Bicesse permitted the election have been signed by the executive - expresses its grave concem about the results not to be respected and civil war and by the maiority, the member par- profound disagreement characterising to break out again. ties of the HCR and by the mediator and the curent political climate in the Ivory The Socialist Intemational calls upon international observers; Coast; the intemational community for effec- - Considering that the first act of - calls therefore on the govemment to tive assistance in the reconstruction of implementation of these accords is take immediate steps in order to seek, the economic infrastructure of the the establishment of a government of with aU the political parties and group- country which will allow the success- consensus called govemment for democ- ings, a platform for transparent, hon- ful participation of all Angolans in the racyi est and democratic elections which are civil life of the country, and the - Considering that the establishment the requirement of a legal state. national reconciliation of Angola. of this government failed to meet the expectatiors of the Gabonese people and Mouritonio Equotorlol Guineo democrats tlroughout the world, by vio- Having learned about the situation in The Socialist International, lating both the spirit and the letter of Mauritani4 in paficular with regard to - Gravely concerned by the blocking the accords; the democratic process and respect of the democratisation process in Equa- - Considering that this government is for human rights; torial Guinea which has Ied to a serious the primary instrument of implemen- The Socialist International: and rapid deterioration of the political tation of the Paris Accords; 1. calls the attention of the intemational climate and of living conditions; The Socialist International: community to the repeated intrigues - Noting in partioilar the persistent and f . is concemed about this fiIst violation with regard to the black population in still unpunished violation of human of both the spirit and the letter of the Mauritania, rights (arbitrary arrests and torture of Paris Accords, 2. condemns the inhuman and anti- party leaders of the democratic oppo- 2. urges the new government for democ- democratic practices and the grave sition); racy as of now to respect scrupulously attacks on human rights seen in this - Noting the lack of will of President the Paris Accords, country, 3. calls for the establishment of an dreds of thousands of victims; respect and support and taken South independent commission of enquiry to - considering the establishment in Africa on a path to true national rec- shed light on the frequent absence of July 7994 in Rwanda of a pluralist gov- onciliation. human rights, ernment with Faustin Twagiramungu, The SI reiterates its firm support for 4. calls for the organised return of the prime minister already appointed President Mandela and for the new gov- deported Mauritanians and the restora- in August 1993 under the Arusha ernment in their efforts to lift the tion of their civil documents, and accords; nation out of centuries of racism and their belongings and land, - considering that the former Rwandan division, and to improve the living con- 5. calls for the reconstruction of villages Armed Forces, with the benefit of ditions for their people. which have fallen victim to these international complicity, and militia We call on all SI member parties, and intrigues, from the former regime, have not on the whole intemational communlty, 6. calls for the immediate restoration of given up taking their revenge, and exert to increase the financial, technical a genuine and secure democracy guar- constant pressure in the refugee camps, and human assistance for the social and anteeing the expression of individual seriously hindering the process of economic development of South Africa, and collective fteedoms, in a framework national reconciliation; and in the preparations for the next of social iustice and for the benefit of - considering that the present Rwan- important step in the democratic all Mauritanians, dan authorities, extremely destitute process, the local elections due to be held 7. alerts member parties of the SI to the and isolated, cannot implement a pol- in 1995. current political situation in this coun- icy of national reconstruction, We call on the new government and try, and calls on them to act in favour The Socialist International: on the entire administration to coop- of the establishment of a democratic and - reiterates its wish to see the estab- erate in establishing democratic insti- egalitarian society. lishment of the Rule of law in Rwanda. tutions at all levels, and in bringing order While condemning the increase in to the armed forces. acts of retaliation and revenge for The SI strongly condemns the con- Mozombique which the current government is tinuous political violence, which threat- The Socialist Intemational welcomes the responsible, the Socialist Intemational ens stability and causes great suffering holding of free and fair elections in does not intend to put them on the among the population, and calls on all Mozambique, the final step in the same scale as the acts of genocide and political parties in South Africa to ioin peace agreements. the massacres of democrats perpe- forces in bringing it to an end. The Socialist Intemational sends its trated by the partisans of the former We specifically call on the Inkhata congratulations to President-elect Habyarimana regime, who must be tried Freedom Panry and on the extreme right- Joaquim Chissano and to the Frelimo and sentenced; but rather appeals to the wing movements to put their separatist party, which obtained a maiority of seats states of the international commu- interests aside and to contribute con- in the new Parliament. nity and their flnancial backers to end structively to peace and national unity, Now begins a new phase of consol- Rwanda's isolation. This state of iso- and in building the new, democratic idation of the process of national rec- lation considerably reduces the chances South Africa. onciliation. The Socialist Intemational of the Kigali government re-establish- calls upon the intemational community ing the rule of law and initiating the to support this reconciliation process, reconstruction of the country. In fogo Considering that the legislative elec- helping with the reconstruction of addition it encourages the desire for - tions of February 1994 brought no more the country's economic infrastructure, revenge on the part of the rulers of the solution to the cdsis in Togo than did destroyed by more than a decade of civil previous regime, while increasing the the farcical presidential election of war. The process of mine-sweeping is the risk of authority drifting within the pre- August 1993; most urgent necessity for peace, and the sent Rwandan government. considering that those who hold training of managers for the running of The Socialist International will do - power todayin Togo do not do so legit- the new country which has held everything possible to support the iust imately through the will of the people these elections. The hopes of a better action of the Rwandan democrats, in clearly expresed through the ballot box; future for the people of Mozambique particular the Social Democratic Party, concerned state human cannot be dashed. in rising to the challenges of national - by the of The holding of elections in Mozam- reconciliation and the reconstruction rights in Togo characterised among other things by recent assassinations and polit- bique is part of the process of democ- of Rwanda within the framework of the ratisation and political stabilisation government. ical kidnapping; which is spreading throughout south- The Socialist International: ern Africa. - condemns the use of indiscriminate South Ahico violence in Togo as a means of The Socialist Intemational expresses conquest The Socialist Intemational expresses its and the exercise of power; its best wishes for the future of the whole profound satisfaction with the ongoing urges the international region, for a future of peace, of respect - community process of consolidating democracy and more particularly the socialist par- for human rights and social and iustice in South Africa. With the democratic ties throughout the world to mobilise it calls on member parties to establish transition, South Africa has changed programmes themselves to exert effective pressure training for managers in from being a destabilising factor in the Mozambique, with a view to future upon the de facto authorities of Togo, region to becoming a stabilising one/ to violations municipal elections. in order to end aII of human the benefit of all southern Africa. rights in that country; The SI congratulates ltesident Nelson - considers that only a political or global Mandela on his great success as the first agreement between the differcnt parties Rwondo democratically elected president in is likely to lead to a lasting solution to - Considering the genocide perpe- the history of his country. His out- the crisis in Togo. trated by the rulers of the former standing personality and stateman- Rwandan regime, which claimed hun- ship have gained constantly growing Willy Brondt Fund lenges of today, only real integration can sequence of the coherence of our Considering the difficult advances of give African states Sreater opportunites analysis. democratic forces in the African con- in trade and development; Any prospect of stability is uncertain tinent these last five years, and recommends: if we do not put a stop to the tragedy The Socialist Intemational decides to 1. that parliamentarians from SI mem- that has stained this area with blood for recommend the Geation of a solidarity ber parties in Africa establish a goup for over tluee years and has inflicted all sorts fund called the Willy Brandt Fund. cooperation, in the perspective of a of violence and abuse on milliors of peo This fund will be for the concrete sup- future African Parliament; ple. port of policies adopted by the SI in 2. that the SI Africa Committee devotes Even if negotiations have so far favour of democratic processes in a session at one of its meetings in 1995 proven incapable of reaching a peace Africa. to this important subiect. agreement, we cannot and should not give up. Even in the tragedy there is a gleam of hope for negotiations and we Zolre need to make every effort to ensure that The Socialist Intemational is very con- AZERBATTAN negotiation prevails over arms and to cerned at the deterioration of the secure stable and lasting peace. socio-economic situation in Zaue where The Socialist International notes with Some minimum condiflons are essen- is plunging pop- chaos spreading, the concem the report of the SIW Executive tial to achieve our aim. The peace ulation into poverty, inseority and des delegation to Azerbailan on the dev- agreement must be based on the main- olation. This is even more unacceptable astating effect of the war on the econ- tenance of the territorial integrity of as Zai,re is a potentially very rich country omy and people of Azerbaiian. We are Bosnia and Croatia within their inter- in natural and human resources. particularly concerned that more than nationally recognised boundaries. It condemns the dictatorial regime of half a million people have been dis- Whatever the institutional and territorial who, ltesident Mobutu by delaying tac- placed and are living in very difficult subdivision of Bosnia may be, we tics, is blocking the democratisation conditions and tlntthe health and nour- should guarantee a multi-ethnic com- process begun by the Sovereign National ishment and education of very large position in every teritory, thus ensur- Conference, and organising a more and numbers of children have been severely ing the fundamental rights of men and more systematic and violent repression affected. The SI strongly condemns the women and equal rights for each eth- against the democratic opposition, the occupation of the territory of the nic and religious community. General free press and the defenders of human Republic of Azerbaiian and the elections - with international guaran- rights. attempted forced annexation of tees - should take place as soon as pos- The Socialist International asks the Nagorno-Karabakh. sible in all territories for the composi- maintain international community to The SI calls on its member parties to tion of truly representative parliaments. a firm attitude vis-e-vis this regime and offer material help for the support of War crimes - and, in the first place, the gov- deeply regrets that some western refugees and displaced persons in Azer- mass mpe of thousands of women - can- ernments are attempting to break the baiian. not be dismissed, and the Interna- international isolation in which Pres- The SI congratulates the women tional Court set up by the United was ident Mobutu maintained. and youth of the Social Democratic ParV Nations should therefore start its activ- It renews its solidarity and its support of Azerbaijan on their efforts to make ities. for the forces in Zaite who are strugSling contact with Armenian women and The basis for the necessary agreement for the establishment of a true democ- youth in order to build trust and con- has been offered in the Plan presented racy particularly UDPS, a and for the fidence across enemy lines. The SI in July to all parties by the Contact partywhich has applied for membenhip welcomes the fact that the ceasefire has Group which includes the European of the SI. held for months, and calls on democ- Union, the USA and Russia. Although The Socialist Intemational condemns ratic forces in both countries to work the plan was not fully satisfactory to played the harmful role by President towards a permanent peace. everyone's claims and it cannot yet be are Mobutu in the conflicts which The SI reiterates its firm conviction regarded as a final settlement for the teadng apart certain countries of the sub- that boundaries shall not be changed whole conflict in Bosnia, it could pro- region. by force, calls on the UN General vide a reasonable ftamework to convert fusembly and Security Council to work the current situation and tendency Ahlcon lntegrotion for the full enforcement of UN resolu- from conftontation into co-existence - Considering that Africa suffers at pre- tions pertaining to the conflict betvveen and from war into dialogue. One sent from its division into numerous, Armenia and Azerbaijan and calls on all should not hide the fact that, while oth- some very small, states, an inheri- states in the region to provide protec- en accepted the plan, induding Belgrade, tance of its colonial past; tion of the human rights of all minori- the Serbian Bosnian self-proclaimed lead- - Considering that development is ties. ership reiected it, thus openly chal- severely hampered by the narrowness The SI further calls on the Govern- lenging the intemational community. of internal markets in Africa; ment of Azerbaiian to fulfil its promise That is why they are to be charged with - Considering furthermore the major that the elections scheduled for 1995 will the responsibility for the ongoing effect of economic factors on rela- take place. tragedy in Bosnia, including the most tions between states; recent events in Bihac. - Considering finally that individual The Bosnian Serbs are therefore to be small countries carry insufEcient weight pressed to accept proposals for a set- with their usual partnen in negotiation BOSNIA.HERZEGOVINA tlement, and that pressure is to be (the large tradingblocs and intemational exerted with all possible means. Prob- organisations); The SI is totally opposed to the logic of ably the moment has come to involve The Socialist International: war which prevails today. But our Belgrade as a partner in such a pressure, capacity act can a direct con- takes the view that, faced with the chal- to only be as a significant factor to bring the Bosnian Serbs to reason. 2. After the fall of the Berlin wall, we had necessary means. This cannot mean forgetting Bel- all hoped that the collapse of commu- 4. In aII central and eastern European grade's overwhelming responsibility nist regimes would rapidly open a countries a complex ftansition to a mar- for the whole war nor their unaccept- space of broad consensus for social ket economy is under way. able occupation of Croatian teilitories. democracy. But alongside this hope there Decades of shortages, poor and But there is nothing to lose and much is also a tough reality. As a matter of fact scanty consumption and the fall of com- to Sain by testing and giving a new decades of communism - which tragi- munism had aroused great expectations chance to the leaders in Belgrade to play cally misused the word'socialism'- ini- for an open market, spreading the a positive role in the Bosnian issue. In tially brought about deep hostility illusion that it would be possible to have any case, aII efforts must be made in and mistrust of anything connected with access to high consumption in a short order to induce the international com- the left in the public opinion of those period of time. munity to be united and firm. The pres- countries. This illusion was amply spread by the ence of UNPROFOR forces should be It is obvious that economic, social, media and the new ruling class with continued. Withdrawal of UNPRO- demographic and ideological crisis great promises to the citizens of rapid FOR would only hinder humanitarian made the totalitarian communist par- and easy well-being. efforts and would lead to more war and ties Iook for changes and solutions. In This illusion soon revealed itself as more victims. 1985. Gorbachev declared the start of such. The transition from a market econ- At the same time, to prevent the ten- 'perestroika' as there was no other omy has taken place causing great sion still prevailing in that region alternative for the collapsing regime. injustice and acute social imbalances, from breaking out into open conflicts, Democratic elections took place in all with the rapid accumulation of great an initiative on Kosovo cannot be the countries and politicians from the wealth in the hands of a few and the per- delayed. We should also support usefuI national and dissident movements sistence of uncertain and precarious initiatives to allow the Former Yugoslav came to power. However, new political living conditions for a large group of Republic of Macedonia to live in peace forces often chose 'shock therapy' and citizens. and to cooperate with its neighbours. a laissez-faire market, not a social mar- This does not mean that everything ket and step-by-step reforms. Of course, has been negative during the transition the whole burden of these fell on the phase. On the contrary, there are working people and caused differenti- many positive signs: in 1993 many BULGARIA ation and inequality. Even minimal countries reSistered a net increase in social security was destroyed. GNP and a growth in national pro- The Socialist Intemational suppofts Today, however, there is a basic duction and wealth. In almost all the the Democratic Alternative for the change in public opinion. First the elec- central and eastern European countries Republic (DAR) coalition formed by the tions in Lithuania and the later success inflation is rapidly decreasing. There are Bulgarian Social Democratic Party and of left-wing parties in Poland, Hungary signs of constant growth in investment. other parties of social democratic inspi- and other countries show that a 'second This has, however, highlighted even ration which share all social democra- phase' in the democratic transition of further the imbalances between those tic values. central and eastem Europe is taking place who enioy this wealth and those who The SI supports thet efforts to imple- and that a growing number of citizens pay for its social costs. ment a new social democratic climate are again looking toward the values and The underestimation of the enormous in Bulgarian political and economic life. ideas of democratic socialism with social problems and the total lack of any The SI wishes DAR success in the hope and trust. adequate employment and iob-creating forthcoming elections on 18 December. 3. Our thoughts must go, first of all, to policies by the conservative govemmenb the women and men of the former further aggravated the situation of the Yugoslavia. people. Even if negotiations have so far This contradiction has led to the cri- DECLARATION ON proven incapable of reaching a peace sis of conservative governments. CENTRAL AND EASTERN agreement, we cannot and should not 5. The Lithuanian, Polish and Hungarian give up. Even in the tragedy there is a votes are not therefore 'nostalgic' votes. EUROPE gleam of hope for negotiations and we In central and eastern Europe no one need to make every effort to ensure that wants to return to'communism'. The 1. This is the first time the Council of negotiation prevails over arms and to result of these elections is a vote the Socialist Intemational has met in a secure stable and lasting peace. against too many iniustices of unreg- central or eastem European country, five The passivity of the intemational com- ulated laissez-faire, it is a vote where the years after the fall of the Berlin wall, and munity faced with the conquest by the citizens asked for development which while in all cental and eastem European Serbian forces of the Bihac pocket and takes into account the fundamental countries the difficult transition from their entry into the security zone, as laid rights of equality and solidarity. a command economy to a market down by the UN, is not acceptable. If Balanced development cannot be economy and from regimes of party- we allowthis action it will be a new step achieved if efficiency and competi- states to democracy is under way. towards the dismemberment of Bosnia- tiveness oppose solidarity and funda- We wanted Budapest to be the site of Herzegovina, a new victory for the forces mental social rights. the meeting since it is the syrnbol of the of ethnic cleansing, an extraordinarily The 'market' in itself cannot resolve Hungarian people's heroic fight for free- dangerous precedent for the mainte- problems and conflicts. On the contrary, dom. It is thus with emotion that nance of stability and peace in the rest a social market economy needs to be today the socialist and social democratic of Europe. developed, where the state plays a leaders from all over the world meet in The peace plan agreed in JuIy must role which - without any retum to those a democratic Hungary led by a gov- be reaffirmed and the withdrawal from forms of statalisation completely rejected emment in which socialists are the main the territories included in the plan must by the public opinion in these countries force. be imposed on the Serbian forces by all - can combine modemity and solidar- ity, efficiency and equity. expects that the forthcoming European tion of the nrle of law and of democratic To achieve such oblectives interna- Council - called for 19 December - will reforms in the Russian Federation as well tional aid needs to act as a catalyst not decide to launch the negotiation for the as an element of stability for Europe at only on the resources of the state, but association of Slovenia. large. also on a high flow of private invest- But the eastem countries are not only At the same time, we need to work for ment, iust as the foreign debt of each asking for full economic integration. Russia's increasing involvement in the country needs to be renegotiated tak- Today the evolution of eastern Europe development of common security and ing into account the specific needs of requires - as an absolute priority - a rapid in the international handling of major each country. Also needed are an conrclidation of democracy. This is why, crisis points under the authority of the investment policy aimed at reconvert- while gradual economic integration is UN. ing an obsolete industrial structure, and taking place, it would appear useful to 8. The war in the former Yugoslavia and the growth of modem scientific research; immediately identify forms of involve- the signs of possible conflicts show us a training programme for the man- ment for central European countries in that the fall of the Berlin wall and the agement of industry and training for a the activities of the community and failure of bipolarism have not, alone, public administration freed from the European political institutions. resolved secudty in Europe. bureaucratisation of the past regime; a A special role could be played by fuIl Although the risk of nuclear conflict radical rmrganisation of commercial dis. participation of all central and eastern has certainly been reduced, neverthe- tribution; a policy of agicultural mod- European countdes in the Council of less it cannot be forgotten that nuclear ernisation and a programme for pro- Europe, as guarantor of respect for amls still exist - in the first place in Rus- teaing and improving the environment, human rights and democracy. sia and Ukraine - and that a large the searching for altemative sources of The SI welcomes in this context the number of countries, even small ones, energy and the conversion of nuclear efforts of the Council of Europe and possess the raw material and the tech- power plants are objectives not only for especially of the Socialist Group for the nology for the production of nuclear the people of the region but for the further strenSthening of the democra- AIMS. whole of Europe. tisation process in general and the The SI is concemed at the inqeasing A fundamental aspect of a modern integration of left parties in the Euro- illegal trade in nuclear materials and the and advanced society is real equality pean family in particular. poor standards of safety at many civil between men and women: this requires 7. Russia maintains a decisive role for nuclear power stations. Urgent action the revision of legal, moral and social any policy of cooperation and stability is theiefore necessary. rules which still permit many forms of in our continent and Europe has a fun- The Socialist International supports discrimination against women and damental interest in seeing that in Rus- all those mechanisms of political and limit their possibility to choose their own sia, Ukraine, Belarus and the other CIS military integration which, in this future. Women must participate in countries the transition towards sound area, can favour a policy of cooperation decision making and play theirfull role democratic institutions and a social mar- and security: a strengthening of the in aII areas of society. ket economy takes place successfully. CSCE and of its apparatus for pre- 6. This is the context in which we After a toubled pedod, Russia is enter- venting conflicts, a more accelerated should approach the relationship ing a phase of democratic consolidation. involvement of cental and eastem EuIc between the central and eastern Euro- Support is needed to those people act- pean countdes in the WEU and in the pean counfiies and the European ing to ensure for Russia a stable demo- European Union's foreign policy of com- Union, towards which central Europe cratic regime. mon security, and NATO's Partner- is looking with great expectations. Indeed, the progress of the anti- ship for Peace with numerous central Today's Europe of 12 (soon to be 15) democratic and ultra-nationalistic and eastern European countries, lead- often risks presenting the East with a forces must be stopped and these ing to full membership in NATO for closed and hostile image. There is a vis- forces defeated. some. ible gap between the declaradons of prin- In this context the SI welcomes the The conversion of the arms industry ciple - all aimed at evoking the broad- current regrouping of social-democra- of these countries is another lever to est European integration and tic forces with a view to forming a united pave the way for democratic reforms and cooperauon - and the European Union's and coherent movement. social stability. concrete acts of economic policy char- The SI, therefore, considers that it is At the same time it should be stressed acterised by a strongly protectionist line. crucially important for the democratic that economic aid, and technological The European Union must adopt an future of Russia that the elections be held collaboration, are factors of intemal and adequate strategy to encourage all pos- at the normal dates fixed by the Con- external security; in the same way as, sible integration processes, extending stitution. if not to a Sreater extent than, military 'association'status to new countries and Today much more decisive action is apparatus. establishing new bilateral'coopera- needed from the world community and 9. One of the maior threats to security Uon agreements' between the European international financial institutions to and peace in central and eastem Europe Union and other eastern countdes, as assist and support the economic trans- today, comes from the emergence of well as intensifying its existing specific formation and democratic conrclidation possible ethnic-national confl icts. programmes of the European Union. A of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and the other The pretext of founding the existence timetable for negotiation with those CIS Republics. of states on ethnic or religious homo- countries applying for membership of For all these reasons we welcome Rus- geneity is unacceptable: the future the Union should be set up in the near sia's permanent association with the will be marked everywhere by multi+th- future. political decisions of the G7. nicity and multi-culturalism. Central The association ofcountries from east- The SI supports the ongoing efforts and eastem Europe is a decisive test case ern and central Europe to the EU can- for full membership of Russia in the for the affirmation of the obiective of not be a subject subordinated to con- Council of Europeto take place in 1995. integration and supranationality and the troversies that those countdes may Such membership will mean a sub- Socialist International reconfirms its have with their neighbours. The SI stantial contdbution to the consolida- commitment to full recognition in every state of human and political 15 October. indivisibility of human rights. Now there rights for each citizen and for each eth- The Socialist Intemational congrat- is a clear need for coordinated inter- nic, cultural and religious community. ulates President Aristide on his policy national action to give practical effect Borders are inviolable, as established based on national reconciliation and the to the principles agreed at Vienna. by the constitutive act of the CSCE formation of a broad-based govemment The text of the Vienna Declaration and which establishes that modifications of where the two Haitian members of the the I'rogramme of Action provide a yard- borders cannot be imposed by force, but SI, PANPM and KONAKOM, are rep- stick against which the performance of can only result from agreements freely resented. UN member states must be measured. signed by the states concerned. The SI takes the opportunity to We welcome the establishment of a The SI reaffirms its commitment salute the courage and determination new post: the United Nations High aSainst forces and parties which are ulta- of its two fraternal parties in their Commissioner for Human Rights. The nationalist, racist, xenophobic or anti- struggle for the promotion of democ- SI has argued for several years for the cre- semitic. racy and social iustice in their country. ation of such a post. We trust that the 10. New possibilities are opening, there- The SI is happy that President Aris- agreement of (IN member states to estab- fore, for the action of democratic tide favours the idea of organising a lish this position is an indication of their socialism in central and eastem Europe. national conference in Haiti and gives willingless to give enhanced priority to This is confirmed by the fact that in its support to the process of political human rights issues. Moreover, we many countries the successful parties are negotiation already marked by the hope that the High Commissioner those which presented voters with meeting President Aristide had with var- will be able to serve as a powerful and explicitly social democratic programmes. ious political parties in order to promote effective advocate for human rights In the next two years there will be social peace and to arrive at a com- worldwide. elections in all the central and eastern mitment to form the Electoral Council There needs to be a reallocation of the European countries. These will be two which is indispensable to the organi- regular resources of the United Nations decisive years to consolidate and extend sation of the forthcoming legislative and to human riShts activities. It is quite the forces of those parties which iden- regional elections. unacceptable that less than one per cent tify with democratic socialism and The SI makes an urgent appeal to the of the regular IIN budget is spent on the the influence of the Socialist Interna- international community to set in protection or promotion of human tional. motion at the first opportunity the pro- rights. UN agencies cannot be expected The central objective of the Socialist grammes of cooperation and economic to effectively monitor the observance Intemational and its parties must be to assistance necessary for the economic of human rights commitments with work so that in all central and eastern development of the country. such meagre resources. European countries the parties of social The SI announces that in January The protection and promotion of democratic inspfuation are strengthened 1995, its Committee for Latin America human rights needs to become paft of and so that these parties - or the lists and the Caribbean, SICLAC, will organ- more comprehensive national and they support - obtain better electoral ise a meeting in Haiti to allow it to renew international strategies for the pre- results and greater parliamentary rep- its political solidarity with l,resident Jean- vention, management and resolution resentation than at present. Bertrand Aristide and all the political of conflict. Often it is the abuse of In order to achieve this obiective the forces committed to the democratisa- human rights that is the higger for widet Socialist International intends to act by tion of the country. inter-state or intra-state conflicts. Early supporting the action of those parties action to deal with human rights that are already members of the SI, as abuses - through arbitration, mediation well as welcoming numerous parties and and the deployment of human rights movements, inspired by the principles HUMAN RIGHTS monitors - might form part of a global of democratic socialism, that have confl ict-prevention strategy. asked to establish relations with the SI. The Socialist Intemational is deeply con- We need to ensure, too, that the UN What Europe will become tomo[ow, cerned by the continuing, gross viola- and other international organisations in fact, depends to a large extent on tions of human rights and fundamen- take human rights fuIIy into account what happens in the next few years in tal freedoms in many parts of the when undertaking peacekeeping or central and eastern Europe. And if world. This year human rights violations peace-enforcement operations. All democracy, progress, rights and solidarity have reached a new level of barbarism, international personnel need to com- are to be achieved in these countries, it with genocide in Rwanda and ongoing ply fully with UN human rights prin- will depend on us and on our ability to ethnic cleansing in Bosnia. In countless ciples, and there should be standardised restore credibility and faith in the val- other countries around the world there training for all human rights monitors. ues and ideals of socialism, by gather- are less publicised - but no less unac- The SI urges the international com- ing around them the hopes and con- ceptable - abuses of human rights. munity to ensure wider acceptance sensus of millions of men and women. The SI reaffirms that the protection and strengthening of international and promotion of human rights is a cen- legal instruments for the protection and tral responsibility of the international promotion of human rights and fun- community. We resolve that the safe- damental freedoms. All states should be HA'TI guarding of human rights and funda- expected to tully comply with UN mental freedoms be given increased human rights covenants and addi- On the occasion of the meeting of its attention in all international fora. tional protocols to which they are Council in Budapest, Hungary, 2-3 The Socialist International welcomes signatory. December 1994, the Socialist Interna- the Vienna Declaration and Programme The SI is alarmed by the prcsent resrr- tional renews its support for the demo- of Action agreed at the United Nations gence of racism, xenophobia and intol- cratic process in Haiti marked by the World Conference on Human Rights in erance in Europe as well as in other con- return of President Jean-Bertrand Aris- June 1993. In partiorlar, we welcome the tinents, and by increasing acts of tide to the Presidency of his country on reaffirmation of the universalitv and violence against people of different ori- gin. The SI believes that extreme The process of peace must become nationalism and ethnocentricity give rise IRANIAN KURDISTAN irreversible. It is a great hope for every- to the abuse of human rights and fun- one concemed, for the entire region and, The Socialist International once more damental freedoms. in fuct, for the whole world which is see- has reason to protest against the con- We are convinced that only democ- ing so many new conflicts. tinuing persecution of the Kurdish ratic and pluralistic societies, built on Despite a favourable development of population in Iran and specifically diversity of culture and traditions, can the peace process, especially in the self- against the Democratic Party of Iranian guarantee full respect for human dignity. goveming Palestinian territories, no Kurdistan, PDKI. The eco- For this reason, we reafErm our implaca- assassinations nomic progress has taken place yet. of the PDKI leaders, ble opposition to all forms of preiudice Gassemlou in Palestinian self-governing bodies need 1989 and Sharafkandi 1992, took and discrimination on the grounds of it a secure financial budget in order to ful- place directly after their participation race, gender, nationality or religion. fil their functions in the sphere of wel- SI Congresses. Their presence at The SI undertakes to assume a firm in fare, education and security. Funds the SI meetings had underlined the SI's role in combating all ideologies, poli- must be made available far more speed- solidarity with the cause cies and practices constituting an of the Iranian ily than they have been in the past. It Kurds. incitement to racial hahed, violence and will only be possible to unseat the ene- Since March 1993, systematic ethnic discrimination, as well as any action or mies of the peace process if people can clearsing artillery attacks and other hos- language likely to increase fear and ten- see the positive effects of that process tile actions along the sionbetween groups ftom different eth- Iraqi border have in their everyday lives. Those who forced the Kurdish population there to nic, national, religious or social back- delay prolects such as creating iobs, ground. The SI supports stronger seek safety in Iraqi Kurdistan. Even in housing and social institutions will this area, however, Iranian troops and national and intemational legal action strengthen the position of the enemies aircraft have managed carry out against racist and fascist groups, that to of the peace process. Besides the assis- increasingly organise and operate inter- attacks, despite the existence of the no- tance from governments and non- nationally. We endorse national and fly zote, supposed to be enforced by the governmental organisations, private powers which took part in the Gulf war. international action to address the companies also play an essential role in The Socialist International protests problems of poverty, unemployment the process. After the recent Brussels against these constant violations of the and social despair that are so often the donor conference we expect to see breeding grounds of racism, xenopho- human rights of the Iranian Kurds practical progress to strengthen the bia and intolerance. In addition, there and their representatives, the PDKI, by administrative and economic struc- Iranian regime. is a clear need for greater public edu- the tures in the self-governing terdtodes We support initiatives cation to combat the preiudice that to improve the and tangibly improve the living con- human rights situation in Iran, such as results ftom misinformation and stereo- ditions of the Palestinians. Pdvate- typing of different racial and national the Manifesto of the 134, which sector investment should therefore be demands the lifting of censorship in encouraged. Sroups. Iran. Such at The SI will continue to work in its initiatives are aimed The opponents of the peace process improving living Committee on Human Rights towards conditions in that continue in their efforts to destroy it by country. the elaboration of a socialist strategy acts of terrorism. The massacres in to combat racism, xenophobia and Hebron and in Tel Aviv not only intolerance. involved the loss of human lives but also The SI believes that economic and THE MIDDLE EAST greatly endangered the peace process. social rights are no less impoftant The SI calls upon all those holding than civil and pottical rights. It is dearly Since its early days in Madrid, the office in the region to reject any form intolerable that millions of fellow peace process in the Middle East has of terrorism. Countries granting exter- human beings continue to lack the basic made considerable progress. The basic nal assistance to terrodst groups must essentials of life and to exist in condi- agreement signed by Israel and the PLO be internationally isolated. tions of abiect poverty. The persis- in Washington and the treaty between Terrorism needs to be controlled by tence of worldwide poverty and inlus- Israel andJordan, constitute tvvo maior security forces. However, from its tice is a clear violation of human breakthroughs on the road to a lasting worldwide experience the Socialist rights. The SI reaffirms its commitment peace. The Socialist Intemational wel- International knows that economic to promote economic and social devel- comes this development and is willing development and social progress are of opment, as part of a comprehensive to give it every support within its crucial importance in curbing extrem- approach to human rights promotion capabilities. The Socialist Intemational ism of any kind. We observe with and protection. thanks all those who have initiated and great concern that terrodst organisa- The SI believes, too, that specific atten- assisted the process. This vote of thanks tions using the banner of religious tion needs to be paid to the human also goes to those of our affiliated extremism and others are conducting rights of women. In many countries parties that have played a part in this some of their activities from outside the around the world women are denied the process. Middle East region. A common stance most basic human rights, in many No agreement has yet been reached of all SI members is not within reachbut other countdes they suffer discrimi- with Syria and Lebanon, but here, is utterly necessary. Terrorism can nation and second

SPAIN CONSULTATIVE PARTIES POI.AND Spanish Socialist Workers' FRATERNAT Polish Socialist Party, PPS Party, PSOE ORGANISATIONS ALBANIA Piotr lkonowicz Raimon Obiols Social Democratic Party of Krzysztot Duninwasowicz Miguel Angel Mart[nez Albania, PSD Mulak lnternational Falcon Ricard Torrell lan Skender Glinushi Andrzej Ziemski Movement/ Marfa Solanas Etieva Toptani Tadeusz Prokopowicz Socialist Educational lnternational, !FM/SEl SWEDEN ALGERIA ROMANIA lacqui Cottyn Swedish Social Democratic Socialist Forces Front, FFS Social Democratic Party, Christian Oxonitsch Party, SAP Ahmed Djeddai PSDR Pierre Schori Sergiu Cunescu lnternational Union of Conny Fredrikson CHILE Emil Putin Monica Andersson Socialist Youth,lUSY Party for Democracy, PPD Radu Dimitrescu Alfred Gunnar Stenarv Cusenbauer Victor Manuel Rebolledo Smaranda Dobrescu Roger Hillhag Alfredo Lazzeretti SWITZERLAND CHITE Luca Cefisi Social Democratic Party of Socialist Party of Chile, PS OBSERVER PARTIES Sonia Albarello Switzerland Osvaldo Puccio Heidi Deneys COLOMBIA Socialist lnternational COLOMBIA Democratic Alliance M-1 9 TUN!SIA Women, SIW Liberal Party of Colombia, Antonio Navarro Anne-Marie Lizin Constitutional Democratic PLC tusembly, RCD Maria lonas H6ctor Riveros HUNGARY Nouzha Cheqrouni Chedli Neffati Llera Germ6n Vargas Hungarian Social Hechmi Amri Alvaro Araujo Mohsen Snoussi Democratic Party, MSzDP L6szl6 Kapolyi ASSOCIATED Abdelmaiid Lajili HAlTI llona Gyclrgy ORGANISATIONS Party of the National L6szl6 Balogh TURKEY Congress of Kiroly Szigeti Social Democratic People's Democratic Movements, Labour Sports Party, SHP KONAKOM lnternational, CSIT Murat Karayalgin Victor Benoit Maurice Deveen Erdal lnTonino Picula PRD Saddik El-Hindi Patriotic Union of Leonardo Kam Kurdistan, PUK CROATIA USA Sherko Bekas Social Democratic Union POLAND National Democratic Latif Rashid Vesna Kolaric-Kisur Union of Labour, UP lnstitute, NDI Azad Barnarni Dubravko Zunko Zbigniew Bujak Lisa Mclean Simo Mrdja Radzislawa Gortat Palestine Liberation Organisation, PLO GEORG!A POTAND GUESTS - INDIVIDUALS llan Halevi Social Democratic Party of Social Democracy of the Georgia, SDP Republic of Poland Fayez Abu Rahmeh POLISARIO Nina Kuntseva Alekander Kwasniewski Ould Salek Tadeusz lwinski George Prisacaro Nadjat Hamdi Slawomir Wiatr