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CIAO DATE: 01/03
Volume XXXVII No. 1 (January–March 2002)
Opinions
The Shock of 11 September and the Doha Development Round, by Paolo Guerrieri
Despite their negative repercussions on the global economy, the attacks of 11 September have also had some unexpected positive effects, most notably at the last WTO conference in Doha in November 2001, where the determination of a number of governments to avoid new lacerations led to the launching of a new multilateral trade round. Yet, two key cross–cutting variables will continue to affect the timing and outcome of the trade negotiations in the future: the delicate transatlantic balance, on the knife’s edge between security/policy cooperation and a tough trade/economic confrontation; and the search for new compromises between the needs of advanced countries and those of the developing economies.
Addressing Globalisation’s Inequalities: A New Development Plan, by Rainer Masera
What is needed in order to counter the negative effects of globalisation in some of the less prosperous countries of the world and to generate a flow of public and private resources is a World Sustainable Development Plan, a global plan for growth and solidarity. An integrated plan, involving the synergic activation of public and private funds, as well as aid initiatives in the wealthy countries, it would be achored to the adoption in the recipient countries of healthy macroeconomic policies, an open market and certain political standards, such as the fight against terrorism and the application of democratic rules, including the participation of women in the democratic process.
Towards a European Judicial Space: Interview with Gian Carlo Caselli
Eurojust was activated in early 2002 to ensure coordination of investigations into transnational crimes and facilitate judicial cooperation in criminal matters between the competent authorities of the member states. Although the intense "harmonising" activity determinedly undertaken by community institutions, both as concerns defining elements constituting offences and with regard to procedures, has already narrowed the gap between the various national practices, effective and uniform mechanisms still have to be introduced into each national legal order to link the new supranational judicial and police bodies with national authorities. The potential is great, but numerous problems still remain.
The Middle East Debacle: A Prospective Analysis, by May Chartouni–Dubarry
It is difficult to imagine viable scenarios in the Middle East, but in the medium term, two realities are almost certain: the chances of seeing a Palestinian state emerge are almost nil and the prospects of a fair and equitable agreement are more distant than ever. The fragmentation of the Israeli political system is mirrored by the impotence of the Palestinian "autocracy". In the absence of renewed leadership on both sides, with a constructive and responsible political vision, and a third party able to break the Israeli–Palestinian face–?ace, there could be no way out of the impasse.
Three scenarios are foreseen for the Middle East debacle. The first, a continuing "low–intensity" war, involving a likely "Lebanonisation" of the conflict; the second, victory by Sharon and the annihilation of the Palestinian authority; and the third, a way out of the crisis through unilateral separation and/or a return to Oslo–2.
Radical Islam After 11 September, by Alain Roussillon
The terrorist attack on New York and Washington might have brought us closer to a "bifurcation" in the course of events and history, a branching that could modify the "international statute" of Islam: either a confirmation of the emergence of Islam as a new "green peril" in lieu of a "yellow" or "red peril", according to Samuel Huntington’s prediction of an inevitable "clash of civilisations" or the progressive normalisation of Islam under the combined logic of market globalisation and post–modern communication and the renunciation by Muslims themselves, somehow "awakened" by the shock of 11 September, to the "exceptionalism" underlying Islamist activism.
Essays
TEPSA Europe Forum
The Convention as a Way of Bridging the EU’s Democratic Deficit (PDF, 12 pages, 134.7 kbs) , by Andrea Manzella
The The so–called Herzog Convention, the innovative instrument used to draw up the Charter on Fundamental Rights, brought together representatives of EU institutions as well as of national governments and parliaments, increasing the transparency of EU actions, usually decided at the intergovernmental level. The article explores which characteristics of this instrument make it suitable for the constitutional function assigned the new Convention on the Future of Europe, established to put forward suggestions for the reform of EU treaties.
Simplification of the EU Treaties: Weighing the Options (PDF, 12 pages, 132.4 kbs) , by Giacomo Gattinara and Emanuela Monsù
The challenge of the coming enlargement of the European Union calls for various adaptations of the European legal framework and inserts the need for simplification of the founding treaties into a broader perspective: that of constitutionalisation. The article offers an analysis of the different solutions that have been envisaged to cope with the problem of democratic deficit and to increase the transparency of EU institutions. Attention is given to the problems that any simplification strategy needs to deal with: decision–making mechanisms, delimitation of powers, revision of the fundamental texts, pillar structure, always keeping an eye on the ongoing debate on endowing the Union with a Constitution.
Macedonia in a Post–Peace Agreement Environment: A Role for Conflict Prevention and Reconciliation, by Alice Ackermann
In the aftermath of the armed conflict that erupted in Macedonia in 2001, Macedonia’s position remains politically, economically, and militarily precarious. Since the prospects for a lasting peace are still questionable, the implementation of a comprehensive conflict prevention approach is advocated in order for Macedonia to manage ethnic relations in this post–peace agreement phase. Such an approach must not be inclusive only of those measures currently undertaken by the OSCE, the EU, and NATO, but also of short– and long–term preventive measures to facilitate national and societal reconciliation.
Projecting Stability: Hungary’s Role in Central and Southeastern Europe
Since regaining independence, Hungary has had three main foreign policy priorities: accession to Euro–Altantic institutions, the pursuit of good neighbourly relations, and promotion of the well–being of Hungarians abroad. In adapting and taking advantage of shifts in regional, European and international patterns in the past decade, it has pursued a diverse domestic and foreign policy agenda, while establishing its own specific regional role, that of projecting stability, with the hope of being surrounded one day by stable and prosperous countries in eastern and southeastern Europe.
Italian Foreign Policy Survey
New Trends in Italy’s European Policy, by Lucia Serena Rossi
Italy has always been a very pro–European state. But in spite of many official declarations, the new Italian government seems to have changed the traditional national attitude towards the European. The new trend is particularly clear since the head of government also took over the position of Foreign Minister. For the moment, this change has not been reflected in Parliament, which continues to hold the traditional line. The government’s new approach risks isolating, rather than strengthening Italy within EU institutions.
Book Reviews and Notes
IAI Library Notes , by Maritza Cricorian