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5862. Trans-Atlantic Relations: A Norwegian Perspective
- Author:
- Knut Vollebaek
- Publication Date:
- 04-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Institute at University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Abstract:
- Gilles Bousquet, Dean of International Studies and Director of the International Institute, welcomed guests to the event. Ambassador Vollebæk was introduced by Alfred Defago, former Swiss ambassador to the United States and currently International Institute Visiting Professor. Professor Defago, who invited Ambassador Vollebæk to the UW–Madison campus in conjunction with his International Studies seminar on “Evolving European Perspectives on American Politics and Society,” described Ambassador Vollebæk as one of Europe's top diplomats and as one of the most influential and intellectually brilliant leaders of the diplomatic community in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Vollebæk, a career diplomat, served as Foreign Minister of Norway from 1997–2000 and in that capacity was chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. A tireless advocate for international human rights, he was a leader in efforts to stop the atrocities in Kosovo and played key roles in monitoring conflicts and brokering negotiations in Chechnya, Sri Lanka and the Middle East.
- Topic:
- International Relations and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- United States, America, Europe, Washington, Middle East, Norway, Chechnya, Sri Lanka, and Kosovo
5863. Justice Under International Administration: Kosovo, East Timor and Afghanistan
- Author:
- Simon Chesterman
- Publication Date:
- 09-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Peace Institute
- Abstract:
- In the rare circumstances in which the United Nations administers a post-conflict territory, what law should be enforced? By whom? And, crucially, how should one resolve the potential dilemma between building capacity for sustainable local institutions and maintaining respect for international standards of justice? This report examines these questions through the experiences of United Nations administrations in Kosovo (1999— ) and East Timor (1999-2002) and the assistance mission in Afghanistan (2002— ). Practice in this area has, necessarily, been improvizational rather than principled. But it is possible to draw some broad lessons from these three experiments in judicial reconstruction First, the administration of justice should rank among the higher priorities of a post-conflict peace operation – certainly far higher than it is currently ranked in Afghanistan. There is a tendency on the part of international actors to conflate armed conflict and criminal activity more generally. Drawing a clearer distinction and being firm on violations of the law increases both the credibility of the international presence and the chances of a peace agreement holding. Failure to do this undermined the credibility of the international presence in Kosovo, and led to missed opportunities in East Timor. Secondly, in an immediate post-conflict environment lacking a functioning law enforcement and judicial system, rule of law functions may have to be entrusted to military personnel on a temporary basis. Recourse to the military for such functions is a last resort, but may be the only alternative to a legal vacuum. The law imposed in such circumstances should be simple and consistent. If it is not feasible to enforce the law of the land, martial law should be declared as a temporary measure, with military lawyers – especially if they come from different national contingents – agreeing upon a basic legal framework. Persons detained under such an ad hoc system should be transferred to civilian authorities as quickly as possible. Thirdly, once the security environment allows the process of civil reconstruction to begin, sustainability should generally take precedence over temporary standards in the administration of basic law and order. Whether internationalized processes are appropriate for the most serious crimes should be determined, where possible, through broad consultation with local actors.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution and United Nations
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan, Europe, South Asia, Kosovo, and Southeast Asia
5864. Sharing Best Practices on Conflict Resolution
- Author:
- John Packer, Augustine Toure, Albrecht Schnabel, and Chandra Lekha Sriram
- Publication Date:
- 04-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Peace Institute
- Abstract:
- The UN does not act alone in conflict prevention. It is important for the UN to identify other actors with comparative advantages in certain aspects of conflict prevention, and to partner wisely with them. These may include regional and subregional organizations as well as local actors such as states or civil society organizations. Increased coordination between the UN and regional, subregional and civil society organizations might enable better linkages between national, regional and international conflict prevention efforts and improve planning at the field and headquarters level. Regional and subregional organizations offer important opportunities for partnering for the UN, but are quite varied in terms of resources, the political will that they can mobilize, and institutional capacity. Development of institutional capacity within nations to manage conflict peacefully can be assisted and encouraged by regional organizations and others. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's High Commissioner on National Minorities may be one example; the work of Organization of African States in democratization and human rights is also instructive. UN and World Bank development activities are increasingly being viewed through a conflict-prevention lens; their evaluations may help in not only identifying early warning signs, but also in developing strategies that mitigate the potential for violent conflict. Such analyses and approaches could be usefully adapted by regional and subregional organizations. The UN Staff College training course in early warning and preventive measures has sought to develop analytic skills in staff such that early warning can be translated into specific policy guidance. Such training will be available to some regional organization staff; the courses might usefully be adapted by such organizations for their own use.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, International Cooperation, Peace Studies, and United Nations
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Europe
5865. The European Convention and Defence
- Author:
- Marta Martinelli, Gerrard Quille, Claire Piana, and Jamie Woodbridge
- Publication Date:
- 12-2002
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- International Security Information Service
- Abstract:
- The Convention WorkingGroup on Defence, chairedby Michel Barnier submitted itsfinal report on December 102002. This article reviews themajor debates within the groupand how they reflect memberstates' positions, in particular inrelation to the recent Franco-German Initiative.
- Topic:
- Security and Defense Policy
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Germany
5866. The Greek Presidency's Programme for the military aspects of ESDP
- Author:
- Claire Piana, Jamie Woodbridge, and Dermot Doyle
- Publication Date:
- 09-2002
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- International Security Information Service
- Abstract:
- Following the Edinburgh agreement of 1992,Denmark waived its right to act as Presidency in all cases involving the elaboration and implementation of decisions having defence implications. Thus Greece now acts on behalf of Denmark on such issues Speaking to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (EP) on 11September, the Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou introduced the Greek Programme for the military aspects of ESDP.
- Topic:
- Security and Defense Policy
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Greece, and Denmark
5867. Putting ESDP to the test: The first crisis management exercise
- Author:
- Catriona Gourlay and Jamie Woodbridge
- Publication Date:
- 07-2002
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- International Security Information Service
- Abstract:
- From 22-28 May the EU carried out its first exercise 'CME 02' to test the EU's ability to take decisions on the use of its military and civilian instruments in a crisis situation. While the evaluation process will only be complete by the end of July, it is already widely acknowledged that the exercise revealed that the EU's procedures are broadly adequate, but there is room for improvement particularly in relation to civil-military cooperation.
- Topic:
- Security and Defense Policy
- Political Geography:
- Europe
5868. The EU's progress in mainstreaming conflict prevention
- Author:
- Catriona Gourlay, Jamie Woodbridge, and Lorraine Mullally
- Publication Date:
- 05-2002
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- International Security Information Service
- Abstract:
- At the Seville European Council in June 2002 the Spanish Presidency will present a report on progress made in the implementation of the EU Programme for the Prevention of Violent Conflicts agreed in Göteborg in June 2001. A key element of the EU Programme is its call for the development of mechanisms to mainstream conflict prevention, i.e. to ensure that all EU policies consistently take into consideration their impact on conflict and are tailored to support peace-building processes. This article provides a preliminary review of actions taken to this end.
- Topic:
- Security and Defense Policy
- Political Geography:
- Europe
5869. Putting ESDP to the test: The EU's Police Mission to Bosnia Herzegovina
- Author:
- Jamie Woodbridge, Lorraine Mullally, and Sibylle Bauer
- Publication Date:
- 03-2002
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- International Security Information Service
- Abstract:
- The General Affairs Council meeting on 18-19 February announced the EU's readiness to deploy an EU police mission (EUPM) to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to take over from the UN International Police Task Force (IPTF) in January 2003. Tasked with establishing sustainable policing structures this first EU-led operation will be an important milestone in the operationalisation of the EU's European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
- Topic:
- Security and Defense Policy
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Bosnia, and Herzegovina
5870. The Spanish Presidency's agenda for conflict prevention and civilian crisis management
- Author:
- Catriona Gourlay, Jamie Woodbridge, and Lorraine Mullally
- Publication Date:
- 01-2002
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- International Security Information Service
- Abstract:
- According to the Spanish Presidency's website, its ambitions in the field of ESDP are heavily weighted towards enhancing the EU's military crisis management capability and assessing how ESDP could contribute to the EU's response to the threat of terrorism. Government officials are, however, keen to point out that civilian crisis management will not be sidelined and that the Presidency will take seriously its commitment to implement, review and add new dimensions to the EU Programme for the prevention of violent conflict agreed at the Göteburg European Council in 2001.
- Topic:
- Security and Defense Policy
- Political Geography:
- Europe