Zivadin Jovanovic, Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals

SECURITY - HISTORY AND CHALANGES

Uniting against terrorism but - under UN umbrella. Terrorism - to deal with 
roots. Readmission, 21st century deportation method.

This month, 24rth and 25th of November, Serbian capital Belgrade will be the 
venue of the Scientific International Conference titled "Yalta, Potsdam, 
Helsinki, Belgrade: in search of security order".  The gathering of scientists, 
diplomats, politicians and public personalities from about 20 countries of 
Europe and the World is devoted to 70th anniversary of Yalta and Potsdam 
conferences (1945) and 40th anniversary of adoption of the Helsinki Final 
Document (1975). The Organizers are The Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals 
and two Russian organizations - Center of National Glory and the Fund of Saint 
Andrew. One week later (December 3rd and 4rth) Belgrade will host Ministerial 
OSCE Conference in order to sum up results of one year of Serbia`s presiding of 
this organization, commemorating important jubilee and giving impetus to 
strengthening its peace, security and cooperation role
today and in the future.    
Security and stability in Europe is indivisible from security and stability in 
surrounding regions and the world. That's why the future of peace and stability 
in Europe cannot be properly perceived if it is not closely linked with peace 
and stability in the Middle East, Asia, Northern Africa (Maghreb) and Africa, 
as a whole.
Unfortunately, nowadays world is faced with growing risks and threats to 
security and stability. Mutual respect and trust among powers is in profound 
crisis. Some powers have proclaimed themselves exempted from the Law Order 
established and developed after the Second World War. Whenever the law stays on 
the way of their imperial expansion they simply ignore or remove it and abide 
by rule - might is right! Taking the role of an ultimate arbiter and executor 
at the same time, power centers have been intervening militarily all over the 
world. Violations the basic principles of International Law, including UN 
Charter, Helsinki Final Document, bypassing the authority of UN Security 
Council since 90th of the 20th century have become order of the day.  It is 
appropriate to remember that Serbia (FRY) was the first European victim of 
unprovoked and illegal military NATO aggression in 1999. This turned to have 
become a blue-print to ensuing aggressions and military interventions in 
Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Mali Syria. We need to ask ourselves 
what these aggressions have brought to the peoples of the Balkans, Europe, 
Middle East, Maghreb, Africa.? To the world? To UN and OSCE? To the 
International Law Order? Who can profit from fragmentation of viable states, 
from national, tribal and religious divisions, from chaos, hundreds of 
thousands of killed people, millions of refugees, displaced, emigrants.? Who 
were (are) those leaders, masters of our destiny, "independent" thinkers, 
philosophers, journalists, public figures in general, who believe(d) that 
taking part in, or publically defending, or justifying military aggressions, 
illegal regime changes and destabilization of sovereign states was the right 
way to reinforce human rights, introduce democracy, freedom and prosperity?
Following the first NATO war on European soil since Yalta and Potsdam 
agreements we have witnessed kind of a new edition the old strategy "Drang Nach 
Osten", namely mushrooming in USA military basis towards Russian borders.
In 1999, taking part in NATO aggression, Europe participated in the war against 
itself, against own stability. More than that: This was a turning point binding 
NATO/EU member countries to take part in many other imperial wars and regime 
changes. Regrettably, Europe participated in destabilization of Ukraine and in 
sanctions, apparently, against Russia, in fact, again, against own interests. 
Europe can hardly be amnestied of responsibility for destructions of 
Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria... Unprecedented flow of refugees and 
immigrants which has caused state of emergency on the continent has to be 
attributed to the lack of responsibility, vision and statesmanship of EU
(NATO) leaders. 
Nowadays, Europe is suffering consequences of own terrible mistakes. Of 
hazardous behavior. The level of egoism and unwillingness of EU leadership to 
recognize real causes of the problem and deal with roots, not only with 
consequences - are astonishing and do not promises positive outcome.
Enormous flow of immigrants is certainly not only humanitarian, social and 
economic problem. It is security problem, too. Nevertheless the problem cannot 
be solved by erection of new wars, massive police and military border patrols, 
refugee centers like concentration camps of 21st century, even less by invoking 
the Dublin principles or so-called readmission agreements, kind of 21st century 
deportation models.
Right now the world public is mourning the victims of unprecedented terrorist 
attacks in Paris. While sincere expressions of solidarity with bereaved 
families and with the whole French nation come from all corners of the world, 
sense of uncertainty, insecurity and fear - who is next - is very much in the 
whole atmosphere. No doubt that the terrorism is universal, extremely serious 
threat to the security, stability and cooperation - in Europe and the world. In 
spite of all various actions and "successes" in the struggle against terrorism, 
it has not diminished, in reality, it has been rapidly growing. Spectacular 
military actions against international terrorism after 2001 may have killed 
some terrorist leaders, may have destroyed some terrorist headquarters but 
certainly have not dealt with ideology and roots of this evil. 
Calls to unite the world in the struggle against terrorism are logic, welcome 
and necessary. To act seriously and responsibly, to our opinion, means uniting 
under the authority of United Nations, i.e. UN Security Council. Further, this 
require coming to consensus as to definitions of terrorism, terrorist and 
terrorist acts in the manner that excludes "good"
and "bed", "our" and "your" terrorism and terrorists. Double standard 
approaches and abuse of the struggle against terrorism for promotion of 
egoistic or geopolitical objectives must be excluded. Struggle against 
terrorism includes use of adequate military means, efficient processing and 
punishment of the terrorists. But, what has been lacking so far is 
understanding of the complexity of the problem which is deep-rooted and long 
lasting. It has political, socio-economic and religious roots. To eradicate the 
causes, in my opinion, is necessary to return to: 
-       Negotiations, peaceful, political, compromised solution of all
problems, respecting legitimate interests of all involved parties, without any 
prejudices and double standards, be it in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Libya, or 
any other country; 
-       stopping financing, training and arming terrorist groups and
organizations;
-       equal, universal standards to terrorism and terrorists;
-       Respecting basic principle of international relations such as
freedom of choice in internal and foreign policy, sovereignty and territorial 
integrity, including respect of sovereignty over natural and economic recourses 
of any country; 
-       Socio-economic development of the countries of origin of terrorism
and emigration, including  plans for reconstruction, education and employment 
of young generations, particularly in war-torn regions (Middle East, Maghreb, 
Sub-Sahara); Is it not the right moment to initiate convening of the UN World 
Conference on the struggle against terrorism with the objective to set up 
organization, mandate and time/table for adoption of World Convention on 
Terrorism?

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Article161115


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