Private wealth for the public good

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Private wealth for the public good

By Steven van Hoogstraten, Former director Carnegie Foundation

Andrew Carnegie (1835 – 1919) was probably the most important philanthropist of the early 20th century, and still is an inspirational force in todays world of philanthropy. Andrew Carnegie was born in Dumfernline, Scotland but moved with his parents to the USA (Pittsburg) at the age of 13. He was an avid young learner, became a messenger boy, mastered the secrets of the Telegraph, and quickly moved through the ranks of a railway company. He ended in the business of making steel for bridges, railways and naval purposes.  After selling his interests in the steel industry – the Carnegie Steel Company – to JP Morgan for an – in that era – immense sum of 480 million USD, he devoted his life to giving all his wealth away to good causes.

These causes were closely related to peace & arbitration,  science and education. Famous are the 2.500 libraries that were built on his funds and that carry his name. In the Netherlands, Andrew Carnegie became well known because in 1904 he provided the funds for the construction of the Peace Palace, after concerting with the Dutch government.  

Carnegie was a great believer in the value of international arbitration, in order to avoid military conflict. He also stipulated that a library of international law should be part of the set up. Carnegie was inspired by the idea that people after becoming rich should not hang on to their wealth.  They should spend their “surplus wealth” for the benefit of the communities, and administer it accordingly. A rich man is merely the trustee of his surplus wealth for the well being of those less well in society, was his view.

Andrew Carnegie

Remarkable was his expression that “a man who dies thus rich, dies in disgrace”. Not a motto that his contemporaneous like John D. Rockefeller necessarily agreed with, as they would rather pass down their wealth within their families. Carnegie easily irritated his fellow millionaires by taking the moral high ground. But Carnegie made it the central theme of his philanthropy that accumulated wealth should be redistributed : “Private wealth for the public good”. Carnegie was followed in his steps by many other industrialists, most visibly in these times by Bill and Melinda Gates of Microsoft. Gates is investing heavily in world health issues (fight against malaria, HIV, COVID) .  Together with Warren Buffet he launched in 2010 the Giving Pledge, which commits billionaires to give more than half of their fortunes away to society. The Giving Pledge is signed at present by more than 200 philanthropist names.

Most philanthropists are associated with countries like the USA and the UK, but certainly not all. What to think of Japanese management phillosofer Kazuo Inamori ( founder of Kyocera) whose Inamori Foundation is very active in the world of philanthropy. Or the name of the Danish Moller Maersk Foundation, who gave Copenhagen a brand new Opera House. And not to forget the Netherlands’ Postcode Loterij, which spends large sums each year to worthy causes in distinct areas. The lottery follows a formula which is very smart:  people participate in the lottery with their postal code in order to win, but if that is not so, their money is spent on good causes.

Andrew Carnegie at the opening of The Peace Palace, 1913.

Grass root philanthropy, one might say. Other Dutch philanthropies are Foundation Benevolentia (fam. Brenninkmeijer), the van Leer Foundation, Fam. Van der Vorm, and Foundation Adessium, to name the few which are highest on the list. The work of Rotary International may be mentioned  here as well, because their Foundation is active in 6 areas of focus to do well in the world, and alleviate the burdens that still are so abundant: lack of clean water, health of mother and child, prevention of diseases, promoting peace and solving conflict, helping local economies grow, education and literacy. Their donations exceed 100 million USD per annum.

Andrew Carnegie in his golf cottage near St Andrews golf Links, Westchester Co. N.Y. Picture public domain.

Notwithstanding the fact that all this sounds really positive and intriguing, there is a perceived shadow-side to the role of big philanthropists. This was highlighted only last week by the law philosopher Luuk van de Middelaar, who normally writes on constitutional issues of the EU .  In essence,  he points at the lack of democratic control which goes hand in hand with major donations (NRC, 12 May) . Who effectively decides on the needs to be addressed, and who can exercise control over the goals and activities covered by the philanthropies? Aren’t  philanthropists taking over the role of the public authorities – without accountability – or even the Church ?

Sometimes  state organs are weak, sometimes they are quite happy to see that a social vacuum is filled, so that they can spend their resources elsewhere.  This critique is serious, and it definitely provides food for thought. But these critical remarks should not be considered in isolation, but always be compared to the needs in question.

Andrew Carnegie

To me it seems more important that the good work of philanthropists helps to alleviate poverty, and helps to organize education and health notably in developing countries. Or provides funds for the arts, or helps to fight the climate warming, a world wide issue without real ownership. But clearly, philanthropist should not be allowed to follow just their own convictions. Their initiatives should be covered by a form of guidance by public authorities, whenever necessary.

Philantropy is indeed a matter of public debate in the Netherlands. In a letter to Parliament of 18 october 2019, the Dutch Minister of Legal Protection (Rechtsbescherming) acknowledged the need for an explicit government policy related to philantropy. Minister Sander Dekker said that – inter alia – he aims  at a strengthening of the interest of philantropy for society as a whole. Whereas its main feature is free choice, philantropy should never be a subsitute for tasks which belong to the government or public authorities. The two sides should cooperate to a maximum, which in essence means no “solo behaviour” by philantropists.

Let’s us go back for a moment to the thinking of Andrew Carnegie, the radical philantropist. He was convinced that succesful industrialists could and should play a role in the running of a state. If you are good at running an efficient company, surely one must be able to run an efficient  government.  That thought was explained in the Gospel of Wealth, one of his best known publications (1889) .  The essay emphasizes the duties of every rich person, and these are the famous last lines:

            Yet the man who dies leaving behind many millions of available wealth, which was his to administer during life, will pass away “unwept, unhonored and unsung”, no matter to what uses he leaves the dross which he cannot take with him. Of such as these the public verdict will then be “The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced”

This is a powerful and  original perspective, and one that modern times philantropists like Bill Gates and those affiliated with the Giving Pledge have well understood. “Private wealth for the public good” is a handy and positive catchphrase. And one that should not be overshadowed by critical remarks over the lack of democaratic control.  The available surplus wealth should indeed be destined to make the world a better place.

About the author:

Steven van Hoogstraten

Steven van Hoogsstraten studied law at the University of Groningen, and took up a career with the government in various positions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice and UN. Steven van
Hoogstraten is a former general Director of the Carnegie Foundation (Peace Palace) and Treasurer of
the Hague Academy of International Law,

Leonardo’s Faces – Maurice Meinders

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Leonardo’s Faces – Maurice Meinders

Celebrating Leonardo Royal Hotel Den Haag Promenade – 50 years of diplomatic mission

Behind the logo of the Vitruvian man, multiple employees ensure that the Leonardo Royal Hotel Den Haag Promenade provides excellent, customized, hospitality services to all.

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Name: Maurice Meinders
Nationality: Dutch
Function: Supervisor Health club & Spa Department: Health club & Spa

When did you start working at the Promenade Hotel?

August 2019.

Have you always worked in the same department?

No, I started out as a pastry chef in different companies but 10 years ago I had the opportunity to turn my hobby and passion into my profession. Within the Promenade Hotel, I have only worked in the Promenade Healthclub & Spa department.

What was the most remarkable (diplomatic) event you experienced?

The Italian food festival. The Italian chefs who cooked with love and passion for the profession and prepared beautiful dishes. The atmosphere in the restaurant and lobby attracts many international guests from different embassies. Naturally, all food festivals are great but I especially liked this one.

What international habit, tradition or event that you have observed, appeals to you?

The event ‘Las Fallas’ in Valencia. All the big and well-known names from the fireworks industry present their very best fireworks here. The city exhibits their passion for fireworks for days

Why?

The city literally ablaze between 15 and 19 March. If you walk through the streets of the city, you will see all around you how the smallest Valencians receive explanations from their parents about setting off fireworks. During the deafening mascletà at 2:00 PM in Plaza Del Ayuntamiento, you will see that the elderly from Valencia want to see this spectacle from ringside and how to enjoy it intensely. That was special to see.

What do you consider interesting about the international guests and events organized at the hotel?
The different cultures about events our internal food festivals

What is a(n) (international) habit that you find interesting?

That the Icelandic population uses their nose to great someone, instead of giving kisses on cheeks.

Greening our planet together, a thought experiment

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Greening our planet together, a thought experiment

By John Dunkelgrün

As almost everyone now knows our planet’s climate is changing. Temperatures are rising, weather patterns are becoming less predictable and storms more violent. Arctic ice is melting rapidly, threatening a dramatic rise in the sea level. Droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, and other scourges leave millions of people homeless and hungry.

It is generally accepted that the greenhouse gas emissions of carbon dioxide and methane are the main culprits. Methane is a more potent greenhouse gas, but it doesn’t remain in the atmosphere all that long. CO2 is there for the long haul (see Steven E. Koonin, ‘Unsettled’). To counter this development the main focus today is on reducing the output of CO2.

Depending on whom you talk to we should get to (not just strive towards) halve the emissions by 2030, and stop them altogether by 2050 in order to keep the warming up of our planet to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius. But the climate is already changing under the current concentration of the stuff in the atmosphere and it isn’t going away. Moreover cutting output in ‘the West’ is easily overtaken by growth in countries like China, India, Indonesia etc. So obviously, just slowing down emissions to a full stop some thirty years from now is not enough.

We have to take CO2 back out of the atmosphere. While there appear to be some chemical ways to do that, they haven’t proven that they can be viable on the massive scale required and at present they are prohibitively expensive (Koonin). The best route still seems to let nature do the work, by planting trees or fostering the growth of aquatic organisms that capture CO2.

Planting trees is wonderful. Everyone loves green, but areas with the right soil and water conditions for trees to grow, and that are not already being used for farming, are limited. Yet it is imperative that we find a solution.

Therefore let me take you on a little thought experiment. There are plenty of empty spaces on our planet with enough sun, but hardly any water.

At the same time our planet is awash in water. Over two-thirds of its surface shows blue from space. The problem is that most of it is salty. And while desalination technology is getting better all the time, it is still an expensive and energy-consuming process. But there is hope. Renewable energy by all known technologies is getting cheaper all the time and people all over the world are working on still newer and better methods. It is not at all impossible for abundant renewable energy to become virtually free in the near future.

Norman MacRae, a respected former editor of The Economist, once pointed out that most shortages, once recognised, are turned into surpluses within ten years. And as an example of how dramatically technology and costs can change, in the late sixties the workhorse of computing, the bulky IBM 360/30 computer, had 30K bytes of memory and cost well over $100,000 or not too far from a million dollars in today’s money. And it had just 30 kilobytes of memory, while my current smartphone has 256 gigabytes, almost nine million times as much, and costs about $1,250.

Now assume that in the next few years the cost of energy drops down so dramatically that we can ignore it. Then think about building massive desalination plants financed by the world  community. At current prices, it would take about one billion dollars to build a plant that produces one million tons of freshwater per day. Tropical savannas need 100 cm of rainfall per year or 0.275 cm a day. This translates into 2,750 tons of water per km2 per day. That one million tons per day plant produces enough water to turn more than 360,000 km2 of desert into savanna. Build one on either side of Africa (at a fraction of the World Bank annual budget for investment in water projects) and you get enough water to create a swath of 100 km wide from East to West as a green barrier against the encroaching Sahara.

The benefits of this would be stupendous. It could provide work to thousands of Africans planting trees. The growing trees and shrubs would gorge on the carbon dioxide, the herdsmen in the Sahel would have predictable water for their cattle and maize. Perhaps, if the green area would become large enough, it might change the soil and the weather patterns sufficiently so that less desalinated water is needed and can be used to make ever more of the Sahara green.

The desalination of two million cubic meters a day would need about 400 megawatts of electrical power. I have no idea how low the price of renewable energy needs to be for this idea to become viable, but if you look at the cost of the tornadoes, typhoons, droughts, the rising sea level, and hunger relief programs today, it almost seems like a feasible solution at today’s prices. And if this is seen to work in Africa, then the deserts of the Arabian peninsula, the Negev, Chile, and the Gobi could also become our new centers of green, storing the carbon dioxide and feeding the planet, and allowing more food production for the planet’s growing population.

Fons honorum

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Fons honorum

Why is there a need for oversight of U.S. presidential sovereignty?

President Trump & Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jabr Al Sabah – Picture by US Department of State.

As President Trump was preparing to leave office, his hands were occupied signing pardons but likewise honors for foreign leaders that received meager attention in the U.S. media.

Heads of state of Morocco, Bahrain and even Qatar’s[1] foreign minister received orders and medals, in a last-minute display of presidential stately might that required no congressional assent. Most remarkable is that Donald Trump bestowed a military accolade -in peace time- to leaders who aligned to his policies such as Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison, India’s Narendra Modi, or the Nipponese Abe Shinzo in December 2020, or to Arab leaders who were at the heart of his policies advancing Israel’s diplomatic weight in the Middle East. While neighbours closer to home in Canada, or Mexico were utterly ignored, the bedridden, late Emir of Kuwait, Sabah IV, was made ‘Chief Commander’ in the Legion of Merit (LOM) in September 2020; a première since 1991 for a head of state, and merely the third Arab awardee to ever be granted a LOM[2].

While the bestowal barely raised any eyebrows, it ought to be highlighted that this is one of the rare U.S. government accolades that act much like an order of chivalry, including degrees of rank, and a ribbon order, that is, by tradition, reserved to non-United Staters.

Being a military award, its bestowal is placed solely upon the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces’ discretion.

Albeit the LOM was established by virtue of an act of Congress[3], it further only requires the presidential authorization for its bestowal. Much as regal accolades granted at a sovereign’s pleasure, the U.S. President is able to display powers of unrestricted ‘sovereignty and favor’ analogous to the ones of monarchies.

HM Queen Elizabeth II is still capable to grace Commonwealth citizens with three orders of chivalry without ministerial countersigning. Even the constitutionally debilitate King of Sweden HM Carl XVI Gustaf, can distribute medals to his countrymen, and foreigners alike[4], and so it came as no surprise that the most dynastic acting president in U.S. history, took advantage of a discretionary power that allows him to court patronage vis-à-vis foreign leaders without congressional surveillance. A few days before he left the White House, he still inked LOMs certificates for the King of Morocco, HM Mohammed VI and subsequently for the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Whereas the revival of LOMs in times of peace, and for non-military merits may seem innocuous, in fact, President Trump acted in the spirit of a presidency originally created to mimic European monarchies. After all, a coarse ‘Mr President’ was meant to be ‘His Highness’’[5], or ‘His Mightiness the President’.

Albeit acting within the framework of his presidential prerogatives, it is conspicuous that President Trump adjudicated accolades to people politically faithful to his policies, and who on the grounds of their regal offices are here to stay long term, may be useful business partners, and eventual donors for Trumpism in the future. Notably the far more meritorious yet penniless Abdullah II of Jordan was side-lined throughout by the Trump administration. Hence it would be only appropriate to restrict such displays of presidential sovereignty through honours without a congressional approval. Needless to say, such scrutiny ought to apply to the presidential pardons, an absolute privilege that dwells into the independence of the judiciary. 

Businessman and dynast Donald Trump is célèbre for heeding for lasting partnerships, and who is to say the latter would not be the case with the Arab states? Sharifan king Mohammed VI is Africa’s richest monarch[6]; Abu Dhabi alone controls four of the largest sovereign wealth funds, and Saudi Arabia two of them[7]. Who knows if a Trump – any, for that matter- may in the future hang a LOM on the neck of a ‘KMbS’?

About the author:

Henri Estramant is Senior Editor and diplomatic adviser for Diplomat Magazine with particular expertise in the German and Austrian federal states, the European Union, the Gulf Arab states and China.

His expertise has been featured on CNN, The Economist, Business Insider, Forbes, ABC Spain, French,  German TV, The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Süddeutsche Zeitung, etc.

[1] https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2021/01/23/defence-medal-for-qatari-chief-of-diplomacy/

[2] https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2020/09/21/kuwaits-emir-honoured-by-the-usa/

[3] Public Law 671, 77th Congress, Chapter 508, 2d Session

[4]https://www.kungahuset.se/monarkinhovstaterna/ordnarochmedaljer/medaljer.4.3d99037b160d54f7102ac24.html

[5] https://www.founderoftheday.com/founder-of-the-day/prince-henry

[6] https://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2014/06/03/the-5-richest-kings-in-africa/?sh=329ccfcd41d2

[7] https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2016/05/11/the-middle-easts-10-biggest-sovereign-wealth-funds-for-now/?sh=71f726f916c8

Counter- terrorism has a beautiful face

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Counter- terrorism has a beautiful face

By Alexandra Paucescu

Looking at her you just wonder: what does this beautiful woman has to do with counter-terrorism? But after you read about some of her work or talk to her, you realize that beneath her charming appearance there is a smart and ambitious woman.

Spanish born Patricia Pazos is a researcher in international relations and holds a PhD in counter-terrorism but after she married a diplomat, her life turned into a series of diplomatic postings around the world. So far she has lived in Belgium, Qatar, and the USA.

Although she is still at the beginning of this nomadic diplomatic life, she has the wisdom that not many possess. She tells me: ‘Home is where you want to stay, sometimes you feel home in a month or you don’t ever feel home in a city. In my case, I usually adapt pretty quickly, so I would say I have several “homes”. Washington is our home now and it’s a great posting. It is so easy to find your place here!’

She admits that the US is closest to her heart right now. ‘Forty days after becoming a mother for the first time, we moved to Washington. Imagine having a new-born and 250 boxes waiting for you and saying “Hi, open me please”!’ I smiled hearing it, as I immediately thought about my own first move, to Vienna, with a toddler and while being seven months pregnant with my second child. Mothers know for sure what this means…

The more I talked to Patricia, the more I discovered her realistic and pragmatic life approach. She says: ‘Diplomatic life is made to enjoy it at its fullest. You don’t have to focus on the negative, but on the contrary, you need to take advantage of the blessings of your situation. During these last four years in the US I learned how to be a mom, how to start a business in a foreign country and how to enjoy whatever life brings. It is difficult every day, but I learnt to embrace it and love it.’

Patricia Pazos – www.TalkingAboutTerrorism.com

She wanted to stay active, so she decided to create a portable career that she could take with her to every new destination. ‘I’ve always known that I wanted to work in the counter-terrorism field, so I created www.TalkingAboutTerrorism.com. It is an online think- tank which trains people and also publishes analysis related to this subject, kind of a place to build bridges and fight this horrible worldwide threat.’

She is happy with her life and her job. Besides her family, her two kids and a small dog, she is focused on her own professional development. ‘Washington DC is full of brilliant professionals. It is not easy keeping up here, but the learning curve has skyrocketed for me for these past years and that’s what matters: the progress you make, no matter the posting. When you are posted abroad, try to think strategically: “is this choice going to help my career in the future?” If the answer is yes, then go for it! Even if nothing is perfect, make it the best you can and please, the kind to yourself!’

People sometimes underestimate us, the diplomatic spouses. But, as she says herself, ‘Diplomatic spouses are capable people, who are able to adapt and succeed abroad. One of the biggest misconceptions people have is our capability to get things done. During my years abroad I have only met smart and strong women, no matter the country they were coming from, that will impress anyone with their culture and strength.’

What are her advices for other spouses, at the beginning of this life adventure?

‘Do travel! Find a job or a passion that makes you happy and satisfied!  Do love the ones who love you! Stay away from negative people and places! DO NOT compare yourself to others, never! Do not spend your days stuck at home, missing your other home. Get out, find friends, enrol to some classes, follow or discover your own passions, go to events and discover your new country of residence!’

Indeed, what else could I add? Most of her advices I try to follow every day, too. Optimism and openness to the new opportunities are keys to a successful diplomatic journey. Once you embarked into this life adventure, you have to make the most out of it.

Or, as she says: ‘There is only one life to live, so live it well! ‘

About the author:

Alexandra Paucescu

Alexandra Paucescu

Alexandra Paucescu- Author of “Just a Diplomatic Spouse” Romanian, management graduate with a Master in business, cultural diplomacy and international relations studies.

She speaks Romanian, English, French, German and Italian,  gives lectures on intercultural communication and is an active NGO volunteer.

Nord Stream 2: To Gain or to Refrain?

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Nord Stream 2: To Gain or to Refrain?

Why Germany Refuses to Bend under Sanctions Pressure

By Yvana Lima.

The chances of the sanctions war around Nord Stream 2 to rage on after the construction of the pipeline is finally over seem to be high. That said, we have to admit, with regret or with joy, that it will be completed, and for the following reasons:

Germany, like any other European country, has set itself the task of abandoning coal and nuclear energy within the next few decades.

Simultaneously forsaking gasoline and diesel cars, which is something Europe dreams about, will inevitably increase the EU’s demand for electricity. However, green energy is unlikely to satisfy Europe’s energy needs any time soon. Hopes for cheap thermonuclear energy are unlikely to come true until 2050 at best. Therefore, in the coming decades, natural gas, Russian and other, will obviously remain the most convenient and cheapest fuel. At the same time, regardless of where the pipelines run, Russian natural gas will account for a significant share of the European and world markets. This is not politics – just a simple economic reality.

Despite the attributed environmental benefits of Nord Stream 2 and the Russian natural gas, the positive impact of replacing coal with natural gas remains largely unclear as it depends on the volume of methane leaking from the processes of gas extraction and transportation. Nonetheless, Nord Stream 2 presents itself as an attractive alternative for the EU as it would help decrease gas prices because Russia will be able to supply the EU with higher amounts of gas, thus, decreasing demand for expensive imported liquified natural gas (LNG).

Nord Stream 2, although a privately-financed commercial project, has political implications. Politics and economics are too closely intertwined, and in the short term at that. The abandonment of Nord Stream 2 will hardly weaken Russia and force the Kremlin to introduce democratic reforms. This will only result in Europe losing a good opportunity to effectively ensure its energy independence, as well as that of its Baltic and Eastern European allies, many of whom, unable to fully integrate themselves into European energy systems, continue to buy electricity from Russia.

At the same time, Nord Stream 2 will help make Germany a guarantor of the EU’s energy security. More and more people now feel that the sanctions against the Russian-German project are essentially meant to undermine Germany’s growing influence. However, even this abnormally cold winter has shown that political problems and competition for influence in the EU are taking a back seat to energy security issues. The disruption in LNG supplies from the United States has only underscored Europe’s need for the Nord Stream. Besides, when completed and controlled by Germany, Nord Stream 2 could be used as a means of pressure against Russia and Russian supplies which is exactly what Brussels and Washington want.

Yet, the United States continues to oppose the Nord Stream 2 project and, thus, trans-Atlantic tensions between Germany and the United States are on the rise. Like the Obama and Trump Administrations which opposed Nord Stream 2 and introduced tangible steps to halt its progress, the Biden Administration is too faced with a lot of pressure by American lobbyists and members of the Congress in order to push back and halt Nord Stream 2 progress and efforts. However, until this very day, US President Biden and his administration did not sanction the project, which could be understood in lights of Biden’s struggling efforts to repair relations with Germany after the Trump Administration’s accusations towards and troop withdrawals from Germany. Thus, although the current administration under Biden still opposes Nord Stream 2, it is reluctant to impose any sanctions because its priorities lie with repairing US-German ties in the Post-Trump era.

The United States is not the only opposing International player to Nord Stream 2, but even many Eastern European countries, including Slovakia, Ukraine and Poland are against the pipeline project in fear of geo-economic insecurity. For instance, it is believed that Nord Stream 2 would cost Ukraine approximately $2 to $3 billion in losses as the transit volumes shift from Ukraine to Nord Stream 2. Another argument put forth by European opposition to Nord Stream 2 is that it would undermine the EU’s energy solidarity or even a potential “Energy Union”; however, Germany and supporters of Nord Stream 2 often highlight that the imported Russian gas would not only benefit Germany, but rather all of Europe. The pipeline is expected upon completion to be able to transport 55 billion cubic meters of Russian Natural Gas to Germany and other clients in Europe!

Despite oppositions, threats of sanctioning and the earlier construction halt in December 2019, it seems that the Gazprom-Pipeline Nord Stream 2 will be completed and will go online soon as the Biden Administration continues to refrain from imposing sanctions.

About Author:

Ivana Lima, Research fellow from the Rio-based Universidade Candido Mendes. Ms. Lima is attached to the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Brazil Chapter Executive). She also liaisons with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Following the spirit of our common market

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Following the spirit of our common market

By H.E. Dr. Euclides Acevedo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay

The minister shared his views on the issue of the Covid vaccines, reactivation of the economy, 30 years of MERCOSUR and the role of Paraguayan ambassadors worldwide in promoting trade; he also sent a message to European investors.

I agree that the vaccines, which should have been universally available, were not well distributed and are not reaching everyone. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay has tried to remedy this situation.  To this end we have resorted to all our international contacts to obtain more vaccines.

We should highlight the response and cooperation of Chile, India and Qatar, and the signing of a contract, that we can talk about today. India is sending two million doses, and of course, we signed a contract with the Russian Federation for one million doses almost a year ago. These vaccines have been coming in instalments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made itself available to the Ministry of Health for the coordination not only of the acquisition of the vaccines but also for the logistics and the vaccination rollout.

The second point of the presidential proposal regarding the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to health and Itaipu’s Annex C, is in fact, the reactivation of our country’s Economy. As you know, there can be no economic reactivation without investment, and with no investment there can be no development. This means planning and working towards a fair distribution of what is generated.

In that sense the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not wasted any time and liaised with bilateral and multilateral organizations to identify new markets and set up long term projects. We turned to our neighbours, and to Mercosur, following the spirit of our common market. If we do not join forces in projects that lead to the economic prosperity of the block, it means that we are not really united. For this reason, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pooled its resources, its very competent professionals, liaised with the industrial union, with the FEPRIN, with the guilds, associations, with syndicates and with social organisations, seeking to work on a project of economic recovery.

Fighting the virus, preventing its spread or setting up a health system that can handle this sanitary emergency, is one thing, but we also need to think about what to do about those who have recovered and are healthy. It is no use having a healthy country if we do not have an economic project that will provide what is necessary. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not neglected that aspect: to combat the pandemic and prevent the spread of the virus as much as possible, but at the same time stimulate the reactivation of our economy, using imagination, intelligence, and our human talents.

Thirty years of a Mercosur that started with great enthusiasm at a time when the countries in the Region were recovering our freedoms.

After thirty years we have an aging Mercosur that is almost paralysed, still foreign and contradictory.

This pandemic helped us realise that it is important to stimulate regional unity. Regional unity does not mean merely having a simpler customs system, or unifying our common foreign tariffs, it is not just that, but rather, setting up a development project for our continent, to face the challenges of the post-pandemic, a pandemic that caught us all unprepared.

I believe that thirty years on, at a time when we cannot meet each other except through this channel, we gave it a blood transfusion and regained the lost tempo. In the end, Mercosur might be our problem, but Mercosur is also our solution and our way out of this crisis.

My political seniority has led me to the conclusion that the Ambassador is both a spy and a sales rep.

A spy because they must find information, share this information with their metropolis, their headquarters; and they are sales reps because they need to sell, and to do so, it is essential that they know well the markets where they operate, so that we can start producing in response to their specific demands. Why produce what other countries are not going to buy?

In that sense, we with our ambassadors, who not only responded to last year’s repatriation with selflessness and worked hard searching for vaccines this year but are now fully dedicated to the reactivation of our economy and the re-foundation of our Republic. We now must stimulate economic activities that are market-oriented and production-oriented. We do not want to limit ourselves to star products such as beef and soya, but also value-added products. I believe that our vision is very clear, and our ambassadors are in permanent contact not only with us but also through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with our Producers and the Republic’s apparatus for the sector.

I think that at a time when information travels fast and where you can no longer lie, Europeans and non-Europeans know very well why they should come and invest in Paraguay. Here we will provide them with everything that they need in a State with political governance despite the ups and downs and the shortcomings typical of a democracy.

I would like to address in particular the Europeans. There is an agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, but that agreement has not yet been signed. It is important that Europeans understand that we can be an ally, rather than a dishonest competitor. Therefore, I think it is important for them to assume that what has been agreed has to be signed, otherwise, what has been agreed would become a fraudulent hope, which, I do not believe reflects the European culture and its tradition of solidarity.

Minilateralism for the future of Europe and its strategic neighbourhood

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Minilateralism for the future of Europe and its strategic neighbourhood

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process titled: “Europe – Future – Neighbourhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by the Modern Diplomacy, IFIMES and their partners, with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges.[1] 

Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event was endorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement, His Excellency Olivér Várhelyi. The first, of the three-panel conference, was brilliantly conducted by the OSCE Sec-General (2011-2017), current IFIMES Euro-Med Director, Ambassador Lamberto Zannier. Among his speakers was a former Deputy Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Center Ms. Monika Wohlfeld. Discussing pan-European and regional issues of the southern Europe, this is what Dr. Wohlfeld outlined in her intervention.

By Dr. Monika Wohlfeld

The list of global and regional challenges that affect the Euro-Med region is too long to discuss here in depth. Clearly, the region experiences soft and hard security challenges and conflicts over ‘territorial claims, the proliferation of weapons, terrorist activities, illegal migration, ethnic tensions, human rights abuses, climate change, natural resources disputes, especially concerning energy and water, and environmental degradation’.[2] The Covid-19 pandemic lay bare and enhanced many of these challenges, in social, political and economic as well as security realms. The Euro-Med region is also not well equipped to tackle these problems and difficulties in a cooperative and coordinated manner, despite the existence of some common organizations, institutions and agendas.

So how to foster dialogue and a cooperative approach on addressing common challenges in the region? I will focus largely on security in a broad sense and the notion of cooperative security.

The OSCE (or rather its more unstructured predecessor, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe) has in the recent decades been presented as a possible example for co-operative security arrangements in the Mediterranean region.  The idea of a Conference on Security and Co-operation in the Mediterranean (CSCM) did not get a lot of traction in the region so far. It has been argued that such a project must succeed and not precede cooperative regional dynamics it seeks and that the conflictual patterns of relations, which exist across the Mediterranean, therefore do not lend themselves to cooperative security frameworks. The absence of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace would preclude parties in the region from applying cooperative security methods that have proved effective in the framework of the CSCE/OSCE.

An additional difficulty is that this possible example for cooperative security arrangements focuses largely on the interaction of states while it is increasingly clear that civil society and its organizations may have a necessary and constructive role to play in this respect.

Nevertheless, the notion of cooperative security framework(s) has been supported by many analysts, not only from the northern shore, but from also southern shore of the Mediterranean.  Abdennour Benantar, in his discussion of possible security architectures for the Mediterranean region, analyses the security situation in the region and asks whether the concept of cooperative security, as developed in the European context, could be transposed or applied in the Mediterranean.[3] Benantar argues in favour of creating a regime of security cooperation in the Mediterranean, while taking into account the sub-regional diversity of the Mediterranean region.

One key conclusion of the discussion of CSCM is that not extending existing European models, or exporting models of cooperative security to the Mediterranean region, but rather using such models as sources of inspiration and support to subregional or regional cooperative security efforts is likely to be more successful[4] in establishing cooperative security principles and frameworks in the Mediterranean.

Another key finding is that with multilateralism under pressure globally and regionally, new concepts deserve attention. One such concept is minilateralism or selective and flexible cooperation, currently being developed in the context of the problems faced by multilateralism globally. As Stewart Patrick explains, ‘states increasingly participate in a bewildering array of flexible, ad hoc frameworks whose membership varies based on situational interests, shared values, or relevant capabilities. These institutions are often ‘minilateral’ rather than universal; voluntary rather than legally binding; disaggregated rather than comprehensive; trans-governmental rather than just intergovernmental; regional rather than global; multi-level and multistakeholder rather than state-centric; and ‘bottom-up’ rather than ‘top down’.[5] Thus, while multilateralism is under pressure, there are possible ways of bottom-up, smaller in terms of numbers of states involved and flexible approaches.

A Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung strategic foresight exercise for the MENA region in 2030 suggests there are opportunities for common approaches and co-operation on long-term challenges that affect all states of the region. Thus, there are key risks and opportunities that might enhance cooperation. ‘With this as a starting point, through building single-issue institutions and multilateral trust, other chapters for cooperation might open up.’[6]

This observation could benefit from being placed in the perspective of the concept of minilateralism, presented above. With multiple, flexible layers of such minilateral cooperation, cooperative security approaches can be introduced into various regional formats in the Mediterranean. They deserve the political and financial support of all state or non-state actors that engage on behalf of multilateralism and cooperative security.

Before closing, few words about the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies, which  is a regional institution, funded by the governments of Malta, Switzerland and Germany. It trains diplomats and more recently also civil society activists from the Euro-Med region who work and live together for the duration of the Master’s degree, accredited by the University of Malta. The Academy thus functions as a regional confidence-building measure, per se. 

In 2009, when this author joined the Academy, a course on security studies has been developed, which emphasizes non-zero sum game approaches, cooperative security and conflict prevention and conflict resolution aspects. Twelve cohorts of students later, using their written assessments of the impact of the course as well as conversations with alumni (many of whom are reaching top jobs in their countries), it changed the way they view security issues and conceptualize solutions to common security challenges.

It could be giving hopes. There is increased emphasis on youth and confidence building in the Euro-Med region, and strong interest and support from Northern African countries in the academic training the Academy provides. However, the pandemic and the economic situation in the region do not bode well for prospects of projects such as the Academy. One very recent positive development I can share though is that the German Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs has renewed its funding for the German Chair for Peace Studies and Conflict Prevention at the Academy for the next two years.

This is the author’s main take on the situation: It will take support, time and patience to advance minilateralism and also multilateralism as a way of addressing common challenges in the Euro-Med region. We need all hands on deck for this, especially during the difficult moments the region experiences currently.

About the author:

Dr. Monika Wohlfeld

Lecturer, German Chair in Peace and Conflict Prevention Center, MEDAC, University of Malta. Former NATO fellow and the Deputy Director of the Conflict Prevention Centre of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

On sauve les pêcheurs

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On sauve les pêcheurs

Par Alexandre Kodhakov.

Un jour le téléphone sonne. Je venais juste de m’allonger pour faire un somme. Cette fois c’est le capitaine du port de Libreville. Il me prie de venir d’urgence, mais assure qu’il ne s’agit pas d’un problème. Il y a des formalités à remplir. La capitainerie du port est en ville, j’y suis en dix minutes. Là, je trouve le commandant de la Gendarmerie et le commandant de la Marine. On se salue comme de vieux amis. Dans le cabinet du capitaine du port je rencontre aussi quelques compatriotes qui m’expliquent de quoi il s’agit.

Un pétrolier plein à craquer se dirigeait vers le port de Malabo, en Guinée équatoriale. La mer était calme, la visibilité mille sur mille. L’officier de pont remarque au large, presqu’à l’horizon, un petit bateau, ou plutôt une chaloupe. Ça bouge à bord. On apporte des jumelles : c’est un groupe d’Africains qui gesticulent frénétiquement et agitent leurs vêtements ; il est clair qu’ils essayent d’attirer l’attention. Ils sont en détresse, il n’y a aucun doute. Le capitaine jure, mais décide de changer de cap. Le pétrolier met à l’eau sa vedette à moteur et bientôt les Africains montent à bord. Ils sont visiblement épuisés et déshydratés, certains ne peuvent pas se tenir debout.

Ce sont des pêcheurs gabonais à qui la fortune a tourné le dos. Ils dérivent dans le Golfe de Guinée depuis une semaine. Le moteur de leur chaloupe de pêche a calé, les tentatives de le réparer ont échoué, les réserves d’eau et de nourriture s’épuisent très vite. Quelques navires passent à proximité, mais ne font aucune attention à leurs signaux de détresse. Le courant les éloigne de plus en plus loin de la côte. Le sauvetage arrive juste à temps.

Le médecin du pétrolier donne aux pêcheurs du bouillon. Ils se mettent à genoux : « Encore à manger, encore ! » Mais le docteur reste implacable et refuse. Il a parfaitement raison – manger à gogo après un jeûne d’une semaine, cela peut tuer. « On ne vous a pas sauvés pour que vous rendiez l’âme à Dieu à bord de notre bateau », – leur dit-il.

Le capitaine annonce qu’il va reprendre son cap sur Malabo, son point de destination, et les pêcheurs seront remis aux autorités équato-guinéennes. Les pêcheurs retombent à genoux et supplient le capitaine de les amener à Libreville. Les relations entre Libreville et Malabo sont tellement tendues que les Gabonais ont peur d’être jetés tout de suite en prison d’où ils n’auront aucune garantie de ressortir.

Le capitaine jure encore, très énergiquement, mais cède à leur demande et met le cap sur Libreville. Le tirant d’eau du pétrolier est si grand qu’il n’est pas question d’amarrer au port même, il doit rester en rade, à la distance d’à peu près un kilomètre de la côte. Les deux commandants gabonais ont leurs propres moyens de locomotion. Moi, pour aller à bord je dois me servir de la vedette du pétrolier. Elle est petite et la houle est entretemps devenue assez forte. J’ai le mal de mer dès que je vois une vague ; la route est longue, quarante minutes de croisière me paraissent une éternité. Ma peau devient verdâtre. Heureusement, je reprends vite couleur normale une fois arrivé à bord. Le pétrolier est en effet énorme, il n’y pas de roulis ni de tangage.

Dès qu’on monte, le capitaine nous invite à passer à table. Comme la tradition le veut, il y a de la vodka et une bonne collation. On lève le verre à la santé du capitaine. Les pêcheurs se sont déjà plaints des navires qui avaient ignoré leurs signaux de détresse. Le geste du capitaine soviétique est d’autant plus apprécié.

Les formalités sont vite réglées – je rédige un acte, le tape à la machine (le capitaine en a une), les représentants gabonais et le capitaine le signent et je m’apprête à partir avec les Gabonais qui offrent de me déposer. À ce moment-là le capitaine me tire par le coude : « Vous savez que pour un sauvetage en mer on paie une prime ? » Je lui réponds à mi-voix : « Regardez-moi ces pauvres types, ce sont des mendiants, ils n’ont pas le sou. Et croyez-moi, le gouvernement ne paiera pas non plus. Il vaut mieux renoncer. » Alors le capitaine annonce à haute voix qu’il renonce à la prime de sauvetage. Tout le monde applaudit. Sur cette note optimiste je repars avec les deux commandants et le capitaine du port.

La presse gabonaise – c’est-à-dire « L’Union » – a consacré un article plein de louanges à l’adresse des marins soviétiques. Cela a permis d’apaiser les esprits et de tourner la page – on ne parlait plus des incidents avec nos bateaux.

Information sur l’auteur:

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Alexander Khodakov

Né à Moscou en 1952, Alexander Khodakov fait ses études de droit  à  l’Institut de relations internationales de Moscou (MGIMO). Après trois ans à MGIMO, il fait un an d’études à l’université d’Alger. En 1974 il est recruté par le Ministère des affaires étrangères de l’URSS et part en poste au Gabon. Rentré à Moscou, il intègre le département juridique du Ministère. De 1985 à  1991 il travaille  à New York au sein de la mission permanente de l’URSS auprès des Nations unies. De retour à Moscou en 1991 il revient au département juridique, dont il devient directeur en 1994. Quatre ans plus tard il est nommé ambassadeur de Russie aux Pays-Bas et représentant permanent auprès de l’Organisation pour l’interdiction des armes chimiques (OIAC). En 2004 il passe au service de l’OIAC comme directeur des projets spéciaux et ensuite secrétaire des organes directifs. En 2011 il rejoint le greffe de la Cour pénale internationale et exerce pendant trois ans comme conseiller spécial pour les relations extérieures.

Depuis 2015 il vit  à La Haye, avec sa famille. Il a écrit Cuisine Diplomatique un vibrant récit des histoires inédites sur sa vie diplomatique.

Brigadier General Christopher R. Norrie bids farewell to Germany

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Brigadier General Christopher R. Norrie bids farewell to Germany

Wednesday, 2 June 2021, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: Head of Bavarian Chancellery, Dr. Florian Herrmann, Minister for Federal Affairs and Media, awarded the Commander of the 7th Army Training Command of the US Army, Brigadier General Christopher R. Norrie, with the Bavarian ‘European Medal’ for ‘his special services to the Free State of Bavaria in Europe, and the world’.

Dr. Herrmann said as per statement below: “Brigadier General Christopher R. Norrie was a real stroke of luck for Bavaria. From the very beginning, he sought open dialogue with the local elected representatives and the Bavarian State Government on matters of concern to the US Army and the neighbouring communities of the Grafenwöhr military training area.

This good cooperation has led, for example, to a reduction of noise pollution during manoeuvres for the population. The exemplary efforts of General Norrie in the Corona pandemic should also be highlighted. Thanks to consistent measures and close cooperation with the authorities in Bavaria, countless lives were protected and illnesses prevented. With a solidarity campaign in which videos of Bavarian and American associations were projected onto the water tower of the US garrison in Grafenwöhr, General Norrie strengthened the feeling of togetherness in difficult times and gave people courage. General Norrie is a diplomat in uniform – his commitment to Bavarian-American friendship deserves our special thanks and recognition.”

Brigadier General Norrie is succeeded by Brigadier General Joe Hilbert as Commander of the 7th Army Training Command. 

Since 1990, the ‘European Medal’ has been awarded to exemplary personalities who have rendered outstanding services to the Free State of Bavaria in a united Europe, or who have contributed to Bavaria’s international standing in the world. From the first award until today (including the current recipient), a total of 326 people have received the award.

On the other side, Minister Dr. Herrmann was also presented the ‘Meritorious Public Service Medal’ by Brigadier General Christopher Cavoli. The Meritorious Public Service Medal is US Army’s highest award for civilians in Europe. Bavaria is the largest stationing location for the US Army in Europe and stands firmly by its U.S. ally and partner. More than 40,000 US soldiers and civilians make a valuable contribution to protecting peace and security here.

Germany is an strategic partner for the U.SA., as a matter of fact, the republic’s Defense Attaché based in Berlin, Capt. Mike Wenke, serves likewise in the capacity as U.S. Defense Representative on behalf of the Combatant Commander, European Command.

Germany is home to the largest number of U.S. defense personnel outside the United States. Present U.S. troop strength is roughly 80,500 uniformed members. 

For further information:

Bavarian Government: https://www.bayern.de/staatsminister-dr-florian-herrmann-zeichnet-brigadier-general-christopher-r-norrie-mit-der-europamedaille-aus-dr-herrmann-herausragendes-engagement-fuer-die-bayerisch-amerikanische-zusammenarbei/

U.S. General Consulate in Bavaria (Consul General Meghan Gregonis): https://de.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/munich/consul-general/
Defense Attaché Office (Capt. Mike Wenke): https://de.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/government-agencies/the-defense-attache-office-dao/

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