The Association on Third World Affairs, Inc. is an independent, non-profit membership organization promoting fresh approaches to and clearer understanding of, societies undergoing fundamental transitions.


ATWA--WATCH Summary of Recent ATWA programs:

Amb. Valery Tsepkalo of Belarus discussed the September 9 Belarus elections on Monday, July 30, 1:00-3:00 PM in Room 2105 of the Rayburn House of Representatives Building.

E-mail us at info@atwa.org if you wish to attend.

Our Capitol Hill conference on THE CHANGING NATURE OF SOVEREIGNTY took place on Tuesday, July 10, at 3:00 PM in Room 1539 of the Longworth House of Representatives Building. Speakers include HON. LJUBICA ACEVSKA, FORMER AMBASSADOR OF MACE-DONIA; REP. C.J. CHEN OF TAIWAN; REP. ALISON DUNCAN OF THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY; AMBASSADOR GEZA JESZENSZKY OF HUNGARY and AMBASSADOR DAVORIN KRACUN OF SLOVENIA. Following up on issues raised at our last conference, we will discuss how various people are reaching--or trying to reach--accomodation between their desire for self-government or independence and other realities.

If you wish to attend, please e-mail us at info@atwa.org, giving your name and affiliation.

Our CAPITOL HILL CONFERENCE on SMALLER DEMOCRACIES: A FORCE FOR PEACE was held on April 23 in the Cannon House of Representatives Building. Speakers included Ambassadors Geza Jeszenszky of Hungary, Davorin Kracun of Slovenia and Jan Baldvin Hannibalsson of Iceland--all former foreign ministers; former Ambassador of Macedonia Ljubica Acevska, currently Public Policy Scholar at the Wilson Center; and Albert Santoli, Special Assistant for National Security to Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and human rights activist and author. With numerous ambassadors and other notables from around the world actively participating, they stressed the following:

Amb. Jeszenszky, a prominent historian and fighter for freedom, gave a sweeping analysis of the merits and demerits of smaller and larger states. Condemning empires that are held together by force, he praised the numerous movements and leaders which have created democracies in Europe. While noting that smaller is not necessarily better, he made clear that "small states can indeed be a force for peace."

Amb. Kracun then emphacized that it was the desire to live in a democracy, rather than nationalism, which caused Slovenia to leave Yugoslavia. Explaining how its 2 million people achieved economic success, he posited that small countries can best play constructive roles in the world through international organizations.

Amb. Acevska then stressed that a hallmark of a democracy is respect for all its citizens, whatever their backgrounds, and that Macedonia from the first guaranteed equal rights for minorities. Current unrest, she explained, is caused by outsiders. While observing that smaller countries can be a source of international unrest, as well as peace, she promised that Macedonia will continue to be a force for peace in the region and "on a larger scale." Specific examples of how a courageous leader from a small country can play a major international role were then provided by Amb. Hannibalsson, who was foreign minister during the period of crucial changes in Eastern and Central Europe. Detailing why the U.S. and other major countries were unwilling to recognize the independence of the Baltic states, he explained why he did--paving the way for other countries to follow. (We noted that he did the same thing with regard to Slovenia and Croatia). He also discussed how the Nordic states, with their excellent political and social systems, play worthy international roles through development aid and peace-making, Albert Santoli then stressed the importance of rule of law, and the fact that democratic values are not a western phenomenon, but are universal. This was proved by the establishment of multi-party democracy in Taiwan. Thiis example. he said, is what China fears most, and in assessing Chinese threats to Taiwan, we must remember the lessons of appeasement from the l930s and help democratic Taiwan to defend itself.

FIRST SEMINAR ON RUSSIAN-ASIAN RELATIONS
held at the Russian Embassy on July 24.

Counselor Gregory Logvinov stressed the following points:

1. Russia needs to develop its Far East area, and "according to our new foreign policy doctrine, our foreign policies should, first of all, serve the needs of our domestic development...our foreign policy is much more pragmatic than before." Russia hopes to be a bridge between East and West.

2. Russia believes that good relations with China are natural, and has proclaimed a partnership--not an "alliance"--with China. its position towards Taiwan is similar to that of the U.S.

3 Stability in North Korea is important to Russia, and Russian leaders have found their North Korean counterparts capable and reasonable.

4. As Russia does not view China as an enemy, it sees no reason not to sell limited amounts of arms to China.

5. Russia wishes to help the Mongolians, a friendly people with many problems. Russia feels a special friendship towards Vietnam, with whom it is undertaking considerable economic cooperation. Indonesia is a very important country undergoing serious problems, and although Russia is unable to do much to help, it is glad the U.S. is providing assistance.

SECOND SEMINAR ON RUSSIAN-ASIAN RELATIONS
At the Seminar held at the Russian Embassy on Feb. 14.

Gregory S. Logvinov, Counselor at the Embassy, stressed the following:

l. As two thirds of its territory lies in Asia, the region is of prime importance to Russia. Howe- ver, "Russian policy can have neither a European nor an Asian bias. It must be balanced."

2. China is of particular importance; it is a great nation, and the world should accept this reality. Russian cooperation with China is not an "alliance," and in any event is not aimed against any other countries.

3. China's dealings with Taiwan are China's concern alone. Russia will continue the "one China" policy.

4. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is rational, and wishes to improve his country. In so doing, he will learn from the experiences of other socialist countries.

5. NMD would upset the balance of power in the world and lead to an arms race. Russia, like many other countries, therefore opposes it. Contact us if you wish a copy of the Seminar Report.

PRINTED CONFERENCE REPORTS

Reports of our past Capitol Hill conferences are available for $7.00. Titles Include:

Democracy in the New Millenium (March 13, 2000)

Whose Foreign Policy is it Anyway? (October 4, 1999)

Small(er) Islands, Big International Impact (April 29, 1999)

Globalization is not Homogenization (October 21, 1998)