Îlexander Chaliy: Many of the problems today arise from the lack of real peer review
One of the top reasons for crisis is that ruling elites are not ready to admit real facts
Beginning of the year is traditionally the time of summarizing of the past and the projections for the future. Leading analytical centers around the world publish their assessment of what we have already experienced, and what is to go through.
Community EASI - Euro-Atlantic Security Initiative - in this sense is not an exception, having published not only event-messages, but also a number of analytical studies concerning recent trends and global transformations. Take, for example, the special report on security issues, which will be presented in February at the traditional case-summit in Munich.
No doubt, these studies will resonate not only in the expert community, but also become the starting point for certain other analytical organizations. After all, we should say that the distinguishing feature of EASI research is their impartiality and non-traditional view, and what is particularly valuable, the desire to call a spade a spade.
Another thing is whether we need the truth and different points of view today? After all, even the rating agencies are increasingly asked to be not so much false as secretive, non-contracting the whole truth, not revealing all the details ...
Whether it is dangerous? This is what we are talking about with a Ukrainian member of the EASI Commission, a member of the board of “United World” International Foundation, a recognized expert in the field of international relations, diplomacy, Olexander Chaliy.
-Mr.Chaliy, does the World need truth today?
- The World always needs high-quality and unbiased analysis and proposals for action. Many of today's problems arise because we do not have a real critical peer review and actions based on it. The basic idea of EASI is an objective and de-ideologized look at the situation in Euro-Atlantic area both in terms of calls from other world regions, and in terms of its internal resources to make the Euro-Atlantic space more cooperative.
To solve this problem one should be based on a qualitative examination and proper evaluation of the actual trends. Members of the Commission may make such analysis as high-class professionals. In addition, all of them are former high-level officials and have an opportunity not to be bound by the official position of their countries on certain issues and, accordingly, think without stereotypes but realistically.
One of the main objectives of EASI is give a strategic forecast of the Euro-Atlantic area. To answer the question: will it be a community of safety or fragmented region with a corresponding potential for conflict? The Euro-Atlantic area remains a key backbone of the global system, and its development will determine to a large extent the global security. Therefore, only by joining Euro-Atlantic area, we can have a positive impact on the development of the world.
With regard to the current global crisis, one of its major causes is unwillingness of the ruling elites to recognize the facts.
- Today, the attention of many international experts is focused on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa. Syria and Egypt, as well as Libya continue to be trouble spots that threaten the world with new wars. In your opinion, how the situation may develop? Is the view of expert community, in particular EASI, audible and demanded?
- According to the tasks, EASI has not directly covered the Middle East issue. We analyzed the situation there just in terms of the challenges that it may pose for Euro-Atlantic area and the opportunities that the Euro-Atlantic security has been sustained. Unfortunately, those trends that we see today in the Middle East, give rise to more challenges and uncertainties for the Euro-Atlantic security.
The Commission is not specifically analyzed, what to do. But the events clearly require greater coordination and emphasize the need to build a new Euro-Atlantic community.
On the other hand, the situation in the Middle East is one of the problems that hinder the construction of such a community. Compelling example of this are different positions of the U.S. and Russia in regard to Syria, Russia and France and Germany on Libya issue.
But in general, events in the Middle East will require greater consolidation of the Euro-Atlantic community.
- The number of research papers published recently under the auspices of EASI, hence, on the development of the CIS - the post-Soviet period. Theme is as deep and requires several studies. Nevertheless, what EASI experts saw in the development of the former Soviet republics? Perhaps there are things, which should be paid particular attention to?
- The key finding, which is made by the Commission regarding the development of post-Soviet space in the context of the new Euro-Atlantic community's security - is the need to implement the idea of a historic reconciliation in the relations between Russia and its near neighbors in Eastern Europe.
Recipe of the Commission is simple - the technology of a historic reconciliation, which took advantage of Western and Central Europe (France-Germany, Germany-Poland, Germany-Belgium, Hungary-Romania), which guaranteed a stable world, virtually eliminated the very idea of solving the contradictions between the two countries by military means, can and must be applied in Eastern Euro-Atlantic area, namely, between the following parties: Russia - the Baltic republics, Russia - Ukraine, Russia - Georgia, Armenia-Azerbaijan. This is the new major element, which will be emphasized in the final report, which is to be presented in Munich in February 2012.
- Last autumn the meeting of the EASI was held in Kiev. Despite the closeness, it has become a newsmaker. From the information point of view, the session has not lost in a shaft of news about gas negotiations with Russia, for example, or of local political realities. Is this natural?
- No doubt, it’s natural, since Ukraine is actively looking for its formula for sustainable security. Recently, non-alignment policy, which has been declared, makes all the processes in this context even more relevant.
At the same time, the key idea of the Commission is to remove the contradictions in security matters between West and East Euro-Atlantic region, offering a breakthrough idea of a new Euro-Atlantic security community, which fully meets the strategic interests of Ukraine. In this formulation Ukraine has a chance to turn from a "bone of contention" into the key binding element of the new system.
Therefore, a meeting in Kyiv was of a great interest from the authorities and Ukrainian diplomats, experts and media. Besides, Ukraine obtained the possibility to implement all the work-outs during its future chairmanship in OSCE in 2013.
- By the way, why the meeting was originally planned as a "closed event"? This was a feature format or due to severity and urgency of the issues?
- This is a combination of both. Professionals in their environment can honestly say, as the lie will be immediately noticeable, and is simply impossible. If we do a public debate, it may occur some temptation to please the media and the public. Therefore, our approach at work was the maximum closeness of the discussions and the commitment to the "Chatham House" rule.
But what is very important: in spite of the difference in approaches to certain details, which of course natural, we were united in an effort to make our region a safer and more common - like it is today. We were united in an effort to minimize the risks and dangers that threaten our region. Our aim was to establish a positive agenda of the future for all participants.
Following the report of the Commission in Munich EASI will promote and popularize the basic ideas through the creation of network of relationships with experts and the public, and this will continue for 10-15 years.
I want to note: EASI meeting in Kyiv has become possible thanks to “United World” International Foundation, which philosophy is very close to the ideas of the Commission. I hope that the Fund will be a key partner of the EASI in Ukraine to promote and popularize the idea of Euro-Atlantic security community.
- During the Kyiv meeting it was decided to prepare a special document on the construction of the Euro-Atlantic security. However, while experts try to formulate some "peaceful" and informed decisions, politicians play their own game - which is, for example, exchange of statements between Moscow and Washington to deploy U.S. missile defense system in Europe. Do you see the danger in such statements to peace initiatives made by high level experts in Kyiv?
- You know, we are constantly confronted with difficulties in the current political agenda, but being high-level experts with relevant experience at the highest positions of state hierarchy we understand one thing – there is no alternative to the trend of convergence and cooperation in the Euro-Atlantic area. Yes, this does not preclude temporary setbacks due to subjective factors, but the movement will go in that direction.
There is no doubt, that missile defense issue seriously torpedoes achievements of the Commission, which will be presented shortly. However, at our last meeting in Moscow, after the November statements Dmitry Medvedev about possible retaliatory steps of Russia, as a reaction to the development of the American model of missile defense in Europe, we have come to believe that it is now more important than ever to present the World an authoritative, professional and alternative point of view.
Defense issues were the Commission's central ones and attracted the experts of the highest level (for example, the commanders of missile forces of Russia and the U.S.) from the U.S., Russia and NATO countries. And the Commission, after serious discussions, came to a consensus opinion about the possibility of building a cooperative missile defense system in Europe and decided to call the authorities of Washington and Moscow to go in that direction.
In other words - the Commission's position differs from the stated position of NATO and Russia, it is a call to find a mutually beneficial and mutually acceptable solution to the issue of missile defense. EASI Commission EASI is absolutely sure that this magical formula exists.
Euro-Atlantic World today is facing serious challenges and threats, but EASI provides a realistic alternative. The essence of it is the demilitarization of the Euro-Atlantic, not only in arms, but also in thought, removing the possibility of the use of force as the idea. At first glance this may seem utopian. Especially if you look through various statements made by various countries. But what has been done in Western Euro-Atlantic area and partly in its Eastern part, gives us a reason to hope for more positive developments.
