Brev angående OSSE rapporten ”Towards a more effective OSCE”

1 Sep 2005:

Reflections on ”Towards a More Effective OSCE”

IKFF, the Swedish section of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, fully agrees with the remarks of Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation on ”Towards a More Effective OSCE. Not seriously ensuring the full and equal participation of women makes the OSCE ineffective.

IKFF also wants to add that the OSCE should keep its non military concentration on disarmament, arms control and confidence-and security-building measures. Chapter 2.2 is called ”The Politico-Military Dimension”. In 2.2.21 it is proposed that ”Chapter III of the 1992 Helsinki Document and the 1999 Vienna Document should be reviewed and brought up to date .”. IKFF strongly stresses that military thinking should be abandoned.

The Military Industrial Complex eagerly seeks new tasks after the end of the Cold War. The billions now wasted on MIC do not lead to more security or better cooperation.

Chapter 2.3 ”The Economic and Environmental Dimension” recommends close cooperation with the institutions that are considered by many to be tied to the neo liberal economic theories. Theories which meets increasing resistance throughout the world. It promotes privatisation and reduced public sector, dominance of large transnational companies and a world financial system without any legal restrictions. Rather than meeting with The Economic Forum recommended in 2.3.23 b), the OSCE should associate with the World Social Forum. When OSCE is recommended to mobilise international resources and expertise possessed for instance by the World Bank, it is important not to subdue to its neo liberal dictate.

Yours Sincerely

Birgitta Hambraeus

President of WILPF Sweden