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ATA NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2005
NOVEMBRE 2005
Atlantic Treaty Association/Association du Traité Atlan tique
R y v a n g s A l l é 1 , C o p e n h a g e n Ø D K -2 1 0 0 , D e n m a r k
http://www.ata.atlant.dk ata@atlant.dk +45 3927 1944
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE NEW ATA NEWSLETTER
By Troels Frøling, ATA Secretary General
1 The New ATA Welcome to the new and improved ATA Newsletter! The changed look
Newsletter and feel of the Secretariat’s publication is meant to develop the ATA
1 Gen. Clark Sees NATO Newsletter as a viable print forum for debate and information sharing,
As A Diplomatic Force whilst incorporating an aesthetically pleasing layout.
2 The Secretary
General’s Comments Please note that in order to ensure a certain level of clarity and
3 Rapport du Trésorier consistency throughout the publication, the Secretariat has taken the
liberty to use full editorial discretion. The ATA Newsletter editor,
4 DATA Simulation Jonathan Nuss, has been charged with the responsibility of design and
4 The ‘Tallinn Initiative’ content management. However, it should be noted, that I, as Secretary
4 Bulgarian-Iraqi Week General of the ATA, am legally responsible for the content which
5 YATA: A Joint Report appears in the ATA Newsletter.
6 ACUS Updates
Enjoy the new ATA Newsletter! We look forward to receiving your
6 ATA Forum
contributions for our upcoming publications.
7 Italian Atlantic
Committee Report
8 FYROMacedonia Events GEN. CLARK SEES NATO AS A DIPLOMATIC FORCE
8 Georgians visit Bulgaria By Jonathan Nuss
9 AAA: Black Sea Youth
The General Assembly of Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA) was
9 Bulgaria and Black Sea
honoured to have Retired General Wesley Clark as its keynote
Maritime Security
speaker during the plenary session of its Political Committee.
10 GLOBSEC
General Clark, NATO’s former Supreme Allied Commander Europe
10 LATO: Peace (SACEUR), played a crucial role in commanding Operation Allied
Enforcement and Iraq
Force in Kosovo and in peacekeeping operations in Bosnia. Most
11 LATO: The Baltics and recently, the retired four-star General ran for the Democratic
Democracy in Belarus Presidential Nomination.
12 Announcements
The former SACEUR addressed the 51st General Assembly of the
CALL FOR
Atlantic Treaty Association, in Tallinn, Estonia, with a dynamic
SUBMISSIONS
and captivating speech which was themed upon NATO’s future role
The ATA Secretariat is now
accepting submissions (French
in world affairs. General Clark insisted that NATO’s gre atest
and English) for its next potential lies in its diplomatic influence.
newsletter. Based on this premise, NATO ought to use diplomatic power to
Please send entries to: address what the General outlined as some of the important
Jonathan Nuss security threats and issues that are before the member countries
(jonathan@atlant.dk)
of the North Atlantic Treaty. These include: asymmetric warfare,
Deadline: November 28, ‘05
Please see Clark at GA on page 7
Page 2 ATA NEWSLETTER
THE SECRETARY GENERAL ’S COMMENTS
By Troels Frøling, ATA Secretary General
Goodbye Tallinn, Hello Athens. The recent ATA General Assembly in
Tallinn, Estonia was excellent – we have finally achieved the right
combination of national, international, ATA, and YATA activities. The
“thanks to a generous
speakers who addressed the General Assembly were outstanding, and
contribution from the US
touched on the key agenda issues, allowing us to focus on our present and
future roles as leaders within the Euro-Atlantic community. Mission to NATO, the
ATA is now supporting
Of course, the list of achievements speaks for itself. We got the ATA YATA activities in
Constitution and YATA Rules and Regulations accepted, The YATA Turkey, and a YATA
members acted as full participants on equal standing with the other ATA seminar at NATO HQ”
members, the ATA Forum was launched with promising results, the
‘Tallinn Initiative’ was created to address women’s issues in the ATA, and
NATO PDD supported the participation of 79 YATA participants (the
largest YATA delegation ever). On behalf of the ATA Secretariat I would
like to thank all of the organisers, speakers, and participants who helped
to make this GA a great success.
It goes without saying, that we at the ATA Secretariat are extremely
grateful to our Estonian colleagues for co-running the 51 st General
Assembly with a true air of hospitality and professionalism. In addition,
we would like to thank the Greek delegation for accepting, on very short
notice, to host the 52nd ATA General Assembly in Athens, Greece.
The Bureau bids farewell to Dr. Ann-Sofie Dahl, Mr. Gonzalo Ceballos, and
Mr. Troels Egeskov Sørensen – we send them our sincere thanks and best
wishes, hoping they will continue to be active within the ATA. At the
same time, we welcome the arrival of our new Bureau members: Ms. Julie
Lindhout, Mr. Arian Starova and Mr. Harald Thørud (YATA). ATA Secretary General, Troels
Frøling, addresses the General
After its initial success, we intend to further develop the concept of the Assembly in Tallinn.
ATA Forum. Ideally, we would like to have an educational dimension
included as part of an ATA Forum during our Council Meeting. This would
give ATA Members time to present and discuss national, regional, and
joint activities in Brussels this spring. This changed format will hopefully
help us to avoid the awkward situation of having only a handful of
members in attendance during the third day of presentations, which in
the past has been devoted to the key area of education. We intend to
develop the ATA Forum with your suggestions in mind, so please contact
the Secretariat with any ideas you may have (ata@atlant.dk).
“it has been a busy
I would like to make note that thanks to a generous contribution from the autumn for the ATA and
US Mission to NATO, the ATA is now supporting YATA activities in Turkey,
its member associations”
and a YATA seminar at NATO HQ. The ATA is also developing an
educational program through a similar grant from the US Mission to NATO.
As you can detect from this report, it has been a busy autumn for the ATA
and its member associations. The winter looks to be just as exciting. We,
at the ATA Secretariat, are thrilled to usher in this period of dynamism
which we hope will lead to many meaningful achievement in the coming
months, including preparations for the Secretariat’s move to the capital
of Europe.
ATA NEWSLETTER Page 3
RAPPORT DU TRÉSORIER: LES DÉCISIONS DU CONSEIL CONCERNENT
LES ASSOCIATIONS EN RETARD DE PAIEMENT
Par l’Amiral Vicomte Edmond Poullet, Trésorier Honoraire de l’ATA
Suite aux discussions qui eurent lieu déjà à l’Assemblée Générale de Rome, en décembre 2004, et ensuite
au Conseil de Bruxelles en mai 2005, le Conseil a adopté des mesures progressives afin de donner aux
Associations en défaut conscience du problème, avant d’appliquer les règles d’exclusion prévus par l’art. 6
de notre constitution.
Ces mesures sont progressivement: ne pas pouvoir prétendre à un poste au Bureau, ne pas pouvoir
prétendre à l’organisation de l’Assemblée Générale, perte du droit de vote au Conseil et à l’Assemblée
Générale, ne plus être invité à participer aux activités co-financées par l’OTAN, et enfin exclusion
formelle sur proposition du Conseil et décision de l’Assemblée Générale.
Ces mesures s’imposent parce que l’A.T.A. est statutairement une ONG, et qu’elle doit le rester, afin de
garder toute son indépendance d’action tant vis à vis de l’OTAN que des gouvernements nationaux. Ce qui
n’empêche pas de recevoir des subsides officiels. De ce fait l’A.T.A. rejoint la philosophie « Club », qui
entraîne des droits et des devoirs pour ses membres. Un des devoirs étant de payer une cotisation
annuelle.
Parmi les Associations Membres il y a deux cas de non paiement de cotisation ou de retards accumulés.
Primo l’Association Polonaise, qui ne souhaite pas payer de cotisation et de ce fait ne souhaite même pas
poser sa candidature à l’ A.T.A. Il s’ensuit que l’Association Polonaise peut être informée des activités de
l’A.T.A., mais qu’elle ne peut participer à aucune de ses activités. Deuxièmement l’Association
Luxembourgeoise, qui a plus de 2 années d’arriérés et de non activité connue. Le Conseil a décidé son
exclusion, sauf si dans les six mois cette Association donnait un signe d’activité et payait tous ses arriérés.
Après cela des contacts seront pris au Luxembourg pour tenter de trouver un autre partenaire.
Parmi les Membres Associés deux membres importants avaient des arriérés significatifs : la Russie et
l’Autriche. La Russie avait annoncé le paiement de tous ses arriérés à Tallinn, mais n’avait pu le faire suite
à un accident médical d’un de ses délégués. Dix jours après l’Assemblée Général, l’Association de
Coopération Euro-Atlantique Russe, dans un geste exemplaire, faisait un virement bancaire international
apurant toutes ses dettes de contribution antérieurs. En ce qui concerne l’Autriche, qui a un retard de
contribution de plus de deux ans, la délégation Autrichienne, qui avait versé sa cotisation 2005 avant l’AG,
a assuré le Trésorier qu’elle s’investirait pleinement dans un mouvement de rattrapage de ses arriérés à
partir de 2006. Bien qu’en situation théorique d’exclusion, le Conseil a bien entendu décidé de faire
confiance à l’Association Autrichienne.
Mais d’autres membres causent problème : la Bosnie Herzégovine : 3 ans de retard et de non participation.
Une autre Association BH, à Banja Luka cette fois, et non à Sarajevo, la capitale, est prétendante à
prendre la succession de l’Association membre. Le Conseil a chargé le Secrétaire Général de prendre
contact avec les deux associations afin d’y voir plus clair, et d’investiguer les chances de succès d’une
éventuelle coopération entre les deux.
L’Ukraine et l’Azerbaïjan, toutes deux en retard de plus de 2, voire 3 ans, ont promis verbalement au
Trésorier de verser leurs arriérés avant la fin 2005. Le Conseil a donc décidé de leur faire confiance.
Reste le cas inquiétant de la Géorgie, dont on est sans nouvelles, et dont deux membres avaient été
arrêtés en Belarus. Il apparaît que non seulement l’Association de Géorgie est en difficulté financière, mais
de plus presque certainement aussi politique. Le Conseil demande donc qu’une des Associations Membres
s’engage à parrainer financièrement, administrativement, ou matériellement voire politiquement
l’Association de Georgie afin de l’aider à survivre. C’est l’idée de « parrainage » qui revient, comme le
fait aujourd’hui la Norvège vis à vis de l’Association Serbie-Montenegro, et comme la Belgique l’a fait
durant plusieurs années pour la Tchéquie et pour l’Association Macédonienne.
Il est très probable que l’Association de Moldavie, qui n’a pas donné signe de vie depuis 2005 est dans la
même situation et doit impérativement être aidée d’urgence.
Page 4 ATA NEWSLETTER
DATA PLANS THE TALLINN INITIATIVE: W OMEN IN THE ATA
By Liis Klaar, Member of the EATA Board, and Former MP
NATO GAME
By The Danish Atlantic In its preamble, the Atlantic Treaty Association’s (ATA)
Treaty Association Constitution asserts that: ‘The Parties to this Treaty [North
Atlantic Treaty] reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles
The Danish Atlantic of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in
Treaty Association peace with all peoples and all governments.’ The women of the
(DATA) is in the world have always had the desire to live in peace – they are the
process of developing protectors of life!
a crisis simulation
game under the Furthermore, the ATA Constitution asserts that one of the main
leadership of DATA purposes of the ATA is to inform the public about NATO missions
project coordinator, and responsibilities. Women represent over 50% of the world
Mr. Søren Hvelplund population, but their participation in official life, including NGO
(soeren@atlant.dk). activity is very low. Moreover, the rights and responsibilities of
The game is set in women are not respected in many countries.
Georgia (South Ossetia
and Abkhazia), and In an effort to counteract the negative trends which exist with
nine “players” are respect to women in the workforce and/or decision-making
involved, including: forums, the women of the ATA have decided to make their voices
NATO, the EU, the UN, heard. At a brief meeting during the ATA General Assembly in
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Estonia, the ‘Tallinn Initiative’ was created, and we hope it will
Georgia, South act as an important tool in supporting equality among the sexes.
Ossetia, Abkhazia and We have taken two important steps as of our first meeting in
Russia. Tallinn:
DATA is working in 1. The creation of a network of women from YATA and ATA.
cooperation with the 2. The initiation of a dialogue on topics which affect the equal
Royal Danish Defence rights of women, and which may not be considered in other
Academy in an effort arenas.
to include the most
realistic details Please note that we have established an e-mail network to
possible for the facilitate communication and information sharing. I am personally
simulation. The game working to develop new ideas as we move ahead with the ‘Tallinn
will be played by 40 Initiative’ for the next ATA General Assembly, and perhaps a
students during the seminar for interested women in the spring of 2006. If you wish to
weekend of November contact me regarding the ‘Tallinn Initiative,’ my e-mail address is:
18 – 20, 2005. liis.klaar@starman.ee.
DATA expects to
translate the game BULGARIAN-IRAQI NATO W EEK IN SOFIA
By The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria
into English, so as to
include it in its annual
The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria and the Atlantic Club of Iraq, with
youth seminar, DAYS
the support of the NATO Public Diplomacy Division and the Open
(Danish Atlantic Youth Society Institute of Sofia, held an event entitled ‘Bulgarian-Iraqi
Seminar).
NATO Week.’ The event, which took place this fall in Sofia,
included: meetings, conferences, and round table discussions
between an Iraqi delegation and Bulgarian political, military, and
business leaders.
ATA NEWSLETTER Page 5
YATA OF YESTERDAY – YATA OF TOMORROW : A JOINT REPORT
By Troels Egeskov Sørensen and Harald Thørud, Former and Current YATA Presidents
In 2005, any NGO which deals with the creation and/or
strengthening of civil society must have a strong youth
dimension. The youth body of the ATA has joined hands with
the ATA leadership and the ATA member associations in
reaching the common goal of creating a strong and well-
functioning Youth Atlantic Treaty Association (YATA).
YATA is today composed of nearly 30 national youth chapters,
and is one of the strongest and most influential youth NGO Outgoing YATA President, Troels
networks in the world. Aside from all of the activities Egeskov Sørensen, receives some
organized by the national chapters, YATA has (since 2002) words of wisdom from M. Theodossis
created a web page, developed two internet forums for debate Georgiou, President of the Greek
and information exchange, and organized several regional and Association for the Atlantic and
international conferences. YATA members have been engaged European Cooperation.
in dialogue with the decision-makers of the world, including
George W. Bush, Colin Powel, Gerhard Schröder, Tayep
Erdogan, and many more. In this sense, YATA has been playing
its role as the Voice of the Civil Society. This is largely based
“YATA is today
on the philosophy that the development of world politics
composed of nearly 30
should not only be up to the governments and diplomatic elite,
national youth chapters,
but should also involve the civil society.
and is one of the
strongest and most
The YATA of tomorrow will grow and become an even stronger
influential youth NGO
youth-network than it is today. A focus for the future will be
networks in the world.”
the creation of strong national chapters in Central Asia and the
Black Sea Region. In December of this year, YATA will organize
a large conference at the NATO HQ in Brussels, where NATO
Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, will be present.
The participants at this event, who will come from nearly 30
nations, will be selected on the basis of an essay competition
organized by the YATA Executive Board. Such initiatives have
become an important tool in NATO’s Public Diplomacy
strategy, and we are planning to organize similar events in the
year to come.
Strengthening youth cooperation within the national
associations is of great importance to YATA, and we will work
towards creating more events and closer cooperation within all
of our areas of activity. Incoming YATA President, Harald
Thørud; ATA President, Ambassador
New financial partners are important in order to be able to Robert Hunter; Outgoing YATA
reach out to all our national chapters – this reality is at the President, Troels Egeskov Sørensen;
ATA Secretary General, Troels Frøling.
core of our new partner strategy. The updating of the YATA
webpage, as well as the YATA events in Istanbul and Brussels
later this year are partly the result of this new strategy. By
organizing international conferences and bringing young future
leaders together, YATA is becoming a key player in creating a
sound base for the future of the transatlantic relationship.
Page 6 ATA NEWSLETTER
ACUS: “GERMANY AND THE FUTURE OF THE ATA FORUM:
TRANSATLANTIC ECONOMY ” A SUCCESS!
By The Atlantic Council of the United States By Jonathan Nuss
In August 2005, the Atlantic Council of the United States released This year, in Tallinn,
“Germany and the Future of the Transatlantic Economy.” the ATA Secretariat
introduced a new
Available on the Council’s website (www.acus.org) in both opportunity for
German and English, the bulletin summarizes the discussions of a discussion among the
ATA member
senior delegation from the Council, led by W. Bowman Cutter and
associations – the ATA
Paula Stern. The experts visited key government, parliamentary, Forum. The initial
and private sector stakeholders in Frankfurt, Berlin, and Brussels reaction and
in the spring 2005 to assess the future of economic and social subsequent feedback
reforms. Rather than assigning blame, the report suggests that it have been very
is time for the United States, the European Union, and key positive. The ATA
European countries — especially Germany — to work together in Forum has proved itself
addressing economic weaknesses. as an ideal medium for
all of the participating
ACUS: “THE INEVITABLE PEAKING OF W ORLD associations to share
information and discuss
OIL PRODUCTION ” events/programs
By The Atlantic Council of the United States within and beyond
their national borders.
On October 18, 2005, the Atlantic Council of the United States
released a special bulletin by Robert L. Hirsch, Senior Energy Aside from being an
Program Advisor at SAIC. Dr. Robert Hirsch explains why many informative event, the
experts believe that world oil will peak in the coming years and ATA Forum helps to
what could be done about it. “The era of plentiful, low-cost advance the
petroleum is approaching an end. The good news is that development of a more
commercially viable mitigation options are ready for cohesive information
implementation. The bad news is that unless mitigation is sharing strategy
between the ATA
orchestrated on a timely basis, the economic damage to the world
Secretariat and the
economy will be dire and long-lasting,” he writes. The bulletin ATA member
has received a great deal of attention in the United States and is association.
available for free on the Council’s website (www.acus.org).
We would appreciate
ACUS LAUNCHES NEW W EBSITE any feedback that you
might have with
By The Atlantic Council of the United States
regards to this new
The Atlantic Council of the United States launched a new website initiative. We look
forward to the next
on September 15, 2005. Featuring a more professional look and
ATA Forum taking
feel, a multimedia library of Council publications, more place in Athens,
information on the Council experts, and event highlights, the new Greece as part of the
site provides easier access to all of the Council’s work. 2006 ATA General
Assembly.
While the address of the homepage, www.acus.org, has not
changed, if you have linked to any of the Council’s program
pages, please update your links.
ATA NEWSLETTER Page 7
Clark at GA from page 1
WMDs, terrorism, and the peaceful integration of China into the
“General Clark insisted international system, amongst others.
that we must have
permanent friends, and According to General Clark, NATO is fundamentally a political
shared interests.” alliance. As such, the military aspects of the alliance must be
developed to empower effective diplomacy. NATO can, and should
be multifunctional. General Clark maintained that NATO should
become the forum for addressing today’s security threats as
broader concepts, not just as defence-related issues.
Furthermore, General Clark affirmed that NATO, as an effective
diplomatic force, can help bridge the gap between the two sides of
the Atlantic. Clark underscored NATO’s strategic purpose as the
‘glue’ which can strengthen a cohesive transatlantic relationship.
The former SACEUR advanced the idea that NATO can become the
ATA President, Ambassador Robert main arena for security policy discussion, while embracing values
Hunter; Ret. General Wesley Clark; present on both sides of the Atlantic.
and ATA Secretary General, Troels
Frøling at a reception given by the
British Ambassador to Estonia
Inverting the old realist paradigm that nations do not have
permanent friends but only permanent interests, General Clark
insisted that we must have permanent friends, and shared
interests. NATO, the General claimed, ought to be the forum for
this relationship. Moreover, in addressing the General Assembly of
the Atlantic Treaty Association, General Clark emphasized that the
ATA play its major role in helping to bring about the modernization
of NATO as a strong and effective diplomatic force which can bind
policy views throughout the alliance.
ITALIAN ATLANTIC COMMITTEE: OCTOBER EVENTS
By The Italian Atlantic Committee
October 5:
The Secretary General of the Italian Atlantic Committee, Fabrizio
W. Luciolli, hosted a conference in Rome on "The New NATO."
October 14:
The results of the 51st ATA General Assembly in Tallinn were among
the main issues of discussion at the "The Baltic Countries and
Leaders of the Italian Atlantic
Committee at the 51st ATA General
NATO" conference, promoted by the Italian Atlantic
Assembly. Committee, and organized in Bologna by the local Atlantic Club.
October 28:
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Italian Atlantic
Committee, the President of the Republic of Italy, Dr. Carlo Azeglio
Please see Italian Events on page 12
Page 8 ATA NEWSLETTER
‘NATO, THE WORLD AND MACEDONIA’: EXHIBITIONS AND MEETINGS
By The Euro-Atlantic Club of Macedonia
On October 6th, 2005, the Euro-Atlantic Club of Macedonia officially opened a national
cartoon exhibition entitled: ‘NATO, the World and Macedonia.’ The exhibition is on
display until October 16th, 2005, in the University Library of Skopje. The cartoon
exhibition included competitors from Macedonia and the surrounding region, with
entries from Bulgaria and Romania. The opening ceremony was marked by the
presentation of awards to the winners of the first three prize, as well as five special
acknowledgments made by the judges.
The opening address at the ceremony was given by Dr. Jamie Shea, Director of Policy
Planning in the Office of the NATO Secretary General, who in his kind words welcomed
the project and passed on his congratulatory remarks to the winners. The awarded
participants will be given the opportunity
to present themselves at NATO HQ, in
Brussels, where the exhibition will be on
display.
The next day, on October 7th, 2005, the
Euro-Atlantic Club of Macedonia co-
organized, with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, a round table meeting with Dr.
Shea and representatives from the offices
of the President, Prime Minister, MFA,
MOD, MOI, ME, MSG. MPs, university
The first prize was awarded to Goran Mitreski of Skopje, FYRO
professors, experts, media and NGO Macedonia for his cartoon (shown above).
representatives were also present. The
theme of the meeting was ‘NATO’s
Transformation and the process of
enlargement.’
GEORGIAN JOURNALISTS VISIT NGOS IN BULGARIA
By The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria
A delegation of Georgian journalists and political experts visited Bulgaria in the beginning
of October. The aim of their trip was to gain a better understanding of the way in which
governmental and non-governmental agencies in Bulgaria function with respect to foreign
policy and security issues.
The delegation held a series of formal meetings with state and NGO officials. The Georgian
representatives were particularly interested in the activities of the Atlantic Club of
Bulgaria and the NATO Information Centre in Sofia. During the meetings, the Georgian
delegation was informed, in detail, about the main objectives and achievements of both
organizations, and how they relate to the broader objectives of the Atlantic Treaty
Association.
ATA NEWSLETTER Page 9
AAA PROMOTES YOUTH ACTIVITY IN THE B LACK SEA REGION
By The Armenian Atlantic Association
From November 7-10, 2005, the Armenian Atlantic Association (AAA) will
organize a conference entitled ‘Challenges and Opportunities for the
Youth to Enhance Stability in the Black Sea Region: Development of a
“The youth of the Black
Black Sea Youth Network.’
Sea Region can provide
NATO’s enlargement and transformation has brought the Black Sea Region an important contribution
to the frontier of change. As such, the AAA’s upcoming conference will to the area’s democratic
address the vital importance of active youth involvement in the Black Sea and economic
Region’s development process. development.”
Young leaders and politicians ought to energize the youth, and foster the
creation of a Black Sea Youth Network by addressing issues such as: the
creation of solidarity amongst regional youth organizations, the setting of
realistic goals for solving regional security issues through youth
involvement, the creation of coherent approaches for strengthening
security while promoting the role of youth in the peace-building process,
and the coordination of youth organizations involved in policy making and
conflict management issues.
The youth of the Black Sea Region can provide an important contribution
to the area’s democratic and economic development. Thus, the creation
of a Black Sea Youth Network would enable young decision-makers from
the region to discuss issues of common interest, develop plans for future
action, and implement cross-border projects to further the broader goals
of regional development.
BULGARIA HOSTS CONFERENCE ON BLACK SEA MARITIME SECURITY
By The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria
An international conference entitled ‘Strengthening Black Sea Maritime Security’ will be
held in Sofia from November 1-3, 2005. The event will be organized by the NATO Information
Centre in Sofia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Ministry of
Defense of the Republic of Bulgaria, with the support of the UK Ministry of Defense, and in
cooperation with the Atlantic Treaty Association.
The conference will assess the current security situation in the Black Sea Region, examining
the spectrum of threats and interests with respect to Black Sea maritime security. Border
security in the region, particularly in the Black Sea itself, is of increasing importance.
Furthermore, the region has a complex political picture which makes dialogue all the more
important. The upcoming conference will provide for an ideal opportunity to enhance
common understanding in an informal setting.
This high-level conference will discuss the relevance of NATO transformation and EU
enlargement with respect to the Black Sea Region. Moreover, it will allow key opinion-
makers to build relationships that will help to promote cooperation and regional stability.
Page 10 ATA NEWSLETTER
GLOBSEC: BRATISLAVA HOSTS KEY INT’L SECURITY CONFERENCE
By The Slovak Atlantic Commission
Prominent members of the international security community met in late October, in
Bratislava, at a NATO flagship conference organized by the Euro-Atlantic Center, the Slovak
Atlantic Commission and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The event took place under
the leadership of Eduard Kukan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic.
The terrorist attacks of recent years that occurred in the USA and in Europe are evidence
that globalisation not only leads to increased interdependence, but also to increased mutual
vulnerability. The conference entitled: ‘GLOBSEC – The Role of the Transatlantic Partnership
in the Global Security Environment’ was a forum within which to address the changing Euro-
Atlantic security environment. The conference focused on an analysis of new approaches to
security, and the quest for new responses to the security challenges of the 21st century,
especially those related to global terrorism. A special emphasis was placed on the role of the
transatlantic partnership in this process.
The motto of the conference ‘our most effective weapon is...partnership,’ was meant to
express the strength of the transatlantic partnership, and its importance for global security.
A number of distinguished members of the international security community and of
international organizations attended the conference, they included: Martin Erdmann, the
Assistant NATO Secretary General for Political Affairs; Christoph Heusgen the Director of
Policy Planning and Early Warning Unit, General Secretariat of the Council of the EU;
Guillaume Parmentier, the Director of the French Institute of International Relations; Nasra
Hassan, the Director of the UN Information Service in Vienna; Jurij Fedorov, Head of the
Centre for Military and Defence Studies of the Moscow Institute for International Relations
(MGIMO); and Troels Frøling, Secretary General of the Atlantic Treaty Association.
Key topics discussed at the conference were: NATO enlargement and transformation, the
development of transatlantic relations, the present state of the global security environment,
as well as the presence of asymmetric threats – particularly those stemming from terrorism.
For more information on the conference please visit www.eac.sk and www.globsec.sk.
LATO TO PROMOTE DISCUSSION ON IRAQ AND PEACE ENFORCEMENT
By The Latvian Transatlantic Organization
Issues concerning the use of national military forces in peace enforcement operations have
always been a focal point of political discussion. The mandates of most engagements are
frequently questioned in public debate. The Latvian Transatlantic Organization (LATO)
wishes to facilitate an open and balanced discussion on the future of peace enforcement
missions. Therefore, with the support of the Ministry of Defense of Latvia, the Konrad
Adenauer Foundation (Germany), and the World Federation of Free Latvians, LATO is
organizing an international conference entitled: “Peace Enforcement Missions – Foreign
Policy Element or Political Ambition?” from December 6 – 7, 2005, in Riga.
The organizers believe that this conference will help raise understanding and public
awareness in support of peace enforcement missions carried out by NATO and the strategic
alliances of its members and partners. Representatives from ATA chapters are invited to
attend the event. For more information (draft program and registration form), please visit
www.lato.lv .
ATA NEWSLETTER Page 11
THE BALTICS AND DEMOCRACY IN BELARUS
By The Latvian Transatlantic Organization
Since joining NATO, the Latvian Transatlantic Organization
(LATO) has revised its primary mission (promoting the
country’s NATO integration process). This goal having been
achieved, new aims have been formulated. The increased
repression of freedom, human rights and democratic
initiatives in Latvia’s neighboring country, Belarus, has
come to the forefront of our association’s attention.
LATO has launched, and is successfully carrying out, LATO – Belarus Conference: Foreign
different democratic support projects with respect to Minister of Latvia, Artis Pabriks;
Director of Transatlantic centre of the
Belarus. One such project was the international German Marshal Fund of United
conference, entitled: “Democracy Beyond the Baltics – States, Ronald D. Asmus ; and
Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas
Euro-Atlantic Contribution,” which took place on the eve of Paet
US President G.W. Bush’s visit to Riga on May 7, 2005.
The conference helped to facilitate interaction between LAYS SEMINAR
By The Latvian Transatlantic
national and international actors – creating an environment
for active policy-making in support of democratic Organization
initiatives. Conference speaker, and representative of the
coalition 10+, Anatoly Lebedko, emphasized that: “The The Latvian Transatlantic
reality is that Belarus has not had democratic elections for Youth Club (LTYC), in
the last 10 years and will not have such elections either in association with LATO,
2006. I believe that now changes in Belarus can only be organized the annual
achieved through mass protests, by mobilizing citizens for international youth summer
changes, for one alternative candidate to Lukashenka and seminar, LAYS 2005.
for defending the chosen candidate.” The sole opposition
candidate for next year’s Belarusian presidential elections, The event, which ran from
Mr. Aleksand Milinevic (former Chairman of the Belarus August 10th – 14th, 2005,
Association of Resource Centers), has recently been dealt with themes such as:
selected. challenges to democracy,
and security and stability in
LATO, in cooperation with the Latvian Transatlantic Youth the new neighbourhood
Club (LTYC), and many other Latvian NGOs, is organizing region. Participants from 13
demonstrations in front of the Embassy of Belarus in Riga. countries took part in the
The demonstrations are meant to protest against the seminar.
repression of liberties and violations of human rights in
Belarus.
LATO, with its partners from European countries and the
US, has shown a profound commitment to working on the
growth of a democratic Belarus. LATO believes the advent
of democracy in Belarus to be one of the most crucial
current issues concerning the values embodied in the North
Atlantic Treaty – freedom, human rights, democracy and
the rule of law. Participants at LAYS 2005.
Page 12 ATA NEWSLETTER
Italian Events from page 7
Ciampi, received prominent Italian political General. The President of the Republic
figures at the Palazzo del Quirinale. Guests acknowledged the relevance of the
included: Senator Professor Enrico La Loggia, activities carried out in the last 50 years
Minister of Regional Affairs and President of by the Italian Atlantic Committee, and
the Italian Atlantic Committee; Senator discussed perspectives on future programs
Umberto Bonaldi, Vice President; Dr. Mario at the national and international levels.
Tassone MP, Vice Minister for Infrastructure The visit was reported by all the major
and Transportation, Vice President; and press agencies.
Professor Fabrizio W. Luciolli, Secretary
ANNOUNCEMENTS
On behalf of the ATA and its member - Ms. Carmen K. Iezzi, V-P Outreach and
associations, the Secretariat would like to Public Diplomacy
express a word of gratitude towards the EATA - Ms. Alina Paun, V-P Communications and
for ensuring the great success of the 51st ATA Programming
General Assembly in Tallinn, Estonia. - Ms. Kristina Ober, V-P Education
Ms. Julie Lindhout (Canada) and Mr. Arian Following the end of his term as YATA
Starova (Albania) have been elected Vice- President, Troels Egeskov Sørensen has
Presidents of the ATA at the General been appointed to the ATA Committee of
Assembly in Tallinn. Patrons.
Following its annual General Assembly, YATA The 2006 ATA General Assembly will take
has elected/re-elected the following place in Athens, Greece.
members to its Executive Board:
- Mr. Harald Thørud, President The Black Sea Conference will take place
- Mr. Rafael Freckmann, Secretary General in Sofia, Bulgaria, November 1-3, 2005.
- Mr. Marko Kovacevic, Executive V-P
The 3rd ATA Conference on Education for
Security and Defense (ATACESD III) will
take place in Bucharest, Romania,
November 2-6, 2005.
The Meeting of the Balkan Mosaic Network
Atlantic Treaty Association/Association will take place in Bucharest, Romania,
du Traité Atlantique November 2-6, 2005.
Ryvangs Allé 1
Copenhagen Ø DK-2100
Denmark
DATA’s Copenhagen Conference, entitled
‘Towards common European security
Phone: Editor in Chief:
+45 3927 1944 Troels Frøling structures – national interests and
European visions,’ will take place in
Fax: Newsletter Editor:
+45 3927 5626 Jonathan Nuss Copenhagen, Denmark, November 9, 2005.
E-mail: Editor’s E-mail:
ata@atlant.dk jonathan@atlant.dk The Swedish Atlantic Council has a new
website which can be viewed on the world
wide web at: www.svenska-atlant.org.
YATA TURKEY
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