EUParliament Socialist Group Chief Pittella to EuroFora on Ukraine Amendments on CeaseFire+Civilians
*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- Both the New President of the SocialDemocrat Group in EU Parliament, MEP Gianni Pittella from Italy, the current EU Chair, replying to a Question raised by "EuroFora" during his Press Conference in Strasbourg, and a series of various subsequent Amendments to a Joint Draft Resolution on Ukraine, aknowledged, in substance, the Urgent Need to Protect Civilian People, including evenWomen, Elders, Children, etc., atrociously Killed, in addition to many Family Homes, Industries, etc. Destroyed, (etc), by Months of Kiev Military Attacks against Dissidents (Federalists, Autonomists, etc) at the Eastern Regions of Ukraine.
The crucial Vote on that Draft Resolution for Ukraine by the New EU Parliament issues by the May 2014 EU Elections, is scheduled for Tomorrow, Thursday Noon, and is normaly expected to play an important role for possible relevant Decisions by a forthcoming, Exceptional EU Heads of State/Government Summit, just decided in Brussels (as "EuroFora" had warned yesterday : See f.ex. : ......), on August 30.
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- "Concerning the Debate and the Resolution on Ukraine developments, that are scheduled in the Plenary" this week, "independently of the Political aspects, which are naturally very important, there are also certain Humanitarian aspects, because even Civilians are affected, initially at Kiev (Maidan Square), but recently in South-Eastern areas, (where Kiev's Army notoriously persists to launch many Military Attacks), while Ukraine is an unquestionably European Country, culturally, Historically and geographically", "EuroFora" observed from the outset.
- "Don't you think, Mr President, that, as a matter of Principle, EU Parliament should try to Stop the Deaths and serious Woundings of Civilian People in Ukraine, f.ex. by Calling for a Cease Fire, or, at least, to Sagefuard the Lives of Civilian People ?", we asked the new Head of the 2nd biggest EU Parliament's group of MEPs.
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- "The Amendments that we are looking for, will be written in the Resolution that will pass in the Plenary", where "we would be asking for a lasting Cease-Fire, for Protection of Civilians, for a Stabilisation of the process of Democratisation in Ukraine", and "we'll be calling for more Responsibility from all players, including Russia", etc.
+ Moreover, indeed, - "We think that what Juncker said this (Yesterday) Morning, about Ukraine being a European Country, which was a Statement with a Strong Cultural and Political Force, and we'll be working along these lines", he guaranteed.
- In particular, "we won't be seeking to create a Dispute with Russia", because "we want to bring Russia to Dialogue and Cooperation, so that Ukraine can Consolidate its Democratisation process, and become a Country that will be libing in Good Relations with Russia, and Excellent relations with the EU", he concluded for the foreseable Future Horizon.
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=> The relevant points in a "Joint" Draft Resolution officially tabled at the EU Parliament by several Groups of MEPs, meanwhile, include, among others, also, f.ex. :
- It notes from the outset the fact that, while "the Ukranian Army has regained Control of several Cities in Eastern Ukraine", after notorious Military Clashes and even Civilian casualties, nevertheless, Deadly "Violence still Continues" there.
- Recently elected President Poroshenko, at Kiev, raises now "3 Conditions" for an eventual "Ceasefire", which becomes, then, clearly "Conditional" and hypothetic...
- Even if it "reiterates that the international community Supports the unity,sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine", nevertheless, it doesn't exclude explicitly a Federalisation, and, at any case, the Resolution "Underlines the Need for a Political (i.e. Not Military) Solution to the Crisis".
- Meanwhile, EU Parliament "Condemns the ongoing Violence, and daily Loss of Lives in Eastern Ukraine, the Destruction of Homes and properties, and the flight of many Thousand Civilians from Conflict areas to Safe havens", according to the tabled Resolution.
=> It also "Calls for an independent and impartial Investigation of All the Deadly events and Crimes
against Humanity, that have taken place in All parts of Ukraine ..., with the CoE", so that all "those Responsible to be brought to Justice". Because EU Parliament "is convinced that only the Effective Investigation of these Crimes will help Ukrainian society and the Families and Friends of the Victims (to) recover Trust in the institutions".
- Something particularly Important, when, In addition, "Urgently Needed", "Domestic, Economicaly and Political Reforms", "should be Based on Solid Popular Support", as the Draft Resolution points out.
In particular, "it is of the utmost Importance to Start a gradual process of DeCentralising central powers to Regional and Municipal administrations".
>>> Therefore, it "Recalls the necessity of Ending the systematic and structural Curtailment of Human Rights, the Bad Governance, the widespread Corruption, and the colossal Shadow economy in Ukraine"; stresses the importance of the ongoing process of Constitutional Reform, and the importance of supporting the development of Civil society in achieving a true Participatory Democracy which promotes and protects Human rights, ensuring Justice and Good Governance for All People in all Regions of the country".
- But, for the moment, EU Parliament "expresses deep Concern over the Worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in Eastern Ukraine" in particular. -----------------
=> In order to urgently Stop Deadly Military Violence, EU Parliament's Draft Resolution "Calls for a new meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group on the Settlement in south-eastern Ukraine, and supports New forms of Communication between the Parties", (i.e. Tele-Conferences, etc).
In this regard, the Draft Resolution "Calls on the (EU) Commission's Vice-President/EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) and on the European External Action Service (EEAS) to have a Stronger presence and greater Visibility in the Dialogue mechanisms established with a view to Resolving the Crisis, including the Contact Group".
+ Moreover, "the role of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission should be Strengthened, with increased material and financial means", it adds.
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- That Text also observes the unusual "Fact that "some (EU) Member States are showing DisUnity", particularly by Refusing more Sanctions vis a vis Russia, and/or by Investing in its "South Stream" Project, (as f.ex. Bulgaria, etc), or by concluding Nuclear Energy Agreements with Moscow (as, f.e. Hungary, etc).
+ => Last but not least ; As far as it concerns the forseable Future, "a three-party consultation meeting between the EU, Ukraine and Russia, a " useful process that may overcome long-lasting different understandings, by explaining the benefits of the AA/DCFTA and taking into account all the legitimate concerns of all parties", on the main EU Association and Free Trade issues.
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+ Crucial AMENDMENTS :
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But the most Important point, until now, is the fact that several Crucial Amendments have just been officially Tabled Today, in Addition to that Draft Resolution, particularly on Key "Hot" Issues concerning the sort of the Civilian Population :
- Thus, f.ex., Amendment No 1, "Urges the Ukranian Security Forces to fully Respect International Humanitarian Law (IHT), and International Human Rights' Law (IHRL), when conducting so-called "Anti-Terrorist" Operations, (as Kiev's Authorities call their Military Attacks against Dissidents (Federalists, Autonomists, etc) predominant at the Eastern Regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, et), "and (in this regard, it) Stresses the Need to Protect the Civilian Population".
- Amendement 4 "expresses .. Firm Condemnation of the Abductions, Savage Beatings, Torture, Murders, Extra-Judicial Killings, and other Serious Abuses of Human Rights, and Breaches of Humanitarian Law, against Activists, Protesters, Journalists, and Many other Citizens .. that have occured over the last 3 Monhts", (i.e., practically during Kiev's Military Attacks on the Dissident Areas, since mid-April 2014). Therefore;, "All allegations of Abusive use of Force, ill-Treatment or Torture", as well as "Incidents of reported Abductions", must be "thoroughly and Impartialy Investigated".
=> Therefore; Amendment 8 "Urges All Sides to demonstrate Restraint, and Stick to a CEASEFIRE, which Needs to de Declared and strictly Implemented, asap".
>>> Particularly because EU Parliament is "Deeply Concerned about the Safety of ordinary People, who remain Trapped at the Donetsk and Luhansk (Dissident) areas", and "Deplores the Loss of Lives, and the fact that Children have been registered among the Victims". Therefore, EU Parliament "expresses its Condoleances to their Family members"; and "Condemns any Targeting of the Civilian Population", vis a vis, on the contrary, it "calls for Strict Compliance with International Humanitarian Law".
+ In this regard, Amendment 12 "notes with particular Concern, the Curtailement of Freedom of Expression, the Banning or Closing of TV Stations, (already Condemned also by COE's Assembly, earlier in Strasbourg : See ...), and Incidents of Harassement and Violence against Journalists working in Ukraine (f.ex. the Killings of 3 Russians and 1 Italian, after seriously wounding also a French Journalists, etc), especially in the East of the Country, (where, notoriously, an Oligarch imposed by Kiev has paid Groups of Armed Thugs to Attack Dissidents : See Kolodoi affair, etc).
=> That's one reason more, for which Amendment No 11 "underlines the Need for Confidence-Building between Various Communities .. and Calls for a sustainable ReConciliation process" : "Emphasizes .. the Importance of establishing an Inclusive National Dialogue (according to the April 17 Geneva Agreement between the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Ukraine, Russia and USA), "and of Avoiding Propaganda, Hate Speech and Rhetoric, which may further Aggravate the Conflict", as it warns.
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+Moreover, Amendment No 3, mainly expresses "Concern" for "NATO"s plans to "Raise levels of Defense Spending", because of Russia's supposed role in Ukraine, and even more for "USA President" Obama's "announcements concerning Investing some ... Billion of Dollars in Armaments in Eastern Europe", Strongly Denouncing that as "Part of a Dangerous and Irresponsible Zero-Sum Game, but also of an Arms-Race in the Making", which risks to "undermine and significantly weaken a strong Civilian Approach by the EU".
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+ EFD Group's text on RCV :
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Last, but not least, the recently Strengthened "Freedom and Democracy Group" of MEPs in EU Parliament, (with Great Britain's UKIP, Italy's Bepe Grillo's "5 Stars Movement", etc.), which has Not participated yet in the on-going Deals around the above-mentioned Joint Draft Resolution, (as well as the particularly Numerous "Independents" - notoriously "pro-Russian", the "EuroLeft", etc), has reportedly asked to put on "Rol Call Vote" its own, Independent, Draft Resolution, which is one of the Most Critical vs a vis Kiev Military's Deadly and Destructive Attacks against the Civilian Population at the Dissident areas of the East.
- In this regard, EFD's Draft Resolution Warns from the outset that "the situation in Ukraine is reminiscent of the beginning of the Second World War, ... whereas Innocent Civilians and Children are Losing their Lives".
=> Therefore, it clearly expresses "Deep Concern about the on-going Military Operations in Eastern Ukraine, (by Kiev's Army attacks), "and Urges for a Solution to be found by Means of Negotiated Agreement".
- Thus, that text "Calls on All Actors to make Constructive Efforts to Reduce Tensions and Stabilize the situation", "thereby providing" a "possibility" to "concentrate immediately on Economic and Social Problems", while also "Expressing Concern about the potential impact and significance of the crisis situation in Ukraine as regards the security and Stability of the whole region,, and as regards Future relations between the EU and Russia"
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Facing a 70% Abstention threat in 2009 Election, EU endorses EuroFora's idea for Citizens' debates on crucial EU decisions !
- Different views on "Europe's Future", should be debated among Citizens at June 2009 EU Elections, thanks to political Parties' "Manifestos", says EU Parliament's Report
A main idea, initiated and promoted by EuroFora's founders since 1997: the vital need to develop European Citizens' democratic right to actively participate in multilingual debates on EU decisions, is formally endorsed by the EU from 2009 !
The move is a key attempt to overcome "catastrophic" Polls which warn that only ...30% of Citizens are ready to vote in the forthcoming June 2009 EU Election ! This was revealed by EU Commission's vice-president, in charge of Communication policy, Margot Wallstrom, during a "hot" meeting of EU Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education, during the December 2008 Strasbourg session.
Wallstrom faced criticism, but also suggestions from various MEPs, naturally worried by Abstention threats which herself found even "worse" than in 1999 or 2004...
A Report on "Active Dialogue with Citizens",examined at the same time, presented some useful practical tips, on "facilitating Interviews"; etc., but also a potentialy important call to "incorporate the conclusions of ...debates...into (EU) policies, and take into consideration the expectations that Citizens have of the EU when deciding". An amendment even implies that Citizens' participation in debates on EU decisions is a democratic "Right".
More importantly, it finds that a Debate "on the Future of Europe", (as French President Nicolas Sarkozy has asked since 2007), would be a good idea " for the 2009 European parliamentary Elections", because "clarifying the political differences between the EU political parties would help citizens to identify themselves with, and choose between various concepts", for which "all parties (should) present their Manifesto".
A "Joint political declaration on Communicating Europe in Partnership", co-signed by "the European Parliament, Council and ... Commission", confirms that they "attach the utmost importance to improving communication on EU issues", by "enabling European citizens to exercise their right to participate in the democratic life of the Union, in which decisions are taken as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizens, observing the principles of pluralism, participation, openness and transparency".
This should "enable Citizens to exercise their right to express their views and to participate actively in the public Debate on European Union issues", while also "promoting the respect of multilingualism". In this regard, EU confirms its "wish to develop synergies with national, regional and local authorities as well as with representatives of Civil Society".
It's since 1997 that a group of EuroFora's founders have officially presented a pioneer Project (then called "EIW", for "Europe in the World"), which aimed to develop Strasbourg's "Polyphonic music", by providing "Interactive information", on "main issues ... during the Decision-making process of European Organizations which engage in Transparent and Public Democratic Debates"
This should be done, inter alia, by "exploring the potential of New Communication Tools (mainly Internet)", as well as classic-form debates, the 1997 EIW pioneer project's anounced in its "Synopsis". It was formally "accepted for evaluation" by EU Commission in Brussels in order to be examined for a grant in the framework of the "Research/Technology/Development (RTD) Programme in the field of Information Technologies", then called "ESPRIT", as a "Best Practice Pilot Project".
But the vital, urgent Political need for EU to search new, efficient ways to reach the People and interact with European Citizens, was really felt in Brussels and elsewhere only after the unprecedented in History 1999 and 2004 Majority Abstention in EU Elections, followed by 3 "NO" in Referenda in France, the Netherlands and Ireland, on 2005 and 2008...
In this New Political Landscape, we prepared a new, actualised and more developed version of our initial idea, in a simplified and more efficient form, thanks also to a large Experience accumulated during many years of EU/CoE/UNO Press work and Multi-lingual debates, with the New project "EuroFora" :
On 2006 we presented in Public its main lines during Questions/Replies that we raised at two Press Conferences by EU Commission President, Jose Baroso, and mainly EU Commission's vice-President, in charge of Communication policy, Margot Wallstrom, together with EU Parliament's vice-president, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, in Strasbourg, (Videos available), and we reminded it at various brief contacts with Commissioner Wallstrom in 2007 and 2008.
Meanwhile, a new Text was also presented for "EuroFora" Project mainly to certain Political and other personalities, at European, National or Regional/Local level, mainly in 2007, but also in 2008..
Now, after the unexpected 2008 Irish "NO", and before the 2009 EU Elections, which are due to be of exceptionally crucial importance for Europe's Future, the moment has obviously come to launch that project, progressively, but in real practice.
Whoever really cares for Europe and its Citizens is welcome to join, in one way or another. Only anti-European, anti-democratic, obscure or ignorant groups might oppose or attempt to "steal" and deviate the main idea.
But European Citizens, incited by enlightened political leaders, are those who will finally write the real History.