The newly independent states of Central Asia could have some serious problems in keeping their independence. When we speak about this we must take historical, demographical, economical, security, social and, maybe much more seriously, ethnic problems into consideration.

1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In the former USSR, the peoples of various ethnic backgrounds were and still are divided  into different administrative categories. After the Moscow coup in the end of 1991 the former union republics of the USSR became automatically independent.
In other words, there was no serious struggle or wish for independence, and independence was given by Moscow to these republics, perhaps faster than they themselves would have sought it.

As readers may recall, in the beginning the Bolsheviks kept the former tsarist structure in Central Asia. The steppe region became the Kirghiz (or Kazakh) Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR), and the Turkistan region became Turkistan ASSR. Both were subjects of Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). In 1924, the Turkistan ASSR was divided into Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and both given the status of union republic.

Tajikistan was created as an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan. Kyrghzstan which belonged to the former Turkistan ASSR became an autonomous region and was incorporated into the RSFSR. After two years Tajikistan became also an union republic and the Hojent region of Uzbekistan was transferred to Tajikistan. The Kirghiz (or more correctly the Kazakh) ASSR had an autonomous status and belonged to the RSFSR until December 1936.

Furthermore, the Kirghiz ASSR gained its union status in the same year. Karakalpakstan which belonged to Kazakhstan was transferred in 1936 to Uzbekistan with the status of ASSR. all these political decisions were taken by Moscow without any regard to the local people.
In other words all these Central Asian republics are artificial creations. This can be easily recognized when traveling through these countries. Even the highways of these regions were not built according to the national borders. This shows that when Moscow created these new borders it didn't take any geographical, historical or demographic realities in consideration

2. PROBLEMS OF BOUNDARIES 
Configuration of the four republics that finally emerged-with the exception of Turkmenistan-was highly complicated and arbitrary, failing to coincide with any natural frontiers or boundaries.
The result was something similar to the medieval open-field agrarian system, with parts of one republic wedged inside another to form all kinds of islands and peninsulas. Although the territory of Central Asia was ostensibly divided on the basis of nationality, the ethnic composition was actually mixed in a number of localities.
For instance, the population of the Fergana valley was administratively under Uzbekistan, but included almost equal numbers of Uzbeks, Tadjiks, Kirghizs and other indigenous groups.

Another example of this can be seen in the South Kazakhstan oblast, with its capital Chimkent: although the area formed an organic part of Uzbekistan (in ethnic composition, natural features, and economic ties), it was artificially assigned to Kazakhstan. Other cases could be cited as well.
Due to their artificial nature, the borders could create serious conflicts among these republics. However, border issues may not be the only reason for a dangerous development. There could be lot of other reasons.

The Muslim republics namely Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan belonged to an empire with a population which in 1990 ranked third, after China and India.

For decades the Soviet Union was the main producer of oil. Today the Russian Federation which inherited 75 per cent of it is still the owner of a quarter of the planet’s forest reserves and an equal portion of its fresh water.

The USSR was and its main predecessor the Russian Federation is a big military power. Even though these republics can be recognized as rich countries they have a lot of political, social, economical and ecological problems.

3. ECONOMIC SITUATION
The general economic structure of the former Soviet Union can be summarized in two words: centralized economy. All economic decisions were made by Moscow and these decisions had to be followed very strictly.
The centre tried to cover all the Soviet Union in its planning and the goal of such planning was not to make profit in rubles but in meters or tons.

The hierarchical system didn't allow local managers to make any changes or corrections in these centralized decisions. Very detailed price controls created a non-economic price system.
Therefore, there were no liquid funds or a conception of money in the real sense. The Soviet industrialization policy was to transform Central Asia into a specialist supplier of raw materials.
Uzbekistan is a big net importer of machine tools, Kazakhstan also relies on other Commonwealth of Independent State (CIS) countries for machine tools. Tadjikistan imports all its tractors, cars and trucks; Kirghizstan must import all its fertilizers and gasoline: Turkmenistan has no coal and has to import many essential food products.

4. PROBLEMS OF SECURITY
The Central Asian republics were not able to set up their own national armies, and therefore they are not able to protect themselves from foreign aggression, like in the case of Azerbaijan.
In the former Soviet Union, 35 per cent of the young men who were recruited into the Soviet Army were non-Slavs (among them the soldiers of Turkic origin were two-thirds).
However, in the officer corps the non-Russians were only 10 per cent. So even though the Central Asian republics would like to create their own national armies there is a lack of trained indigenous officers. Also Central Asians who served in the Soviet army were on non-combat duties and, therefore, don't have combat experience.

5. PROBLEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY
After independence the transition period didn't satisfy the majority of the people. The first reason is economic. In the Soviet period, even though there were problems with totalitarian rule, the people in general had some kind of social security and facilities (almost free housing, free education, health care and secure jobs).
Nowadays the majority doesn't feel secure in many respects and has a certain longing for the former secure times. Therefore, the preservation of independence which they had formerly sacrificed is not taken very seriously. Certainly they love their countries, but how many are ready to give their life for the sake of their motherland.

6. REASONS FOR ETHNIC CONFLICTS
Ethnic conflict is conflict characterized by a certain level of organized political action, social movements, massive disturbances, separatist acts and even civil war, in which takes place along the lines of ethnic differences.

As a rule, this is a conflict between an ethnic minority and a dominating ethnic majority that controls the state's power and resources. This circumstance is unusually the reason why the minority group begins to question the existing state and political structures. Furthermore if society lacks a mechanism to regulate relations between parties to such a conflict, then there is a cause for violence on violence on an increased scale.

Soviet experience showed in a number of regions (such as the Baltic, Central Asia, Moldova and some of autonomous republics) the share of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians among highly skilled industrial, engineering, technical, management, health care and education workers has been and remains much higher than the share of the native population.

This creates dissatisfaction in the native population. In all parts of Central Asia it is the Uzbeks who traditionally are the most skilful traders, as compared to the Kirghiz, Kazakhs and Turkmen.

Such ethnic hatred led to bloodshed in Osh, Kirghizstan, in 1990 and organized pogroms against Meshetian Turks in Uzbekistan in the same year. After the Osh conflict Uzbeks of the region even demanded an autonomous status from the Kirghizstan government.
They claimed that this region belonged to the Uzbek SSR and that in 1936 was given by Stalin to Kirghizstan. In 1991 more than 35 different ethnic clashes occurred among different Central Asia nationalities.
The danger of an inter-ethnic conflict in the republic of Kazakhstan between Kazakhs and Russians is a greatly discussed issue. In the republic's agricultural sector, Kazakhs account for 60 per cent of the employed population. The picture is quite different in the industrial sector, where Russians, account for three out of every four workers.

Clouds are gathering as a result of the republic's transition to a market economy. Social collapse has forced Kazakh villagers to migrate to towns in search of work.
The situation has been aggravated by the fact that quite a number of rural refugees from ecologically unsafe zones-the Aral Sea and the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing ground-have appeared in towns.

These great numbers of Kazakh migrants have swelled the ranks of the semi-criminal and the undisguised criminal.20 According to the Interfax news agency, in April 1994 there were serious tensions between Kazakhs and two Cossack villages in the Taldy-Kurgan region of Kazakhstan, just north of Almaty


U. S. Foreign Policy Interests in Central Asia.
The stable economic and political development of Central Asia is important to The United States. The more democratic and prosperous these countries Become, the greater the commercial opportunities, and the less likely civil Strife, nuclear proliferation and other global threats.

Unfortunately, Central Asia’s energy resources and location make the region a potential point of conflict, Vulnerable to other major powers including Russia and China.
Its porous borders Provide openings for radicalism from Iran and Afghanistan as well as Transshipment of arms and drugs.
Recent commentary on Central Asia has focused as much on its potential for conflict as on its energy resources.
The grave Environmental and health issues— which include the dramatic rise of drug resistant Tuberculosis and the Aral Sea disaster— are global concerns.

Here are some of the quotations to better illustrate the image

U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Steven R. Mann,
Speaks for the region when he states that “our greatest interest here is maintaining U .S. national security. It is firmly in the United States’ interest to support the Independent states that have emerged from the former Soviet Union and in doing so, Prevent the reformation of a large multinational power hostile to America’s Interests.”

U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Anne Sigmund, further illuminates this
Point when she associates Kyrgyzstan’s importance to “its location astride a strategic Arc of instability along which East and West have historically clashed."
Development challenge
General features of the aid programs in central Asian countries:
The U.S. has strong national interests in Central Asia. The countries of Central Asia are critical allies in the war on terrorism and could help diversify world energy supplies. Thus regional stability and development in this critical region are important to U.S. national interests.

The regional nature of Central Asia’s development challenges requires coordinated and integrated assistance from USAID. Several regional issues pose particular challenges. All countries in the region have a vital stake in improving regional management of waterresources, which are absolutely essential to the agricultural sector and energy supply sector, not to mention the ecological problems posed by the disappearing Aral Sea.

Health issues are rapidly becoming regional in nature. Infectious diseases, and the incidence of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and drug use, have increased dramatically in all countries in Central Asia, and a failure to prevent the spread of malaria from Afghanistan to Tajikistan has now resulted in a malaria problem that has already grown into a regional threat.

While there is variation across the countries of Central Asia, democracy, human rights and independent media benefit from a regionally coordinated approach since authoritarian governance is pervasive in all countries.
The basic education system is all countries has suffered dramatic setbacks since independence, with deteriorating quality and reduced resources.

Regional trade is essential to the region’s overall economic development, and many barriers remain to overcome the difficulties, especially for small and medium enterprises. Risks of regional conflict also pose serious challenges. The stresses on individual communities produced by these challenges and the need for employment to satisfy growing populations, who are divided by artificial national borders, create a ripe environment for conflict.

The USAID Programs: To meet these challenges, the goals of USAID in Central Asia are to promote regional stability through economic growth and democratic development, which provides opportunities for citizens to participate and to improve their livelihoods and quality of life.
USAID's regional objectives parallel and support the specific country objectives. In FY 2002, USAID’s program included water management, media and information, infectious disease control, regional trade, and conflict prevention. USAID also expanded its cross-cutting initiative in conflict prevention through community development and explored opportunities in higher education, anti-corruption, and rule of law.

In economic and financial development, USAID supports economic reform, including accession to the WTO in all countries of the region, except Turkmenistan. USAID’s efforts to increase access to business information, knowledge and skills have made substantial progress.

The legal and regulatory framework for micro-finance has also been improved in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan through sharing of best practices from more mature programs in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Regional funding for the expansion of micro-finance activities in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan was particularly productive. In a six-month period approximately 740 loans have been made (70% were women recipients), and the repayment rate has been 100 percent.

The U.S. government interest in human rights and combatting the growth of criminal activity are key aspects of our democracy programs. Regional funds also supported the production and broadcasting of the television program, Open Asia.

In a region characterized by inter-ethnic conflict, Open Asia promotes improved inter-ethnic and inter-state relations, dialogue and understanding. The program is generally well-received throughout the region, though it is still controversial in some more. Regional funds were also used to assess the opportunities to promote religious tolerance to conservative areas help guide program development.
A brief overview to every country of the region :
• Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has the largest landmass of the Central Asian republics and shares its borders with China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the Caspian Sea.
After the September 2001 attacks, Kazakhstan provided over flight rights and allowed for the transshipment of supplies to U.S. forces based in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

U.S. priorities for the country include promoting security cooperation, nonproliferation, internal reform, and energy development. Kazakhstan has significant oil and gas reserves.
State Department officials estimate that Kazakhstan has the potential to be one of the world’s top five oil exporters in 15 years. Kazakhstan’s population is highly literate and nearly one third are under the age of 15. Most are Kazakh, though the country has a significant Russian minority.
Islam and Russian Orthodox are the predominant religions. Key transnational issues include cultivation and trafficking of drugs, border security, and water and environmental problems.

 U.S. Assistance
U.S. Security and Economic Assistance, Fiscal Years 1993-2004
From fiscal year 1993 to 2001, the United States obligated about $586 million in assistance. Of this amount, $193 million was for security assistance, including $180 million for cooperative threat reduction. In fiscal year 2002, budgeted aid totaled about $58 million. Requested assistance for fiscal years 2003 and 2004
totals $100 million.

 International Aid Flows
Bilateral and Multilateral Official Development Assistance, 1993-2001
(Net disbursements, constant 2002 U.S. dollars in millions) International aid flows Totaled about $1.2 billion from 1993 to 2001. Aid from the United States and other countries totaled about $1 billion while multilateral aid totaled about $221 million. Primary donors include Germany, Japan, the United States, and the European Commission.

 Ethnic groups
(Russian30.0%,Ukranian3.7%,Uzbek2.5%, ,Kazakh53.4% ,Other10.4%

 Religions
(Protestant2.0%,Russian Orthodox 44.0%,Muslim47.0%,Other7.0%)

 Key Transnational Issues

Significant cultivation and trafficking of cannabis; transshipment point for drugs from Southwest Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and North America.
Working with China and Russia to settle boundaries, control migration, and limit illegal activities and trade.
Water and environmental disputes with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (as a result of the shrinking of
The Aral Sea); dispute with Kyrgyzstan over water and hydroelectric power.

 Governance, Rights, and Freedoms

Type of government Republic; current president expanded his powers by decree
Type of legal system Based on civil law system

Political rights and civil liberties
Religious freedom
Economic freedom mostly
Corruption

not free
Partly free
Un-free
Corrupt


• Kyrgyzstan

Bordered by China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan has played an important regional role in the war on terrorism, providing base access and over flight rights for U.S. and coalition forces. U.S. priorities for Kyrgyzstan have focused on expanding security relationships and support for political and economic reform.

Kyrgyzstan’s population is highly literate and a majority is Kyrgyz. More than a third of the population is under the age of 15, and a majority of the population is Muslim. According to State Department officials, Kyrgyzstan is more politically
advanced than most of its Central Asian neighbors but still has a poor human rights record. Kyrgyzstan is the only Central Asian republic to accede to the World Trade Organization, having done so in 1998.

Kyrgyzstan has increasingly become a transshipment point for drugs; has periodically dealt with Islamic insurgents from Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; and has ongoing water and territorial disputes with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

 U.S. Assistance
U.S. Security and Economic Assistance, Fiscal Years 1993-2004
From fiscal year 1993 to 2001, the United States obligated about $317 million in assistance, about $309 million of which was economic aid. In fiscal year 2002, budgeted assistance totaled about $85 million. Requested assistance for fiscal years 2003 and 2004 totals about $92 million.

 International Aid Flows
Bilateral and Multilateral Official Development Assistance, 1993-2001

Between 1993 and 2001, international aid flows totaled about $2.1 billion. Aid from the United States and other countries totaled about $906 million while multilateral assistance
Totaled over $1.2 billion. Primary donors include Japan, the United States, the Asian Development Bank, and the World bank.

 Ethnic groups
Population (millions) 5.0
(Kyrgyz52.4%,Russian18.0%,Uzbek12.9%,Other14.2%,Ukrainian2.5%)

 Religions
(Muslim75.0%RussianOrthodox20.0%Other5.0%)


 Governance, Rights, and Freedoms
Type of government Republic
Type of legal system Based on civil law system
Source: CIA.

Political rights and civil liberties
Religious freedom
Economic freedom
Corruption
not free
partly free
mostly free
corrupt
 Key Transnational Issues
Increasingly used as a transshipment point for drugs from Southwest Asia to Russia and Western Europe.
Periodic target of Islamic insurgents from Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Water and hydroelectric power disputes with Kazakhstan; territorial disputes with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

• Tajikistan
Tajikistan shares its borders with Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Tajikistan provided access to bases for U.S. forces in the war on terrorism. U.S. priorities for Tajikistan include expanding security cooperation and encouraging political and economic reform.

The country’s 5-year civil war ended with a power sharing peace accord implemented in 2000. As a result, Tajikistan is the only Central Asian country in which a religiously affiliated political party is represented in parliament. Tajikistan is the poorest of the former Soviet republics, and international aid flows are an important source of economic support for the country.

Like the other Central Asian republics, Tajikistan’s population is highly literate, and a large percentage is under the age of 15. Majorities of the population are Tajik and Muslim. Tajikistan is a major transshipment
point for drugs and has been used as a staging ground for Islamic insurgents into Uzbekistan.

 U.S. Assistance
U.S. Security and Economic Assistance, Fiscal Years 1993-2004
From fiscal year 1993 to 2001, the U.S. obligated about $195 million in total assistance, of which about $193 million was economic assistance. In fiscal year 2002, budgeted assistance totaled about $94 million. Requested assistance for fiscal years 2003 and 2004
totals about $68 million.

 International Aid Flows
Bilateral and Multilateral Official Development Assistance, 1993-2001

Between 1993 and 2001, international aid totaled about $1 billion. Aid from the United States and other countries totaled about $382 million. Multilateral assistance totaled about $621 million. Primary donors include Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Commission, and the World Bank

 Ethnic groups
(Uzbek25.0%,Russian3.5%,Other6.6%,Tajik64.9%)

 Religions
Shi'aMuslim5.0%.Other10.0%,Sunni Muslim 85.0%)

 Governance, Rights, and Freedoms
Type of government Republic
Type of legal system Based on civil law system

Political rights and civil liberties
Religious freedom
Economic freedom
Corruption


not free
Not rated
mostly free
Not rated


 Key Transnational Issues
Major transshipment point for drugs from Afghanistan to Russia and Western Europe.
Water and environmental disputes with Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (as a result of the shrinking of
the Aral Sea).
Unresolved border and territorial disputes with China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

• Turkmenistan

 Borders:
Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the Caspian Sea. A former Soviet republic, Turkmenistan has declared itself as permanently neutral and has not provided formal military assistance in the war on terrorism.

However, it aided the international community in transporting humanitarian relief to Afghanistan. U.S. priorities for Turkmenistan are focused on encouraging internal reform, strengthening security relationships, and promoting energy development.

Turkmenistan has the world’s fifth largest natural gas reserves and it is the world’s tenth largest producer of cotton. The country’s population is highly literate. More than one-third of the population is under age 15, and more than three-quarters are Turkmen and Muslim. The country is not politically free—independent and opposition political activities are prohibited—and corruption is pervasive. It faces problems with drug trafficking and environmental disputes with its neighbors.

 U.S. Assistance
U.S. Security and Economic Assistance, Fiscal Years 1993-2004

From fiscal year 1993to 2001, the United States obligated about $153 million in assistance, about$149 million of which was economic aid. In fiscal year 2002, budgeted assistance totaled about $20 million. Requested assistance for fiscal years 2003 and 2004 totals about $20 million.

 International Aid Flows
Bilateral and Multilateral Official Development Assistance, 1993-2001

International aid flows totaled about $294 million from 1993 to 2001. Aid from the United States and other countries totaled about $218 million while multilateral flows totaled about $76 million. Primary donors include Japan, Turkey, the United States, the European Commission, and the United Nations.

 Ethnic groups
(Uzbek 9.2%, Russian 6.7% ,Other 7.1% ,Turkmen 77.0%)

 Religions
(Muslim 89.0% Eastern Orthodox 9.0% Other 2.0%)

 Governance, Rights, and Freedoms
Type of government Republic
Type of legal system Based on civil law system

Political rights and civil liberties
Religious freedom
Economic freedom
Corruption
not free
un-free
repressed
Not rated

 Key Transnational Issue
Increasing transshipment point for drugs from Southwest Asia to Russia and Western Europe.
Water and environmental disputes with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (as a result of the shrinking of theAral Sea).
Dispute with Iran about seabed and maritime boundaries in the Caspian Sea.

• Uzbekistan

Is Central Asia’s most populated country and borders Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
After the September 2001 attacks, it became an important U.S. strategic partner in the war on terrorism, allowing the U.S. to base forces at its military facilities.

In March 2002, the United States and Uzbekistan signed the Declaration on the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Framework, which affirms a joint commitment to establish stability and security in Central Asia. U.S. priorities for Uzbekistan include enhancing security cooperation and encouraging political and economic reform.
A former Soviet republic, Uzbekistan is strategically placed but politically repressed. The country carries a large amount of debt. Uzbekistan’s population is highly literate, predominantly Uzbek and Muslim, and more than a third of the population is under age 15.

Key transnational issues include increased drug trafficking, radical Islamic groups, and severe water and environmental problems.

 U.S. Assistance 
U.S. Security and Economic Assistance, Fiscal Years 1993-2004

From fiscal year 1993 to 2001, the United States obligated about $208 million in assistance, about $188 million of this in economic aid. In fiscal year 2002, budgeted assistance totaled about $160 million. Requested assistance for fiscal years 2003 and 2004 totals about 100$ million

 International Aid Flows
Bilateral and Multilateral Official Development Assistance, 1993-2001

Between 1993 and 2001, international aid to Uzbekistan totaled about $1.1 billion. Aid from the United States and other countries totaled about $975 million and multilateral aid totaled about $161 million. Primary donors include Germany, Japan, the United States, the European Commission, and the United Nations.

 Ethnic groups
(Russian5.5% ,Tajik5.0%, Kazakh3.0%, ,Uzbek80.0%Other6.6%)

 Religions
(Eastern Orthodox 9.0%, Muslim88.0%,Other3.0%,)

 Governance, Rights, and Freedoms
Type of government Republic
Type of legal system Evolution of Soviet civil law

Political rights and civil liberties
Religious freedom
Economic freedom
Corruption
not free
un-free
repressed
corrupt

 Key Transnational Issues
Increasing transshipment point for drugs from Afghanistan to Russia and Western Europe.
Periodic incursions by radical Islamic groups based in Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
Water and environmental disputes with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan (as a result of the shrinking of
the Aral Sea); border disputes with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.




Southeast Europe:
Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The strategic importance
An important thing that we should highlight is the strategic importance of the region and this pushes us to cover the relationship between this region and both EU & USA.

• Southeast Europe and United States.
"Bringing the states of Southeast Europe into the Euro-Atlantic community of prosperous, democratic and secure nations is a task, and an opportunity, that must not find us wanting," Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs E. Anthony Wayne told members of the House Committee on International Relations

"Because stability in Europe is important to our own security, we want to build a Europe that is peaceful, undivided and free. We should try to do for Southeastern Europe what we helped to do for Western Europe after World War II and for Central Europe after the Cold War; to help its people build a region of multiethnic democracies, a community that upholds common standards for human rights, a community in which borders are open to people and trade, where nations cooperate to make war unthinkable. ... The best solution for Kosovo, for Serbia, for Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia and all the countries of Southeast Europe is ... greater integration into ... Europe...." President Clinton's statement of US policy in south east Europe.

From the above two statements, we can easily conclude that there are
three main goals based on US fundamental interest in a peaceful and democratic Europe, whole and free: the stabilization of the region; its transformation into a community of thriving democratic polities and market economies; and the integration of the region into broader European, Trans-Atlantic, and global political and economic structures.

The united states is pursuing these goals in a range of bilateral and multilateral programs and organizations: The Dayton implementation process, the Kosovo peace process, the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) program, the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI), NATO's, Partnership for Peace and Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), the Royaumont Process, the EC/World Bank donor coordination process, the Southeast Europe Defense Ministers group (SEDM), and others.
Finally and most importantly for the medium and long-term prospects for the region, USA has established, with its partners, a Stability Pact for Southeast Europe to provide a unifying framework to achieve political and economic reform and greater integration of the region into Europe. It seams that US is pursuing its goals using all the tools available to US: military, diplomatic, and economic.

• Southeast Europe and the EU.
The European Union's fundamental aim for the region of South East Europe is to create a situation where a repetition of the military conflicts we saw in the 90's is unthinkable.
The EU has rightly been accused of having failed to set out a comprehensive policy for the Balkans, and its inability to respond effectively to the conflict has been held up as an example of the Weakness of its foreign policy. But much has changed since the early 90’s.
Although sometimes progress seems slow, enormous ground has been covered since that time. The EU has now developed a common policy for the Region. The main objective is to ensure peace, stability and prosperity. The Balkan People are considered fellow Europeans and the EU is aware of its obligation to contribute towards their well-being and success. According to EU, Russia and the United States also have a significant role to play in the Development of South East Europe. The door to European Membership is open to the Balkan countries. And the Stabilization and Association Process is the EU's policy framework for the region. By setting special trade agreements and providing financial assistance, this process is guiding the Balkan countries on the bumpy journey towards European membership.

Overview of USA aid policy in the region

• Albania:
It's one of Europe's poorest countries, Albania is nevertheless a rich blend of religions, cultures and landscapes - and its political landscape has been equally varied. After World War II, Albania became a Stalinist state under Enver Hoxha, and remained staunchly isolationist until its transition to democracy after 1990. One result was the end of a ban on religious worship. Now Muslims, Orthodox and Roman Catholics co-exist alongside Albania's atheists, but still the major religion is Islam.

During the Nato bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, nearly 500,000 ethnic Albanian refugees from Kosovo spilled over the border, imposing a huge burden on Albania's already fragile economy. The Albanian capital is Tirana where the dominant language in Albania is the Albanian one.]


• Objectives & Justification:
The success of Albania as an independent functioning democracy and contributor to Regional stability and development in Southeast Europe is the overarching U.S. goal. Albania has made steady progress in re-establishing public order since the government's collapse in 1997 and has played a role in international attempts to isolate ethnic Albanian extremists in Macedonia and southern Serbia. Progress on economic reform and growth is essential to this long-term goal. Key indicators for FY 2002 will be further consolidation of democracy and rule of law through fully functioning state institutions and additional Albanian efforts to play constructive regional role.

• Some of the USAID Programs in Albania:

($ in thousands)
Account FY 2000 Actual FY 2001 Estimate FY 2002 FY 2002 Request

FMF 1,600 8,607 4,650

IMET 646 1,200 800

NADR 0 0 30


U.S. assistance helps ensure that Albania remains a net contributor to international efforts to reduce tensions in southeastern Europe.
In an effort to bolster Albania's regional security, programs support self-defense training consistent with the U.S. and NATO goal of restructuring the Albanian military and developing its capacity to patrol its border and sea lanes.

The United States also provides a limited range of military equipment in order to build the capabilities of the Albanian forces. Domestically, combating corruption and organized crime remains one of Albania's major challenges. Consequently, SEED programs support a number of projects that provide counter-narcotics and anti-organized crime training, as well as assist in the development of GOA law enforcement capabilities through the training of Albanian police, prosecutors, and judges.

• Economic support:
Efforts are also geared to promoting broad-based economic growth and free market institutions in Albania to improve the standard of living and expand potential markets for U.S. exports. SEED funds will support expansion of the private sector with programs that assist banking reform, development of a capital market, establishment of a micro-credit program, and support for the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund.

Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program have supported defense reorganization and training consistent with the U.S. and NATO goal of restructuring and modernizing the Albanian military.
The Albanian government has taken several steps over the past year to reform its armed forces, including approval of new national security and defense policies and the accompanying re-development of basic command structures.

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the hottest spots allover the world as it is still struggling to recover from three years of bloody inter-ethnic war during 1992-95.
Around 250,000 people died in the conflict between Bosnian Muslims, Croats and Serbs - part of the break-up of Yugoslavia. A Nato-led Stabilization Force, S-For, remains responsible for safeguarding peace and stability
Since then international administration has helped the country maintain a fragile peace but ethnic tensions persist.
The 1995 Dayton peace accord, which ended the Bosnian war, set up two separate entities, a Bosnian Muslim/Croat federation and the Bosnian Serb republic, Republic Srpska, each with its own president, government, parliament, military and police. Overarching these entities is a central Bosnian government and rotating presidency.
Critics of Dayton voiced fears that the two entities came too close to being states in their own right and that the arrangement reinforced separatism and nationalism at the expense of integration. Nationalist parties made strong gains in parliamentary elections in October 2002. 
]Dayton also established the Office of the High Representative, a role fulfilled by British politician Paddy Ashdown since May 2002. The representative has wide-ranging powers to impose decisions in cases where the authorities are unable to agree, or where political and economic interests are considered to be at stake.


The capital of this republic is Sarajevo where the inhabitants there have three major languages which are Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian .It can be induced from above that the major religions there are Christianity and Islam.

• Objectives & Justification:
The United States has played a leading role both in NATO and in other international forums in the international effort to implement the Dayton peace accords and thereby promote self sustaining peace, democracy, and economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina .
The U.S. leads the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia, formerly the Implementation Force (IFOR).
A peaceful, democratic, and stable Bosnia and Herzegovina that respects international human rights standards is a key part of maintaining peace and stability in Europe and promoting U.S. national security.
At the same time, continued U.S. efforts to promote investment and sustainable economic growth in Bosnia serve not only to make Bosnia's transition to democracy more stable and sustainable, but also promote the United States' strategic goals of economic development and global growth and stability.

U.S. assistance and policy in Bosnia are targeted to full implementation of the peace accords, promotion of democratization through the development of democratic institutions and respect for human rights, and promotion of investment and economic growth. U.S. assistance in all areas helps leverage funding from other donors, whose combined contributions far exceed the U.S. contribution. In spite of continued resistance from hard-line nationalists, our investment is beginning to take root with moderate reform governments in place at the state level and in both entities for the first time since the disintegration of Yugoslavia.

• Some of the USAID Programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
($ in thousands)
Account FY 2000 Actual FY 2001 Estimate FY 2002 FY 2002 Request

FMF 0 5, 970 2,500

IMET 601 1,175 800

PKO 51,271 18,500 20,500

Source: the same
The Southeast Europe Democracy (SEED) program will continue to facilitate the enhancement of democratic institutions and practices as well as assist in the prevention of renewed inter-ethnic conflict in Bosnia. SEED funds are also directed at programs that help ensure respect for the human rights of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The program is designed to create expanded economic opportunities for all ethnic groups.

The requested FY 2002 Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) funding includes support for the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The civilian OSCE mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina carries out work which is crucial to the United States' objective of advancing democracy, democratic institutions and respect for human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds contribute to U.S. national security by promoting Peace and stability in Bosnia as well as in the Balkans as a whole. Under the Train and Equip Program, the U.S. has supplied $100 million in surplus defense articles and defense services to the Federation entity's military since 1996, to help establish military stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and prevent renewed hostilities.

• Bulgaria
A Balkan country which was part of the Ottoman empire for around 500 years, although the Orthodox tradition remained strong. Bulgarian is a Slavic language.
After the Second World War the country was a satellite of the Soviet Union for nearly half a century. It celebrated success in its bid for integration into western alliances when it became a Nato member in March 2004.
Its transition to democracy and a market economy after the collapse of communism has not been easy.
Throughout the first half of the 1990s, Bulgaria was wracked by political instability and strikes. The former communists remained a powerful influence. Although the end of the decade was more stable, there was little tangible progress with economic reform.
It was not included in the list of countries invited to join the EU in 2004. However, the EU did offer hope that it could be on track for membership in 2007 if it is successful in introducing reforms. The Bulgarian capital is Sofia and the Bulgarian language dominates hand in hand with Christianity.
• Objectives & Justification:
Bulgaria is in a critical period; the political stability of recent years and the government’s strong commitment to economic reforms has put the country on the right course.
More long-term, job-creating foreign investment is needed, however, to ensure that these reforms are embraced. Bulgaria has made notable progress on broad economic and political reforms in recent years. To sustain this positive momentum, we anticipate using the bulk of Bulgaria's FY 2002 SEED assistance for programs that promote economic reform and build democracy.

Approximately half of SEED resources will directly support economic reform, while about a quarter will directly support democracy building. Considerable resources will also be devoted to strengthening Bulgaria's social sector--improving the environment, promoting labor market transitions, and assisting trade unions. SEED funds will support privatization and enterprise restructuring projects.
USA will continue to direct much of its assistance towards overcoming the problems of a weak judiciary, corruption, stricter enforcement of intellectual property rights legislation, and promoting local government reform. Public Diplomacy programs, including Ron Brown Fellowships, media training, and civic education programs, will promote the development of democratic institutions.

• Some of the USAID Programs in Bulgaria
($ in thousands
Account FY 2000 Actual FY 2001 Estimate FY 2002 FY 2002 Request

FMF 4,800 13,434 10,000

IMET 1,000 1,600 1,200

NADR-ECA 560 160 30

Peace Corps 1,765 2,015 2,183
SEED 32,000 35,123 35,000

Source: the same
Foreign Military Financing (FMF) is essential to fostering the Bulgarian military’s Development so that it can aspire to NATO membership and contribute to regional stability. FMF assistance will promote interoperability with NATO and, most important, provides defense infrastructure upgrades that could serve U.S. strategic interests in times of crisis. FMF assistance in FY 2002 will be used to help modernize Bulgaria's military forces.
As part of its efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, related technologies, and other weapons, the United States is providing NADR Export Control and Related Border Security assistance funds for a cooperative program to help establish fully effective export controls in Bulgaria. FY 2002 NADR funding is focused primarily on improving enforcement procedures and capabilities through the regional nonproliferation advisor program.

• Croatia
Croatia emerged into the new millennium from a decade in which it experienced a bitter war as the former Yugoslavia broke up, and several years of authoritarian nationalism under the late president, Franjo Tudjman. By early 2003 it had made sufficient progress to apply formally for EU membership, becoming the second former Yugoslav republic after Slovenia to do so. Croatia became an official candidate country in June 2004.
A number of Croatian military figures have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in massacres of Serbs and other war crimes. The Croatian capital is Zagreb and Christianity is the dominant religion.


• Objectives & Justification:

Croatia has reached an important turning point in its short history as an independent country. The democratic changes and economic reforms occurring there as a result of the 2000 elections are helping to promote similar changes throughout the region.
Croatia has the capability to develop into an anchor of stability and an economic engine for the region. In past years, Support for East European Democracy (SEED) funding has been used primarily to support democratic initiatives, media reform, return and reintegration of refugees, and the development of small and medium enterprises - primarily in war-affected areas.
The success of SEED- funded democracy programs is evidenced by the 2000 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Building on this momentum, the FY 2002 programs will continue to support programs to further strengthen democratic institutions. With a democratic government now in place, however, we are able to devote a far greater proportion of our SEED resources to economic reforms than was possible under the Tudjman regime.

• Some of the USAID Programs in Croatia
($ in thousands)
Account FY 2000 Actual FY 2001 Estimate FY 2002 FY 2002 Request

FMF 4,000 3,980 6,200

IMET 514 1,025 600

NADR-ECA 0 0 90

PKO 0 3,300 3,300

SEED 36,200 44,527 45,000

Source: the same

The coalition government has pledged to continue with the democratic evolution of
Croatia and to dedicate itself to long-overdue legal, commercial and economic reforms. SEED funds have been and will continue to be used to fund programs that will strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in Croatia. Programs also will address continuing social sector needs, including reintegration of war-affected population, reduction of ethnic tensions, and development of cooperatives and business associations in war affected areas.
Croatia is suffering from 20% unemployment, so a portion of SEED funds will go to support small and medium enterprises, International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds foster appreciation among Croatian military officials for the proper role of the armed forces in a democracy.

As a member of Partnership for Peace (PFP), Croatia will receive Foreign Military Financing (FMF) in FY 2002 The next few years will be important for the Croatian Armed Forces as they begin a difficult process of restructuring and downsizing and move to increase interoperability and commonality with NATO.




• Kosovo
Kosovo is a landlocked province within the union of Serbia and Montenegro, it has often-strained relationship between its Serb and ethnic Albanian inhabitants. The province is administered by the UN, having endured a conflict in the late 1990s which was fuelled by ethnic division and repression.
Kosovo is one of Europe's poorest regions, with more than half of its people living in poverty where although the province possesses rich mineral resources, agriculture is the main economic activity.
Slavic and Albanian peoples have co-existed in Kosovo since the 8th century. The region was the centre of the Serbian empire until the mid-14th century, and Serbians regard Kosovo as the birthplace of their state.
Serbia's defeat at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 ushered in centuries of rule under the Muslim Ottoman Empire. Serbia regained control of Kosovo in 1913, and the province was incorporated into the Yugoslav federation. Kosovo is a landlocked province within the union of Serbia and Montenegro, it has often-strained relationship between its Serb and ethnic Albanian inhabitants. The province is administered by the UN, having endured a conflict in the late 1990s which was fuelled by ethnic division and repression.
The 1974 Yugoslav constitution laid down Kosovo's status as an autonomous province, and pressure for independence mounted in the 1980s after the death of Yugoslav President Tito.
But resentment over Kosovan influence within the Yugoslav federation was harnessed by the future leader, Slobodan Milosevic. On becoming Yugoslav president in 1989, he proceeded to strip Kosovo of its autonomy.
A passive resistance movement in the 1990s failed to secure independence or to restore autonomy, although ethnic Albanian leaders declared unilateral independence in 1991. In the mid-1990s an ethnic Albanian guerrilla movement, the Kosovo Liberation Army, stepped up its attacks on Serb targets. The attacks precipitated a major, and brutal, Yugoslav military crackdown.
Slobodan Milosevic's rejection of an internationally-brokered deal to end the crisis, and the persecution of Kosovo Albanians, led to the start of Nato air strikes against targets in Kosovo and Serbia in March 1999.
Meanwhile, a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Kosovo Albanians was initiated by Serbian forces. Hundreds of thousands of refugees fled to Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro. Thousands of people died in the conflict. Serbian forces were driven out in the summer of 1999 and the UN took over the administration of the province. Sovereignty over the territory rests with Belgrade.
The major languages spoken there are Albanian, Serbian and Islam & Christianity are considered the dominant religions. Its capital is Pristina.

• Objectives & Justification:

Since the conflict, U.S. assistance will support an interlocking set of objectives to help stabilize and transform Kosovo into an economically viable, democratically self-governing territory.

• Some of the USAID Programs in Kosovo
($ in thousands)
Account FY 2000 Actual FY 2001 Estimate FY 2002 FY 2002 Request

PKO 33,375 15,500 14,500

SEED 164,800 149,670 120,000

Source: the same

For FY 2002, Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) funds will be used to support the OSCE's extensive responsibilities in Kosovo, where it is tasked to help rebuild from the core the full range of institutions needed for a functioning society. The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is concentrating its work on human resource capacity building (police, judiciary, civil administrators), democracy and governance projects (NGO development, political parties, local media), and organization and supervision of elections. Economic recovery is vital to realization of the foregoing objectives, and vice versa. The U.S. has stated that the European Union and its member countries must contribute the lion's share of assistance toward reconstruction of Kosovo. Under these circumstances, the U.S. sees its comparative advantage in catalyzing grass-roots economic activity.

• Macedonia
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia was spared the inter-ethnic violence that raged elsewhere in the Balkans following the break-up of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s but it came close to civil war a decade after independence.
Rebels staged an uprising in early 2001, demanding greater rights for the ethnic Albanian minority.
Acknowledgement of ethnic-Albanian rights was formalized in a new constitution that was approved by parliament in late 2001.
The country's identity remains contentious and it is still referred to formally as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
International recognition of the country's split from Yugoslavia in 1991 was held up over Greek fears that the country's name implied territorial ambitions toward the northern Greek region of Macedonia


Macedonia has formally applied to join the EU but, while progress is being made, there is still a long way to go in consolidating stability, fighting crime and corruption and rebuilding the economy.
The Macedonian capital is Skopje, where the major languages are Macedonian, Albanian .The major religions are : Christianity, Islam
• Objectives & Justification:
Macedonia has been a successful example of a democratic, multi-ethnic state in the
Balkans, clearly committed to strengthening its democracy and market economy despite both external and internal disruptions, which have temporarily interrupted its progress. As the only former Yugoslav Republic to gain its independence peacefully and successfully forge inter ethnic power sharing arrangements in the government, Macedonia has offered its troubled region a progressive model which warrants strong U.S. support. Having slowly recovered from the Kosovo crisis, which had the greatest negative impact on Macedonia of all the countries of Southeast Europe, Macedonia faces again the threat of destabilization, this time by armed extremists.

• Some of the USAID Programs in Macedonia
($ in thousands)
Account FY 2000 Actual FY 2001 Estimate FY 2002 FY 2002 Request

FMF 0 13,582 10,500

IMET 504 750 550

NADR-ECA 335 245 705

Peace Corps 790 959 911

Source: the same

SEED funds finance critical technical assistance in the areas of enterprise assistance, legal/accounting reform, privatization and labor redeployment, and financial sector reform. SEED assisted reform efforts are helping Macedonia to improve its investment climate, solidify its economy, and adopt international standards. Our aim is to strengthen Macedonia's prospects for integration into international and Euro-Atlantic institutions. In the process, SEED funds will strengthen Macedonian democracy through such initiatives as the Democracy Commission grants to NGOs.

Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET) have supported defense reorganization and training consistent with the U.S. and NATO goal of restructuring and modernizing the capabilities of the Macedonian military.

The insurgent crisis early 2001 has fully engaged the government security forces of Macedonia, and will necessitate delays and reassessment of military reorganization and training programs. The Macedonian military generally performed well when ordered to move against positions occupied by armed extremists, and accomplished fairly complex combined arms.

• Romania

Romania is considered the largest of the Balkan countries. It oversees the Black sea. It has seen numerous empires come and go from the Roman, to the Ottoman, to the Austro-Hungarian.


After the Second World War the country was under Communist rule although the leadership pursued a foreign policy independent of that of the Soviet Union.
Former Communists dominated politics until 1996 when a centrist government came to power. Also Presidential and parliamentary elections in 2000 brought former communist Ion Iliescu back to power as president.
It came as no surprise when Romania was left off the list of countries accepted for EU membership in 2004 simply because the government did little or nothing to promote the economy. However, the European Commission did indicate that it could be on track for membership in 2007 if it is successful in introducing economic and other reforms. Although there has been growth, progress with economic reform has been slower than elsewhere. Romania still has much to do to stamp out corruption, cut red tape, strengthens the judiciary and build a viable economy
In spite of this Romania which is considered a slower developer than other former Communist countries of Eastern Europe, took a major step away from its past when it was one of seven countries to join NATO in late March 2004. Its strategic location and Black Sea air and naval bases make it attractive to the alliance.
Bucharest is the Romanian capital where Christianity is the major religion prevailing there and the dominant language is the Romanian one.
• Objectives & Justification:
Romania’s economic transition is at a delicate stage. The economic and political distortions of the communist era have posed great challenges to post-1989 Romanian governments. After four years of negative growth, GDP grew by 1.6% in 2000. The United States is engaged in such activities as providing advisors to the Ministry of Finance in the critical areas of privatization, debt, and tax reform.
Support for East European Democracy (SEED) funding of $38 million supports the development of democratic institutions, including local government, public administration, NGOs, and the courts. Exchange programs promote democratic thinking and expose current and future leaders to American democracy. The newly-elected government has committed itself to working with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and to promoting reforms.

• Some of the USAID Programs in Romania
($ in thousands)
Account FY 2000 Actual FY 2001 Estimate FY 2002 FY 2002 Request

FMF 6,000 16,916 11,500

IMET 1,093 1,550 1,400

NADR-ECA 505 414 360

Peace Corps 2,108 2,586 2,857

SEED 35,000 38,415 38,000

source

SEED funds for FY 2002 will assist Romania to combat cross-border crime and foster regional linkages by supporting the newly established regional anti-crime center in Bucharest. Funding also will help Romania improve its social safety net in such areas as child welfare and pension reform.

U.S. bilateral military assistance is focused on helping Romania contribute to stability in Southeast Europe by establishing a strong, efficient military under effective civilian control and enjoying a cooperative relationship with NATO, including through active participation in the Partnership for Peace program.

As a NATO aspirant, Romania received significantly increased FY 2001 Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to assist it in completing the reforms specified under their NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP). Romania has the largest standing force of all the NATO aspirants.

In the coming few pages…we'll concentrate on both the European Union and the NATO and their relation ships with the united states…and what can be done to promote the security of Europe.
The European Union
• Introduction:

The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity. It is not a State intended to replace existing states, but it is more than any other international organization. The EU is, in fact, unique. Its Member States have set up common institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level. This pooling of sovereignty is also called "European integration".

The historical roots of the European Union lie in the Second World War. The idea of European integration was conceived to prevent such killing and destruction from ever happening again. It was first proposed by the French
Foreign Minister Robert Schumann in a speech on 9 May 1950. This date, the "birthday" of what is now the EU, is celebrated annually as Europe Day.




----------------------------------------------------

dear colleagues


how r u ? i hope u r great , plz give me information about what happened in the last session coz i am worried, although i am sure of how good u r , secondly in the comming session , i think i am able to finish central asian part , but we need to involve them in a debate or any interactive manner so we have to make an online meeting to assesss the situation , dear the comming session we will just go inside the 5 countries and see their differences and their bilateral relations with us and the current us aid programs in each country ,
i can do this but what i can not design till now is how can we develop an interesting dialogue not monologue in order to shake our delegates to speak out , guys we r running out of time , but we can acheive alote , we can also educate them about negociation skills if not done last session
thanx
see u soon


Initially, the EU consisted of just six countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined in 1973, Greece in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986, Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995. In 2004 the biggest ever enlargement took place with 10 new countries joining.


In the early years, much of the co-operation between EU countries was about trade and the economy, but now the EU also deals with many other subjects of direct importance for our everyday life, such as citizens' rights; ensuring freedom, security and justice; job creation; regional development; environmental protection; making globalization work for everyone.
The European Union has delivered half a century of stability, peace and prosperity. It has helped to raise living standards, built a single Europe-wide market, launched the single European currency, the euro, and strengthened Europe's voice in the world.
There are major issues that concern the European Union at the moment, such as its enlargement south and east, and the Union's relationship with the United States of America.
The New Union and the United States:
The European Union and the United States are the two largest economies in the world. They account together for about half the entire world economy. The EU and the US have also the biggest bilateral trading and investment relationship. Transatlantic flows of trade and investment amount to around $1 billion a day, and jointly, their global trade accounts for almost 40 % of world trade. By working together, the US and the EU can promote their common goals and interests in the world much more effectively.
Transatlantic relations encompass more than EU-US relations. North America and many

Egypt's Young Voices Program:

Today’s youth will one day lead societies in various countries, already young people are very much today already prove to be powerful agents of change. “Youth have a voice, posses their own resources, and can bring their own perspectives and experiences to development process” From the “youth – strategic direction for the world bank” draft prepared by Gloria La Cava and Paula Lytle, ECSSD., youth organizations could be valuable partners when it comes to scaling up activities. Apart from the importance of youth involvement for the sake of future generations, youth organizations have some comparative advantages in developing programs, and implementing them.

The “Youth development and peace” conference held in Paris from September 15-16 2003 was an initial step for further collaboration between youth organizations and the bank. From the discussions in the MENA region it became apparent that there is a need for youth organizations to connect to one and other and increase impact, cross fertilize ideas.

This program is designed as an initial follow up of the Paris meeting and brings together different youth organizations working in the MENA region to discussions on the development challenges in their region focusing on ways for them to cooperate with each other to increase their impact, cross fertilize ideas and look at ways in which the world bank could assist in enhancing their capacity as agents of change in their communities as well as exploring ways in which the bank could partner with organizations.






Background

The World Bank Egypt Country Office is currently planning an initiative: “Egypt’s Young Voices Program” that is based on the New Voices pilot exercise that was undertaken in Lima, Peru in 2002. As a result of the Lima experience, World Bank President Mr. James Wolfensohn launched a global youth outreach program that would allow the Bank through its various regional teams to listen and learn from youth and share knowledge about its role in development. Various outreach programs are currently being planned for pilot implementation in at least two countries in all six regions of the World Bank.



Youth Participants

The Youth Group would consist of young people who:
· are between the ages of 18-24
· are a cross-social and cross-geographical representation of Egypt
· are educated enough to articulate their thoughts and understand the basics of how the World Bank works in Egypt
· preferably have experience with a registered non-governmental organization
· show leadership skills

Partner Organizations

The Youth Association for Population and Development (YAPD) has been selected as a main partner to the Country Office in implementing this initiative. Given the experience that this organization has developed and the credibility it has earned at the regional and national levels.YAPD involvement will provide valuable inputs to the program and its outcome.

What are the Bretton Woods Institutions ?

The Bretton Woods Institutions are the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). They were set up at a meeting of 43 countries in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA in July 1944. Their aims were to help rebuild the shattered postwar economy and to promote international economic cooperation. The original Bretton Woods agreement also included plans for an International Trade Organisation (ITO) but these lay dormant until the World Trade Organisation (WTO) was created in the early 1990s.

The creation of the World Bank and the IMF came at the end of the Second World War. They were based on the ideas of a trio of key experts - US Treasury Secretary Henry Morganthau, his chief economic advisor Harry Dexter White, and British economist John Maynard Keynes. They wanted to establish a postwar economic order based on notions of consensual decision-making and cooperation in the realm of trade and economic relations. It was felt by leaders of the Allied countries, particularly the US and Britain, that a multilateral framework was needed to overcome the destabilising effects of the previous global economic depression and trade battles.

In his opening speech at the Bretton Woods conference, Henry Morganthau said the "bewilderment and bitterness" resulting from the Depression became "the breeders of fascism, and finally, of war". Proponents of the new institutions felt that global economic interaction was necessary to maintain international peace and security. The institutions would facilitate, in Morganthau's words, "[the] creation of a dynamic world community in which the peoples of every nation will be able to realise their potentialities in peace".

The IMF would create a stable climate for international trade by harmonising its members' monetary policies, and maintaining exchange stability. It would be able to provide temporary financial assistance to countries encountering difficulties with their balance of payments. The World Bank, on the other hand, would serve to improve the capacity of countries to trade by lending money to war-ravaged and impoverished countries for reconstruction and development projects.

what is free trade ? what are its main barriers ?



In very simple terms, free trade can be defined as the absence of tariffs and import quotas on goods. This definition is based on the notion that the market is the best device to ensure consumers can access good products at the best price, and increase global wealth. The final goal of eliminating tariff barriers and national protection mechanisms is to allow the market to operate with no constraints. However, this approach to free trade takes no account of the fact that not all-trading partners are equal, and neither all products and services. Therefore, in an integrated global economy the conventional definition of free trade will no longer do, as trade in services is surging dramatically and new barriers are replacing conventional barriers such as tariff and import quotas.

There are three categories of obstacles to international trade:
u Tariff barriers (e.g. fiscal measures such as the imposition of custom duties)
u Non-tariff measures (e.g. legal and practice barriers such as screen quotas)
u Investment barriers (e.g. restriction or limitation of foreign capital or equity participation, control of the nationality of company directors, or restriction on the repatriation of capital).

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The United states of america and the Quartat declared in april 2003 the so-called : the roadmap which aimes at finding a permanant solution to the arab-israeli conflict on the basis of establishing a palestinian state by 2005 according to president Bush`s vision , Roadmap will have 3 phases , end at 2005 and it will identify general frame for negotiations.
This new plan for peace was received by hope folded by suspision. people were hopeful as Roadmap may be an end to the sufferings of the palestinians who have lived in the worst circumstances that have ever been known and it may be a solution to the ever-lasting conflict of the mideast
however , people were suspicious concerning the isreali government willingness to acheive peace that demands more co-operative and a quick stop to every provactive action aganist the palestinians that leads to the breakout of the cycle of violance and endless conflict, that make everyone suffers in the region included the Israeli people .
Actually mideast has gone through lots of difficulities and hardships in its modern history .i.e foreign occupation that has a worse effect on the mideast region than any region of the world .
the foreign occupation not only did exploit our natural resources and hinders the possibilties of comprehansive development but also did plant the israelis in the land of palestine . this was a really a bloody crime to the palestinians` right to live on their land freely .
sadly the curse occured by the help of THE US and Europe to
the Jews in order to migrate to palestine
their help was by arms ,money and the british occupation protection . all that enable the israelis to establish their state by killing the land original inhabitants & intimidating them to leave and buying their land by using coercion . then the conflict starts followed by several wars .i.e 1948,1956,1967,1973 between the israelis "aided by the US and Europe"and the arabs who were newly independant and weak these wars accompanied by more palestinian refugees .
after the arab defeat in 1967 Egypt and the arabs waged a war in 1973 to geting back the occupied arab land and they won the war , sinai was liberated and apart of golan heights
then Egypt sees peace as the only solution to the conflict
however , it was and still is not an easy one till now, because of the israeli expansionist policy that is as old as the first zionist conferance namely that palestine as a whole Jewish land .
when asked once about the borders of israel, former prime minister David ben Gorion said : they are wherever israeli soldiers stop. This remind us of the facist behaviour but this time the facist one aided by the liberal world ,
I believe that this kind of policies hinders every attempt of peace acheivement in our region , I share this belief with almost all the intellectuals who are interested in the stability of mideast region .
This fact effect frustrution to all,the arabs & peace lovers worldwide for that reason , roadmap has been received with suspicion because it is not the first map for peace but there were before alote of maps ,plans for peace and all of them failed because of the provacative israeli actions that lead to the breakout of violance cycle and a new peace plan presented . this story starts again and again . This drive everyone especially the ordinary people in the street to get sick of all that and to lose hope ,
this drive me to repeat simple questions that are usually been asked ; whether the isreali government want peace or not ?
will the israeli government stop its provocative policy to acheive peace to its own people and to the region at all or Mr Sharon will continue the road of destruction to every body included his own people ? .





note :

in the next time i will try to highlight the cause of the recent escalation in the palestinian territory and elaborate the provocative israeli policy that represent the main burdens before the Roadmap.