Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft, 2-2010, Page 65-78, 20.04.2010
Security with or against Russia?
On the Russian Proposal for a »European Security Treaty«
Madrid, 09.04.2010
The NPT-Review Conference: Chance and Challenge for the EU
Abstract of a Speech given before an Expert Panel on Security Policy, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Madrid.
Tokyo, 08.03.2010
Regional Challenges to the NPT Regime: Focus on North Korea and Iran
Speech given at an expert conference "Japanese-German Dialogue on Non-Proliferation: Strengthening Multilateral and Regional Security Cooperation" *
New York, 17.11.2009
Towards a successful NPT Review Conference 2010
Speech given before the second meeting of the Socialist International Committee on Dismarmament
New York, 17.11.2009
New Geostrategic Challenges for Disarmament – what Role for the UN?
Input given at a Luncheon Discussion on disarmament organised by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung New York
Arms Control Association, Issue: May 2009
Steinmeier Calls for U.S. to Withdraw Nukes
New developments in the debate about American nuclear warheads in Germany.
Deutsche Welle Iran, 24.02.2009
Schroeder's Iran Visit Could Help Improve Groundwork for Talks
Reactions to former German chancellor visiting Iran
EarthTimes, 23.02.2009
Schroeder informed German government before Iran visit
Reactions to former Chancellor's visit to Iran
Fabian Society Blog, 19.02.2009
German view of that "special relationship"
Teh special relationship between the US and the UK after the election of President Obama
Security with or against Russia?
By Rolf Mützenich
Introduction
As far as integrating Russia in a cooperative pan-European security system and developing a strategic partnership are concerned, the first 10 years of the new millennium amounted to a lost decade of estrangement, fraught with crises and conflicts: one need mention here only NATO enlargement, arms control crises, and the energy question. Eight years of American unilateralism under George W. Bush also contributed to Moscow’s, from time to time, rather brash new self-assurance, which now and again got rather ahead of itself. This self-assurance was primarily the result of the unprecedented economic growth based on skyrocketing oil prices. The global financial and economic crisis and the attendant fall in commodity prices have not only ended the boom of recent years, but also revealed the structural weaknesses of the Russian economy.
Sadly, the fact remains that, 20 years after the end of the East-West conflict, Russia has not yet been properly integrated in the institutional framework of European security policy. The consequent strained relations are in no one’s interest. Russia is urgently needed as a partner. The USA needs it as a partner in nuclear disarmament, in coping with the Iranian atomic crisis, and definitely with regard to cooperation in the un Security Council. Russia, in turn, needs the West for its modernization policy. Integrating Russia in a strategic partnership is, therefore, in the interests of the West.
As far as integrating Russia in a cooperative pan-European security system and developing a strategic partnership are concerned, the first 10 years of the new millennium amounted to a lost decade of estrangement, fraught with crises and conflicts: one need mention here only NATO enlargement, arms control crises, and the energy question. Eight years of American unilateralism under George W. Bush also contributed to Moscow’s, from time to time, rather brash new self-assurance, which now and again got rather ahead of itself. This self-assurance was primarily the result of the unprecedented economic growth based on skyrocketing oil prices. The global financial and economic crisis and the attendant fall in commodity prices have not only ended the boom of recent years, but also revealed the structural weaknesses of the Russian economy.
Sadly, the fact remains that, 20 years after the end of the East-West conflict, Russia has not yet been properly integrated in the institutional framework of European security policy. The consequent strained relations are in no one’s interest. Russia is urgently needed as a partner. The USA needs it as a partner in nuclear disarmament, in coping with the Iranian atomic crisis, and definitely with regard to cooperation in the un Security Council. Russia, in turn, needs the West for its modernization policy. Integrating Russia in a strategic partnership is, therefore, in the interests of the West.
Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft, 2-2010, Page 65-78, 20.04.2010
The NPT-Review Conference: Chance and Challenge for the EU
By Rolf Mützenich
• The European Union has identified the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction as a key threat to its security and considers the
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a cornerstone of it strategy of
fighting the spread of WMD. A successful outcome of the next NPT Review
Conference in May 2010 is thus of essential interest to the Union.
• Why is NPT important in Europe? Because disarmament and arms control created the basis for European integration. Disarmament minimized the risk of armed conflict between participating countries and also founded a new sense confidence between European states.
• The failure of NPT talks will foster the ambitions of states seeking nuclear weapons, which will then further undermine the existence of NPT. Member states should therefore renew their commitment to nuclear disarmament as stated in Article VI of the treaty.
• Why is NPT important in Europe? Because disarmament and arms control created the basis for European integration. Disarmament minimized the risk of armed conflict between participating countries and also founded a new sense confidence between European states.
• The failure of NPT talks will foster the ambitions of states seeking nuclear weapons, which will then further undermine the existence of NPT. Member states should therefore renew their commitment to nuclear disarmament as stated in Article VI of the treaty.
Madrid, 09.04.2010
Nuclear Shadows
Von Rolf Mützenich
When Barack Obama gave his Berlin speech on 24 March 2008, his noble gesture in coming out in favour of a world without nuclear weapons was the point at which he received by far and away the greatest applause. “This”, the democratic presidential candidate said, “is the moment when we must renew our commitment to a world without nuclear weapons”. And it is a fact that nuclear disarmament is more urgent today than ever before. Although the Cold War has been over for more than 20 years, plans are still being developed, especially by the United States, which envisage nuclear war as part of a flexible response strategy, rather than as an apocalyptic move, as a limited - and therefore potentially successful - operation. (...)
FES, Stockholm
Regional Challenges to the NPT Regime: Focus on North Korea and Iran
By Rolf Mützenich
Thank you very much for inviting me here today. The conference reminds
us that Japan and Germany are well advised to work together towards
peace and security. This is not just an obligation in light of the
historical role played by our two countries in the outbreak of and the
crimes committed during the Second World War. It is also a task we
share in view of our responsibilities in our respective regional
environments and in international politics. Japan and Germany should
work together to strengthen the rules and standards in international
politics and to build up new fields for co-operation and stability in
international politics. I believe that the combination of regional
security, disarmament and arms control offers a great opportunity.
Tokyo, 08.03.2010
Towards a successful NPT Review Conference 2010
By Rolf Mützenich
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear comrades,
it’s a pleasure and an honour for me to open the second session of the SI Committee on Disarmament here today in New York….
Before I give the word to Marc Saxer I want to thank him and the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation for their excellent work.
After years in the doldrums, there is once more wind in the sails of nuclear arms control. Important aims and proposals of the arms control community, which in recent decades have been worked out by nongovernmental organizations, think tanks, and commissions, alike are once again an integral part of world politics. During the eight years of the George W. Bush administration the arms control and disarmament process, which was launched after the Cold War, was systematically neutered and reversed.
it’s a pleasure and an honour for me to open the second session of the SI Committee on Disarmament here today in New York….
Before I give the word to Marc Saxer I want to thank him and the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation for their excellent work.
After years in the doldrums, there is once more wind in the sails of nuclear arms control. Important aims and proposals of the arms control community, which in recent decades have been worked out by nongovernmental organizations, think tanks, and commissions, alike are once again an integral part of world politics. During the eight years of the George W. Bush administration the arms control and disarmament process, which was launched after the Cold War, was systematically neutered and reversed.
New York, 17.11.2009
New Geostrategic Challenges for Disarmament – what Role for the UN?
By Rolf Mützenich
Ladies and Gentlemen, its an honor and a pleasure for me to speak here
in front of high ranking round of experts. I would also like to thank
Marc Saxer and the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation for their excellent work.
After years in the doldrums, there is once more wind in the sails of nuclear arms control. Important aims and proposals of the arms control community, which in recent decades have been worked out by nongovernmental organizations, think tanks, and commissions are once again an integral part of world politics. During the eight years of the George W. Bush administration the arms control and disarmament process was systematically neutered and reversed.
I welcome the negotiations between U.S. President Obama and Russian President Medvedev to cut the American and Russian nuclear arsenals by as much as a third, laying out a path to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that will expire in December 2009. President Obama’s decision to cancel the deployment of ABM systems in Poland and Czechia facilitates the conclusion of negotiations which would send out a signal that nuclear weapon states are prepared to follow their obligations to disarm under Art VI of the NPT.
After years in the doldrums, there is once more wind in the sails of nuclear arms control. Important aims and proposals of the arms control community, which in recent decades have been worked out by nongovernmental organizations, think tanks, and commissions are once again an integral part of world politics. During the eight years of the George W. Bush administration the arms control and disarmament process was systematically neutered and reversed.
I welcome the negotiations between U.S. President Obama and Russian President Medvedev to cut the American and Russian nuclear arsenals by as much as a third, laying out a path to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that will expire in December 2009. President Obama’s decision to cancel the deployment of ABM systems in Poland and Czechia facilitates the conclusion of negotiations which would send out a signal that nuclear weapon states are prepared to follow their obligations to disarm under Art VI of the NPT.
New York, 17.11.2009
Steinmeier Calls for U.S. to Withdraw Nukes
By Oliver Meier
In an unprecedented statement for a German foreign minister,
Frank-Walter Steinmeier last month called for the withdrawal of the
U.S. nuclear weapons deployed in his country. Steinmeier told the
German magazine Der Spiegel April 10 that "these weapons are militarily
obsolete today" and promised that he would take steps to ensure that
the remaining U.S. warheads "are removed from Germany."
Arms Control Association, Issue: May 2009
Schroeder's Iran Visit Could Help Improve Groundwork for Talks
By Julie Gregson
Ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has been criticized for meeting Iran's
president during his visit to Tehran last week. But some analysts say
the trip could help defuse the dispute over Iran's nuclear program.
Former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder held talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran during a four-day visit to Iran last week.
The trip has stirred controversy in Germany which is involved in pursuading the Islamic nation to give up its uranium enrichment program which the West suspects is being used to produce nuclear weapons.
Schroeder's meeting with Ahmadinejad, whose past comments denying the Holocaust were widely condemned, have also riled Jewish leaders in Germany.
Former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder held talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran during a four-day visit to Iran last week.
The trip has stirred controversy in Germany which is involved in pursuading the Islamic nation to give up its uranium enrichment program which the West suspects is being used to produce nuclear weapons.
Schroeder's meeting with Ahmadinejad, whose past comments denying the Holocaust were widely condemned, have also riled Jewish leaders in Germany.
Deutsche Welle Iran, 24.02.2009
Schroeder informed German government before Iran visit
By N.N.
Berlin (dpa)- Gerhard Schroeder, the former German chancellor, informed
the current German government before his trip to Teheran to meet with
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a Berlin spokesman said Monday. German
Jewish leaders reacted with shock to the trip, because of the Iranian
leader's previous denial of the Holocaust.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's deputy spokesman, Thomas Steg, said there was no cause to criticize Schroeder. He said he assumed that Schroeder's remarks to Iranian leaders were in accord with German policy towards Iran.
Schroeder's office has described the trip as a private one at the invitation of a friend, Majid Samii, who is an eminent Iranian-born neurosurgeon. Iran's Foreign Ministry also insisted it was not a political trip.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's deputy spokesman, Thomas Steg, said there was no cause to criticize Schroeder. He said he assumed that Schroeder's remarks to Iranian leaders were in accord with German policy towards Iran.
Schroeder's office has described the trip as a private one at the invitation of a friend, Majid Samii, who is an eminent Iranian-born neurosurgeon. Iran's Foreign Ministry also insisted it was not a political trip.
EarthTimes, 23.02.2009
German view of that "special relationship"
By Rolf Mützenich
Europe could hardly wait for President Obama's inauguration. Yet
the expectations placed on the new president are far too high, and are
partly due to the longing for a contrast with George W. Bush. Hopes for
a radical change in course are also caused to some degree by
idealistic, wishful thinking in Europe regarding a multilateral
American foreign policy. Nonetheless, the mood of optimism in the US is
genuine, despite the crisis. And it is spreading to Europe. The signals
in the field of disarmament and arms control, in particular, offer
grounds for hope.
Fabian Society Blog, 19.02.2009
