OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

OSCE's parlamentariske Forsamling 2004-05 (2. samling)
OSCE Alm.del Bilag 108
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OSCE's parlamentariske Forsamling

(2. samling)

OSCE alm. del - Bilag 108

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Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

To:

Heads of Delegations

Members of the Bureau

Officers of the General Committees

Permanent Missions to the OSCE

Secretaries of Delegations

Washington Annual Session Report

CC:

RE:

FROM:

R. Spencer Oliver

Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

September 12 2005

DATE:

I am very pleased to forward to you copies of the Report on the Washington

Annual Session held in July, for distribution to Members of your delegation. As

President Hastings commented in his closing remarks, I believe that the Session was a

great success in which major issues of concern to the OSCE and to all OSCE citizens

were address d. You and your governments will already have received copies of the

Washington eclaration, which is also available on our website at www.oscepa.org.

The enclosed summary Report, prepared by the International Secretariat, is

designed to provide a general overview of the Session for the Members who

participated as well as for all others interested in the events which took place.

If you have any questions or comments on this report, please do not hesitate to

contact the International Secretariat.

Yours sincerely,

R. Spencer Oliver

Secretary General

Raadhusstraede 1, 1466 Copenhagen K., Denmark

Phone: +45 33 37 80 40 - Fax: +45 33 37 80 30 - E-mail [email protected] - Website: www.oscepa.org

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

Y ASSEMBLY

PARLIAMENTAR

ion in Eur

for Security and Co-operat

Organization

ope

Report

on the

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14t'' Annu

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Washin

1-5 July 2005

ashington, DC

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

Overview

~MP

with addresses by the Head of

Parliamentary Assem- Session continued

From July 1-5 2005, the

n Senator Sam Brownback, Presi-

in Washington, DC for the US Delegatio

bly of the OSCE gathered

er-Parliamentary Union Paez Sergio,

n. Parliamentarians from dent of the Int

it's 14th Annual Sessio

rc Perrin de Bricham-

an Partner OSCE Secretary General Ma

51 OSCE states, as well as Mediterrane

Special Representative on

ational security, baut, and OSCE PA

States, met to discuss current intern

Vice-President Tone Tingsgård.

human rights issues, the Gender Issue,

economic, environmental and

y Ses-

In a special ceremony during the Plenar

the Washington Declara-

and subsequently passed

the first day, President Hastings presented

ndations within these fields. In sion on

tion, with recomme

Prize for Journalism and

the signing of the tenth annual OSCE

honour of the 30th anniversary of

raine Television Channel Five.

sion focused on the Democracy to Uk

the Helsinki Final Act, the Ses

Gen-

During the three following days, the three

ki: Challenges Ahead'.

theme `30 Years Since Helsin

es of the Assembly considered re-

ns first met on the morn- eral Committe

The Heads of Delegatio

ling with the Annual

e, prior to ports and draft resolutions dea

ing of July 1 in the Standing Committe

, as well as supplementary

Annual Session. Session's central theme

the official inauguration of the

cific topics. Numerous side meet-

approved the budget resolutions on spe

The Standing Committee

place throughout the Session, as well as

year, and took the decision ings took

for the coming fiscal

of the Assembly's Ad Hoc Committees.

Secretary General of the As- meetings

to re-appoint the

bly met

On the final day of the Session, the Assem

Treasurer, and

sembly. Reports by the President,

Washington Declaration and

as well as re- in plenary to adopt the

Ad Hoc Committees were given,

ents. The parliamentarians also over-

observation activities. additional docum

ports on recent election

roved an item of urgency calling for

Session of the Assembly whelming app

The Inaugural Plenary

lementation of recommendations on re-

resses by the President of the prompt imp

heard welcoming add

fore adjourning, the Assembly

ee L. Hastings, forming the OSCE. Be

Assembly, US Congressman Alc

ent Alcee L. Hastings for another

presentatives J. Den- also re-elected Presid

Speaker of the US House of Re

, and Treasurer Jerry Grafstein for anoth-

State Condoleezza Rice, one-year term

nis Hastert, US Secretary of

icers of the Assembly.

pel. The er two years, as well as other off

and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dmitrij

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

— Report on the 14th Annual Session, Wa

shington, DC, 2005

Standing Committee Meeting

OSCE PA President Alcee L. Hastings we

lcomed

the Heads of Delegations to the meetin

g of the

Standing Committee, and gave a short

outline of

his and of the Assembly's activities since

February,

when the Standing Committee last met.

Congress-

man Hastings told Members that he had

conveyed

the OSCE PA report on the colloquium

on `The

Future of the OSCE' to the Chairma

n-in-Office.

Members in this colloquium agreed tha

t the OSCE

remains a valuable organization, and the

y further

agreed that the crisis in the OSCE is prima

rily po-

litical in nature. President Hastings stated

that if re-

elected as President of the Assembly, he int

ended to

continue working to ensure that the PA

is a reliable

partner contributing to the success of the OS

CE. He

further hoped to continue providing lea

dership for

election observation, strengthen dialog

ue between

parliamentarians, and increase co-operat

ion with

the OSCE governmental dimension.

The Assembly Treasurer, Senator Jerry

Grafstein

(Canada) reported that the finances of the

Assembly

are in excellent order, and that the PA had

received

a favourable report from its external auditor

s for the

12th straight year. The Treasurer applauded

the effec-

tiveness of the Secretariat, and the excellent

financial

administration by the Secretary General and

Financial

Assistant. Senator Grafstein noted that the

Secretari-

at's two senior seconded staff members'

secondment

terms would soon be ending, but said tha

t the neces-

sary changes could be accommodated within

the pro-

posed budget. The Standing Committee sub

sequently

approved the proposed budget for 2005-2

006.

Secretary General Spencer Oliver bri

efly ad-

dressed the Standing Committee, noting

that his

written report had been sent to all delega

tions. In ad-

dition to this, the Secretary General hig

hlighted the

Assembly's bulletin `News from Copen

hagen' and

reports on the various meetings as provid

ing a solid

overview of the work done by the OSCE

PA.

OM.

lot

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

—

Report on the 14th Annual Session, Washington, DC, 2005

Reports were given on the work of the Assembly's

Ad Hoc Committees and Special Representatives, as

well as on recent election observation missions.

US Congressman Christopher Smith, Special

Representative on Human Trafficking Issues, re-

ported on his ongoing work, including efforts at

organizing a network of OSCE parliamentarians to

facilitate exchanges of best practices in fighting hu-

man trafficking.

The Chairman of the Assembly's Parliamentary

Team on Moldova, Mr Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland)

reported on the work of this Team, updating the

Standing Committee on the political situation in

Moldova, as well as on proposals for finding a solu-

tion to the status of Transdniestria through democra-

The Heads of Delegation then heard a report tization. He further remarked on the possibility that

by the Sub-Committee which had been appointed the OSCE could organize elections in Transdnies-

to consider proposed changes to the Rules of Pro- tria, and informed Members about a planned semi-

cedure. As Head of the Committee, Pieter DeC- nar on democratization to be held later in 2005.

rem (Belgium) reported that the proposed changes

OSCE PA Vice-President Ihor Ostash informed the

would be considered within a general review of the Standing Committee of the work being conducted by

Rules of Procedure, and that the Committee would the Ad Hoc Working Group on Belarus, noting the dis-

continue to work, and report to the Standing Com- appointment of the Working Group at Belarus' failure

to implement aspects of the agreement reached at the

mittee at a future date.

The Standing Committee then took the decision OSCE PA's Annual Session in Edinburgh in 2004. He

to reappoint R. Spencer Oliver as Secretary General informed Members that efforts of the Working Grou

of the Assembly, for an additional five-year term. in the near future would be focused on the upcoming

The Heads of Delegations also voted, on the basis Presidential elections in Belarus in 2006.

Goran Lennmarker (Sweden), Special Representa-

of consensus-less-one, to approve Spencer Oliver's

gave a brief

appointment of Tina Schøn as Deputy Secretary tive on the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict,

that while the

General. Ms. Schøn is the first woman to hold such outline of his written report, stressing

conflict causes hardship to many people and is best

a senior position in the Assembly's Secretariat.

there is nonethe-

The parliamentarians then heard reports on not thought of as a `frozen conflict',

He said there was currently a

the Tromsø Sub-Regional Conference, held less cause for optimism.

for finding a solution, based upon

from May 12-14 in Norway, and on prepara- `golden opportunity'

riences of democracy and integration,

tions for the Assembly's Autumn Meetings, to European expe

amentary support for this process.

be held in Sveti Stefan, Serbia and Montenegro. and urged parli

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

o's

— Report on the 14th Annual Session, Washington, DC, 2005

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OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

ashington, DC, 2005 —

on the 14th Annual Session, W

Report

FIN

Inaugural Plenary Session

s had been agreed

OSCE. Several recommendation

ident of

by the PA's ad hoc

Opening remarks by the Pres

on, which would be considered

d Accountability.

rliamentary Assembly,

Committee on Transparency an

the OSCE Pa

co-operation be-

President Hastings noted that

lcee L. Hastings

entary Assembly

een the OSCE and the Parliam

d tw

and noted the fight

ngs welcomed participants, an

had increased in recent years,

President Hasti

ress for hosting the against anti-Semitism and xenophobia as an exam-

thanked the United States Cong

ich was develop-

ple of the good co-operation wh

Session in Washington, DC.

the OSCE must ing — focus on this topic stemmed from a side-event

The President emphasized that

ges, and noted that held by the OSCE PA in 2003, and had peaked in

adapt to new threats and challen

on in Washington, the recent OSCE conference in C6rdoba.

the theme chosen for the Sessi

hlighted a number

enges Ahead'

President Hastings also briefly hig

ty Years Since Helsinki: Chall

`Thir

ssions on how the of priorities that the Assembly had pursued in the past

s particularly fitting for discu

evolve. He recalled year. He noted that close interaction with other parlia-

organization can appropriately

particularly in the

ring his first

ntary institutions had continued,

had placed particular focus du

that he

in-

ards reforming the OSCE. The field of election observation, where the unity of the

ar as President tow

joint project that the ternational community was particularly important. He

Congressman mentioned the

Assembly's work

rtaken with

rliamentary Assembly had unde

rther noted the importance of the

OSCE Pa

d fu

efforts of the Special

n for World Affairs, which ha

on gender issues, applauded the

Swiss Foundatio

the

on the future of the Representative on Gender Issues, Ms. Tone Tingsgård,

resulted in a very fruitful debate

remain a priority

d assured Members that this would

nt also remarked on

issue for the Assembly. The Preside

mbly has been pay-

the close attention which the Asse

ues, and stressed

to economic and environmental iss

ing

egional Conference on

the success of the recent Sub-R

Norway.

the High North, held in Tromsø,

conviction that

e Congressman expressed his

ons in the Mediter-

the OSCE can contribute to relati

d his intention to pay

ranean area, and also expresse

the OSCE PA's

ial attention to relations with

spec

m as President.

Asian Partners in his second ter

Members for sup-

Finally, the President thanked

to their coun-

ng his work and welcoming him

porti

third of OSCE par-

tries in his travels to over one-

ar.

ticipating States in the past ye

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

— Report on the 14th Annual Session, Wa

shington, DC, 2005

Address by the Speaker of the US

House of Representatives,

J. Dennis Hastert

Address by the US Secretary of State,

Condoleezza Rice

Speaker Hastert wel-

Secretary Rice wel-

corned Members, saying comed the opport

unity

that it was an honour to to reaffirm US Pre

sident

°2 host the OSCE PA, which Bush's commitm

ent to the

he said had helped develop OSCE. She also not

ed that

economic and social co- the presence of

Speaker

operation since its found- Hastert attested to

the sup-

ing. He underlined the im- port of the US Co

ngress to

portant contribution that the Organization

and it's

parliamentarians can make Parliamentary As

sembly.

in relations between states, and highli

ghted the She thanked all of the parliament

arians for their

work done by OSCE PA President Hastin

gs in ad- participation in the OSCE PA and

support for the

vancing the principles of the Helsinki Fin

al Act.

OSCE, noting that strong parliaments are

important

Congressman Hastert stressed that parliam

ents for upholding fundamental rights and fre

edoms.

have a particular responsibility in promotin

g and up-

Commenting on the 30th Anniversary of the

Hel-

holding basic freedoms. More specifical

ly, he noted sinki Final Act, Secretary Rice stre

ssed that the link

the responsibilities to employ parliamentary

legisla- between human rights and security

among states,

tive powers to ensure states' safety, as well

as to pro- as was recognized in the Final Ac

t, still forms the

mote economic growth and opportunity

for citizens, basis of the OSCE. She noted

that thirty years ago,

and a further responsibility towards peo

ple around many had feared that Western cou

ntries were legiti-

the world living without democratic govern

ments.

mizing Soviet repression by forming the

se agree-

The Speaker urged focusing attention on

the situ- ments. Nonetheless, citizens groups

in Eastern Eu-

ation within states in the OSCE, such as

Belarus, as rope seized upon the Helsinki

accord as a way of

well as outside of Europe. He said that an

international pushing for respect for human rig

hts. The Secretary

coalition, including a number of OSCE par

ticipating of State remarked that the past thirty

years had seen

States, had made progress in bringing freedo

m to Iraq. monumental change within the OS

CE region. She

He noted in this context that the US House

of Repre- stressed the importance of the Helsin

ki Final Act in

sentatives had formed a commission to hel

p emerging this transformation.

democracies, and that it would continue to

promote

Secretary Rice also noted more recent

changes

freedom and democracy around the world

within the OSCE region, referring to

revolutions

Finally, Congressman Hastert stressed

his con- in Georgia and Ukraine, as well as

to the pending

viction that working together, parliam

entarians Presidential elections in Kyrgy

zstan, which she

could improve the lives of people across

the globe. said hold great hope for the cou

ntry. Nonetheless,

the Secretary also noted that some OSCE

states still

fail to live up to their commitments.

Also, in regards to reform of the org

anization,

the Secretary called for a fresh look at

the OSCE

agenda, and ensuring that any changes

do not com-

promise the principles of the OSCE,

but rather

strengthen its effectiveness. She also rem

inded par-

liamentarians that the Organization plays

a pioneer-

ing role in some respects, and can hel

p countries

and institutions in other parts of the

world.

Finally, the Secretary of State not

ed that the

gains made by OSCE countries requir

ed hard work

and urged continued commitment to

the principles

of the OSCE.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

, 2005 -

nual Session, Washington, DC

Report on the 14th An

g all Central Asian

ther work by the OSCE in assistin

an-in-

Address by the OSCE Chairm

states attain full democracy.

, Minister Rupel

ovenia,

Regarding events in Uzbekistan

Office, Foreign Minister of Sl

th an independent in-

urged Uzbekistan to co-operate wi

Dmitrij Rupel

mmunity into events

stigation by the international co

ntext, he also called

The Chairman-in-Office

in Andijan on May 13. In this co

itments towards Uz-

welcomed the opportunity to

upon Kyrgyzstan to respect comm

address the Assembly at what bek refugees. The Chairman-in-Office said that he was

he called a dynamic period of encouraged by developments regarding closure of Rus-

change for the Organization, sian military bases in Georgia as well as by the prospects

with a new Secretary General for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh. He further noted posi-

and significant reforms being tive momentum over settlement of the Transdniestrian

proposed. Referring to the re- conflict, and mentioned the possibility of an increased

cent reports produced by the OSCE role in this area. Mr. Rupel also discussed the

OSCE's Panel of Eminent importance of making use of the OSCE's well-estab-

Group colloquium,

ernational community

Persons and the OSCE PA Experts

lished role in Kosovo as the int

Organization have

the future of Kosovo.

noted that ideas on reform of the

basis considers

can provide the

d a number of

now been clearly formulated, and

The Chairman-in-Office outline

ged PA Members to

luding counter-ter-

for high-level consultations. He ur

priority areas for the OSCE, inc

litical discussions in

rance and discrimi-

continue their work to refresh po

rorism work, and fighting intole

embers to work in

the OSCE.

tion, and urged the gathered M

the OSCE, na

re that participating

sing the continuing relevance of

Stres

their home parliaments to ensu

t political events

ents. The Minister

Foreign Minister noted that recen

the

States implement their commitm

ted the importance

Slovenian Chair-

in some countries had demonstra

o noted the emphasis that the

Chairman- als

tion and integration

CE's inclusive character. The

of the OS

manship is placing upon migra

work in Kyrgyzstan

k at demographic

in-Office remarked that OSCE

issues, and urged a closer loo

demonstrating the

nt. The Chairman-

could be considered a microcosm

trends and population developme

: establishing rule of

by urging parlia-

advantages of the organization

in-Office finished his presentation

facilitating dialogue;

g the OSCE.

law through police assistance;

mentarians to focus on reformin

reconciliation; and

airman-in-Office

electoral assistance; inter-ethnic

Following his presentation, the Ch

context, he urged fur-

tarians on a range of

supporting free media. In this

answered questions from parliamen

g role for the OSCE in

issues. He welcomed an increasin

western countries, and

observing elections, including in

E Reform Addressed

OSC

OSCE-organized

orted further consideration of

supp

i-O discussed current

Parlia-

elections in Transdniestria. The C-

in-Office and the

"As the Chairman-

on the question of ref-

events in Central Asia, including

take a fresh look at the OSCE

mentary Assembly

tion in South Ossetia,

ugees in Kyrgyzstan, and the situa

ider these and other items, pre-

agenda and cons

i principles and as well as the future of Kosovo.

serving the integrity of Helsink

es to be an agent

ensuring that the OSCE continu

rmation should be

ofpeaceful, democratic transfo

procedures must

ramount objectives. Any new

ciple, and any in-

not come at the expense ofprin

ared to strength-

stitutional reforms should be ge

e results on the

ening OSCEs ability to produc

field missions."

ground, particularly through its

oleezza Rice

US Secretary of State, Cond

cipating States

"Your input can stimulate parti

to raise issues that

to think `outside the box' and

y away from."

consensus-based bodies may sh

Rupel/

wma'a‘iat

Chairman-in-Office, Dmitrij

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

osc

— Report on the 14th Annual Se

Address by the Head of the

US Delegation to the OSCE PA

Senator Sam Brownback

Senator Brownback em-

phasized the continuing

importance of the OSCE,

stating that in some re-

spects, it was most impor-

tant now than ever, given

that positive changes were

now possible in many parts

of the world. He stressed

that with energy and com-

mitment, changes can be made

to happen, referring

in particular to recent events in

Georgia, Ukraine

and Kyrgyzstan. Taking their

queue from these

events, countries outside of th

e OSCE were also

making moves towards increa

sed democracy. The

Senator stressed that these chan

ges should be pur-

sued with all effort.

Senator Brownback concluded

by reiterating the

commitment of the United State

s to the OSCE and

to its underlying principles of

human rights and de-

mocracy.

ssion, Washington, DC, 2005

He also highlighted efforts to

increase democratic

accountability in multilateral rel

ations, through for

example ensuring a parliamentar

y presence in meet-

ings of the World Trade Organiz

ation. The Senator

noted that efforts will culminate

in the convening of

the Second World Conference of

Speakers of Parlia-

ment, in New York from 7-9 Se

ptember 2005.

The Senator reiterated the IPU'

s support for the

work of the OSCE Parliamentar

y Assembly in rep-

resenting the popular will of OS

CE peoples.

Address by the Secretary Gen

eral

of the OSCE,

Marc Perrin de Brichambaut

On his first official day

as Secretary General of

the OSCE, Ambassador de

Brichambaut addressed the

Assembly, and expressed

his hope for continued con-

structive contact with the

Parliamentary Assembly.

The Secretary General

expressed his confidence

Address by the President of th

e Inter-

that the OSCE was facing a unique opportunity to

adapt its institutions and impr

Parliamentary Union,

ove its effectiveness.

Ambassador de Brichambaut no

Senator Sergio Paez Verdugo

ted the similarity in

suggestions by the groups cons

idering the future of

the OSCE appointed by the Ch

Senator Paez Verdugo

airman-in-Office and

the OSCE PA President, respe

welcomed the opportunity

ctively. He remarked

that these suggestions highlig

to address the Assembly,

ht a number of areas

in which reform efforts can be

and noted that the paths

concentrated, in or-

der to prepare a programme of

of the OSCE PA and the

reforms before the

OSCE Ministerial Council meeti

Inter-Parliamentary Un-

ng in December.

Secretary General de Bricham

ion (IPU) have converged

baut stressed the

continuing relevance of the or

several times in the past.

ganization, noting

the importance of the comm

He stressed that the OSCE

on commitments and

standards which all OSCE parti

PA was formed following

cipating States have

agreed to. Co-operative securit

a long process in which the

y remains as relevant

IPU was closely in-

today as thirty years ago, he em

volved. He further noted the

phasized.

formative role of the

Mr. de Brichambaut said that he

IPU in the process leading to

intends to make

the formation of the

full use of his mandate as Secre

Helsinki process, over thirty ye

tary General, and

ars ago.

to contribute to the reform proc

Explaining some of the work

ess in the organi-

performed by the za

tion. This would include restru

IPU, Senator Paez Verdugo hig

cturing the Secre-

hlighted the techni- tar

iat of the organization, but the Se

cal assistance that the organizati

cretary General

on provides to new no

ted that the broader shape of

parliaments in countries such as

reform would have

Afghanistan, Timor-

to come first. Finally, Ambass

Leste and Burundi. Also, the

ador de Brichambaut

IPU works to support

welcomed the input by the parli

the rights of parliamentarians

amentarians, noting

who are persecuted

that he was present primarily

for exercising their right to fre

to listen, rather than

edom of expression. to

speak.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

DC, 2005 —

Report on the 14th Annual Session, Washington,

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

13ffl

— Report on the 14th Annual Session,

Washington, DC, 2005

Focus on Gender Issues

On 1 July, during the first day of the

Assem- provide the plan with an implem

entation agenda. She

bly's Session in Washington a great dea

l of work also mentioned the holding dur

ing the last year of two

was done on promoting gender issues and

gender OSCE conferences on violence

against women and

equality in the OSCE.

the role of women in conflict resolution res

pectively.

The Working Breakfast on Gender Issues

, host- Speakers expressed support for the

work being done

ed by President Alcee L. Hastings, was

chaired by by the OSCE PA on gender issu

es, and Ms. Tingsgård

OSCE PA Special Representative on Ge

nder Issues, invited the members of the PA

to support the partici-

Vice-President Tone Tingsgård. In his

welcoming pation of the Assembly in the

March 2006 UN Con-

remarks, President Hastings reaffirmed his

commit- ference on Equal Participation

of Men and Women.

ment to advancing female representation

in the As-

During the Plenary Session in the afterno

on, the

sembly and regretted the slow progress in this

regard. Assembly unanimously adopte

d the supplementary

Ms. Tingsgård welcomed President Hastings'

partici- item on Improving the Gender Eq

uality in the OSCE,

pation in gender related activities as a ver

y important presented by Ms. Tingsgård

. The resolution, which

political gesture. Ms. Tingsgård presented

the OSCE forms a part of the Washingt

on Document, calls

PA Gender Report 2005 and expressed her

regret that upon the OSCE Secretary Ge

neral and participating

no substantial progress had been made.

States to take positive action to promote

the recruit-

The breakfast continued with an address by

Louise ment of women candidates within

OSCE bodies and

Mcintosh Slaughter, from the United States

House of institutions, especially at hig

her levels, as well as to

Representatives. In her address she pointe

d out some improve the culture and wo

rking conditions in the

of the most important developments reg

arding gen- Organization. In this regard

, OSCE PA Delegations

der equality achieved by the Women's Caucu

s within are called upon to monitor the

work of their national

the House of Representatives, such as me

asures to delegations to the OSCE Per

manent Council to en-

counter domestic violence, increasing

research on sure that they promote gender

balance.

women's health, combating sexual assault

within the

In conjunction with this resolution, Ms

. Tings-

military and facilitating women's access

to family gård presented the OSCE

PA Gender Report 2005,

planning. OSCE Senior Adviser on Ge

nder Issues, commenting that "The con

clusions of the Report

Beatrix Colijn, briefed the participants on

the gender are very discouraging; the

OSCE PA has struggled

balance situation within OSCE institution

s and field for several years to promote

gender equality with-

missions, noting that although there has bee

n an in- in the OSCE, but the so-called

`glass ceiling' still

crease in female representation at the pro

fessional prevents women from adv

ancing into the leader-

level, this indicates a fluctuation rather tha

n a verifi- ship level in the Organizat

ion. It seems that all the

able trend. She also outlined the main pos

itive aspects good will stops when it com

es to implementation."

and challenges of the 2004 OSCE Ge

nder Action Ms. Tingsgård further praise

d the work of the In-

\Plan, telling participants that the OS

CE's goal is to ternational Secretariat in

preparing the report. /

- 10 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

2005 —

the 14th Annual Session, Washington, DC,

Report on

ommittee on Political Affairs and Secu

neral C

•4.

•

—

commii i;~

•

arker

Under the chairmanship of Mr. Gran Lenm

on Politi-

(Sweden), the First General Committee

e range of

cal Affairs and Security discussed a wid

resolution

topics included in the Rapporteur's draft

an beings,

such as trafficking in illicit drugs and hum

n, border

environmental security, illegal migratio

organized

policing, the fight against terrorism and

lum admin-

crime, human rights, and national asy

Items were

istration. The following Supplementary

debated

allocated by the Standing Committee to be

mmittee:

and considered in the First General Co

the Situa-

Terrorism and Human Rights, Moldova,

by Sui-

tion in Abkhazia (Georgia), and Terrorism

cide Bombers.

Report and Resolution

the Com-

Introducing his Report and Resolution,

(Belgium)

mittee Rapporteur, Mr. Pieter De Crem

CE region,

highlighted the challenges facing the OS

ucasus. He

in particular in Central Asia and the Ca

ginating in

emphasized the traffic in illicit drugs ori

es a secu-

the so-called Golden Crescent, which pos

posed that

rity threat for the OSCE region. He pro

to affected

the OSCE offer a Partnership Agreement

istan to

non-OSCE members Afghanistan and Pak

t traffick-

enhance the multi-dimensional fight agains

expanding

ing. He also stressed the importance of

der policing

OSCE assistance in order to improve bor

UN efforts.

in OSCE States, in co-ordination with

e of the

Furthermore, he highlighted the importanc

inst fight-

fight against terrorism, but warned aga

hts. While

ing terrorism at the expense of human rig

by the

recognizing the important work carried out

Minorities,

OSCE High Commissioner for National

nerability

Mr. De Crem regretted the continued vul

n to ex-

of national minorities and especially wome

ironmental

ploitation and violence. Examining env

OSCE's

security he advocated strengthening the

ive as a

Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiat

operation

primary framework for closer regional co-

Manage-

in Emergency Preparedness and Disaster

in itself. In

ment, which has a trans-boundary nature

the reform

addition, he expressed the importance of

effectiveness.

of OSCE as regards its efficiency and

liamentar-

Also, he highlighted the key role that par

parliaments

ians can play in their respective national

low up on

in encouraging their governments to fol

ated and

OSCE PA Declarations. After having deb

- 13 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

— Report on the 14th Annual Session, Wa

shington, DC, 2005

voted on the 26 submitted amendments, the

Com-

mittee adopted the Resolution.

The resolution stresses the strong need for

the

OSCE participating States to comply with

the fun-

damental principles of international law. It als

o em-

phasizes that the primary responsibility for

mainte-

nance of international peace and security

rests with

the UN Security Council. In addition, the res

olution

advocates measures to enhance dialogue and

closer

institutional co-operation between the As

sembly

and the governmental OSCE structures

and it en-

courages reform of the OSCE as regard

s its effi-

ciency and effectiveness. Furthermore, the

Resolu-

tion encourages debate on the question of

whether

or not the name `Organization for Security

After hearing a speech by Mrs. Nino Burja

and Co-

nadze

operation in Europe' still adequately reflec

(Georgia), principal sponsor of the Suppl

ts the Or-

ementary

ganization's operational scope and reality

Item on the Situation in Abkhazia, Ge

orgia, the

Committee adopted the resolution, regret

ting the

lack of progress in the peace process and

Supplementary Items

support-

ing the work of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc

Committee

on Abkhazia.

In addition, after a debate on the situatio

n in

Moldova which included a report from the

Head of

the OSCE Mission in Moldova, the First

Commit-

tee adopted a resolution urging all parties to

resume,

together with the OSCE, negotiations to fin

d a per-

manent solution to the problem concernin

g the sta-

tus of Transdniestria. The resolution on

Moldova

was sponsored by Mr. Kimmo Kiljunen

(Finland)

who, in his presentation, called for the

OSCE to

organize elections in the region of Tra

nsdniestria.

In addition, the resolution expresses the

readiness

of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

's Parlia-

mentary Team on Moldova to support

the efforts

of the Republic of Moldova towards set

tlement of

Four supplementary items, two of them

the Transdniestrian conflict, the restoratio

related to

n of the

terrorism, were debated and voted on in

territorial unity of the country, the con

the meet-

tribution to

ings of the First General Committee.

the development of democratic institu

tions in the

The Supplementary Item on Terrorism by

region and the observance of fundament

Suicide

al human

Bombers, sponsored by Senator Luigi Co

rights and freedoms.

mpagna

(Italy) was adopted following debate on

the pro-

Election of officers

posed amendments. The resolution empha

sizes that

terrorist acts committed by suicide bom

bers are, for

The committee meeting concluded with

the

all the intents and purposes of current int

ernational

election of the following officers:

law, very serious "crimes against humani

ty".

The second Supplementary Item related

Chair:

to the is-

Mr. Giiran Lennmarker

sue of terrorism was entitled Terrorism

and Human

(Sweden)

Rights and was sponsored by Mr. Jeppe Ko

fod (Den-

Vice Chair: Mr. Jean Charles Garde

tto

mark). This item, which emphasizes the

importance

(Monaco)

of the UN Security Council resolution 137

3 (2001),

Rapporteur: Mr. Wolfgang Grossruc

was adopted unanimously by the Comm

ittee.

(Austria)

- 14 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

2005 —

Report on the 14th Annual Session, Washington, DC,

-15-

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

— Report on the 14th Annual Session, Wa

shington, DC, 2005

General Committee on Economic Affairs

, Science:,

Technology and the Environment

The three sessions of the Second Gener

al Com-

mittee on Economic Affairs, Science,

Technology

and the Environment were chaired by

US Con-

gressman Benjamin Cardin. The Rappo

rteur, Mr.

Leonid Ivanchenko (Russian Federation)

presented

his report entitled `30 Years Since Helsin

ki: Chal-

lenges Ahead' , which was followed by

a general

debate and consideration of the draft resolu

tion and

amendments. The Committee also debate

d five sup-

plementary items on Small Arms and Lig

ht Weap-

ons, on Maritime Security and Piracy, on

the Fight

Against Corruption, on Money Launderi

ng and on

the OSCE Mediterranean Dimension.

Report and Resolution

During the meetings of the Second Co

mmittee,

the report `30 Years Since Helsinki:

Challenges

Ahead' by Rapporteur Leonid Ivanchenk

o, as well

as a draft resolution followed by debates

and amend-

ments, was presented. The amended resolu

tion was

adopted by the Committee Members.

In his report to the Committee Mr. Iva

nchenko

addressed the economic and environment

al chal-

lenges to security in the OSCE area. He

referred to

some of the human needs and challenges

that the

OSCE faces today. The report stresses tha

t the first

and most important task for the OSCE par

ticipating

States today is to promote and develop

the process

of integration within new and old Europ

ean Com-

munity members and states as a whole

. Despite

some progress in developing relations in

the OSCE

region, some participating States still nee

d assist-

ance in carrying out reforms and integratin

g into the

world economy in order to escape possible

conflicts

between new and old members. Also, ille

gal eco-

nomic activities, inefficiency of legal

institutions,

poverty, inadequate application of legal

norms and

rules, and other negative factors threaten

security

••

- 16 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

ngton, DC, 2005 —

Report on the 14th Annual Session, Washi

—"""rneller

ironment,

and stability as well as the state of the env

text, the

human health and well-being. In this con

laced to

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is well-p

pre-

co-ordinate participating States' activity and

and in-

vent them from creating new dividing lines

ntries.

equality both between and within OSCE cou

ly held

The Rapporteur also referred to the recent

ay de-

Sub-Regional Conference in Tromsø, Norw

tic region,

voted to environmental security in the Ar

which

and to the OSCE Economic Forum in Prague

tion in Eu-

examined demographic aspects, migra

rope, and national minorities' issues.

oted to

highlighted the increasing attention dev

PA. The

Mediterranean affairs within the OSCE

co-op-

Resolution stressed the importance of the

tes and

eration between the OSCE participating Sta

n in ad-

the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operatio

dressing current global threats to security.

sented

The resolution on Money Laundering, pre

the fight

by Mr. Roy Cullen (Canada) recognised

t of the

against money laundering as an essential par

terrorist

overall struggle to combat the financing of

the activi-

activity, trafficking in illegal narcotics and

evasion.

ties of organized crime, corruption and tax

ption,

The resolution on the Fight Against Corru

addressed

presented by Mr. Roy Cullen (Canada)

making a

Supplementary Items

the problem of corruption in societies

authoritarian regimes, while re-

- transition from

supple

corruption.

The Second Committee dealt with four

iterating that no country is free from

ns.

m OSCE

mentary items in the form of draft resolutio

The resolution urges parliamentarians fro

Weap-

bat corrup-

The resolution on Small Arms and Light

States to strengthen their efforts to com

um) urges

ons, presented by Mr. De Donnea (Belgi

tion and the conditions that foster it.

combat the illicit

Piracy,

continued work by OSCE states to

The resolution on Maritime Security and

and cal

ing (Neth-

spread of Small Arms and Light Weapons,

presented by Mrs. Ineke Dezentje Hamm

to assist

ernational

for the creation of a follow-up mechanism

erlands) underlined that the safety of int

decisions

ll-being of

in the implementation of relevant OSCE

trade-routes has a direct effect on the we

ution rec-

on the matter.

all OSCE participating States. The Resol

an Di-

The resolution on the OSCE Mediterrane

CE participating States to support the

K), ommends OS

orge (U

and to in-

mension, presented by Mr. Bruce Ge

US Regional Maritime Security Initiative

tensify the fight against piracy.

Election of Officers

the

The Committee meeting concluded with

election of the following officers:

Chair:

Mr. Benjamin L. Cardin

(United States)

Vice-Chair: Mr. Leonid Ivanchenko

(Russian Federation)

Rapporteur: Mr. Roland Blum

(France)

- 17 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

— Report on the 14th Annual Sessio

n, Washington, DC, 2005

•

ki;

JP!

•

- 18 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

n, DC, 2005 —

nnual Session, Washingto

Report on the 14th A

faffl e

cy,

Committee on Democra

General

ons

and Humanitarian Questi

Human Rights

of Ms. Cecilia

e acting chairmanship

Under th

eneral Committee

m (Sweden), the Third G

Wigstrb

and Humanitarian

ocracy, Human Rights

on Dem

nge of issues includ-

ions addressed a wide ra

Quest

beings, freedom of the

g trafficking in human

observation,

involvement in election

press, OSCE

e fight against

human rights issues in th

as well as

bated supplemen-

m. Also, the Committee de

terroris

lvement in Traffick-

items on Combating Invo

tary

oitation and

Beings and Sexual Expl

ing in Human

Forces, on the

ternational Peacekeeping

Abuse by In

onduct for OSCE

Strengthen the Code of C

Need to

g Trafficking in

Members, on Combatin

Mission

the Implementation

an Beings, on Improving

Hum

rds and Commitments

OSCE Electoral Standa

ection Observa-

fectiveness of OSCE El

and the Ef

for the Office for

ivities, and on Funding

tion Act

uman Rights.

ocratic Institutions and H

Dem

Report and Resolution

with a presenta-

ird Committee opened

The Th

ur of the Com-

e report by the Rapporte

tion of th

n (Belgium). Mrs.

Senator Anne-Marie Lizi

mittee,

ust be made with

derlined that progress m

Lizin un

education, health,

to social rights, such as

regard

argued that the right

housing. Mrs. Lizin also

and

is a key individual right,

participate in elections

the procedural

es must make sure that

and that Stat

as this is the

elections is maintained,

integrity of

ence is needed

mocracy. An OSCE pres

basis of de

vidual rights. In

there is a threat to indi

wherever

ns, the OSCE has

on to other organizatio

comparis

efforts to support

ed notable successes in its

achiev

bat the trafficking of

dual rights, and to com

indivi

n further emphasized

an beings. Senator Lizi

hum

e of jour-

freedoms, particularly thos

that individual

ed that jour-

be improved. She stress

nalists, must

at there should

answer to the law, but th

nalists must

criminally, and

that penalize journalists

be no laws

cy in a State can

the stability of democra

noted that

freedom of the

measured by the level of

often be

e went on to dis-

lists within its borders. Sh

journa

ying what constitutes

the problems in identif

cuss

ers and difficulties that

orism, as well as the dang

terr

for it. The

with finding a definition

are associated

her potentially

ternet was raised as anot

rise of the in

ed to encour-

issue in that it can be us

problematic

abuse and the

ce, as well as for sexual

age violen

to Mrs. Lizin,

n of children. According

exploitatio

- 19 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

— Report on the 14th Annual

Session, Washington, DC, 2005

States have an obligation to polic

e the content that

is broadcast from their countri

es, in efforts to con-

trol content that would be detrim

ental to the rights

of individuals.

Following a general debate on the

report, the Com-

mittee discussed, debated and vo

ted on the amended

resolution, which was later adop

ted by the Assem-

bly Plenary. The resolution affirm

s the principle of

gender equality, raises the parti

cular vulnerability

of children and the correspondin

g need for greater

protection for them, recomme

nds that participating

States cease the criminal prosec

ution of journalists

and underlines the important ro

le of political parties

in democracies. On more specifi

c issues, the Reso-

lution suggests, inter alia, that

the Moscow Mecha-

the need to outline and address

nism be considered in respons

standards and require-

e to the actions of Uz-

ments of those working in and

bekistani authorities in Andijan

representing OSCE

in May 2005, recalls

field missions, and emphasizes

the horrifying massacre in Se

the need to uphold the

brenica in 1995 and

highest ethical standards of int

calls on the authorities in the Un

egrity, accountability

ited States to grant

and transparency in all OSCE ac

voting rights to residents of W

tivities.

ashington D.C.

The supplementary item on

Combating Traf-

ficking in Human Beings, pres

Supplementary Items

ented by Ms. Doris

Barnett (Germany) emphasize

s the continued im-

portance of the OSCE's efforts

to eliminate the traf-

ficking of human beings, parti

cularly the trafficking

of women and children for

the purposes of sexual

exploitation.

The supplementary item on Im

proving the Imple-

•

mentation of OSCE Electoral

Standards and Com-

mitments and the Effectivenes

s of OSCE Election

Observation Activities, presen

ted by Ms. Liubov

Sliska (Russia) and then vigo

rously debated, em-

phasizes the importance of th

e OSCE in election

observation and calls on parti

cipating States to ad-

here to their election-related co

mmitments.

The supplementary item on Fu

nding for the Of-

fice for Democratic Institutio

ns and Human Rights

(ODIHR), presented by Mr.

Five supplementary items we

George Voinovich

re also presented, (USA) addres

sed the present and future fu

debated, and adopted by the Th

nding

ird Committee.

of ODIHR.

The supplementary item on Co

mbating Involve-

ment in Trafficking in Human

Beings and Sexual

Election of Officers

Exploitation and Abuse by Inter

national Peacekeep-

ing Forces, presented by M

The following committee offic

r. Christopher Smith

ers were elect-

(USA), was adopted following

ed by the Third Committee:

certain amendments.

The resolution emphasizes the

importance of polic-

ing and discouraging any inappr

Chair:

opriate activities of

Ms. Claudia Nolte

peacekeeping forces which m

ight aid or encourage

(Germany)

the trafficking of human being

Vice-Chair: Ms. Cecilia W

igstråni

The supplementary item on the

Need to Strengthen

(Sweden)

the Code of Conduct for OS

Rapporteur: Ms. Anne-Mar

CE Mission Members,

ie Lizin

presented by Ms. Carina Hågg

(Sweden) emphasizes

(Belgium)

os~c

- 20 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

Washington, DC, 2005 —

the 14th Annual Session,

Report on

©CA

- 21 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

— Report on the 14th Annual Se

ssion, Washington, DC, 2005

Side Meetings

A number ofside meetings on

topical events were held throug

hout the Annual Session

-26

Side Meeting on the Mediterr

anean

SERBIA AND

The Mediterranean side meeting

on 2 July was

chaired by Mr. Bruce George, Pr

esident Emeritus and

OSCE PA Special Representative

on Mediterranean

Affairs. Three of the OSCE Med

iterranean Partners

for Co-operation, Algeria, Israel

and Morocco, and

a number of parliamentarians fro

m the Mediterra-

nean region participated in the me

eting. Mr. George

welcomed the participants and str

essed the need for

the Assembly to continue addr

essing issues of im-

portance to the Mediterranean reg

ion. Ambassador

Bertrand de Crombrugghe, Chair

man of the OSCE

Contact Group with the Mediterra

nean Partners, gave

an account of the activities carri

ed out by the Contact

Group in 2005, and discussed the

prospects for the

de meeting on Abkhazia (Geo

Annual OSCE Mediterranean Se

rgia)

minar to be held in

Rabat in September 2005. Followi

ng his presentation,

Following the adoption of th

parliamentarians discussed a numb

e resolution on

er of issues includ- Th

e Situation in Abkhazia, Geor

ing piracy, extending the Medite

gia, the OSCE

rranean dialogue to PA

Ad Hoc Committee on Abkh

other countries and common se

azia (Georgia)

curity challenges of m

et with the Georgian delegation

the Mediterranean countries.

to the OSCE PA

to discuss how to proceed to im

Subsequently, Mr. Ranko Krivoca

plement the provi-

pic, Head of the sions

in the resolution. Members of

delegation of Serbia and Monteneg

the Georgian

ro and Speaker of De

legation reported that nothin

the Parliament of Montenegro,

g has changed

gave a presentation wi

th regard to the situation in Ab

on the Third OSCE PA Parliam

khazia and they

entary Forum on the

urged the Ad Hoc Committee

Mediterranean, which will be ho

to undertake new

sted by Serbia and ini

tiatives. Members of the Co

Montenegro in October in Sveti

mmittee agreed

Stefan. Mr. Krivo- to

again attempt to initiate dialogu

capic's presentation was followe

e with elected

d by an open debate, of

ficials in Abkhazia (Georgia).

with parliamentarians suggestin

They also dis-

g various topics for cu

ssed whether the Committee

inclusion in the agenda of the

could learn from

2005 Mediterranean

efforts undertaken by other int

Forum. A number of delegates

ernational bodies

stressed the need for

and agreed that they would study

addressing the crucial role of the

these. In addi-

media, particularly tio

n, the Members of the Comm

the Internet, for spreading ideas of

ittee decided to

tolerance and mul- cir

culate their ideas concerning

ticulturalism, as well as the educ

the implementa-

ation of young peo- tio

n of the Resolution before they

ple and the sharing of inter-civiliz

have another

ation values.

meeting in October 2005.

Finally, Mr. Benjamin Cardin

, Chairman of

the Assembly's Second Comm

ittee, introduced

Moroccan Ambassador to the US

Mr. Aziz Mek-

ouar, who discussed the challen

ges presented by

migration and highlighted poor

socio-economic

conditions and lack of opportu

nities as the main

causes of illegal migration. Am

bassador Mekouar

proposed further developmen

t of the southern

Mediterranean countries as the

way forward. He

also denounced the use of ste

reotypes regarding

Islam and stated that the so-call

ed `clash of civili-

zations' is in reality a `clash of

ignorances', which

can be overcome by increased

knowledge of each

other.

- 22 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

shington, DC, 2005 —

Report on the 14th Annual Session, Wa

alril

Side meeting on the

Nagorno Karabakh Conflict

the

On 5 July, OSCE PA Special Representative on

nmarker

Nagorno Karabakh Conflict, Mr. Goran Len

ld in

hosted a side meeting on Nagorno Karabakh. He

bas-

the form of a panel discussion, it included: Am

ative of

sador Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal Represent

Dealt

the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on the Conflict

zabeth

with by the OSCE Minsk Conference, Ms. Eli

Conflict

Rood, Deputy Director of the Euro-Asian

nt and

Settlements Office in the US State Departme

Mr. Lennmarker as Special Representative.

ited

Ms. Rood stresssed the interest of the Un

conflict

States in finding a peaceful solution to the

o noted

over the Nagorno Karabakh region and als

ers of

recent positive signs. She encouraged Memb

to help

Parliament. from Armenia and Azerbaijan

popula-

facilitate preparation for peace among the

intro-

tion in the two States. Ambassador Kasprzyk

stressed

duced his mandate within the OSCE and

s and

the strong correlation between the negotiation

contact.

the situation on the ground at the line of

no peace'

He regretted that in the current `no war,

r. Af-

situation, 20-30 people are killed every yea

ticipants

ter having heard the two interventions, par

ing the

discussed the problems related to prepar

iod.

public for peace in the sensitive post-war per

the

Mr. Lennmarker also presented his report on

oppor-

conflict, stressing that there is now a golden

win-win

tunity for a peaceful solution based on a

enia and

concept. He emphasized the need for Arm

conflict

Azerbaijan to intensify negotiations on the

s in both

and stressed that there must be a willingnes

n. Mr.

communities to find a sustainable solutio

of the par-

Lennmarker listed the different concerns

whereas

ties: Armenia's central concern is security,

stressed

Azerbaijan has a feeling of injustice. He

me the

that each side needs to find ways to overco

peace-

main concern of the other in order to build a

nmarker

ful common future. In addition, Mr. Len

neigh-

emphasized the offer of the EU to expand its

ortunity

bourhood policy to the Caucasus as an opp

p eco-

for both Armenia and Azerbaijan to develo

stressed

nomically. Furthermore, Mr. Lennmarker

liamen-

the usefulness of the work done by the Par

said

tary delegations of Armenia and Azerbaijan: he

ed by

that "Once a peace agreement has been finaliz

ension

the two Governments, the parliamentary dim

and in

becomes invaluable in informing the public

impor-

ensuring the implementation. It is of utmost

ents al-

tance that networks of Members of Parliam

tasks",

ready exist and stand ready to take on these

Side Meeting on Moldova

ldova

Members of the Parliamentary Team on Mo

chaired

met on Sunday July 3 for a working lunch,

initiatives

by Kimmo Kiljunen, to discuss current

junen, the

and future work. In addition to Mr. Kil

(Slove-

meeting was attended by Roberto Battelli

areanu

nia) from the Parliamentary Team; Stefan Sec

ebrian

(Moldova); Sergiu Stati (Moldova); Oleg Ser

e-Pres-

(Moldova); Leonid Ivanchenko (Russia); Vic

or Wil-

ident Thor Ostash (Ukraine); and Ambassad

va.

liam Hill, Head of the OSCE Office in Moldo

ry item

Participants discussed the supplementa

be under-

on Moldova, as well as future work to

deration

taken by the Parliamentary Team. Consi

ocra-

was also given to a proposed seminar on dem

m Moldo-

tization, to include parliamentarians fro

as well as

va, Ukraine and Russia, among others,

Soviet.

Members of the Transdniestrian Supreme

- 23 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

IPA

— Report on the 14th Annual Session,

Washington, DC, 2005

4+,

ALG

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OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

Report on th

ton, DC, 2005 —

ual Session, Washing

e 14th Ann

nd Plenary Session

Seco

by Presi-

nary Session, Chaired

The Second Ple

aft Resolu-

rst considered the dr

dent Hastings, fi

introduced by

ting Anti-Semitism,

tion on Comba

He stressed the

kirchen (Germany).

Gert Weiss

e dangers posed by

ce of recognizing th

importan

importance

and particularly the

anti-Semitism,

r-act growing

education to counte

of increasing

iterated the im-

Several Members re

intolerance.

k in combating

the Assembly's wor

portance of

participation in

General Debate

ism, and welcomed

anti-Semit

ba, Spain,

ference in Cordo

range of

the recent OSCE Con

Assembly adopted th

te touched on a wide

e. The

The general deba

dealing with this issu

mage to the

any speakers paid ho

current issues. M

resolution.

Helsinki Fi-

orts by the Special

heard rep

of the signing of the

30th anniversary

The Assembly then

, Members un-

amo and on Human

Guantan

icular in this regard

Representatives on

m) nal Act. In part

-Marie Lizin (Belgiu

Anne

Trafficking. Senator

øv

IPAI

US detention

work regarding the

reported on her

ntinued pres-

anamo, and urged co

facility in Guant

t to close the

ted States governmen

sure on the Uni

istopher Smith

re. Congressman Chr

detention cent

trafficking in

is work in combating

reported on h

Members to work

gs, and called upon

human bein

s to fight traffick-

their home countrie

actively in

lding hearings on

h, for example, ho

ing throug

trafficking.

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OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

n, Washington, DC, 2005

derlined the continued impo

rtance, even after thirty

the international commun

years, of a comprehensive

ity had failed to protect

approach to security. The

many people from severe

benefit of guidance from

human rights abuses,

parliamentarians and the

and urged reform of or

positive input of the Parli

ganizations to help rem

amentary Assembly to th

e edy this. The respon

OSCE was also noted. A

sibility of the internatio

nother recurring theme in

nal

community to protect pe

the discussion was the need

ople meant that some-

for reform of the OSCE

times there is a responsibi

— several Members underli

lity to intervene, it was

ned that it was important

noted.

to press this upon Minis

ters in participants' hom

A number of parliamen

countries. Members war

tarians voiced their

ned, nonetheless, that re

- concerns about the A

forms must be realistic, ac

merican detention facilit

hievable, and with a view

in Guantanamo Bay, ex

to the future.

pressing support for the

work being done by Se

Reform of other intern

nator Anne-Marie Lizin

ational organizations,

on this issue. The impo

and particularly of the

rtance of upholding in-

United Nations, was also

ternational human righ

addressed. In reference

ts commitments in the

to tragedies such as the

battle against terrorism

massacre in Srebrenica

was underlined by sev-

in 1995 and to ongoing

eral parliamentarians. M

abuses in Darfur, some

embers also addressed

Members remarked that

ongoing frozen conflic

ts within the OSCE re-

gion, and discussed bila

teral relations between

individual countries. V

oting rights and electora

standards were also co

nsidered, and the impo

tance of international el

ection observation mis-

sions was stressed.

Members voiced concer

n over the continued

occurrence of sex slaver

y, as well as other human

rights issues such as disp

laced persons. The need

for further progress in ac

hieving gender equality

was also stressed by spea

kers.

'44t

— Report on the 14th Ann

ual Sessio

Mkk

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OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

Washington, DC, 2005 —

Report on the 14th Annual Session,

giC1e

IPAI

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OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

— Report on the 14th Annual Session, Wa

shington, DC, 2005

Closing Plenary Session

4;4,4/O.:Zia

Illta ilk. 11t•V

President Alcee L. Hastings welcomed partici

pants

to the final meeting of the 14th Annual Sessio

The Assembly's Treasurer, Senator Jerry

Graf-

stein (Canada) told participants that the As

sembly's

Standing Committee had unanimously app

roved

the budget for the next financial year. He

applauded

the efficiency of the International Secretari

at, which

continues to function within budget. Sec

retary Gen-

eral Spencer Oliver also briefly addressed

the Ple-

nary, informing Members that his writte

n report

had been made available to all delegations,

in three

languages. The Secretary General furthe

r thanked

the United States Congress for their hard

work and

generosity in hosting the Assembly.

US Congressman Steny Hoyer, Chairma

n of the

Ad Hoc Committee on Transparency and

Account-

ability then reported on the work of the

Ad Hoc

Committee. In particular, he discussed

recent work

by the OSCE PA's Experts Group Co

lloquium,

which was in line with the views of the

Ad Hoc

Committee. It was stressed that the crisis wit

hin the

OSCE was fundamentally political, and

not only

procedural. Congressman Hoyer underlined

the im-

portance of adjusting the OSCE decisio

n-making

process and improve transparency throug

h publicly

defending any use of a veto. He also noted

that both

the OSCE Eminent Persons Group and the

OSCE

PA Experts Group had advocated strengthen

ing the

role of the OSCE Secretary General. Mr

. Hoyer

urged delegates to advocate the adoption

of these

recommendations by their national govern

ments.

The participants then considered a matter

of ur-

gency on reform of the OSCE. The Assem

bly adopt-

ed the resolution calling upon OSCE gov

ernments

to begin negotiations on implementing the

recom-

mendations of the Eminent Persons Panel

report.

The Chairs of the three General Co

mmittees

gave brief presentations, summarizing

the discus-

Bekintii

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OVER

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

shington, DC, 2005 -

Report on the 14th Annual Session, Wa

Nn.

titutions and Human Rights.

pective committees, follow- ocratic Ins

sions held in their res

for their

President Hastings thanked all Members

ee General

ing which the Assembly agreed to the thr

cribed the Session as an un-

ly, and adopted participation, and des

Committee Resolutions individual

bring the

qualified success. He urged Members to

a whole.

the Washington Declaration as

Document to the attention of their col-

sidered the supplementary Washington

The Plenary then con

, assuring participants

neral Com- leagues in their home countries

items which had been addressed in the Ge

in the United States.

the following that he would be doing so

mittees, and adopted resolutions on

ation in

JI~

topics: terrorism by suicide bombers; the situ

and human rights; the

Abkhazia, Georgia; terrorism

t weapons;

Republic of Moldova; small aims and ligh

diterra-

maritime security and piracy; the OSCE Me

t against

nean dimension; money laundering; the figh

ficking in

corruption; combating involvement in traf

se by in-

human beings and sexual exploitation and abu

strength-

ternational peacekeeping forces; the need to

mbers;

en the Code of Conduct for OSCE Mission Me

; improving

combating trafficking in human beings

ndards and

the implementation of OSCE electoral sta

CE election

commitments and the effectiveness of OS

for Dem-

observation activities; funding for the Office

Election of Vice-Presidents

sion,

Prior to adjourning the 14th Annual Ses

mbers

it was announced that the following Me

the As-

had been elected as Vice-Presidents of

sembly:

Oleh Bilorus (Ukraine)

Pia Christmas-Møller (Denmark)

Barbara Haering (Switzerland)

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OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

IPAI

— Report on the 14th Annual Session,

Washington, DC, 2005

•••••••••••••

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OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

DC, 2005 —

Report on the 14th Annual Session, Washington,

0M131e

IPA

a I

- 31 -

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

IPA

— Report on the 14th Annual Session,

Washington, DC, 2005

IRELAND

.90

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OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

Programme

N OF

THE FOURTEENTH ANNUAL SESSIO

ON, DC, JULY 1-5 2005

RLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY, WASHINGT

THE OSCE PA

ce in the J.W. Marrio

meetings of the Annual Session took pla

All

Friday, 1 July

07.00 - 08 00

08.00 - 09.00

09.30 - 12.30

12.30 -14.30

14.30 -16.00

ups

Time reserved for meetings of various gro

Working Breakfast on Gender Issues

Meeting of the Standing Committee

07.00 - 09.00

09.30 - 11.00

tt Hotel, Washington, DC

Sunday, 3 July

16.00 - 16.30

16.30 - 18.30

18.45

21.00

Lunch break

09.30- 11.00

Inaugural Plenary Session:

the

• Call to order and opening remarks by

President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assemb

11.30 - 13.30

nis Hastert

• Address by Speaker of the House J. Den

ezza Rice

• Address by U.S. Secretary of State Condole

the

• Address by the Chairman-in-Office of

13.00 - 14.30

ister of Slovenia Dmitrij

14.30 - 16.00

OSCE, Foreign Min

stion/answer session

Rupel, followed by a que

Coffee break

Plenary Session (cont.):

14.30 - 16.00

egation,

• Address by the Head of the U.S. Del

Senator Sam Brownback

invited

• Addresses by the Presidents from the

16.30 - 18.00

lies

Parliamentary Assemb

eral

Evening

• Address by the OSCE Secretary Gen

resentative

• Report by the OSCE PA Special Rep

on the gender issue followed by a debate

Democracy

• Presentation of Prize for Journalism and

07.00 - 09.00

Supplementary items

• Consideration of

09.00 - 10.00

for Reception at the

Coaches depart from hotels

National Building Museum

10.00 - 12.00

Last coach departs from National Buildin

Museum to hotels

groups

Time reserved for meetings of various

an Rights

General Committee on Democracy, Hum

and Humanitarian Questions

• Consideration of amendments

• Consideration of Supplementary Item

Affairs, Science,

General Committee on Economic

Technology and Environment

• Consideration of Supplementary Item

Security

General Committee on Political Affairs and

• Consideration of amendments

• Consideration of Supplementary Items

Lunch break

, Science,

General Committee on Economic Affairs

Technology and Environment

• Consideration of Supplementary Item

• Election of Committee Officers

an Rights

General Committee on Democracy, Hum

and Humanitarian Questions

• Consideration of Supplementary Item

airs and Security

General Committee on Political Aff

• Consideration of Supplementary Item

missions

Reserved for receptions by Diplomatic

Monday, 4 July

groups

Time reserved for meetings of various

Security

General Committee on Political Affairs and

• Consideration of supplementary item

• Election of the Committee Officer

an Rights

General Committee on Democracy, Hum

and Humanitarian Questions

• Consideration of supplementary item

• Election of the Committee Officers

Meeting of the Bureau

Plenary Session

• Consideration of supplementary item

• General debate

Reception at the Library of Congress

display at

followed by a Concert and Fireworks

the United States Capitol

Saturday, 2 July

07.00 - 09.00

09.00 - 11.00

groups

Time reserved for meetings of various

and

General Committee on Political Affairs

Security

mittee

• Opening remarks by the Chair of the Com

the Rapporteur

• Introduction of the Draft Resolution by

• Debate

, Science,

General Committee on Economic Affairs

Technology and Environment

Committee

• Opening remarks by the Chair of the

Rapporteur

• Introduction of the Draft Resolution by the

• Debate

an Rights

General Committee on Democracy, Hum

and Humanitarian Questions

mittee

• Opening remarks by the Chair of the Com

the Rapporteur

• Introduction of the Draft Resolution by

• Debate

Mediterranean Side Meeting

non Estate

Excursion to Washington's Mount Ver

and Gardens

11.10 - 11.30

13.30 - 17.00

17.30 - 19.30

Tuesday, 5 July

07.00 - 09.00

09.00 - 11.00

09.30 - 12.30

groups

Time reserved for meetings of various

Election of OSCE PA Officers

Plenary Session

• Treasurer's Report

• Secretary General's Report

Commit-

• Report from the Chairman of the Ad Hoc

the OSCE

tee on Transparency and Accountability in

• Urgent item under Rule 24

tee Resolutions

• Consideration of General Commit

election of

• Announcement of the results of the

the Assembly Officers

a reception

Adjournment immediately followed by

offered by the President of the OSCE

09.00 - 11.00

11.30 - 13.30

12.00 -14.00

15.00

12.30

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

International Secretariat

Rådhusstræde 1

1466 Copenhagen K

Denmark

Telephone: +45 33 37 80 40

Telefax: +45 33 37 80 30

E-mail: [email protected]

Internet: www.oscepa.org

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

Report on the 14th Annual Session, Washington, DC, 2005 —

Mrd

OSCE Prize for Journalism and Democracy

On July 1 2005, OSCE PA President Alcee L.

Hastings presented the 10th annual OSCE Prize

for Journalism and Democracy to Ukraine Televi-

sion Channel Five. Channel 5 was awarded the

Prize for its crucial role in the events of Octo-

ber-December 2004 in which Ukraine peacefully

transitioned to a more democratically-oriented

and legitimately-elected system of government.

With great courage, the Channel reported inde-

pendently at a time when the government was

placing strict controls on media coverage, ignor-

ing widespread popular discontent, and working

to manipulate electoral processes.

Presenting the Prize to Mr. Roman Skrypin,

Editor-in-Chief of Channel Five, President Hast-

ings said that "These historic events captured the

attention of the entire world. Had it not been for

the work of Channel 5, many Ukrainians would

not have initially been aware that a peaceful revo-

lution was taking place on the central square of

their capital."

"It is my hope that this year's award will reso-

nate well beyond the borders of Ukraine, remind-

ing us of the serious deficiency of independent

electronic media in other developing - and de-

veloped, I must add - democracies in the OSCE

area," said Congressman Hastings.

In accepting the Prize, Mr. Skrypin echoed

President Hastings' hopes, saying "Our work is

not done, and we have no intention of stopping

the movement forward. We would like to wish the

following to the member countries of the OSCE,

particularly the countries from the former Soviet

Union: May you enjoy a truly independent media

and genuine freedom of speech. For when you

do, a number of perceived political problems, like

`What to do with a dictatorship' will dissipate all

by themselves."

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 108: Report of the Washington Annual Session, July 2005

P-PA

— Report on the 14th Annual Session, Washington, DC, 2005

KRISTIAN PIIII.I.OREN1/1

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