OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

OSCE's parlamentariske Forsamling 2004-05 (2. samling)
OSCE Alm.del Bilag 79
Offentligt

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

OSCE's parlamentariske Fors

amling

(2. samling)

OSCE alm. del - Bilag 79

Offentligt

PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

14th Annual Session

30 Years Since Helsinki:

Challenges Ahead

Washington, DC

1-5 July 2005

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

osce

Welcome to Washington, D

(Congress of

Unite!) *tale

tflas4iscgtins, DC 211313

Dear Colleagues:

We are delighted to welcome you to the 14th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary

Assembly in Washington, DC, from 1-5 July 2005.

While our capital city is relatively young, it has a great deal to offer and we look forward to

sharing many of our most cherished and traditional sites, sounds and taste treats during your visit. The

Fourth of July — the birthdate of our nation's independence — is a wonderful time to be in Washington

as the city celebrates with great fanfare. We are very proud of our capital and welcome this opportu-

nity to share its beauty and grandeur with you.

We are also pleased that the theme for this Annual Session is "30 Years Since Helsinki: Chal-

lenges Ahead." As we have stated previously, the Members of the United States Congress have played

a key role in advancing the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act and we have been pleased to

contribute to the debates in the OSCE PA on the important issues of human rights and the rule of law.

As we look to the future, we are reminded on a daily basis of the importance of redoubling our efforts

to advance and strengthen democracies around the world.

Again, we look forward to welcoming you to Washington, DC!

J. Dennis Hastert

Speaker

U.S. House of Representatives

lliam H. Frist, M.D.

jority Leader

United States Senate

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Message from the President

It is a great pleasure to

welcome the Members of the

OSCE Parliamentary Assem-

bly to our Fourteenth Annual

Session — held this year in my

country's capital of Washing-

ton, D.C. I would like to extend

the collective gratitude of the

OSCE Parliamentary Assem-

bly to the United States House

of Representatives and to the

United States Senate for their generous assistance to

our Annual Session and to the City of Washington for

its warm and courteous hospitality.

I am very proud to preside over the Annual Session

here in Washington, where I have worked for my con-

stituents for more than 12 years.

As the first American to serve as President of the

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I have focused my

efforts as President on strengthening the links that

bring together the OSCE participating States from both

shores of the Atlantic.

The United States and Europe need each other, and

in order to strengthen the transatlantic relationship we

must work to rebuild that foundation of confidence

on which our partnership once rested. Never have

we failed to assist each other in our time of need. We

cannot forget that after the tragic events of September

11, our transatlantic partners expressed their support

and sympathy for America in the strongest terms. The

US and Europe must continue to work together, to pro-

mote peace and stability, not only in the Trans-Atlantic

theater, but throughout the world.

Since we last convened in Edinburgh, the OSCE Par-

liamentary Assembly, as the parliamentary dimension

of the OSCE, has continued to promote parliamentary

involvement in the activities of the Organization. The

Assembly has also facilitated inter-parliamentary dia-

logue and co-operation, providing a vital link between

the governmental side of the OSCE and elected repre-

sentatives of the participating States.

The OSCE has faced important problems this past

year. The Assembly has reiterated the need for reform,

especially in the decision making mechanisms. We

should remember that the OSCE is an indispensable

Organization. The OSCE continues to be a necessary

organization for the tasks we face in the politico-secu-

rity field of the 21st century. In our approach, we must

remember that the OSCE remains the most flexible and

responsive Euro-Atlantic foreign policy instrument for

non-military contingencies. It is the primary instrument

for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis manage-

ment, and post-conflict rehabilitation in our region. The

OSCE is able to contribute to these tasks and reforms

are underway. However, they will not be success-

ful unless policy makers on both sides of the Atlantic

are prepared to make better use of the most effective

regional security organization in Europe.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE contrib-

utes greatly to the process of adapting the Organiza-

tion to the new challenges by making public opinion

more aware of the OSCE and its activities. The Assem-

bly will also continue its important work supporting

democratic reforms throughout the OSCE region. The

various ad hoc committees of the Assembly and the

election observation missions are an important input in

this process.

I am particularly proud that under my leadership

the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has continued to

develop a particularly active program for observing

parliamentary elections. During my mandate we have

observed the electoral processes in Kazakhstan, Bela-

rus, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, and Moldova.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly also observed

for the first time the Presidential and Congressional

elections in my country last November. I believe that

our presence in established democracies demonstrates

our determination to apply uniform standards to all

OSCE participating States, be they located East or

West of Vienna.

In conclusion, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

— as a unique link between citizens and governments —

will continue to be a reliable partner contributing to the

success of the OSCE. Many challenges still lie ahead.

I am sure this Washington Annual Session of the OSCE

Parliamentary Assembly will be very productive in

providing our input as parliamentarians to the OSCE.

I would like to conclude by thanking all Members of

the Assembly for entrusting me with the important task

of leading the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and to

all the National Parliaments for their continuous sup-

port during my mandate.

Alcee L. Hastings

President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Message from the OSCE Chairman-in-Office

debate, and I hope that a

The OSCE Parliamentary to drive forward the reform

decisions can be taken at the Min-

Assembly meets in Wash- number of important

Ljubljana in December.

ington at an historic time for isterial Council in

Maybe it is also the right time to consider holding

the OSCE. Not only is this a

There is a great deal for our

year of anniversaries for the another OSCE Summit.

ernment to discuss, and there

Organization — marking thirty Heads of State and Gov

mit since Istanbul in 1999.

years since the signing of the has not been an OSCE Sum

Europe is being transformed, sometimes at a pace

historic Helsinki Final Act and

rise. We were just coming to

fifteen years since the Char- which catches us by surp

O enlargement, when we had

ter of Paris. It is also a year terms with EU and NAT

lopments in Ukraine,

of vital renewal, as we take to shift gears and look at deve

and Kyrgyzstan as well as seeking a sustain-

steps to enable the OSCE to deal more effectively with Georgia

able future for Kosovo.

Europe's contemporary security challenges.

At the same time Europe, like the rest of the world,

Some say that the OSCE is in crisis. The lack of

forced to come to terms with new threats to

a budget or scales has not been helpful, but this is a is being

particularly those posed by extremism and ter-

minor issue compared to the challenge of fostering security,

security through co-operation in Europe. Any disagree- roris

These are not only challenges for the OSCE, they are

ments over figures are marginal compared to the more

the whole continent and all participating

amental differences of view over the application of challenges for

fund

well as our neighbours. That is why change

OSCE standards, perceptions of bias, and the threat of States, as

within the OSCE (like the UN and European Union) is

dividing lines being drawn in Europe.

new

ssary and logical. It should not be reform for

Accusations that the OSCE is becoming irrelevant both nece

sake, rather an improvement of our ability to

ring hollow when one considers the important role that reform's

real world issues.

we are playing in Kyrgzystan or in Ukraine, assist- deal with

Thirty years ago, the original Conference on Security

ing in conflict settlement in Moldova, Georgia, and

peration in Europe had an immediate impact

between Armenia and Azerbaijan, or assisting States and Co-o

le's lives, as did the OSCE when it was created

in a range of security-related activities from policing on peop

s later, particularly in countries undergoing a

to national minorities, from election monitoring to 20 year

period of post-Communist transition. Today, people in

counter-terrorism.

Kyiv or Tbilisi will certainly be able to tell

used to be the case that most people were either Bishkek,

what the OSCE is and why it remains important.

complacent about the OSCE or had never even heard of you

However, we need you, as Parliamentarians, to

it. Now the OSCE is discussed at a high political level,

ad the word among your constituents, to enable

it is in the news, and people are talking about its future. spre

people to better appreciate the merits of this Organiza-

This is healthy and exciting.

to encourage their political leaders to invest

We have an opportunity to better define the OSCE's tion and

the political will so necessary to enable the OSCE to

role in the European security network, to evaluate — and

h its full potential.

concentrate on — what we do best, and improve what reac

I look forward to actively participating in this Four-

needs fixing.

h Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary

We need to channel the political energy being gener- teent

Assembly and to hear your views on how we can face

ated around the OSCE and focus it into improving the

the challenges ahead.

ability of the 55 States to use this instrument for what

it was designed to do — contribute to peace, security,

justice and co-operation in Europe.

We have heeded the calls for reform. At the end of

June, a Panel of Eminent Persons presented their rec-

ommendations for strengthening the effectiveness of

the OSCE. I hope that some of their views may already

Dimitrij Rupel

be a topic for discussion here in Washington. After

for

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia,

all, the Parliamentary Assembly is an ideal forum

OSCE Chairman-in-Office

exchanging new ideas.

High level consultations will be held this autu

/(\

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

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14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Slovakia, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, the United

Kingdom, Canada, the U.S.A. and Denmark, represent-

ing North, South, East and West of Vienna, and as for

gender balance, there are seven women and seven men

on the permanent staff. I was also pleased to recently

announce the appointment of Tina Schøn of Denmark

as the new Deputy Secretary General to join with Vitaly

Evseyev of Russia, who

has given great service

to the Assembly for more

than twelve years as my

trusted Deputy.

This year also marks

the tenth anniversary of

the Research Fellow-

ship programme, which

continues to be a great

success, providing sub-

stantial research and lin-

guistic capability. Many

of the 140 bright young researchers from 25 countries

who have served in the Copenhagen Secretariat have

moved on to work in OSCE field missions and the

OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, as well as in their Parlia-

ments and Diplomatic Services.

The Assembly continues to be in excellent financial

condition. As in all previous years, our expenditures

have remained within the approved budget, and we

have received a perfect audit report by our outside

auditors. This is due to the extraordinary oversight and

diligence of our Treasurer, Senator Jerry Grafstein, and

our Financial Assistant, Per-Henrik Diirr, as well as our

professional outside auditors at KPMG Jespersen.

Since the International Secretariat was established in

Copenhagen 12 years ago, the Parliamentary Assem-

bly has successfully developed into a major interna-

tional parliamentary organization. I would like to take

this opportunity to thank the Delegations and National

Parliaments that have invited and hosted Assembly

events, particularly the Secretaries of delegations and

staff. Without the generosity, involvement and hard

work of national Parliaments the work of our Assem-

bly would not be possible. We are very proud of our

accomplishments and very grateful for the extraordi-

nary contributions of hundreds of OSCE Parliamentar-

ians to the success of the Assembly.

Report of the Secretary General

As we convene in Washington for the 14th Session

of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I am pleased

to report that the Assembly is in very good condition.

Parliamentarians are more active than ever before in the

work of the Assembly and in support of the multi-fac-

eted activities of the OSCE. We have recently had the

largest number of partici-

pants ever in our Annual

Session, Fall Conference/

Mediterranean Forum,

the Winter Meeting, and

the Sub-Regional Con-

ference. During this past

year, nearly a thousand

Parliamentarians

par-

ticipated in our regular

meetings, and more than

five hundred OSCE PA

election observers were

deployed in eight elections in the OSCE area. Our

Ad Hoc Committees and Special Representatives, the

largest number ever appointed, have also been very

active. We have also continued to maintain close col-

laboration with the governmental side of the OSCE,

as well as with our partner parliamentary institutions,

particularly in the field of election observation.

President Alcee L. Hastings has been one of the

most active and effective Presidents in our history,

crossing the Atlantic more than ten times during his

first year as President of the Assembly. Gustavo Pal-

lares, our Presidential Advisor, who has worked with

us for nearly nine years, continues to do an outstand-

ing job supporting the work of Mr. Hastings, as he has

done for all recent PA Presidents.

The weekly Newsfrom Copenhagen keeps all those

involved or interested in the work of the Assembly well

informed. The PA website, which contains extensive

information about the Assembly, including archives of

past Declarations and Resolutions, as well as current

information, also serves as an important information

tool which is consulted regularly by virtually everyone

associated with and interested in the OSCE PA.

I am particularly proud of the professional support

that the staff of the PA International Secretariat has pro-

vided to the OSCE Parliamentarians who have given

their valuable time and considerable influence to their

OSCE PA responsibilities. With a small permanent

staff of only 14 persons, supplemented by two senior

seconded officers and a six-person research assistant/

intern team, the Secretariat has assisted all PA activi-

ties. The current professional staff comes from Russia,

R. Spencer Oliver

Secretary General

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

OSCE Parliamentary Assem

WM,

"Recognizing the important role parliamentari-

ans can play in the CSCE process, we call for greater

involvement in the CSCE, in particu-

ers over parliamentary

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly gath

lar through the creation of a CSCE parliamentary

OSCE participat-

300 parliamentarians from the

assembly, involving members of parliaments from

ing States with the aim of promoting parliamentary all participating States. To this end, we urge that

involvement in the activities of the OSCE and facili- contacts be pursued at parliamentary level to discuss

tating inter-parliamentary dialogue and co-operation. the field of activities, working methods and rules of

The Assembly occupies a unique place in the struc- procedure of such a CSCE parliamentary structure,

ture of the OSCE by providing a vital link between drawing on existing experience and work already

the governmental side of the OSCE and parliamen- undertaken in this field."

tarians from the OSCE countries.

At the invitation of the Spanish Cortes, leading

Parliaments of all OSCE States are entitled to be parliamentarians from all CSCE signatory countries

represented in the Parliamentary Assembly, which gathered in Madrid in early April 1991 to establish

comprises 317 representatives. In addition, the Par- the modalities of a CSCE Parliamentary Assembly

liamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the as requested by their respective Heads of State or

Assembly of the Western European Union, the NATO Government.

Parliamentary Assembly, the Inter-Parliamentary

The Madrid meeting, attended by parliamentary

Union, the European Parliament, and the Inter-Par- leaders from all CSCE States, encountered several

liamentary Assembly of the CIS all have observer challenges from the very beginning due to the wide

status in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

variety of views among the 34 delegations. These

included whether to maintain the consensus proce-

dure used by the governmental CSCE, the determi-

Short History

nation of the frequency of Assembly meetings, the

ber of

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly was estab- role and number of committees, and the num

Compro-

lished by the leaders of the Parliaments of all States votes to be assigned to each parliament.

the

signatory to the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, and the mises were eventually reached, and a document,

1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe. The Char- Madrid Declaration, was adopted by consensus.

The Madrid Declaration set forth the basic rules

ter of Paris, signed by the Heads of State or Gov-

ernment of 34 states meeting in Paris in November of procedure, working methods, size, mandate, and

1990, stated:

distribution of votes for the first official meeting of

A Unique OSCE Institution

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

the CSCE Assembly, scheduled for Budapest in July • To develop and promote mechanisms for the

1992. The Declaration also called for the Assembly

prevention and resolution of conflicts;

to meet once a year, at a time when most parliaments

would be out of session, enabling leaders and key • To support the strengthening and consolidation

members of the various parliaments to attend.

of democratic institutions in OSCE participat-

At the Budapest Session, the Assembly decided

ing States;

to establish a small permanent secretariat and to

appoint a Director, now Secretary General, with • To contribute to the development

of OSCE

two Deputies. The International Secretariat provides

institutional structures and of relations

administrative support for the Assembly in its vari-

and co-operation between existing OSCE

ous activities.

Institutions.

The Parliamentary Assembly's Objectives

The Assembly's primary task is to facilitate inter-

parliamentary dialogue, an increasingly important • A Final Declaration and a number of resolu-

aspect of the overall effort to meet the challenges of

tions and recommendations are adopted each

democracy throughout the OSCE area. The OSCE

year at the Annual Session;

Parliamentary Assembly may also pursue other

important objectives that are stated in the preamble • Committee work addresse

s important contem-

of the Assembly's Rules of Procedure:

porary international issues;

•

To assess the implementation of OSCE objec-

tives by participating States;

•

Programmes and Seminars designed to develop

and strengthen democracy including an exten-

sive election observation programme;

Special parliamentary missions to areas of

latent or active crisis.

To pursue these objectives, the OSCE Parliamentary

Assembly employs a variety of means:

• To discuss subjects addressed during meetings

of the Ministerial Council and the summits of

Heads of State or Government;

•

Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mr. Dennis Hastert, and OSCE PA President Alcee L. Hastings

signed the host Agreementfor the 14th Annual Session of the OSCE PA. Secretary General Spencer Oliver was

also present at the ceremony which took place on April 5 2005 on Capitol Hill.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Parliamentary Assembly have taken place in Budapest (1992),

Assembly Bodies

Helsinki (1993), Vienna (1994), Ottawa (1995), Stockholm

(1996), Warsaw (1997), Copenhagen (1998), St. Petersburg

tary Assembly

The main elements of the Parliamen

(1999), Bucharest (2000), Paris (2001), Berlin (2002), Rotter-

are the Plenary Assembly, the Standing Committee of dam (2003), Edinburgh (2004). Washington DC will host the

Heads of Delegation, the Bureau, the Expanded Bureau, 2005 Session, and Brussels will follow as the host for 2006.

and the three General Committees. The Standing Com-

mittee and the Bureau prepare the work of the Assem- Summary Reports of Annual Sessions (as of 1998) are

bly between Sessions, ensuring the efficient operation available at wwwoseepa.org

of the Assembly. The three General Committees cor-

respond to the three main baskets of the Helsinki Final

Act: the General Committee on Political Affairs and

Winter Meetings

Security; the General Committee on Economic Affairs,

Science, Technology and Environment; and the Gen-

In February 2001 the Standing Committee approved

eral Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and the holding of an annual OSCE PA Winter Meeting in

Humanitarian Questions.

Vienna. The Winter Meetings allow the three General

The Standing Committee makes decisions accord- Committees to have additional discussions and debates

ing to the principle of "consensus-minus-one". The amongst themselves as well as to be briefed by high-

Bureau, the General Committees and the Assembly level OSCE officials who have responsibilities related to

the work of each of the three General Committees. The

Plenary take decisions by majority vote.

Winter Meeting also serves as an opportunity for par-

liamentarians to hear presentations by the three General

Annual Sessions

Committee Rapporteurs and to discuss their draft reports

for the Annual Session. Winter Meetings have now

the most important events in the OSCE Parlia-

One of

February 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. In

Annual Session held in the been held in

mentary Assembly calendar is the

s, parliamentary interest in the event far

Assembly all of these case

beginning of July. During each Annual Session the

exceeded initial expectations. The Winter Meeting is the

ssing contemporary

Plenary adopts a Final Declaration addre

nd largest event in the OSCE PA calendar, topped

Devel- seco

issues within the fields of Political Affairs, Economic

only by the Annual Session.

Declarations contain

opment and Human Rights. The Final

Summary Reports of Winter Meetings are available at

specific calls on participating States to adhere to their OSCE

www.oseepa.org

commitments as well as recommendations on strengthening

OSCE institutional structures. Annual Sessions of the OSCE

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

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14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Ad Hoc Committees

The Standing Committee of the OSCE Parliamen-

tary Assembly may appoint Ad Hoc Committees or

Working Groups, sometimes called Democracy Teams

or Parliamentary Teams, to address particular issues of

concern.

The OSCE PA, the European Parliament and the Coun-

cil of Europe Parliamentary Assembly sometimes work

together as a Parliamentary Troika to address issues of

common concern to the three institutions.

the Team has sought ways to continue engage-

ment with its partners in Moldova by promoting

dialogue on the course of the negotiations on the

status of Transdniestria.

Ad Hoc Committee on Abkhazia (Georgia)

In February 2001, the Standing

Committee decided to establish an

Ad Hoc Committee on Abkhazia

Ad Hoc Working Group on Belarus

(Georgia) in order to promote the

creation of a political framework

The OSCE Parliamentary Assem-

which could help facilitate recon-

bly Ad Hoc Working Group on Bela-

ciliation and a resolution of the

rus was appointed in October 1998 in Tone Tingsgår' d

conflict in Abkhazia (Georgia). The

Chair

order to assist in the development of

Committee has paid several visits to

democracy in Belarus and facilitate

Georgia and has held meetings with Members of the

national reconciliation. The main aim

Georgian Parliament and Government. In addition,

of the Working Group has been to

Uta Zapf

the Committee has worked with the OSCE Mission

facilitate dialogue between the Gov-

Chair

to Georgia and the UN Observer Mission in Geor-

ernment and opposition of Belarus in

gia to try to establish contact with Representatives

an attempt to promote free and fair election processes

of Abkhazia. However, no opening has been found

and aid in the development of democracy. Following

for direct contact between the Ad Hoc Committee

parliamentary elections in October 2004, the Group

and Abkhaz Representatives.

has visited Belarus on several occasions and has been

moving forward with the first in a series of seminars

Ad Hoc Committee on Transparency

as agreed with the Belarusian Delegation to the OSCE

and Accountability in the OSCE

PA in the July 2004 Edinburgh Joint Declaration. In

all of its meetings, the Group has stressed the impor-

tance of participation in the OSCE process and the

In order to institutionalize the

need to find peaceful, inclusive solutions to the coun-

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's

try's various political problems.

efforts to enhance transparency and

parliamentary involvement within

the Organization, the Standing

Parliamentary Team on Moldova

Committee decided to set up an Ad

The Parliamentary Team on Steny Hoyer Hoc Committee on Transparency

and Accountability during its meet-

Moldova was established in early

Chair

ing in July 2001. Key priorities of the

2000. The Team's mandate calls on

it to promote peace, stability and Committee have been to change the use of the secret

the rule of law in Moldova, while single country veto in the decision-making proce-

affirming the unity of the State, by dure of the OSCE, to improve the level of feedback

engaging in and promoting dialogue from the Governmental side on the Assembly's

Kiinni Kiljunen

between parties and organizations recommendations and Declarations, to establish

Chair

representing different sections of regular contacts between the leaderships of the

the Moldovan population. Resolving the status OSCE and its Parliamentary Assembly and to open

of Transdniestria is a particular priority of the a liaison office in Vienna. Although

progress has

Parliamentary Team. Following parliamentary been achieved on some of these points,

the Com-

elections in March 2005, for which Mr. Kiljunen mittee continues to push for increased interacti

was appointed the Chair-in -Office's Special Co- and feedback and in addition it has

continuously

ordinator for the Election Observation Mission, criticized the strict use of consens

us in the OSCE

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Working Group on the OSCE Budget

decision-making process. As a direct result of the

Committee's work, in 2003, the OSCE PA Secretar-

In the Edinburgh Declaration, the

Vienna which provides

iat opened a liaison office in

OSCE PA decided to create a Working

Fur-

a direct link to the governmental structures.

Group to review the OSCE draft budgets

thermore, the OSCE Secretary General now reports

in order for the Assembly to be better pre-

pared to respond and provide information

to the Assembly's Standing Committee during the

to national parliaments on the budgetary

Autumn Conference where he presents the Draft

situation of the OSCE. The budget group

OSCE Budget for the upcoming year, allowing an

opportunity for PA Members to discuss the budget Nebal~rak has met on a number of occasions and

discussed how to proceed with its tasks.

and the political priorities of the Organization. The

Chair

Members ofthe Group have also requested

Committee continues to follow the situation in the

the OSCE Secretary

OSCE and provides regular input to the leadership information concerning the budget from

General as well as from their national Foreign Ministries.

on possible improvements.

Special Representatives

ial Representatives on areas of particular

President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly may appoint Spec

The

interest to assist or act on his or her behalf.

age reconciliation and rehabilitation

The Special Representative on Gender Issues

in the area though parliamentary dia-

logue. After having visited Armenia and

The Special Representative on

Azerbaijan and the region of Nagorno

Gender Issues, Ms. Tone Tingsgård, who

Karabakh, Mr. Lennmarker organized

is also a Vice-President of the OSCE

a joint visit to Brussels for representa-

PA, was appointed by the PA President

tives of the OSCE PA Delegations of

to strengthen the Assembly's efforts

baijan and Armenia to discuss the future of the

ote gender equality within the Azer

to prom

tries within the framework of European and

mbly. Ms. Tingsgård two coun

OSCE and the Parliamentary Asse

institutions. The Special Representative

stics and Transatlantic

has continued to gather information and stati

on the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict works closely with

as well as the OSCE PA

presented her Gender-Plan

the Co-Chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group and

in Edinburgh in

Gender Report to the Annual Session

Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-

of the

2004. She continues to promote dialogue on the issue

Office on this conflict.

en and has established

equality between men and wom

The Special Representative on Human Trafficking Issues

an informal network of parliamentarians in the OSCE

who take an interest in the promotion of this issue. The

During the February 2004 Winter

Special Representative on Gender Issues is assisted by

Meeting in Vienna, the President of

the Gender Unit at the OSCE PA Secretariat and works

the OSCE PA appointed Congressman

in close contact with the Gender related structures in

Christopher Smith, Deputy Head of the

the rest of the OSCE.

US Delegation to the OSCE PA, his

Special Representative on Human Traf-

The Special Representative on Mediterranean Affairs

ficking Issues to promote dialogue in the

Considering the need to develop OSCE, and in its Parliamentary Assembly in particular,

stronger links between the OSCE Par- on how to combat human trafficking.

liamentary Assembly and the Mediter-

ranean Partners for Co-operation, the

The Special Representative on Guantånamo

President of the OSCE PA appointed a

Special Representative on Mediterra-

In February 2005 Senator Anne

Marie Lizin, President of the Belgian

nean Affairs, Mr. Bruce George, to report to him on

developments in this field.

Senate, was appointed by President

Alcee L. Hastings as his Special Repre-

Nagorno Karabakh Conflict

The Special Representative on the

sentative on Guantånamo, to follow up

and report to the Assembly on the situa-

President appointed

In July 2002, the OSCE PA

tion of detainees from OSCE participating States in the

n Lennmarker as Special Representative on

Mr. G6ra

American facility in Guantånamo.

the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict in order to encour-

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

osice

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

to speak and answer questions at the Assembly's Standing

Committee Meetings, Winter Meetings and Annual Ses-

sions. It has become standard practice since 2002 that the

OSCE Secretary General briefs the Standing Committee

on the next year's proposed OSCE budget at the Assem-

bly's Fall Meetings. This provides the Assembly with an

opportunity to give comments on the draft budget to the

OSCE. In order to further strengthen co-operation and

co-ordination between the OSCE and the OSCE PA, the

OSCE PA Secretary General opened a Liaison Office in

Vienna in February 2003. Heading this Office, the Special

Representative of the OSCE PA to the OSCE participates

in Permanent Council Meetings and other formal as well

as informal OSCE meetings of interest to the Assembly.

Interaction with other OSCE Institutions

In 1991, at its Berlin Meeting, the CSCE Ministerial

Council welcomed the establishment of the Parliamentary

Assembly and stated that the Ministers looked forward to

the "collective expression" of the views of the Parliamen-

tary Assembly on security and co-operation in Europe as

well as on the future development of the CSCE. The next

year, at its Prague Meeting, the CSCE took a direct step

towards active dialogue by announcing that the Chair-

man-in-Office would be prepared to make himself availa-

ble to report to the Assembly on the work of the CSCE, to

answer parliamentarians' questions in this regard and to

take note of parliamentarians' views for subsequent trans-

mission to the Ministerial Council. It has since become a

Interparliamentary co-operation

tradition for the Chairman-in-Office to address the Par-

liamentary Assembly and answer direct questions from

the floor. The CSCE-OSCE Summits in Helsinki (1992),

Budapest (1994) and Istanbul (1999) reaffirmed the par-

ticipating States' interest in the active participation of

311

parliamentarians in the OSCE process and mandated the

Chairman-in-Office to maintain close contacts with the

Parliamentary Assembly, to draw its recommendations to

the attention of the Permanent Council and to inform the

parliamentarians of OSCE activities.

Although the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has

its own independent budget and may take unilateral,

independent initiatives, it has developed regular and

formalized high-level interaction with the other OSCE

Institutions. The Assembly is represented at every level

00000~111111MININF

of official OSCE meetings and maintains a close working Council of Eurcpe

C3osed de

rEurope

relationship with the OSCE Chair-in-Office, the Troika,

the OSCE Secretary General, as well as the other OSCE

Institutions in Vienna, Prague, Warsaw and The Hague.

All decisions and reports from the Assembly's Annual

Sessions, visits and election observation missions are

transmitted to the Chairman-in-Office and to other OSCE

Institutions. The President of the Assembly presents the

annual OSCE PA Declarations to the Permanent Council

and receives comments from national OSCE Delegations.

At the 1991 Madrid Conference, during which the

The Parliamentary Assembly participates in the OSCE's

senior and Permanent Councils, OSCE Ministerial Coun- modalities for the CSCE Parliamentary Assembly were

cil Meetings, as well as the OSCE Summits. In addition, established, it was decided that the CSCE Parliamen-

leaders of other OSCE Institutions are periodically invited tary Assembly would co-operate with other European

parliamentary institutions. Since then, the OSCE Par-

liamentary Assembly has developed extensive co-oper-

ation with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council

of Europe, the Assembly of the Western European

Union, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the Inter-

parliamentary Union, the European Parliament and the

Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS. These parlia-

mentary institutions have official observer status at the

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and representatives of

the OSCE PA are invited to attend their main meetings.

II ()kill

In addition, the OSCE PA co-operates with the Nordic

Council and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organ-

ization of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

sce

wnt

SSE

OF EUROPE

COMM

'immo

her

At the Secretariat level, there is regular contact

between the Secretaries General as well as the staff

of the international parliamentary institutions. In this

way, co-ordination and coherence are strengthened.

During election observation missions, the OSCE

Parliamentary Assembly co-operates closely with

other international parliamentary institutions, partic-

ularly the European Parliament and the Parliamentary

Assembly of the Council of Europe. In co-operation

with the OSCE/ODIHR, a joint preliminary state-

ment is issued after the elections, ensuring that a

co-ordinated and unified international assessment is

presented to authorities and the general public in the

given country.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has in several

projects joined "Parliamentary Troikas" consisting of

the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assem-

bly of the Council of Europe and the OSCE PA in

order to increase the co-ordination and strength of

international parliamentary projects. In Belarus, a

Parliamentary Troika, including the OSCE PA Ad Hoc

Committee on Belarus, has been engaged in an effort

to promote dialogue and democratic development. In

South Eastern Europe, the Parliamentary bodies have

joined efforts in order to establish a parliamentary

dimension within the Stability Pact for South East-

ern Europe. The Chairmanship of the Troika rotates

between the three institutions, and the OSCE PA held

the Chairmanship in 2004. Furthermore, the OSCE

PA Ad Hoc Committee on Moldova co-ordinates

with and keeps the other international parliamentary

bodies informed about its activities.

Budget

The Assembly's budget covers most of the organi-

zational and staff expenses relating to the Annual Ses-

sion, Winter Meeting, Standing Committee and Bureau

Meetings, official visits, the election observation pro-

gramme, as well as the costs of the International Sec-

retariat. Host Parliaments of the Annual Sessions have

all contributed significantly by providing considerable

support to these regular events, ensuring their success

and contributing substantive cost savings. The Danish

Folketing has very generously provided excellent office

facilities free of charge for the Assembly's Interna-

tional Secretariat, and the Netherlands and Germany

have seconded our Press Counsellor in Copenhagen

and our Ambassador in Vienna, respectively.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

e ficers of the Assem

The Officers of the Assembly, also known as the Bureau, include the President, Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer and the

President Emeritus. The Bureau is responsible for ensuring that the decisions of the Standing Committee are carried out,

well as ensuring the efficient operation of the Assembly between meetings of the Standing Committee. The Bureau takes

decisions by majority vote.

Alcee L. Hastings (USA)

was elected President of the Assembly at the 2004 Annual Session in Edinburgh after having served as Vice-

President, Chair and Vice-Chair of the First General Committee, as well as two terms as Committee Rapporteur.

First elected to the U.S. Congress in 1992, he has been re-elected six times. He is a member of the House Rules

Committee, and a senior member of the Select Committee on Intelligence. Mr. Hastings is also Vice-Chairman

of the Democratic Select Committee on Election Reform, and is Vice-Chairman of the Florida Delegation. As an

attorney, judge and civil rights activist, he has championed the rights of minorities, women and the elderly.

Ihor Ostash (Ukraine)

was elected Vice-President of the Assembly at the 1999 St. Petersburg Session and re-elected for a second term of

three years at the 2002 Berlin Session. He serves as a member of the OSCE PAAd Hoc Working Group on Belarus. A

scholar who has held several senior academic positions, he has been a Member of the Ukraine Parliament since 1994.

He is Co-Leader of the parliamentary faction "Reforms-Congress" and has served as Chair of the Foreign Affairs

Committee in the Parliament ofUkraine. He is Head of the Ukrainian-Italian Inter-Parliamentary Grow and Member

of the Executive Committee of the IPU.

Nino Burjanadze (Georgia)

was elected Vice-President at the 2000 Annual Session in Bucharest and re-elected in 2003. She served

two terms as Rapporteur of the Third Committee. She is a former legal expert for the Ministry of Envi-

ronmental Protection and in the International Affairs Commission of the Parliament in 1994-1995. She

was elected member of the Georgian Parliament in 1995 and has served as President of the Georgian

Parliament since 2001. From end November 2003 to early January 2004 she served as Acting President

of Georgia. She is an Associate Professor of International Relations at Tbilisi State University.

Barbara Haering (Switzerland)

was elected Vice-President of the Assembly at the 2002 Annual Session in Berlin, having served as Second

Committee Rapporteur since July 1999. A member of Parliament since 1990, Ms. Haering serves on the

Defence Committee and has served as Rapporteur of the Committee on Science, Education and Culture.

Ms. Haering sits on the Governing Board of the University of Ztirich. Since 1998 she has been managing

partner of a private consultancy in the field of sustainable development and new public management.

Gert Weisskirchen (Germany)

was elected Vice-President in 2002 at the Annual Session in Berlin after having served as Chair of the Commit-

tee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions since February 1998. As a Professor ofApplied

Cultural Studies, he has held teaching positions at Humboldt University in Berlin and the Potsdam Polytech-

nic. A Social Democrat, he has been a member of the German Bundestag since 1976 where he has served on

numerous committees focusing on educational and international issues. Mr. Weisskirchen was also recently

appointed as the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Combating anti-Semitism.

Tone Tingsgård (Sweden)

was elected Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at the 2003 Annual Session in Rotterdam,

where she was also appointed as the OSCE PA President's Special Representative on Gender Issues. She

serves as Chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Abkhazia and is a Member of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc

Committee on Moldova. She has participated in and led numerous OSCE PA election observation missions.

She has been a Member of Parliament since 1994 and is Deputy Chair of the Committee on Defence. A Board

Member of the Uppsala University, Ms. Tingsgård is also a Lecturer in Russian at its Slavic Institute.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Nevzat Yalcintas (Turkey)

Annual Session in Rotterdam. Before

was elected as Vice-President of the Assembly at the 2003

1999, he held positions as Chief Columnist of

becoming a Member of Parliament from Istanbul in

Faculty of Economic Sciences at Istanbul Univer-

Daily Tecuman and Daily Turkiye, Lecturer at the

dcasting Company. He is the Head of the

Director of Turkish State Radio and Television Broa

sity and

p and also serves as Member of the Constitu-

Turkish-Russian Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Grou

mbly.

tional Committee of the Turkish Grand National Asse

Giovanni Kessler (Italy)

the 2004 Annual Session in Edinburgh after

was re-elected as Vice-President of the OSCE PA during

former public prosecutor, Giovanni Kes-

having served as Vice-President for one year. A lawyer and

n Chamber of Deputies and Vice President

sler is a Member of the Justice Committee of the Italia

n. In 1998 and 1999, he was the Deputy

of the Italian Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Associatio

in Pristina. He has participated in several

Head of Mission of the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission

cipated in and led election observation

parliamentary visits to OSCE Field Missions and has parti

missions.

Panos Kammenos (Greece)

burgh after having served two years

was elected as Vice-President at the 2004 Annual Session in Edin

been a Member of the Hellenic

as Vice-Chair of the First General Committee. Panos Kammenos has

tary of the Greek Parliament

Parliament since 1993 and is in his fifth term. He served as the Secre

Permanent Committee on National

from 1993-1996 and currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the

anent Committee on Public Order

Defense and External Affairs and is an active member of the Perm

and Justice.

Nebahat Albayrak (Netherlands)

after having served as Rap-

was elected as Vice-President at the 2004 Annual Session in Edinburgh

yrak has a degree in law, and

porteur of the Third General Committee for two years. Nebahat Alba

Affairs and the Directorate for Co-

worked for several years in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign

nal Affairs before being elected

ordination of Integration Policy of Minorities at the Ministry of Inter

tary Standing Committee on

to parliament in 1998. She is currently the Chairperson of the Parliamen

Defence.

Jerry Grafstein (Canada)

in Rotterdam after having served one

was re-elected Treasurer of the Assembly at the Annual Session

mittee. He was appointed Senator

term as Treasurer, and two terms as Vice-Chair of the Second Com

tions law. In 1966 he founded

in 1984, while continuing his law practice in corporate and communica

r of a range of media companies in

and edited the Journal of Liberal Thought and is a co-founde

and edited numerous articles, papers

Canada, South America, Europe and elsewhere. He has written

and books on various topics within communications and politics.

Bruce George (United Kingdom)

dent of the Assembly from July 2002

is President Emeritus, having served two one-year terms as Presi

Defence Committee. During his

to July 2004. Mr. George is Chairman of the House of Commons

eration between the governmental

presidency Bruce George strongly emphasized the enhanced co-op

effectiveness of the Organization. In

and parliamentary dimensions of the OSCE, thus furthering the

and Asian Partners for Co-operation,

addition he further developed relations with the Mediterranean

on Mediterranean Affairs.

and now also serves as the OSCE PA Special Representative

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

osce

IPA

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

he General Committ

One of the most important aspects of the work

of the Annual Session is the deliberation that takes

place in the three General Committees. Following

the Madrid Declaration, three committees were

established along the lines of the three main "bas-

kets" or sections of the Helsinki Final Act: The

`First' General Committee on Political Affairs

and Security; the `Second' General Committee

on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and

Environment; and the `Third' General Committee

on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian

Questions. The Rapporteur of each Committee is

responsible for preparing a report and a draft res-

olution to be presented to the Committee. Other

speakers and experts may also be invited to address

the Committees. After debate and discussion, a

draft resolution is adopted by each Committee

for presentation to the Annual Plenary Session of

the Assembly, which is then included in the Final

Declaration.

The Staff of the International Secretariat

receives invaluable assistance from the British

House of Commons, adding experience and exper-

tise to the General Committees, the plenary ses-

sions, and the drafting Committees. In addition,

international Research Fellows at the International

Secretariat have also provided invaluable research

assistance to the Committee Rapporteurs.

Officers of the General Committee

on Political Affairs and Security

Gilran Lennmarker (Sweden)

was elected Chair of the First Committee at the Annual Session in Berlin having previously

served as Committee Vice-Chair. Mr. Lennmarker has been a Member of the Swedish Par-

liament since 1992 and has since 1995 served as Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee

on Foreign Affairs. Formerly a member of the Swedish delegations to the European Union

and EFTA, he has also been Adviser to the Minister of Health, and Adviser to the Minister of

Foreign Affairs. G6ran Lennmarker is an Assistant Chairman of the International Democrat

Union and Member of the Board of the European Democrat Union.

Jean-Charles Gardetto (Monaco)

was elected as Vice-Chair of the First Committee at the 2004 Annual Session in Edinburgh.

Mr. Gardetto has been a Member of the National Council of Monaco since 2003. He is

Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and a Member of the Legislative, Finance,

Education & Youth and Women's Rights Committees. As an attorney he is active in interna-

tional legal organizations and associations.

Pieter De Crem (Belgium)

was elected Rapporteur of the First Committee at the 2004 Annual Session in Edinburgh.

Pieter De Crem is a member of the Domestic, Foreign and Defence Committees of the Bel-

gian Parliament. Mr. De Crem is the Leader of the Flemish Christian Democrats.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Officers of the General Committee on Economic Affairs,

Science, Technology and Environment

Benjamin L. Cardin (USA)

2003 Annual Session in Rotterdam. He

was elected Chair of the Second Committee at the

ict in the U.S. House of Representa-

has represented Maryland's Third Congressional Distr

the U.S. Helsinki Commission on

tives since 1987. He currently is Ranking Member of

ber of the Ways & Means Committee

Security and Co-operation in Europe. He is also a mem

he served in the Maryland House

and the Homeland Security Committee. Prior to Congress,

House from 1979-1986.

of Delegates from 1967-1986, where he was Speaker of the

Leonid Ivanchenko (Russian Federation)

ual Session in Berlin.

was elected Rapporteur of the Second Committee at the 2002 Ann

ko has had over 60 articles

An economist and Professor of Management, Leonid Ivanchen

ished. Previously Mayor of

on federate inter-budgetary relations and regional policy publ

es in the Russian Federa-

Rostov-on-Don City, he has been elected to legislative authoriti

ent Department of the

tion since 1985. Leonid Ivanchenko is also the Chair of the Managem

Rostov Institute.

Officers of the General Committee on Democracy,

Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions

Claudia Nolte (Germany)

in Edinburgh. Clau-

was elected Chair of the Third Committee at the 2004 Annual Session

and is the member

dia Nolte has been a Member of the German Bundestag since 1990

the German Delegation

of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. She has been a member of

amentary Team on

to the OSCE PA since 2002 and works in the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Parli

Moldova.

Cecilia Wigstriim (Sweden)

Session in Edinburgh.

was elected Vice-Chair of the Third Committee at the 2004 Annual

ber of the Commit-

She is a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Deputy Mem

tee on Justice in the Swedish Riksdag.

4t.

Anne-Marie Lizin (Belgium)

ual Session in Edinburgh.

was elected Rapporteur of the Third Committee at the 2004 Ann

of July 2004, has a long

Anne-Ms. Lizin, elected Speaker of the Belgian Senate in the end

ral years she also worked

history of involvement in women's rights organizations. For seve

er Secretary of State for

as external professor at the University of Liege. Ms. Lizin, a form

Committee of the Belgian

European Affairs, is Chair of the Foreign Relations and Defence

rvation Missions and has

Senate. She has participated in several OSCE PA Election Obse

ova since 2003.

been a Member of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Parliamentary Team on Mold

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Assembly Declaration

First Annual Session in Budapest, 1992

Budapest was the venue for the First Annual Session

of the CSCE Parliamentary Assembly in July 1992.

The Assembly passed the Budapest Declaration which

addressed issues relating to European security, peace-

keeping, environmental co-operation, human rights

and the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. The Declara-

tion also urged parliaments and parliamentarians of the

CSCE to participate more actively in the prevention,

management and settlement of conflicts:

"When regional tensions arise, multilateral

meetings of parliamentarians of counrtries con-

cerned should be arranged to foster democratic

and peaceful solutions."

In addition, all national parliaments were invited to

participte in a session or a debate each year to discuss

the state of progress in CSCE co-operation. Further-

more, the Budapest Declaration recommended that

the CSCE send observers, including parliamentarians

active in CSCE matters, to Kosovo and Vojvodina

and other threatened regions to monitor the protection

of minorities. The Budapest Session also resolved to

accept the invitation of the Danish Parliament (Folket-

ing) to locate the International Secretariat of the CSCE

PA in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Second Annual Session in Helsinki, 1993

"It is the task of the Assem-

bly to bring the views and

suggestions of democratically

elected Parliaments and Par-

liamentarians to the govern-

ments of the CSCE. It is equally

important that in each national

Parliament there are members

who know and understand the CSCE and can

support and influence its policies and direction".

Former CSCE PA President llkka Suominen

The Second Annual Session of the CSCE Parliamen-

tary Assembly was held in Helsinki on 6-9 July 1993.

A full chapter on the crisis in the Former Yugoslavia in

the adopted Helsinki Declaration illustrated the impor-

tance attached to this issue. The Declaration further-

more called for the establishment of a CSCE Security

Committee and a CSCE decision-making procedure

which no longer requires consensus or "consensus-

minus-one". The Assembly expressed its determination

to emphasize monitoring of elections as an important

task on the CSCE Parliamentary agenda. Also, the

wish was expressed that representatives of the Parlia-

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14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

mentary Assembly will join CSCE missions sent to the

centres of potential conflicts and tension. The Helsinki

Declaration appealed to the parliaments of the CSCE

participating States to intensify their efforts to support

the transformation process in the countries of Central

and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. In

Helsinki, the Assembly decided to call a meeting of the

female members of the CSCE at the next session of the

Parliamentary Assembly.

osce

Third Annual Session in Vienna, 1994

In July 1994, the Assembly's Third Annual Session

was hosted in Vienna by the Austrian Parliament.

Again the adopted Vienna Declaration contained

a chapter on the crisis in the Former Yugoslavia.

Other issues addressed in the Declaration included

the development of a Code of Conduct in the field

of political and military security, the Chernobyl

tragedy, the International War Crimes Tribunal and

the human rights situation in Turkey. The Vienna

Declaration furthermore requested that the CSCE

Budapest Summit Meeting debate the creation of

a formal procedure for considering CSCE PA reso-

lutions and recommendations, so that co-operation

between the CSCE Assembly and the CSCE could be

further strengthened. At the same time, the Assem-

bly also urged national parliaments to consider the

creation of a formal procedure for consideration

of the resolutions adopted by the Parliamentary

Assembly of the CSCE. The Assembly continued

to call for change in the CSCE's consensus rule, in

order to accelerate and streamline the CSCE deci-

sion-making procedures.

"Our constituents see death

and destruction on television

news every night. They read

every day about political insta-

bility, attempted coups, crime

and terrible human condi-

tions within the borders of the

OSCE world. In many towns

and cities throughout Europe

they come in direct contact

with refugees and their families fleeingfrom war

and economic deprivation. As parliamentarians,

we have a responsibility to do all that we can to

support and strengthen OSCE efforts to address

these critical problems and to try to prevent the

occurrence of even more crises in thefuture."

Former OSCE PA President Frank Swaelen

The Assembly furthermore called upon participat-

ing States to ensure that equal rights are given to all

individuals as citizens rather than as members of a

particular national or ethnic group. It emphasized that

all persons must be accorded equal consideration and

respect in administrative and legislative decisions. The

Assembly also strongly supported the establishment

of an international criminal court which could hold

accused war criminals accountable for their actions on

the basis of international conventions and other human-

itarian laws.

The Ottawa Declaration also urged the OSCE to

give priority to organizing election monitoring exer-

cises through the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Fourth Annual Session in Ottawa, 1995

The Fourth Annual Session of the Assembly,

hosted by the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on

4-8 July 1995, was the first Annual Session to be

held in North America. The Ottawa Declaration

encompassed a series of resolutions and recom-

mendations relating to OSCE activities regard-

ing the Former Yugoslavia, the Baltic region,

Nagorno Karabakh, Chechnya and Moldova.

The Assembly stressed the need for strengthen-

ing the role and Institutions of the OSCE and

called for the development of criteria that would

allow for the suspension of a participating State

if there has been a "flagrant failure to implement

OSCE decisions and commitments." The Ottawa

Declaration urged the OSCE and its participat-

ing States to actively explore decision-making

procedures based on an approximate consensus.

Fifth Annual Session in Stockholm, 1996

The Fifth Annual Session, held in Stockholm on 5-9

July 1996, focused on the discussion of a Comprehen-

sive Security Model for Europe for the 21st Century.

The final Declaration reiterated the Parliamentary

Assembly's support for the adoption of a broad concept

of security, stressing, inter alia, the importance of eco-

nomic stabilization and environmentally sustainable

development in the security dimension. The Assembly

called for the creation of a common European security

area in which existing OSCE commitments could be

implemented. To carry out these OSCE commitments,

the Declaration also emphasized the need to develop

and strengthen preventive diplomacy, conflict preven-

tion and post-conflict rehabilitation.

The final Declaration expressed concern about con-

flicts within the OSCE region and called on Govern-

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

0 S

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

"The OSCE needs you

representatives of your country

to help in the fulfillment of the

tasks we have been assigned:

to monitor elections, the human

rights situation, and the transi-

tion to democracy.

In its own particular way,

and using the means at its dis-

posal, the Assembly upholds the OSCE and the

values it represents, bringing them and the name

of the Organization to the knowledge of the public.

Your constructive criticism of the OSCE and its

activities is and always will be a contribution tofos-

tering thefulfillment of its role and to the constant

fine-tuning of its calling".

Former OSCE Chairman-in-Office Flavio Cotti

ments to organize and promote campaigns to further

tolerance and fight xenophobia and racism. Further-

more, as proposed in previous sessions, the Assembly

called for the adoption of an approximate-consensus

principle to improve the OSCE decision-making proc-

ess. The Stockholm Assembly also adopted a draft

Code of Conduct on the "Politico-Democratic Aspects

of Co-operation". The Code of Conduct recognized the

increased interdependency of States and stressed that

international conflicts should only be resolved through

peaceful political means. Regarding the dialogue with

the governmental side of the OSCE, the Assembly

expressed satisfaction with the acknowledgement, at

the December 1995 Budapest Ministerial Council, that

the discussions of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

contributed to the work of the Permanent Council.

The Chairman-in-Office was requested to report to the

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on the political action

taken as a result ofAssembly deliberations, discussions

and resolutions.

Sixth Annual Session in Warsaw, 1997

The Sixth Annual Session, held in Warsaw 5-8

July 1997, focused on enhancing the implementa-

tion of commitments undertaken in the context of the

CSCE and OSCE, including the Helsinki Final Act,

the Charter of Paris and the Budapest and Lisbon

Summit documents. A Declaration containing three

basic resolutions, each corresponding to one of the

three main baskets of the Helsinki Final Act, was

adopted.

The Resolution concerning Political Affairs and

Security focused on implementing the principles

of territorial integrity and the inviolability of State

frontiers. In the field of Economic Affairs, Science,

Technology and the Environment, a Resolution

was passed to promote economic co-operation and

provide assistance to the countries undertaking the

transition to market economies. The Resolution on

Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Ques-

tions focused on the importance of the media in a

democracy, stressing that an independent, pluralistic

and free media can play a decisive role in the resolu-

tion of existing conflicts. Moreover, the 1997 Annual

Session adopted a Resolution condemning system-

atic rape during armed conflict.

Seventh Annual Session in Copenhagen, 1998

The Seventh Annual Session, held in Copenhagen

7-10 July 1998, focused on structures, Institutions

and particular perspectives of the OSCE. The Assem-

bly adopted the Copenhagen Declaration recognizing

that, in order to meet the challenge of implement-

ing OSCE principles and commitments with greater

effectiveness, a refinement of existing OSCE tools

and resources should be pursued. The Assembly also

continued to call for revision of OSCE decision-

making procedures and urged the OSCE Ministerial

Council to "consider expanding those circumstances

"In our search to promote

respectfor OSCE commitments,

the recommendations of the

Parliamentary Assembly serve

as a source of inspirationfor the

Danish Chairmanship to stren-

then contacts and co-opera-

tion between the Parliamentary

Assembly and the other OSCE

bodies."

Former OSCE Chairman-in-Office Niels Rely

"Active

Parliamentar-

ians, as representatives of the

people, will gradually provide

the work of the OSCE with a

foundation consolidated by the

agreement of our fellow citi-

zens."

Former OSCE PA President Javier Ruperez

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

"Consensus is difficult to

achieve, but it clearly pays off

when it is reached...I would

not discount, however, the

idea of `approximate consen-

sus putforward and endorsed

by the OSCE Parliamentary

Assembly. Such ideas, which

emanate from a parliamen-

tary body, are most welcome, and represent posi-

tive elements in the continuing dialogue between

parliamentarians and their governments. It may

be that the time for such a change will come

sooner or later:"

"I am very aware of the enormous contribu-

tion the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has made

to election monitoring in various OSCE coun-

tries during the past five years. The fact that you

have sent nearly seven hundred parliamentarians

to observe more than thirty elections during this

period is strong evidence ofyour valuable contri-

bution, as well as your commitment, to the OSCE

effort to build democratic institutions and demo-

cratic parliaments throughout the OSCE area."

Former ØChairman-hi-Office Bronislaw Geremek

under which the existing consensus-minus-one deci-

sion-making mechanism is utilized to include, inter

alfa, approval of budgets, deployment of missions

and selection of senior personnel".

The Assembly further recommended "taking

concrete steps to set up the early warning system

of social and economic indicators with a direct link

to security, as proposed at the Prague meeting of

the Economic Forum of 1996." A Supplementary

Resolution on Kosovo appealed to all parties in the

Kosovo conflict to return to the principles of non-

violence, and denounced the policies of the Govern-

"Your Assembly gives the

OSCE a direct link to the

people. If we did not have the

OSCE Parliamentary Assem-

bly we would have to invent

one immediately... The OSCE

Assembly

Parliamentary

serves as an engine for pro-

moting democratic develop-

ments in Europe."

Prime Minister of Denmark Pout Nyrup Rasmussen

PA'

"It is our duty as the prac-

ticing democratic wing of the

OSCE to lead the way in rein-

forcing and developing the

whole Organization's demo-

cratic credentials in order to

strengthen the OSCE for the

important role it will play in

the 21st Century.

Former OSCE PA President, Helle Degn

ment of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY)

for its military aggression against the Albanian

population of Kosovo. The 1998 Annual Assembly

also adopted a Resolution on the Economic Char-

ter, expressing an awareness of the importance of

economic, social and ecological factors for security

and co-operation in Europe.

Regarding the dialogue with the governmental

side of the OSCE, the Assembly called on the Chair-

man -in-Office to send to the Assembly, at least two

months before its Annual Session, a report consisting

of a political and financial evaluation of the activities

of the OSCE in the last twelve months and a general

plan of priority activities of the OSCE in the next

twelve months. On election monitoring, the Copen-

hagen Declaration recommended that parliamentary

institutions intensify their co-operation and that an

appropriate division of labour be developed between

the parliamentary and governmental institutions,

including separation of responsibilities between

assistance with the organization of elections and

judgment of the quality and fairness of those elec-

tions. Finally, the Copenhagen Declaration urged the

OSCE to implement gender mainstreaming in all its

activities.

"Again, I would call on the

Parliamentary Assembly and

its members to play your role:

you can - better than most - help

convince new political leaders

that prosperity, integration and

peace can only be achieved

when working methods become

a reality in everyday life. I

urge you to make use of your

privileged position in this respect to promote our

common goals."

Former OSCE Chairman-in-Office Knut Vollebaek

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

sce

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

representatives of international organizations on

a periodic basis. The Resolution on Belarus called

upon all political forces in the country to co-operate

in order to find a solution to the country's continuing

political and institutional deadlock.

Eighth Annual Session in St Petersburg, 1999

"The activities of the

Parliamentary Assembly

render a very valuable and

often innovative contri-

bution to the work of the

Organization in promoting

democracy and confidence

building within andbetween

participating States".

lrimnerOl9CE

Benita Ferran-

Ninth Annual Session in Bucharest, 2000

The Ninth Annual Session, held in Bucharest from

6 to 10 July 2000, adopted the Bucharest Declaration

which covered a wide range of political, economic

and human rights issues and includes Resolutions

on specific topics. The Resolution on Belarus called

on all sides to pave the way for free, fair and inter-

nationally recognizable parliamentary elections

in Belarus. The Resolution on Moldova expressed

its concern regarding the stalemate in the negotia-

tions on the status of Transdniestra and emphasized

the need for a common State for all the peoples of

Moldova. The Assembly also adopted a Resolution

on developments in the North Caucasus which called

for a political solution to the conflict in Chechnya,

as well as the earliest possible return of the OSCE

Assistance Group to the area. On arms and weapons

trading, the Assembly passed a Resolution calling

for a convention regulating the trade in arms and the

establishment of an international body with jurisdic-

tion over any violations of the convention.

The Assembly also debated the OSCE recruiting

policies and adopted a Resolution calling for reduced

reliance on secondment in the long-term field missions

to ensure the continuity of the important work carried

out in the missions. On economic and environmental

issues, the Assembly appealed to all OSCE partici-

pating States to honour their commitments under the

Kyoto and Århus Protocols. Other Resolutions included

appeals to abolish the death penalty for all crimes; pre-

serve the ABM Treaty; ensure media freedom in the

OSCE region; combat corruption, and fully implement

the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe under OSCE

auspices. On the dialogue with the governmental side

of the OSCE the Assembly repeated its strong rec-

ommendation that greater transparency be applied to

OSCE Institutions, in order to increase awareness of

OSCE activities and capabilities. To that end, Perma-

nent Council meetings must be made open to the public

except under special circumstances and meetings of

the Forum for Security Co-operation should similarly

become open to the public. The Assembly noted with

satisfaction the Istanbul November 1999 decision by

the OSCE Heads of State or Government to recognize

the Assembly as a key component in the efforts of the

OSCE to promote democracy, prosperity and increased

confidence within and between participating States.

The Eighth Annual Session of the OSCE Parlia-

mentary Assembly was held in St. Petersburg from 6

to 10 July 1999. Looking ahead to the new millennium,

Resolutions corresponding to the main baskets of the

Helsinki Final Act were passed on the general theme of

Common Security and Democracy in the Twenty-First

Century. The St. Petersburg Declaration also included

Resolutions on the situation in Kosovo, the democratic

deficit within the OSCE, the role of the OSCE in crisis

prevention and conflict settlement, the problem of traf-

ficking of women and children, as well as specific reso-

lutions concerning Belarus, Russia and South-Eastern

Europe.

Reiterating the Assembly's commitment to reform-

ing the Institutions of the OSCE and redressing the

democratic deficit in the Organization, the St. Peters-

burg Declaration called for the Parliamentary Assem-

bly to be consulted more widely on issues of major

importance, including developments within the Organ-

ization, such as the appointment of the Secretary Gen-

eral and the budgetary activities of the main OSCE

Institutions. The Declaration also called upon partici-

pating States to give the OSCE greater political weight.

The Declaration reiterated the importance of providing

the Organization with sufficient funding. It also sug-

gested creating a training centre for OSCE personnel

and establishing an approximate-consensus decision-

making process.

The Resolution on the Situation in Kosovo wel-

comed the end of military hostilities, and expressed

support for the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and other

initiatives, such as the Stability Pact for South-

Eastern Europe, which seek to foster co-opera-

tion between States in the region. The Assembly

decided to establish an OSCE PA Democracy Team

on Kosovo, in order to promote the creation of civil

society, development of democracy and the rule of

law with community leaders, political parties, and

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

osce

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regarding women's participation in the labour market, the

interplay between environmental and/or economic factors

and the security of the OSCE region as well as on bringing

n of the Annual Session in Paris from

At the conclusio

legislation on citizenship up to international standards in

6-10 July 2001 the Paris Declaration was adopted. It

the OSCE area.

included a unanimously adopted resolution on strength-

Resolutions were also adopted on abolition of the

ening transparency and accountability in the OSCE. The death penalty; prevention of torture, abuse, extortion

Resolution contained the proposal that before making or other unlawful acts; combating trafficking in human

major decisions, to be defined in future consultations, the beings; combating corruption and international crime;

Ministerial Council should take into account the opinion freedom of the media as well as resolutions on South

of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The Assembly Eastern Europe, the North Caucasus, Moldova and

also recommends that as long as the OSCE complies Ukraine.

with the strict consensus rule it must not be possible to

participate in the decision-making process secretly and

that objections to any proposal must be made known to

"The additional influ-

participating State or OSCE Insti-

any interested OSCE

ence which you bring to bear

tution. An Ad Hoc Committee was established to moni-

on governments and parlia-

resolution and to promote

tor the implementation of the

ments alike is significant. Your

transparency and accountability in the OSCE.

experience as legislators and

economic

The Paris Declaration dealt with political,

elected representatives of your

development and human rights aspects of the central

own citizens gives you a unique

theme of OSCE PA's Tenth Annual Session: "Europea

advantage. Your voice may be

Security and Conflict Prevention: Challenges to the

heard in places where those of

your government representa-

OSCE in the 21st Century". This included issues such as

the implications of the European Security and Defence

tives are disregarded"

Policy (ESDP) for the OSCE Region, as well as parlia-

Former OSCE Chairman-in-Office Mircea Dan

mentary oversight of the European Union's emerging

defence capability. Recommendations were also made

Tenth Annual Session in Paris, 2001

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

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The Resolution on Southeast Europe called upon the

international community to remain actively engaged in

The Berlin Declaration resolutely condemned all acts of the region, while encouraging governments, particularly in

terrorism, whatever their motivations or origin, and under- Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, to undertake greater

lined the solidarity of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly responsibility for public affairs and administration.

On the issue of combating trafficking in human beings,

in the struggle against terrorism. The Declaration reminded

all OSCE participating States that any measures that the Declaration requested that OSCE participating states

may restrict human rights and fundamental freedoms in take appropriate counter-measures including adoption

response to terrorism have to fully respect international law and implementation of legislation guaranteeing effective

and relevant OSCE commitments. Parliaments are encour- criminal prosecution.The Resolution on anti-Semitic vio-

aged to actively protect and promote human rights and fun- lence resolutely condemned the alarming escalation of

damental freedoms during states of emergency and other anti-Semitic violence in the OSCE region. The Resolu-

times of conflict or threats to national security, exercising tion urged all States to make public statements recogniz-

in particular their responsibility for the oversight of execu- ing violence against Jews and Jewish cultural properties

tive power and the creation of law. The Assembly stressed as anti-Semitic, as well as to issue strong, public decla-

the need for the international community to look into the rations condemning these acts. With regard to Roma

root causes often underlying terrorist acts, these being the education, the Declaration recognized the urgent need to

political, economic and social inequalities prevailing in the

world. The Declaration also called upon the governments

"We also need to improve

of participating states to revise the Bucharest Plan ofAction

the visibility of the OSCE and

for Combating Terrorism by including provisions relating

to develop the public outreach

to the impact of terrorism on women, and by recognizing

policy of the Organization. This

the need for increased participation of women in the proc-

is an area of primary impor-

ess of conflict prevention and conflict resolution.

tance if we want to further

The Assembly strongly urged the government of

greater public understanding

Belarus to co-operate with the OSCE in facilitating

and support for OSCE activi-

compliance with OSCE commitments. The Declaration

ties. The Parliamentary Assem-

urged the government of Moldova and the Transdnies-

bly plays a pivotal role in this

trian leadership to resume their contact and dialogue

realm as its activities contribute to bring the OSCE

and to show the necessary political will to define mutu-

closer to our citizens."

ally acceptable arrangements for a comprehensive

settlement on the status of Transdniestria within the

Fonner OSCE Chairman-in-OfficeAntekio Martins da Cruz

recognized borders of the Republic of Moldova.

Eleventh Annual Session in Berlin, 2002

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

develop effective educational programmes addressing the

needs of individuals belonging to Roma and other groups

traditionally identified as Gypsies and to create conditions

for equal opportunity for full participation in the life of

their respective societies.

Thirteenth Annual Session in Edinburgh, 2004

At the close of their meeting in Edinburgh from

5-9 July 2004, more then 300 parliamentarians from

52 OSCE participating States adopted the Edinburgh

Declaration focusing on the political, economic and

human rights aspects of the central theme of the Ses-

sion: "Co-operation and Partnership: Coping with new

Security Threats."

The Edinburgh Declaration recognized that terror-

ism, as a rule, targets civilian populations, and has as

its central objective to cause instability and fear, and

even incite racism and xenophobia. The Assembly con-

demned terrorism in all forms and manifestations and

called upon the international community to target the

profound political, social, economic and environmental

causes of terrorism and to ensure that the fight against

terrorism be carried out in compliance with the princi-

ples of the UN Charter and international law, including

human rights and refugee protection law.

The Assembly also adopted a Resolution on Co-

operation between the OSCE and the OSCE Parlia-

mentary Assembly. With this Resolution the Assembly

reiterated previous recommendations that the OSCE

carry out the necessary reforms with regard to its con-

sensus decision-making procedure. The Resolution

requested that the OSCE PA be given free access to all

OSCE meetings and events and recommended that the

Special Representative of the OSCE PA in Vienna be

included in consultative processes. The Assembly also

recommended that the OSCE PA response to the draft

OSCE budget be discussed in the Permanent Coun-

cil and the Advisory Committee on Management and

"I believe that the OSCE is in need of transfor-

mation. Moreover, I think that the transformation

process should start right away. I am a politician like

all of you here and I am convinced that we should

try to humanize the Organization and bring it closer

to the people and our constituencies, thereby better

responding to their needs and expectations....

"The transformation process requires the input of

parliamentarians and foreign ministries, the interest

of the press, and the awareness

of the public. You, the OSCE

Parliamentary Assembly, play

a vital role in generating fresh

initiatives and influencing deci-

sion-takers to use the OSCE to

tackle contemporary challenges

and to transform it to be better

equipped in the future".

Twelfth Annual Session in Rotterdam, 2003

"Your insights and recom-

mendations are of the utmost

importance. They help to keep

the OSCE relevant and, what is

more important, in touch with

the people of its participating

States".

Chairman-hrOfBee Jaap de Hoop &heifer

The Twelfth Annual Session, held from 5 to 9 July 2003

in Rotterdam, concluded with the adoption of the Rotterdam

Declaration focused on the Session's theme, "The Role of

the OSCE in the New Architecture of Europe". The Declara-

tion stated that with Europe's ongoing development in secu-

rity structures, the OSCE's real strength lies in its capacity to

respond to security threats and challenges and in its strong

field presence. To uphold the credibility of the OSCE, it

added, it is imperative to provide the OSCE field activities

with adequate funding and high-quality staff

The Assembly, the Declaration said, recommended that the

OSCE Permanent Council be requested to consult the PA prior

to making a decision to terminate any OSCE field activity.

The Rotterdam Declaration stresses that the further

enhancement of the economic and environmental dimension

of the OSCE, as an integral part of its comprehensive security

approach, is an essential prerequisite for the OSCE's substan-

tial contribution to the new European security architecture.

The Declaration also suggested that the OSCE should

adopt a more balanced regional approach to promoting

the implementation of the participating States' human

dimension commitments, and take into account the differ-

ences between countries and regions, without neglecting

any of them. In this regard, the Declaration suggested that

the mandate and resources of the High Commissioner on

National Minorities be strengthened.

The Assembly also adopted a resolution on the parlia-

mentary follow-up of OSCE Activities at the National Level.

National Parliaments were encouraged to introduce practices

whereby annual reports on the activities of the OSCE PA by

national OSCE PA delegations are regularly debated in an

appropriate manner in national parliaments.

In addition, the Assembly adopted Resolutions on Com-

bating Anti-Semitism, the International Criminal Court, pris-

oners at the Guantanamo Base, Belarus, Moldova and on

Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

Former OSCE Chairman-in-Office Solomon Passy

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

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Finance. The Assembly also called on National OSCE

PA Delegations to work to ensure that the OSCE PA's

Declarations are followed up at the national level of

parliaments as well as by governments.

The Assembly also adopted a resolution on tor-

ture calling upon all participating States to abide

by the obligation that no exceptional circumstances

may be invoked as a justification of torture. The

Resolution on fulfilling OSCE commitments

regarding the fight against racism, anti-Semitism

and xenophobia called for sustained attention by

the OSCE in fulfilling commitments in this area.

The Edinburgh Declaration stressed that OSCE par-

ticipating States and the Mediterranean Partners for

Co-operation should enter a comprehensive proc-

ess of active dialogue aimed at mutual economic

growth, modernization and expanded trade among

all the States of the OSCE region.

In the resolution on Kosovo, the Assembly called

upon participating States to provide the additional

forces necessary to maintain stability and ensure a

secure environment for those persons wishing to return

to their homes in Kosovo. The Assembly passed a reso-

lution calling for all OSCE participating States to main-

tain and sustain efforts to ensure equal opportunities

for national minorities. The Assembly also discussed as

a matter of urgency the capture and detention of Geor-

gian peace-keepers by South Ossetian armed units and

adopted a resolution calling upon authorities to find an

immediate peaceful solution to the crisis.

The Parliamentary Assembly also adopted resolu-

tions focusing on a total ban on anti-personnel land-

mines; trafficking in human beings; Moldova; Ukraine;

Libya; and peace in the Middle East.

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Former Presidents

At each Annual Session, the Assembly elects the Presi-

dent of the Parliamentary Assembly who acts as the highest

representative of the Assembly and presides over the meet-

ings of the Assembly.

The first President of the Assembly was the Speaker of

the Finnish Parliament, Ilkka Suominen, who was elected

at the 1992 Budapest Session. He led the first OSCE elec-

tion monitoring delegation to Russia in 1993 and became the

first President to address an OSCE Ministerial Meeting. The

President of the Belgian Senate Frank Swaelen, was elected

President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at the

Vienna Session in 1994. He was the first President to address

an OSCE Summit and initiated the first series of bilateral

Presidential visits, including visits to OSCE field missions.

In 1996 Javier Rup&ez, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Com-

mittee of the Spanish Parliament, became President of the

Assembly. He was the first President to participate in meet-

ings of the Troika. Mrs. Helle Degn, Chair of the Foreign

Policy Committee of the Danish Parliament, was elected

President of the Assembly during the 1998 Copenhagen

Session. She continued the work of her predecessors, signifi-

cantly increasing the visibility of the OSCE Parliamentary

Assembly by visiting all OSCE Institutions and numerous

field missions. Mr. Adrian Severin, a former Foreign Minis-

ter of Romania, was elected President during the 2000 Ses-

sion and was the first President of the Assembly from the

Central and Eastern European region. Mr. Severin made a

particular effort at reaffirming institutional dialogue within

the OSCE to enhance the contribution of parliamentarians to

OSCE's role in preventing local conflicts.

Mt Bruce George, Chair of the Defence Committee in

the British House of Commons, was elected President at the

2002 Berlin Annual Session, and was re-elected in 2003.

During his presidency Mr. George has strongly emphasized

the enhanced co-operation between the governmental and

parliamentary dimensions of the OSCE, thus furthering the

effectiveness of the Organization. In addition he enhanced

and further developed the relations with the Mediterranean

and Asian Partners for Co-operation. Mr. George now serves

as President Emeritus of the Assembly.

Bruce George

(2002 - 2004)

Adrian Severin

(2000 - 2002)

Helle Degn

(1998 - 2000)

Javier Rup&ez

(1996 - 1998)

Frank Swaelen

(1994 - 1996)

Ilkka Suominen

(1992 - 1994)

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

osice

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Principal Assembly Activities

Winter Meeting 2005

The OSCE PA Winter Meeting is the second-largest event in the Assembly s' calendar. Every February the PA

meets in Vienna, allowing Members to interact with the Governmental dimension of the OSCE,.follow-up on past

Assembly decisions, and exchange ideas on the reports to be presented at the Annual Session in July.

More than 200 parliamentarians met from 24-25

February 2005 in the OSCE premises in Vienna for the

fourth Annual OSCE PA Winter Meeting. The Winter

Meeting consisted of two Joint Sessions as well as sep-

arate meetings of the three General Committees. On the

first day, parliamentarians heard welcoming remarks

by OSCE PA President Alcee L. Hastings, followed by

addresses by the President of the Republic of Austria,

Dr. Heinz Fischer and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office,

Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, who took

questions from the floor. The Chairman-in-Office high-

lighted the importance of the election-monitoring work

of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and encouraged

parliamentarians to contribute actively to the current

debate on reform of the OSCE.

"The OSCE isfacing a difficult moment, or an

opportunity, depending on how you look at it. Sig-

nificant changes in Europe, with EU and NATO

enlargement and new challenges to security,

have changed the way that we look at security in

Europe, and, as a result, the role of the OSCE.

"You have the reputation of being an incubator

forfresh ideas. At a time when reform is so high on

the OSCE agenda, I urge you to live up to that rep-

utation," he told the gatheredparliamentarians.

The Winter Meeting also served as an opportunity for

parliamentarians to hear presentations by the three Gen-

eral Committee Rapporteurs — Pieter De Crem, Leonid

Ivanchenko and Anne-Marie Lizin — and to discuss ideas

regarding their draft reports for the Session in Wash-

ington, DC. The Second Joint Session of the Winter

Meeting, on 25 February, started with a Report by Tone

Tingsgård, the OSCE PA Special Representative on

Gender Issues, followed by a debate. OSCE Secretary

General Jan Kubi§ also addressed the Meeting, followed

by a question and answer session. The parliamentarians

also heard reports by OSCE PA Treasurer Jerry Grafstein

and OSCE PA Secretary General Spencer Oliver.

A separate brochure on this event is available at

www.oscepa.org

`Copenhagen Plus'

SCE Chairman-in-Office Rupel said at

the Winter Meeting that he was open

to the idea of building upon OSCE elec-

tion commitments agreed in Copenhagen

in 1990. "Bearing in mind the fact that the

OSCE Copenhagen Document is almost 15

years old, I see merit in considering whether

additional commitments are needed. This is

sometimes referred to as `Copenhagen Plus',"

he said.

"But this process should not roll back

existing commitments, or call into ques-

tion the OSCE's high reputation in election-

monitoring. In other words, no `Copenhagen

Minus'. That being said, we need to talk and

to see if and how things can be improved."

The Copenhagen Document outlines basic

criteria for democratic elections and provides

for all participating States to invite observers

from other countries to determine their com-

pliance with OSCE commitments.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

d Kingdom

Armenia

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

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14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Standing Committee Meetings

The Standing Committee consists of 55 heads of national delegations and members of the Expanded Bureau. The

Standing Committee prepares the work of the Assembly and approves the budget.

In conjunction with the 2004 Fall Conference in

Rhodes, the Assembly's Standing Committee met

and discussed the general activities of the Assembly

and followed up on the Assembly's Edinburgh

Declaration. The Committee was briefed by OSCE

Secretary General Jan Kubis on the proposed 2005

OSCE Budget, which was followed by a question

and answer session. The new PA Working Group on

the Budget also met for the first time and agreed to

thoroughly review the OSCE Budget proposal and

prepare comments for the Permanent Council.

OSCE PA Secretary General Spencer Oliver and

Treasurer Jerry Grafstein reported on PA activities

and indicated that the Assembly will have worked

within its annual approved budget for the twelth

consecutive fiscal year.

The Standing Committee also met on February

24 2005 in Vienna, prior to the Winter Meeting. The

parliamentarians heard welcoming remarks by the

President of the Austrian Nationalrat Dr. Andreas

Khol, who called upon all participating States to

address the issue of reform of the OSCE and to bear

in mind the changing security environment after

the enlargement of NATO and the European Union.

OSCE PA President Hastings presented a summary of

his activities undertaken since the previous Standing

Committee meeting in Rhodes. He emphasized his

intention to continue working for the development of

the Parliamentary Assembly as a reliable contributing

partner to the success of the OSCE.

Treasurer Jerry Grafstein reported that the

Parliamentary Assembly continues to operate well

within budget and to maintain the highest standards of

transparency, accountability and efficiency. Secretary

General Spencer Oliver gave a summary of the

activities of the Assembly's International Secretariat

during the past six months. He highlighted the

Assembly's bulletin News from Copenhagen, which

provides a good overall picture of how much has

been done, and of the efforts of the many Members

of the Assembly who regularly contribute their time

and their talent to the work of the Assembly.

The Standing Committee reviewed the results

of the December 2004 OSCE Ministerial Council

in Sofia. The Members proceeded to approve an

amendment to the Assembly's Rules of Procedure,

simplifying the process for election of the President

of the Assembly.

The parliamentarians heard reports on the

Assembly's recent election observation missions to

Belarus, the United States of America, and Ukraine.

The Standing Committee also heard reports on the

work of the Ad Hoc Committee on Transparency and

Accountability in the OSCE, of the Ad Hoc Working

Group on Belarus, and of the Working Group on the

OSCE Budget.

Considering future work, the Standing Committee

heard reports on preparations for upcoming events,

including the Expanded Bureau in Copenhagen, April

18, the Sub-Regional Conference in Tromsø, May

12-13, the Fourteenth Annual Session in Washington,

DC, July 1-5, and the Fall meetings.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

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Rhodes Autumn Meetings

The OSCE PA holds Autumn Meetings even• year at the invitation of a Member parliament, bringing together

parliamentariansfor a Standing Committee meeting, a Conference examining a topical issue, and a Parliamentary

Forum on the Mediterranean.

More than 130 parliamentarians from 43 States

across the OSCE region gathered in Rhodes, Greece,

for the 2004 OSCE PA Autumn Meetings, from 29

September - 1 October 2004. The two-day Conference

on Trafficking in Human Beings heard a series of

presentations and discussions focusing on trafficking

in human beings as a security challenge, trafficking as

a new form of slavery, and international strategies in

the fight against trafficking.

The Conference was addressed by prominent

officials including OSCE PA President Hastings, Anna

Benaki, Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament and Panos

Kammenos, OSCE PA Vice-President and Head of the

Greek Delegation to the OSCE PA. The Conference

was also addressed by senior OSCE officials and

expert speakers including Helga Konrad, OSCE

Special Representative on Combating Trafficking in

Human Beings, Marcin Swiecicki, Co-ordinator of

OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, and

Marjan Wijers, President of the EU Experts Group on

Trafficking in Human Beings.

The Parliamentary Forum on the Mediterranean (1

October), consisted of a series of presentations and

discussions focussing on fighting terrorism in the

Mediterranean and economic security, trade and co-

operation in the Mediterranean. Prominent speakers

included the OSCE PA Special Representative for

the Mediterranean, President Emeritus Bruce George,

OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis, and Janez Lenarcic,

Chairman of the OSCE Mediterranean Contact Group.

A separate brochure on this event is available at il

www.oscepa.org

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

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Parliamentary Conference on Fighting Organized Crime in South Eastern Europe

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A Parliamentary Conference on the "Fight Against

Organized Crime in South Eastern Europe" took place

in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 11-12 November 2004. The

Conference was co-hosted by the OSCE PA and the

Bulgarian Parliament, and was held under the aus-

pices of the "Parliamentary Troika on the Stability

Pact," composed of the OSCE PA, the Parliamentary

Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European

Parliament.

Adrian Severin, former President of the OSCE PA,

addressed the opening session as the Personal Repre-

sentative of President Alcee L. Hastings. Other speak-

ers at the opening session were Professor Ognian

Gerdjikov, Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament, Solo-

mon Passy, Foreign Minister of Bulgaria and OSCE

Chairman-in-Office, Tony Lloyd, Vice-President of

the Council of Europe PA, Ignasi Guardans, Member

of the European Parliament and Dr. Erhard Busek,

Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact.

OSCE PA Vice-President Giovanni Kessler intro-

duced the theme of

the "Fight Against

Organized Crime

— National Legisla-

tion and Challenges

Legislators".

Other representa-

tives of the OSCE

PA included Arta

Dade, Head of the

Albanian Delega-

tion, who spoke on

the "Fight Against

Organized Crime — International Co-operation", Hugo

Coveliers, Head of the Belgian Delegation, who spoke

on the "Fight Against Corruption" and Tosho Peikov,

Head of the Bulgarian Delegation.

The conference agreed on a joint declaration, which

was presented by Adrian Severin at the closing ses-

sion (the full text of this declaration is available at

141,111,17

oscepa. org). In the declaration, the participants

of the Conference call for increased co-operation in

the fight against organized crime in South Eastern

Europe. They express their support to the efforts of

the Stability Pact and appeal to all States concerned

to ratify the relevant international conventions. In par-

ticular, the declaration emphasizes the responsibilities

of legislators and calls for harmonization of national

legislation and effective parliamentary oversights of

the executive.

The declaration also deals with future activities of

the Troika. It calls for the parliaments of South East-

ern Europe to intensify their regional co-operation and

take a more active

role in the parlia-

mentary dimension

to the Stability Pact.

It also suggests that

meetings of special-

ized parliamentary

committees of Par-

liaments of South

Eastern

Europe

take place in order

to tackle common

issues.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

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Participation in the Twelfth OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting in Sofia

The President of the OSCE PA traditionally addresses the 'Ministerial Council of the OSCE in December; which

brings together Foreign Ministersfrom the OSCE participating States.

On 6 December 2004 in Sofia, OSCE PA Pres-

ident Alcee L. Hastings addressed the Opening

Session of the 12th OSCE Ministerial Council.

In his address, he highlighted the contributions

of the Parliamentary Assembly to the work of the

OSCE, the merits of the Bulgarian Chairman-

ship, the need to reform the OSCE, the important

role of parliamentarians in election observation

missions, the support of the Assembly for the

OSCE Statement on Preventing and Combat-

ing Terrorism and the contributions of the PA

in strengthening relations between the OSCE

and its Mediterranean and Asian partners. Mr.

Hastings emphasized that the OSCE Parliamen-

tary Assembly has continued throughout this

past year to fulfill the task set forth in the Char-

ter of Paris and to provide on the international

level some degree of democratic legitimacy to

the OSCE. He congratulated Bulgaria for the

significant work carried out in the past months

in the difficult and challenging task of guiding

the OSCE. "The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

shares the Chairmanship's views on the need for

reform and adaptation of the OSCE. I hope that

this Ministerial gives a much needed impetus to

the Organisation", he said. President Hastings

reminded the Council that with its Resolution on

Co-operation, the Assembly reiterates its previ-

ous recommendations that the OSCE carry out

the necessary reforms with regard to its decision-

making procedure, both in terms of enhancing its

transparency and looking into the possibility of

differentiating the consensus principle, provid-

ing, for instance, for a consensus minus two or

three for decisions on budget and personnel, par-

ticularly for heads of institutions and missions

and other high-level personnel. President Hast-

ings welcomed Slovenia to the Chairmanship of

the OSCE in 2005. "We very much look forward

to working with our Slovenian friends in promot-

ing the principles that make the OSCE a unique

Organisation", he concluded.

The full text of President Hastings' address is

available at www.oscepa.org

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

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14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Expanded Bureau Meeting

The OSCE PA Expanded Bureau convenes every Spring in the Danish Parliament, bringing together the Assem-

bly's President, Um-Presidents, Treasurer and Officers of the three General Committees to preparefor the Assem-

blys Annual Session in July.

Under the Chairmanship of President Alcee L.

Hastings, the Expanded Bureau met on April 18 2005

in preparation for the Annual Session in Washington,

DC. The Expanded Bureau was warmly welcomed

by the Head of the Danish Delegation, Kristian Pihl

Lorentzen, who expressed his hopes that the crisis

faced by the OSCE Governmental side would soon

be overcome.

In his opening remarks, President Hastings noted

the disturbing situation currently faced by the OSCE

in Vienna. He noted that, considering the difficulties

faced by the Organization, the focus of the Session

in Washington, `30 Years Since Helsinki: Challenges

Ahead', is very timely. Mr. Hastings remarked that

the OSCE region is increasingly faced by non-tra-

ditional security threats, which pose new challenges

and require consideration of new approaches. He also

lauded the OSCE's active work in combating intoler-

ance, and noted the contribution that the Parliamen-

tary Assembly is making in this regard.

Regarding future work, the President also spoke

of a colloquium, being organized jointly by the Par-

liamentary Assembly and the Swiss Foundation for

World Affairs, to consider ways of strengthening the

OSCE. Meeting in June, this colloquium will bring

together OSCE experts, diplomats and politicians

to complement the OSCE Eminent Person's Group

appointed by the Chairman-in-Office.

The Expanded Bureau also heard a Special Report

by Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland) on recent develop-

ments in Kyrgyzstan, and on the results of the recent

election observation there and in Moldova. In his

report, Mr. Kiljunen offered a number of ideas on

how the OSCE PA can support developments and

democratization efforts in Kyrgyzstan.

The Rapporteurs of the three General Commit-

tees presented their draft reports and resolutions for

the upcoming Annual Session. Pieter DeCrem (Bel-

gium), Leonid Ivanchenko (Russia), and Anne-Marie

Lizin (Belgium), briefed on their reports and draft

resolutions, which focus on the central theme for the

Washington Session. Members extensively discussed

the draft reports, and provided feedback on their con-

tent to the Rapporteurs.

The Assembly Treasurer, Senator Jerry Grafstein

(Canada), reported to the Expanded Bureau that the

Assembly continues to function efficiently and within

budget. He praised the International Secretariat's

financial management by Secretary General Spencer

Oliver and his Financial Assistant, Per-Henrik Diirr.

Secretary General Spencer Oliver gave an over-

view of current activities by the International Sec-

retariat, mentioning the News from Copenhagen as

a tool for staying up-to-date on Assembly activi-

ties. The Secretary General informed the Expanded

Bureau that he had appointed Tina Schøn as Deputy

Secretary General. He mentioned work by the Inter-

national Secretariat on compiling a `Members Direc-

tory' of all OSCE PA parliamentarians. The Expanded

Bureau was also informed of preparations for upcom-

ing activities of the Assembly.

Members were also briefed on the work of the

Assembly's Ad Hoc Committees and Special Rep-

resentatives. Supplementary items on several of the

issues addressed by these Members are expected to

be presented at the Annual Session in July.

Members of the Expanded Bureau also discussed

proposed changes to the Rules of Procedure, vig-

orously exchanging views on whether or not any

changes should be considered.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

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14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Tromso Sub-Regional Conference on the High North

Every two years the OSCE PA organizes a Sub-Regional Conference, providing parliamentarians

with occasions to exchange views with colleagues and international experts and to deepen their under-

standing of OSCE issues.

Meeting for two days in northern Norway, more

than 80 parliamentarians from across the OSCE region

gathered to debate environmental and security chal-

lenges faced by the northern reaches of the Organiza-

tion. OSCE PA Members from 26 States, including

both northern and southern OSCE regions, met in

Tromsø, on May 12-13, at the invitation of the Nor-

wegian Delegation to the OSCE PA, Headed by Mr.

Bjørn Hernæs. This sub-regional conference, organ-

ized by the Parliamentary Assembly, highlighted the

links between environmental concerns and security

challenges in the Arctic region.

Welcoming participants, Mr. Jørgen Kosmo, Presi-

dent of the Norwegian Parliament, stressed the long

history of co-operation between states in the Arctic

region. He noted, however, that environmental and

security challenges remain and that they continue to

pose a threat to the region. Mr. Kosmo welcomed the

convening of this inter-parliamentary Conference as

an important method of exchanging views and experi-

ences between decision-makers in the Arctic states.

In his opening address to the Conference, Assem-

bly President Alcee L. Hastings noted the increasing

prominence of new security challenges related to the

environment. He stressed the importance of inter-

generational solidarity, and called upon participants

to maintain a long-term perspective in their discus-

sions and debates, reminding Members that economic

development and environmental protection must be

integrally linked.

Addressing the Conference, the Norwegian Minis-

ter for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jan Petersen, highlighted

the many environmental and other challenges faced

by the Arctic, stressing that these would require much

more international attention in the future. He noted the

potential for this increased focus and co-operation in

stating that "Conflict has been replaced by a common

concern about the challenges we face in the Arctic."

Following the opening of the Conference, the

parliamentarians met in four separate sessions deal-

ing with specific themes on Climate Change; Nuclear

Waste; Petroleum Exploration; and Resource Manage-

ment and Pollution. The Conference was addressed by

expert speakers and senior government officials who

gave presentations on the primary topics of debate.

Following these presentations, parliamentarians

engaged the speakers on their areas of expertise, dis-

cussing the regional and global consequences of the

challenges addressed by the speakers. These focused

discussions provided Members with comprehensive

information on the topics, which can be reflected in

their legislative work.

In closing the Conference, President Hastings

stressed the duties of all those gathered, from the

Arctic and beyond. He stated that "we are all respon-

sible for trying to find alternatives to the unsustain-

able exploitation of natural resources that is leading to

the worrying situations described in this conference."

He further noted that "This conference does not con-

clude here. I invite all of us to work in our respective

parliaments to implement the principles and ideas that

we have shared here in Tromsø."

The Tromsø Conference was the fourth Sub-

Regional Conference organized by the OSCE

PA, following Bern (2003), Nantes (1999), and

Monaco (1997).

A summary report on this event is available at

14.14'14:oscepa.org

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

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OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

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14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Presidential Activities

U.S. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings was elected

President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in

July 2004 at the 13th Annual Session in Edinburgh,

Scotland.

He has been a Member of U.S. Congress since

1993, representing his native state of Florida and

most recently re-elected in 2004. President Hast-

ings graduated from Fisk University in Nashville,

Tennessee and earned his law degree from Florida

A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. Appointed

by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, he became the

first African-American Federal Judge in the State of

Florida, and served in that position for ten years.

He has also served as OSCE PA Vice-President,

Chair and Vice-Chair of the First General Commit-

tee, as well as two terms as Committee Rapporteur.

Alcee L. Hastings is a member of the House

Rules Committee, and a senior member of the

Select Committee on Intelligence. He also serves

as one of only four House Democrats on the U.S.

Helsinki Commission. He is Vice-Chairman of the

Democratic Select Committee on Election Reform,

and is Vice-Chairman of the Florida Delegation. As

an attorney, judge and civil rights activist, he has

championed the rights of minorities, women, the

elderly, children and immigrants.

Since his election in Edinburgh, President Hast-

ings has been very active in strengthening the role

of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly as a key insti-

tution promoting inter-parliamentary dialogue and

co-operation. As the highest political representa-

tive of the Assembly, the President has addressed

the OSCE Permanent Council, participated in the

OSCE Ministerial Council in Sofia, and has paid

bilateral visits to many OSCE participating States.

(.#

Congressman Hastings has also been the first Presi-

dent of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to have

visited all the OSCE Mediterranean partners for

Co-operation. In addition to appointing, in co-oper-

ation with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, senior

PA Members to lead election observation missions

in six countries, Congressman Hastings was in

Ukraine to help lead the observation mission of the

December 26 Presidential Elections.

In all of his speeches and public statements,

President Hastings has called for the need to reform

the OSCE and adapt the Organization to face new

threats and challenges. To illustrate this point, Pres-

ident Hastings has held numerous contacts during

his mandate with the Chairmen-in-Office of the

OSCE, Foreign Ministers Solomon Passy from

Bulgaria and Dimitrij Rupel from Slovenia.

As President of the Assembly, Congressman

Hastings has also taken the lead in making the

combat of anti-Semitism and other forms of dis-

crimination one of the main priorities of the Assem-

bly. The President has led during the past year two

high level delegations of parliamentarians to the

OSCE conferences on Combating Anti-Semitism

and other forms of discrimination held in Brussels

and C6rdoba.

The President of the Assembly has also continued

to develop close co-operation with other interna-

tional parliamentary assemblies such as the Parlia-

mentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the

NATO Parliamentary Assembly. The President has

addressed both Assemblies in the past year.

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14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

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Election Observation

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has developed a

particularly active programme for observing elections in

the OSCE area. The presence of parliamentary observ-

ers at elections emphasizes the importance of legislatures

as institutions that must provide a balance to executive

authority. Due to the fact that parliamentarians are them-

selves directly elected public officials, local and interna-

tional media often greatly value their observations.

In 1997 a Co-operation Agreement between the

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human

Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

was signed, defining the respective roles of the two Insti-

tutions in election observation missions. The ODIHR is

responsible for arranging Needs Assessment Missions,

long-term observation and establishing an OSCE Co-

ordination Office prior to elections. Long-term observers

are sent into the field several weeks before an election,

so that the OSCE can properly evaluate developments

leading up to the election. The OSCE Parliamentary

Assembly's role is to deploy parliamentarians, primarily

as short-term observers, and to provide political leader-

ship to the OSCE observation operation.

The Co-operation Agreement states that the OSCE

Chair-in-Office may designate a political figure as a Spe-

cial Co-ordinator to lead the OSCE Observation Mission.

Normally, this person, who also acts as a Representative

of the Chair-in-Office, will be the President of the OSCE

Parliamentary Assembly or another senior official of the

Assembly. The Special Co-ordinator works closely with

the ODIHR on-site Co-ordinator of the election obser-

vation mission who assists the parliamentary delegation

with critical logistical support. The Special Co-ordinator

delivers the OSCE Post-Election Statement in conjunction

with other appropriate officials.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has also devel-

oped close co-operation with the Parliamentary Assem-

bly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament

and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in observing

elections. Since the programme began, more than 1800

parliamentarians from over forty countries have pro-

vided their expertise to the OSCE in the field of elec-

tion observation.

electronic voting was introduced. "It is disappointing

that the improved election legislation did not result in

a more transparent election than we witnessed yester-

day," concluded Vice-President Ostash. "However, we

did note some improvements from previous elections

and we stand ready to continue the work with the elec-

tion authorities to strengthen both the legislation and

the process."

The OSCE PA delegation consisted of 30 parliamen-

tarians from 15 participating States. Prior to election

day, the parliamentarians attended an extensive brief-

ing programme, during which they heard from leaders

of the main political parties, representatives of the mass

media, observers and experts. On election day, parlia-

mentary observer teams were deployed in the Almaty

and Astana areas.

Kazakhstan

19 September 2004

On 20 September 2004 in Astana, OSCE PA Vice-

President Ihor Ostash, appointed by the C-i-O as Spe-

cial Co-ordinator for the short-term observers, delivered

the preliminary post-election conclusions on the previ-

ous day's parliamentary elections, in conjunction with

Tana de Zulueta, Head of the parliamentary delega-

tion of the Council of Europe, and Ambassador Robert

Barry, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation

Mission. The joint statement concluded that the elec-

tions in Kazakhstan fell short of OSCE and Council of

Europe standards in many respects. Of particular con-

cern were the failure to fully implement improved elec-

tion observation legislation and the manner in which

Belarus

17 October 2004

Presenting the preliminary post-election statement

on Belarus' parliamentary elections, Vice-President

Tone Tingsgård, along with Ambassador Audry Glover,

Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mis-

sion, concluded that the elections in Belarus fell sig-

nificantly short of OSCE commitments for democratic

elections.

The Belarusian authorities failed to ensure the fun-

damental conditions necessary for the will of the people

to serve as a basis for authority of government. Freedom

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

of expression, association and assembly were seriously

challenged. This calls into question the willingness of

the authorities to respect the concept of political com-

petition on a basis of equal treatment, stated the OSCE

Election Observation Mission. "Democratic principles

were largely disregarded by the authorities. Many can-

didates were actively excluded from registering or were

deregistered, which limited the choice of voters", said

OSCE PA Vice-President Tone Tingsgård, appointed by

the OSCE Chairman-in-Office as Special Co-ordinator

for the Short-term Observers.

44 OSCE parliamentarians from 25 States observed

the elections with the OSCE PA delegation. The pre-

liminary statement also stressed that the OSCE and its

institutions represented in the Election Observation

Mission remained prepared and committed to assisting

the national authorities, including the National Assem-

bly, and civil society in Belarus, in overcoming the

noted impediments to the conduct of democratic elec-

tions.

resources. International observers also criticized the

State media and State administration for overwhelming

bias in favour of Mr. Yanukovych. Senator Jerry Graf-

stein, Treasurer of the OSCE PA, was Deputy Head of

the OSCE PA delegation of 46 observers.

23 parliamentarians returned to Ukraine as part of

the OSCE PA delegation to observe the second round

of the presidential elections on 21 November. At a press

conference the following day, Mr. George reminded his

audience that three weeks ago the IEOM had appealed to

the Ukrainian authorities to use the interim three weeks

between the two rounds of elections to improve on the

shortcomings of the first round. "Today I announce that

it is with an even heavier heart that we have to con-

clude that the authorities did not respond positively to

our appeal." The IEOM preliminary statement lists a

number of significant shortcomings. They include the

abuse of state resources in favour of the incumbent

Prime Minister, demonstrating a widespread disregard

for the fundamental distinction between the State and

partisan political interests.

On 27 December, Mr. George was able to announce

a significantly different conclusion on the repeat of

second round. "I cannot express to you how delighted

I am to say that in our collective view Ukraine's elec-

Ukraine

31 October, 21 November, 26 December 2004

From October to December, OSCE PA President

Emeritus Bruce George visited Ukraine three times to

lead OSCE election observation missions as the Spe-

cial Co-ordinator for the presidential elections of the

OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

On 1 November on behalf of the International Elec-

tion Observation Mission (IEOM), which included rep-

resentatives from the OSCE PA, Council of Europe PA,

NATO PA, European Parliament and the ODIHR, Mr.

George announced that "With heavy heart we have to

conclude that the 2004 Presidential elections in Ukraine

did not meet a considerable number of OSCE, Council

of Europe and other international standards for demo-

cratic elections". The preliminary post-election con-

clusions noted that the incumbent Prime Minister and

candidate Mr. Yanukovych's campaign did not make

a clear separation between resources owned or man-

aged by the incumbent political forces and the State

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

tions have moved substantially closer to meeting OSCE

and other European standards in such a short period of

time. In our judgment the people of this great country

can be truly proud that yesterday they took a great step

towards free and democratic elections, by electing the

next President of Ukraine", concluded President Emer-

itus Bruce George.

The International Election Observation Mission

(IEOM), composed of the OSCE PA, Council of Europe

PA, European Parliament, NATO PA and the OSCE /

ODIHR concluded that there had been great improve-

ment in the work of the election administration, in

particular, the Central Election Commission. Other

positive elements included fewer examples of abuse

of state resources, respect for freedom of association,

media coverage was significantly more balanced, edi-

torial instructions issued to journalists disappeared and

there were far fewer reports of people dependent on the

State for their livelihood being pressured in their choice

of candidate. However, some shortcomings remained,

such as poorly prepared voter lists, inflammatory cam-

paign material and the failure to incorporate provisions

in the newly amended electoral legislation clarifying

the role of the police on election day and requiring the

Central Election Commission to publish all polling sta-

tion results promptly.

The OSCE PA Observer Team of 90 parliamentari-

ans was also led by PA President Alcee L. Hastings and

Senator Jerry Grafstein, who participated in the nego-

tiations on the unanimously agreed joint statement. The

IEOM deployed a record 1 370 observers for the 26

December elections.

USA

2 November 2004

The OSCE PA deployed forty-six parliamentarians

from 23 OSCE countries across the United States in

the first comprehensive OSCE election observation

mission to the USA. OSCE PA President Alcee L.

Hastings had chosen Vice-President Barbara Haering

to lead the Short-Term Observation Mission and asked

the Chairman-in-Office to appoint her as the Special

Co-ordinator of the C-i-O, who also appointed Gio-

vanni Kessler as the deputy to Mrs. Haering. Since

the OSCE / ODIHR chose to deploy only a limited

observation mission, the PA International Secretariat,

assisted by the staff of President Hastings as well as

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Congressmen Hoyer and Cardin, was responsible for

the organization of the entire programme, including

deployment and briefings. On 4 November Mrs. Haer-

ing delivered the preliminary post election statement at

the National Press Club in Washington. The statement

concluded that the 2 November elections in the USA

met most of OSCE commitments. According to the

statement the presidential elections were concluded in

a highly competitive environment, and leading candi-

dates enjoyed the full benefits of media. However, the

Election Observation Mission took notice of the fact

that only a very small proportion of the elections for

the 434 congressional districts are generally considered

to be competitive. In some cases this may be attributed

to the way congressional boundaries are drawn. Mrs.

Haering also underlined the importance of the fact that

the US Government had invited the OSCE to carry out

this Election Observation Mission. "It is a sign of the

credibility of the USA within the OSCE. And carrying

out this Election Observation Mission in keeping with

normal practice in the OSCE in accordance with agree-

ments made by the 55 OSCE participating countries,

enhances the credibility of the Organization".

0 s e

PA.

of the potential of civil war undermined the pre-election

environment, as did the restrictive application of the

Election Code, which cancelled the right to candidacy

of a number of prominent individuals on the grounds

that, as former diplomats, they had recently lived out-

side of the country. Nonetheless, the IEOM noted posi-

tive trends in some areas, including an improved legal

framework, greater competition offering voters a genu-

ine choice in candidates, and improved transparency at

polling stations.

The OSCE PA delegation consisted of seven parlia-

mentarians from five OSCE participating States.

Moldova

6 March 2005

Kimmo Kiljunen, who was appointed by the OSCE

Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel as the OSCE Spe-

cial Co-ordinator for the Moldovan parliamentary elec-

tions, led a delegation of 53 OSCE parliamentarians

from 16 participating States. The preliminary conclu-

sions, as delivered by Mr. Kiljunen, note that the elec-

tions generally complied with most OSCE and Council

of Europe commitments, yet fell short of meeting some

that are central to a genuinely competitive election

process. Delivering the preliminary conclusions of the

International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) at

a press conference in Chisinau on March 7 along with

colleagues from the Council of Europe Parliamen-

tary Assembly, European Parliament and the OSCE-

ODIHR, Mr. Kiljunen highlighted positive elements

of the election process. The pluralistic party system

in Moldova, an active civil society, and the increased

number of woman candidates all contributed to the

conclusion that the elections generally complied with

most OSCE and Council of Europe election commit-

ments. However, the preliminary conclusions state that

biased television coverage, abuse of public resources,

and attempts to prevent the election from unfolding in a

free and competitive manner undermined the process.

Kyrgyzstan

27 February 2005

On 28 February, Kimmo Kiljunen, in his capac-

ity as the OSCE C-i-O's Special Co-ordinator for the

elections, announced that "These elections were more

competitive than previous ones, but sadly this was

undermined by vote buying, de-registration of candi-

dates, interference with media and a worryingly low

confidence in judicial and electoral institutions on the

part of voters and candidates". In presenting the prelim-

inary conclusions of the Observation Mission — a joint

undertaking of the OSCE PA, the European Parliament

and the OSCE-ODIHR — Mr. Kiljunen highlighted a

number of negative aspects. In particular, repeated

warnings in advance of the elections by high officials

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

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OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

OSCE Prize for Journalism and Democracy

and

The OSCE Prizefor Journalism and Democracy was established by the Parliamentary Assembly in 1996

has since become an important instrument in raising awareness on media freedom issues worldwide. The Prize

is awarded annually to journalists and organizations who, through their work, have promoted OSCE principles

of human rights and democracy.

According to the Rules governing the Prize, "The

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will present the prize

to journalists, or groups of journalists, working for

the print or electronic media, who have, through their

work, promoted the OSCE principles on human rights

and democracy." The Prize amounts to USD 20,000

and is granted annually to one or more winners. The

funding is raised through private donations from pub-

lishing companies in OSCE participating States.

Awarding the first Prize to Polish journalist Adam

Michnik, Mrs. Birgitta Dahl, Speaker of the Swedish

Riksdag remarked that: "His intellectual and moral

standing expressed with total courage laid the foun-

dation for, and was one of the most important driving

forces behind the political developments in Poland

which led to democratization."

The second Prize was given to Reporters sans Fron-

ti&es, the independent organization founded in 1985

that works on behalf of journalists who have been per-

secuted or imprisoned for their reporting. Through their

work around the world, particularly during the war in

Bosnia, Reporters sans Fronti&es has promoted OSCE

principles on human rights and democracy.

In 1998 the Prize was presented to Timothy Garton

Ash by the Speaker of the Danish Folketing, Mr. Ivar

Hansen, who commended Mr. Garton Ash for his

"analyses of the political developments in the former

communist states of Central-Eastern Europe."

In 1999, the fourth Prize was awarded to the Ms.

Christiane Amanpour, who earned her reputation

as an international correspondent beginning with

her coverage of the dramatic changes following the

collapse of Communism in 1989 and 1990.

In 2000, the Prize was awarded to Andrei Babitsky.

Presenting the Prize, the Chairman of the Third Com-

mittee, Gert Weisskirchen stated that "Andrei Babitsky

is awarded this Prize because as a journalist, he reports

on the life-endagering situations that people may find

themselves in if power alone is at stake."

In 2001, the Prize was awarded in absentia to Span-

ish journalist Jose Luis Lopez De Lacalle, who was

killed in a May 2000 terrorist attack, and Ukrainian

journalist Georgiy Gongadze, who was murdered in

2000 in what many people believe to be a direct order

from the office of the Ukrainian president.

In 2002, the OSCE PA awarded the Prize to Aus-

trian TV-journalist Friedrich Otter and Belarusian TV-

journalist Pavel Sheremet. Dr. Otter was recognized

for promoting the OSCE principles of human rights

and democracy through his reporting in the Balkans

and Afghanistan. Mr. Sheremet was granted the award

for his courage in reporting on the lack of freedom

of expression in Belarus and on violations of human

rights, including disappearances of opposition politi-

cians and journalists.

In 2003 the Prize was granted to Anna Politko-

vskaya for her extensive and balanced reporting in

Chechnya, drawing attention to widespread human

rights abuses in the region.

Last year the OSCE PA awarded the Prize to

the Committee to Protect Journalists, which has

gained international recognition as a non-profit,

non-partisan organization dedicated to the global

defence of press freedom.

Past Recipients

morters

' borders

Adam Michnik

1996

Reporters sans frontieres

1997

Timothy Garton Ash

1998

Christiane Amanpour

1999

Andrei Babitsky

2000

4,4

cp1

Friederich Orter &Pavel Sheremet

2002

Anna Politkovskaya Committee to

Prnied

2004

2003

JoELUpczdeLacalle&Geotgiyaugadze

2001

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

0 sce

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

International Secretaria

on the same level as other diplomatic missions in

Denmark.

The primary responsibility of the International

Secretariat is to support and organize all activities

of the Assembly, including the Annual Session, the

Winter Meeting, meetings of the Standing Commit-

tee, the Bureau and Expanded Bureau, and other

meetings and conferences of the Assembly. It also

serves as a central communications link between the

OSCE parliamentary delegations, other OSCE Insti-

tutions and the Parliamentary Assembly.

The Secretariat maintains the records of Parlia-

mentary Assembly activities and programmes car-

ried out since it was established in 1993, including

the minutes of all official meetings. The Secretary

General, along with Financial Assistant Per-Henrik

Diirr, is responsible for the financial affairs and

administration of the Assembly under the guidance

and oversight of the Treasurer, Senator Jerry Graf-

stein (Canada). Independent audits by outside audi-

tors from KPMG are carried out on at least an annual

basis. Expenditures have consistently remained

within the annual approved budget since the Interna-

tional Secretariat was established in 1993.

The Secretariat provides support to the President,

the Bureau, the Officers of the three General Com-

mittees and the ad hoc Committees, as well as the five

Special

Representatives

and other missions. The

Staff of the Secretariat also

organizes special missions

and visits, as well as elec-

tion observation projects.

Senior staff have partici-

pated in meetings of the

OSCE Permanent Council

and the Ministerial Troika

and frequently represent

the Assembly at other

meetings and forums.

In January 2003, the

International Secretariat

opened a Liaison Office

in Vienna, headed by a

Special Representative, to

facilitate communication

with the OSCE structures

OSCE PA International Secretariat Headquarters, Copenhagen, Denmark

in Vienna.

A decision was made at the First Annual Session

in Budapest to accept the invitation of the Danish

Folketing to locate the International Secretariat of

the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen.

The Standing Committee met in Copenhagen in

January of 1993 to approve the Bureau's choice of a

Secretary General and to adopt formal Rules of Pro-

cedure for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and a

budget for its Secretariat.

The Standing Committee unanimously approved

R. Spencer Oliver of the United States as the Assem-

bly's first Secretary General. The Secretary Gen-

eral appoints two deputies to support his work. The

Secretary General recently promoted Programme

Officer Tina Schøn to the position of Deputy Sec-

retary General, to join Deputy Secretary General

Vitaly Evseyev who has been with the Assembly for

twelve years. The Standing Committee has twice

unanimously re-elected Secretary General R. Spen-

cer Oliver to new five-year terms.

The Danish Folketing, as a gift to the Assem-

bly, provides premises near the Danish Parliament,

and equipment for the Assembly's use, making the

Danish Parliament the single largest contributor to

the budget of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

The Danish Government signed a headquarters

agreement with the Assembly, providing for full

international diplomatic privileges and immunities

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

-giers of the International Se

R. Spencer Oliver, United States

Secretary General Spencer Oliver was chosen as the first Secretary General

of the International Secretariat by the first Bureau meeting of the OSCE Parlia-

mentary Assembly in October 1992 and confirmed unanimously by the Standing

Committee of Heads of Delegation at their meeting in Copenhagen in 1993. The

Standing Committee of Heads of Delegations decided in 1995 to provide for a

five year term for the Secretary General. At that time Mr. Oliver was unani-

mously re-elected and was subsequently re-elected to a second five year term

which runs through 2005. He served twenty-two years as a staff member in the

US Congress, including as Chief of Staff of the US Helsinki Commission from

1976-1985 and as Chief Counsel of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US

House of Representatives until January 1993. He also served in several senior

diplomatic positions on US delegations to CSCE Review and Expert meetings

between 1977 and 1993.

The Secretary General's mandate includes responsibility for managing the

affairs of the Assembly, ensuring the efficiency of the Secretariat, and carrying

out the decisions of the Bureau, the Standing Committee and the Assembly. He

reports to the President, the Bureau, the Standing Committee and the Annual

Session. He nominates the two Deputy Secretary Generals, who must be con-

firmed by the Standing Committee. He appoints and directs the staff of the Sec-

retariat and works with the Treasurer to prepare and administer the budget of the

Assembly. Along with the Treasurer, he is responsible for the management of the

Assembly's financial resources. He represents the Assembly at various official

meetings of the OSCE and such other meetings and functions that may be appro-

priate. He also maintains regular contacts with members of the Bureau, Heads

and Secretaries of Delegations, and OSCE officials in other OSCE Institutions.

He works on a regular basis with the Secretary Generals of the Parliamentary

Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the NATO

Parliamentary Assembly.

Vitaly Evseyev, Russian Federation

Deputy Secretary General Vitaly Evseyev has extensive experience in diplo-

matic and international parliamentary affairs, having served for more than seven

years at the International Secretariat of the United Nations in New York and for

nearly nine years as the Assistant Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary

Union. He has also served in senior positions in the Russian Parliament. He speaks

fluent French and English.

Mr. Evseyev has primary responsibility for organizing all of the meetings of the

Assembly, including the Annual Sessions, meetings of the Standing Committee and

the Bureau, and various conferences and seminars. In addition, he is responsible

for working with the Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and

Environment (Second Committee) and serves as the liaison officer with the Inter-

Parliamentary Union and the Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS, as well as with the

national parliaments of the CIS region. He has also headed several election moni-

toring projects, including elections in Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Azerbaijan and

Armenia. Mr. Evseyev joined the staff in March of 1993.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

osce

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Jan Jooren, Netherlands

Tina Salon, Denmark

Programme Officer Tina Schøn has

primary responsibility for the Caucasus,

including the ad hoc committee on Abk-

hazia and the Special Representative on

Nagorno Karabakh. She has visited the

region on several occasions and partici-

pated in all election monitoring projects

in the area. Ms. Schøn works with the

Secretary General on issues related to the

General Committee on Political Affairs

and Security as well as the Ad Hoc Com-

mittee on Transparency and Accountability, and also serves as the

Gender Adviser in the International Secretariat. Ms. Schøn was

recently promoted to the position of Deputy Secretary General. She

has a Masters degree in international relations and apart from the

Scandinavian languages, she speaks fluent English and French, as

well as some German. Ms. Schøn joined the office in April 1999.

Press Counsellor Jan Jooren is a

career civil servant, specialising as an

information officer with the Dutch gov-

ernment. He has also worked in a senior

position with the Foreign Affairs Com-

mittee of the Dutch parliament. He was

seconded by the Dutch government as

the press officer for annual OSCE PA

Sessions from 1993 through 1997, as

well as for several election monitoring

projects. Since the fall of 1998, he has

been seconded on a full-time basis by the Dutch parliament and

government to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's International

Secretariat in Copenhagen. He is responsible for press and public-

ity related to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's activities. He

is responsible for publishing the OSCE PA's internal newsletter,

Newsfrom Copenhagen, administrating the OSCE PA website and

providing information on the PA for the OSCE Newsletter pub-

lished by the governmental OSCE in Vienna. He also oversees the

production of various brochures and other materials describing and

publicising the work of the Parliamentary Assembly.

Paul LeGendre, United States

Programme Officer Paul LeGendre

has primary responsibility for Central

Asia and works with Deputy Secretary

General Vitaly Evseyev in that area as

well as in other countries in the geograph-

ical area of the former Soviet Union. Mr.

LeGendre has a Masters degree from

Columbia University in international

affairs and speaks fluent French and

Russian. He formerly served as a staff

member for the International League for

Human Rights in New York and also worked for the Committee

to Protect Journalists. He works with the Working Group on Bela-

rus and with the Parliamentary Team on Moldova, as well as on

matters related to the Committee on Democracy, Human Rights

and Humanitarian Questions (Third Committee). Mr. LeGendre

joined the office in June 2000.

Andreas Nothelle,

Germany

Ambassador Andreas Nothelle is

a constitutional lawyer and a senior

career civil servant, who has served in

the German Bundestag for more than

18 years. He was seconded by the Bun-

destag to head the OSCE PA Liaison

Office in Vienna which serves, since

its establishment in February 2003, as

an important link in the communica-

tion between the governmental OSCE structures in Vienna and

the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Mr. Nothelle has held a wide

range of posts within the German Bundestag Administration,

including that of Secretary of the Committee on Labour and Social

Affairs, Secretary of the Sub-Committee on Disarmament and

Arms Control, and Head of the Office of Former President of the

Bundestag, Annemarie Renger, who was a leading member of the

Foreign Affairs Committee. Fluent in English, French and Span-

ish, Mr. Nothelle has represented the Bundestag Administration as

an expert on numerous programs designed to provide administra-

tive assistance, especially to parliaments, primarily in Central and

Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America and China.

Andreas Baker, Canada

Programme / Press Officer Andreas

Baker joined the International Secre-

tariat in February 2005. He assists Press

Counsellor Jan Jooren in publicizing the

work of the Assembly, producing the

OSCE PA's news bulletin News from

Copenhagen, overseeing the OSCE PA

website, and publishing other promo-

tional material on Assembly events. He

joined the Secretariat after working in

the Canadian House of Commons. A

former Research Fellow, Mr. Baker has degrees in international

relations from Uppsala University and the London School of Eco-

nomics, and speaks French and Danish.

Gustavo Pallar&, Spain

Presidential Advisor Gustavo Pal-

lares joined the staff in February 2001

after the Standing Committee approved

funding for a position for liaison and co-

ordination of the activities of the Assem-

bly's President. Mr. Pallares is also a

former Research Fellow and served as

Presidential Adviser to former President

Javier Ruperez in the Spanish Parliament

when he was President of the OSCE Par-

liamentary Assembly and then when he

was President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Mr. Pallares

also works with Deputy Secretary General Vitaly Evseyev on

matters related to the Committee on Economic Affairs, Science,

Technology and Environment (Second Committee) and serves as

liaison officer with the Spanish Parliament, and has responsibility

for Mediterranean matters. He is responsible for co-ordinating the

President's schedule, speeches, correspondence and statement. He

speaks fluent English and French.

Dana Bjerregaard, United States

Ms Bjerregaard serves as the Assist-

ant to the Secretary General. She arranges

the schedule of the Secretary General and

is responsible for his correspondence and

liaison with OSCE Institutions, as well

as coordinating the flow of information

between and among the staff members.

Prior to joining the International Secre-

tariat, Ms Bjerregaard worked for vari-

ous law firms in the United States. She

speaks English and Danish.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

Lisa Callan, United Kingdom

Ms Callan joined the staff as Con-

ference Coordinator in September 2004.

Her responsibilities include assisting the

Deputy Secretary General Vitaly Evseyev

in organising all OSCE PA meetings,

including logistics, hotels, notices and all

other details related to the Organisation

of the Annual Sessions, meetings of the

Bureau, Standing Committee and various

conferences and Seminars. She is also in

charge of the recruiting, screening and managing the multinational

research assistant team. Prior to joining the International Secretariat,

Ms Callan worked for many years in the Brewing Industry. She is

cunently studying towards a degree in Psychology.

S C

Pia Cathrin Rasmussen,

Denmark

Pia Cathrin Rasmussen joined the

staff of the Assembly as a Secretary

in 1994 and has been promoted sev-

eral times as she received specialised

training in IT. She sets up and main-

tains the computers for all members

of the staff, and maintains the internal

computer network. She speaks fluent

English and German.

Zuzana Straponcekova, Slova-

kia/Czech Republic

As former OSCE PA Conference Co-

ordinator, Zuzana Straponcekova rejoined

the staff of the International Secretariat

as Information Co-ordinator in October

2003. She gained her experience in confer-

ence services at the NATO PA in Brussels

where she recruited and supervised inter-

•?;

national conference interpreters for the

Assembly's meetings and conferences. Together with the OSCE PA

Counsellor for Press and Public Affairs, Ms Straponcekova adminis-

ters the OSCE PA website. She also assists Deputy Secretary General

Vitaly Evseyev in organizing OSCE PA meetings. Ms Straponce-

kova has a Masters Degree in Modern Philology and speaks fluent

English, French, Russian, Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian.

Connie Mathiesen,

Denmark

Connie Mathiesen joined the

staff of the International Secretariat

in 1997. She is responsible for main-

taining the files and the records of

the Assembly and distributing all

correspondence which comes to the

International Secretariat. She also

backs up the Financial Assistant,

Per-Henrik Diirr in maintaining and

administering financial matters in the Secretariat. Prior to

joining the International Secretariat, she worked in one of the

embassies in Copenhagen maintaining their library.

Kurt Lerras, Denmark

Kurt Lerras joined the staff of the

International Secretariat in February 1993

after having served for eighteen years

on the staff of the Danish Parliament,

including in its International Depart-

ment. He is responsible for acquiring and

maintaining all furniture, equipment and

supplies for the International Secretar-

iat, and for physical arrangements of all

OSCE PA meetings. He is also in charge

of reproduction and distribution of all documents, including direct

communications by mail, fax and email to the Bureau, Standing

Committee, other OSCE Institutions and the press. He assists

expatriate members of staff in a variety of ways, including with

housing, transportation and medical assistance. He is in regular

communication with Secretaries of Delegations and staff members

of other OSCE Institutions, as well as the staff of the various parlia-

ments who are hosting meetings of the Assembly.

Kathrin Miriam Volz,

Germany

Liaison Officer Kathrin Volz is a

former Research Fellow at the Interna-

tional Secretariat and is responsible for

assisting the Special Representative of

the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in

Vienna. She maintains working contacts

with the OSCE Secretariat and the Del-

egations and participates in the various

meetings taking place in the Hofburg.

She also monitors the documents and working papers produced by

the OSCE structures in Vienna. Ms. Volz holds a law degree from

Germany, as well as a Masters degree from the Catholic University

in Leuven, and is fluent in English and French.

Max, the office dog,

Denmark

Max joined the staff of the Inter-

national Secretariat in 2001 and has

since been responsible for upholding

the good mood in the office on a day-

to-day basis.

He also participates in all staff meet-

ings providing staff members with rel-

evant documentation, whilst running

around the table and collecting cookies. In the absence of the Sec-

retary General, Max in principle takes over all major responsibilites

in close consultations with the Deputy Secretary Generals.

Per-Henrik Diirr, Denmark

Per-Henrik Dtirr has been trained as an

accountant and maintains the books and finan-

cial records of the Assembly. Working with the

Secretary General, he ensures that all expendi-

tures are properly authorised and vouchered. He

also works with the firm of KPMG Jespersen

who perform the external audit of the Assem-

bly's books. He provides financial information

to the Treasurer and provides the Secretary

General and the Deputy Secretary Generals

with regular reports of the status of the Assembly's finances.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 July 2005

a:sc

14th Annual Session, Washington, DC 2005

national Research Fellowship P o.

♦

2005 marks the 10th anniversary of the Inter-

national Secretariat's Research Fellowship Pro-

gramme in which one-hundred and thirty-five

young people from more than twenty-five partici-

pating States have taken part. The programme con-

tinues to provide a unique opportunity for graduate

students from OSCE countries to experience and

work in an international organization for a period

of six months, to learn more about international

relations and in particular the importance of inter-

parliamentary work and co-operation. Research

Fellows work very closely with the permanent

staff of the International Secretariat and they con-

tribute not only high-level research for speeches

and briefing papers, but also language capabilities,

logistical support and administrative assistance.

The primary duties of Research Fellows include

preparation of briefing reports for election moni-

toring missions and briefing papers for visits of

the OSCE PA President, the Ad Hoc Committees,

Special Representatives or other Officials to vari-

ous participating states or OSCE events. Fellows

also assist in the planning and conduct of meet-

ings of the Parliamentary Assembly, follow the

work of the OSCE Field Missions and write regu-

lar updates. In addition, Fellows are often asked to

help draft speeches and statements and write papers

on special projects undertaken by the Assembly's

Secretariat. They also assist with day-to-day prac-

tical work in the office such as answering phones,

copying, filing and other necessary chores.

Research Fellows are mainly recruited from

graduate students of law, international relations

and political science from universities in the

OSCE area. Fellowships are normally granted for

a period of six months, although, in exceptional

cases, some Fellows have extended for an addi-

tional six-month period.

The Research Fellowship Programme was

established after approval by the Standing Com-

mittee in July 1994 and started with two Research

Fellows in February 1995. Since the very begin-

ning, the programme has proved to be an impor-

tant and valuable asset to the OSCE Parliamentary

Assembly, and at present the International Secre-

tariat employs six Research Fellows. After ending

their term with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly,

quite a high number of the Fellows pursue a carrier

in the OSCE where, in particular, the field missions

and the OSCE Secretariat have benefited from the

experience of past OSCE PA Fellows. Other Fel-

lows have moved on to jobs in their national gov-

ernments or other international organizations.

Programme Officer Tina Schøn and Conference Co-

ordinator Lisa Callan are in charge of co-ordinating

the Programme. More information is available at

the OSCE PA's webpage,

www.oscepa.org.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2004-05 (2. samling) - Bilag 79: Brochure for the OSCE PA Annual Session in Washington, DC 1-5 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

1-5 July 2005

Washington, DC