G-8 Summit in Heiligendamm/ Germany: What you need to know

G-8 Summit in Heiligendamm/ Germany: What you need to know

Posted in Other | 04-Jun-07

"The prelude to the G-8 summit started with unknown acts of violence caused by an international grouping of extremists; 1000 injured including 400 policemen."

Being an “anti-globalist” is a time-consuming activity nowadays. Given the busy political agenda of the European Union, the U.S. Administration, WTO, the World Bank and even NATO, you might wonder how these angry young people find time and money to travel the world so extensively. With a stunning mobility and outstanding organizational skills, it seems that they are able to harass their opponents in any corner of the planet.

ATTAC, the block G-8 and the anti-globalist movement

What might look like an international crowd of stalkers is in fact a well functioning network. They spare neither time nor energy for their cause; they coordinate marches, give interviews, organize concerts, translate, print, distribute leaflets, and sing their anger around the globe in multiple languages. There is not a capital of the world where you do not meet them.

But do not look for them in demonstrations against Hugo Chavèz, Robert Mugabe or even Alexander Lukashenko, because you will not find them there. And even in Moscow, their verve is sadly missed.

The life of a European spokesman for ATTAC appears to be in no way different from the one of a businessman, leisure included. Just this week for instance, ATTAC seems to stand for Amazing Travels To Attractive Cities: work started in beautiful Prague where George W. Bush had to respond to the melting of the Antarctic ice caps and what looks like the start of a new Cold War. The week is ending at the German Baltic Sea resort of Heiligendamm, where the leaders of the eight most industrialized nations (incidentally all democratic; 7 plus Russia) will be put on trial for the mismanagement of the world.

Responding to a parallel drawn by President Putin during the EU-Russia Summit in Samara, Chancellor Merkel underlined that, unlike in Putin’s country, the German government had no intention of oppressing freedom of expression during this year’s G-8 Summit. While regular police forces (16,000 policemen) are involved in securing the area and ensuring a peaceful protest, nothing similar to the deployment of special forces in Moscow and St Petersburg is planned by the German authorities. Chancellor Merkel and Interior Minister Schäuble have welcomed the demonstrations expressis verbis and have stated that “the voices of discontent are normal in a functioning democracy” and that “far from being oppressed, they will be heard”.

The alliance “Block G-8”, opposing the summit of what they call “the self-proclaimed government of the world”, is organizing demonstrations until June 9^th. 100,000 people are expected to take part. This network is also supported worldwide by several personalities in politics, religion, and show business such as Bono and the German pop star Herbert Grönemeyer. During one week, they will be speaking at demonstrations and giving concerts. Original actions are also planned such as exhibitions and various artistic events. “Block G-8” insists that they reject the use of violence. They claim to use all forms of protest guaranteed by the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The authorities however are cautious about the intentions of single groups likely to have infiltrated the network in its early preparatory phase.

Block G-8 plans on blocking the ways to Heiligendamm in order to disturb the organization of the event. The protesters declared that they would “effectively disrupt the Summit and cut it off from the rest of the infrastructure”.

In the light of recent incidents after a demonstration, the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany has firmly reiterated in its Brockdorf decision that the fundamental right of holding meetings and demonstrating be carefully respected by the authorities. But it also confirmed the necessity of removing protestors from vital areas they deliberately block.

Over 100 different political and non-political grass roots groups have joined what can be viewed as a peaceful network of democratic protest. Organizations such as Medico International, ATTAC, Greenpeace, the youth organization of the Social Democratic Party, the Greens, and a more radical group called “interventionist left” will voice their opposition to the summit, loudly protesting against “wild capitalism” and “modern slavery”.

Even if their influence seems on the rise in Western Europe, economists argue that the protestors are far from being able to back up their claims with reliable data. One of the protestor’s long time critics, Tom Palmer from the Cato Institute in Washington DC, views them as merely insignificant. He is the author of the standard “must read” on the subject: “Globalization Is Great!” and he certainly knows what he is talking about.

Tom G. Palmer, Cato Institute Washington DC: "I think the influence of the anti-globalization activists is waning. They have been so angry for so long for a simple reason: they see themselves as losing"

Tom Palmer dedicated 20 years of his life to the promotion of liberal thinkers, free market economy and the spreading of the rule of law in former Eastern European countries and in the Arab world, often at the risk of his life: “I think that their influence is waning,” he says about the anti-globalization activists, “they have been so angry for so long for a simple reason: they see themselves as losing”. When confronted with anti-globalization activists arguing that U.S. companies exploit cheap labor in third world countries and create modern slavery, he objects that “there is plenty of evidence that flatly contradicts that thesis. For example many studies were reviewed in a National Bureau of Economic Research Study that concluded that ‘this evidence indicated that multinational firms routinely provide higher wages and better working conditions than their local counterparts, and they are typically not attracted preferentially to countries with weak labor standards.”

So are these antiglobalists simply neo-Marxists with a green touch? “Some of them certainly, but it is unlikely that they all are. Some are anti-industrialists; some are merely confused, such as the people in Genoa who marched against globalization by calling for the elimination of all borders”.

Not only are some of them confused, but as the Summit of Genoa has already shown, many of them are also violent. Announced as a peaceful march, the latest events in Rostock, where extremist elements turned a demonstration into riots, have shown the true motivation of some of these so-called protesters: 1000 wounded, 433 of them policemen, 128 people detained and around one million Euros of damage. ATTAC’s spokesman, Pedram Shahyar, publicly condemned the riots: “There was no justification at all for these attacks”. It does not convince Jörg Schönbohm, Interior Minister of Brandenburg, who wants to put the responsibility where it stands: “It is not enough that the organizers distance themselves from the riots, they must isolate these violent elements and cooperate very closely with the police in order to do so”.

One on the main concern of the German authorities is to avoid a new Genoa. Heiligendamm was therefore chosen by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in 2004 as the next location for the G-8 of 2007 because it is considered to be a strategically advantageous area. After long deliberations between the Federal Ministry of Interior and the local authorities of the Land, and because of the intention expressed by the Block-G-8, the authorities decided to build a fence around the resort of Heiligendamm (2.5 m high, 12 km long and costing 12.5 million Euros).

In addition to this, a task force trained in de-escalation strategies will be patrolling along the fence. They will mediate between the police forces and the anti-globalization activists.

What is the G-8?

G-8 stands for the Group of 8, the most industrialized nations in the world. The G-8 is an informal initiative without a standing secretariat or an executive structure. The informal 9^th member is the EU. The presidency rotates and each nation chairing is the agenda setter. The Federal Republic of Germany is chairing the G-8 for the fifth time. (1978 – Bonn, 1985 – Bonn, 1992 - Munich, 1999 – Cologne, 2007 – Heiligendamm).

The G-8 nations are regarded as the motor of world economy. Even though only 14% of the world population live in the most industrialized countries of the planet, two third of the gross national income originates from them. 79 of the largest and most successful 100 companies in the world are based in G-8 countries. The G-8 nations provide two thirds of development aid worldwide.

Who will attend the 2007 Summit?

• Angela Merkel, Germany: for the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Heiligendamm is a first. Merkel is the first female Chancellor, born and educated in eastern Germany; she will host her first summit in the eastern part of Germany. She is determined to achieve substantial results on environmental issues.

• Georges W. Bush, USA: he will have a difficult time during the summit. His administration rejects all encompassing goals for emissions and instead is promoting technological solutions such as cleaner coal and fuels made by crops. He rejects Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power in the coming years, which he considers a solution to the limitation of greenhouse gas emissions.

However he has announced that the U.S. would gather together the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases to seek a long-term global solution.

The Bush administration has also launched a $15 billion program to support treatment, prevention and care, with congressional add-ons, the total of the programs will exceed $ 18 billion which is by far the largest contribution by any G-8 nation. This initiative will be extended for an amount of $30 billion for the fiscal years 2009-2013.

• Stephen Harper, Canada: known for his diplomatic skills, he will try to mediate between the Europeans and the U.S.

• Tony Blair, UK: attending his last G-8 as British Prime Minister. The British Prime Minister will join his Canadian colleague mediation efforts.

• Nicolas Sarkozy, France: the newcomer. The newly elected French President has already declared his determination to support the agenda of his German colleague.

• Shinzo Abe, Japan, will try to use his influence to defend his specific Japanese agenda on the regulation of financial market.

• Romano Prodi, Italy. The Italian Prime Minister is in a challenging political position at home but has expressed his support to the German leadership.

• Vladimir Putin, Russian Federation: he will attend his last summit as President of the Russian Federation. He is likely to face critical stances regarding his handling of energy security and the questionable developments of civil society in his country.

The President of the EU Commission, Jose E. Barroso will be attending as an observer.

"The host German Chancellor Angela Merkel, has to ensure a G-8 summit free of major disturbances. G-8 and O-5 countries should develop a comprehensive global programme to better protect the environment as a follow-on to the agreement of Kyoto which will expire 2012. G-8 and O-5 countries should select a limited number of promising African countries as role models for the rest of Africa."

What does an official delegation look like?

Official delegations function according to the 23 +1 principle. This means one head of delegation and 23 officials selected by the participating nation. The preparatory sessions are led by special advisors to the head of delegation, called sherpas. Most of the substantial work takes place during bilateral consultations and informal meetings of delegations.

What is the “outreach” diplomacy of the G-8?

In the framework of its outreach diplomatic agenda, the G-8 nations invite 5 representatives of developing nations (“O-5”-group), they are split into two groups:

First group:

• Hu Jintao (China), his country represents the strongest demographic factor in world economy (largest market/consumers) and the fastest growing economy in the world.
• Mammohan Singh (India), representative of the world largest democracy.
• Luis Inácio Lula da Silva (Brasil)
• Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki (South Africa)
• Felipé Calderón Hinojosa (Mexico)

Second group:

• Abdoulaye Wade (Senegal)
• John A. Kufuor (Ghana)
• Mohamed Hosni Bubarak (Egypt)
• Umaru Yar’Adua (Nigeria)
• Abdelaziz Bouteflika (Algeria)

What is the agenda of the G-8?

1. Efficient monitoring of the world economy and better regulation of hedge funds and financial markets.
2. An lightening of world market regulations and the abolition of obsolete trade barriers and customs regulations.
3. Climate change and protection of the environment
4. Aid to Africa: states willing to institutionalize good governance through the establishment of the rule of law and free market will be granted special financial aid.

What is a G–8 declaration?

The G-8 nations close their consultations by releasing a common declaration.

The first declaration will confirm the intentions of the nations to encourage economic growth, promote responsibility in world economy, investments, innovation, and sustainability.

The German Presidency will also introduce a reference to the “Heiligendamm Process”, which can be considered as the special political signature of the German agenda setter.

The second declaration is likely to contain a special mention of the responsibility of G-8 nations for the development of the African continent: sustainable investments, the promotion of good governance, peace and stability and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

What is the “Heiligendamm Process”?

The Heiligendamm process is a German initiative aiming at easing the communication and institutional organization between developing countries and G-8 countries. The German presidency suggests the establishment of a common O-5 + G-8 secretariat at the OECD in Paris. This forum will accelerate the consultation process concerning energy security and aid to developing countries.

What is the Junior G-8?

Lasting one week, the Junior- G-8 Summit will be held in Wismar in Mecklenburg Vorpommern. According to the same principle and structure as the Senior Summit, young students will meet and discuss the agenda of Heiligendamm. They are expected to formulate a common declaration which will be presented on Thursday to the representatives of the G-8 Summit.

"The Heiligendamm process is a German initiative aiming at easing the communication and institutional organization between developing countries and G-8 countries. The German presidency suggests the establishment of a common O-5 + G-8 secretariat at the OECD in Paris. This forum will accelerate the consultation process concerning energy security and aid to developing countries."

What is the schedule of the G-8?

June 6th: check-in, informal socializing in the evening

June 7th: two sessions, working lunch and dinner, Group picture and meeting with the representatives of the Junior G-8.

June 8th: meetings with the Outreach Groups (O-5)

Lunch with all G-8 + Outreach countries and representatives of international organizations (35 members).

Afternoon: Press conference with the German Chancellor.

Which results can be expected?

The main areas of divergence between the members of the G-8 are climate change and the regulation of financial markets. George Bush is blocking the efforts of the German Chancellor to reach an agreement. However he has suggested a consultation process between the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters.

A compromise seems also to be in sight concerning the regulation of hedge funds. Regarding the policy towards Africa, little progress is expected. The millennium goals will be reaffirmed: until 2015, 0.7 % of the gross national income of a G-8 country should be dedicated to development. In 2006, Germany dedicated only 0.36 % of its gross national income to foreign aid. The US-administration hopes its current policy of fight against AIDS will be followed by the other members of the G-8 on the same scale.

WSN recommendations:

• G-8 and O-5 countries should build a permanent body under the leadership of a Secretary General to improve continuity between the summits
  
  
• G-8 and O-5 countries should develop a comprehensive global programme to better protect the environment as a follow-on to the agreement of Kyoto which will expire 2012
  
  
• G-8 and O-5 countries should select a limited number of promising African countries as role models for the rest of Africa

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