The 2nd Stage of the Europe - Central Asia - Dialogue is imminent

Dialogue Militaires - Civils

Building a relationship between the military and civilians that can lay the foundations of durable peace is a crucial challenge of our era. The aggravation of conflicts since the beginning of this century (from Irak to Georgia...) makes this challenge seem utopian. Peoples are being struck by wars, conflicts are emerging amongst nations, sometimes against the military’s will. The institution of dialogue between the military and civilians represents a basic ethical, political and historical objective.

There is nothing obvious about this dialogue. For many reasons, the military are often mistrusted by the non-military. The reconciliation and friendship between France and Germany and their close cooperation in security matters can perhaps provide a few reference marks for the opening of such interchange between the military and civilians, oriented towards the legitimisation and the limitation of the use of force.

 

The "Klingenthal Castle"

The “opening” symposium has assembled in June 2007 at Klingenthal Castle of the Goethe Foundation about 45 military and civilian experts who not only came from the five Central Asian countries and Afghanistan, but also from Germany, France, Switzerland and Latin America.

 

Welcome by the Chief of Staff Operations of the EC

It associated field trips to Strasbourg (Eurocorps), Koblenz (Leadership Center and Bonn (Federal MOD) with reflecting forums on the theme of "modern understanding of military vocation". The report of the symposium 2007, established in cooperation with the Institut for Ressources for Peace (Irénées) can be downloaded here in French or here in Russian ...

 

Hotel AVRORA/Issyk-Koul

The «Follow Up Forum 2008», actually prepared by the FPH, will gather the same participants from october, 25 to november, 2nd – but this time in Kyrgyzstan/Central Asia.

The Avrora Hotel, which is up to the most beautiful beach of Lake Issyk-Koul, remains the best location in the touristic environment. It is a an ideal place to think and to relax.

At Tamga, the hotel managed by the ministry of defense was recently renovated. Situated in a charming park and near to the silk path, it could be the starting point for great excursions.

The Programme

oct, 25th : Arrival at Bishkek/Welcome Reception/Foklkloric Spectacle

oct, 26th : Travel to Issyk-Koul region / Settling in Avrora Hotel

oct, 27th : Opening of the Forum 2008 by General Issengoulov / Lectures

1/ „The Future of Central Asia" (Col ret. René Cagnat, France)

2/ „The events of Och and of Uzghen in june 1990, an experience of conflict resolution (T. Kaktchekeev, Kyrgyzstan)

3/ „New perspectives for Och and it’s region“ (O. Khamidov, journalist, Kyrgyzstan)

oct, 28th : lectures (continue)

4/“A geostrategy for water reserves – the case of Central Asia“ (Larbi Bouguerra, Tunesia)

5/ “Military ethics - Foundations and ressorts for a better world" (LtGen ret. Jean-René Bachelet, France)

6/ “The role of armed forces in a society hampered by violence and drug trafficking - the Columbian example“ (LtGen ret. H. Medina, Columbia)

7/ “Human rights and law in conflict" (G. Baize, delegate CICR)

oct, 29th : lectures (continue)

8/"How the French armed forces are trying to get the support, trust and respect of Public Opinion“ (BrigGen ret. P. Mompeyssin, CiDAN, France.)

9/„Educating for the arms profession: How German Armed Forces prepare their soldiers for „out-of-area“ operations" (LtCol C.M. Wilke, Leadership Centre,Germany)

10/“Common values of „western“ and "central asian" cultures – what is worth to defend?" (Dr. P. Hünseler, CIBEDO, Germany)

oct, 30th : Closing of Workshops / ship-tour to Tamga-Barskoon

oct, 31st : Excursion / Visit to the Kumtor Mine

nov, 1st : Festival of nomades in the region of BOKONBAEV

nov, 2nd : Departure for Bishkek/Farewell Dinner

nov, 3rd : Departure for home countries