Speech by Helle Degn To Council of Europe
September 24th 1999
Dear Mrs. President:
To make changes have deep roots as Mr. Barzony said opening this debate. Our biggest threat is – SIMPLIFICATION !
Culture and behavior can not be handled with military forces – all of us know this very well. A new chapter in European history has to take off. Corruption of mind and money is the largest menace to the democratic thinking – Mr. Gjellerod clearly stated this on behalf of the Political Committee.
Democracy – how do we establish it, not only as a system but as a lifestyle in an environment of clan-systems and clan-thinking ? And in the mind of people whose mind is most occupied with the mindset of revenge and jealousy.
Mrs. Poptodorova – referred in her statement to the fact that the women must be involved if we will achieve peace !
This debate shows all of us how complex the hole region is, and I have enjoyed the very realistic approach our Assembly have showed in the debate today and yesterday.
Our political attention have as I see it focused very much on how bad the regime of Mr. Milozewits is. Less attention and focus have been on the tremendous responsibility are still on the shoulders of the opposition as Mr. Hoernhus from Germany said yesterday. So far they have failed to win the trust and respect, they really have to pull themselves together – also here they must have learned the lesson the most tragic way through a war !
This debate has focused on hope and reconstruction, which must not end up as pure illusions.
No one have really touched upon the division of labour among institutions and the handle of the post-war situation. I take this as one of the next obligations to our political committee to analyze and share this with us all.
Finally I will like to congratulate our Rapporteurs Mr. Kirilov and Mr. Obuljan, for the fine work they have done – even in their summer holiday of their own parliaments and this council.
At last I would like to thank all colleagues for kind words on the Economic Committee’s report.
