28 April 1995

Doc. 7302

WRITTEN DECLARATION No. 238

on the 50th anniversary of 8 May 1945

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

      Fifty years ago, the Second World War was drawing to a close. Why the need for solemn commemoration of this anniversary?

      First of all, to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives. But also so that the meaning of their sacrifice is not forgotten.

      Why add our message to all the declarations being made over this anniversary period? Because it is important that our voices go out from here, from Strasbourg and the Council of Europe, to tell the generations who have known peace that Alsace was a region which experienced intolerable suffering, losses and destruction.

      Nevertheless, in the aftermath of the conflict, some courageous men decided to renew peaceful dialogue, and reconciliation was given effect in practical co-operation, democratic discussions and links of solidarity forged in meetings of all kinds.

      This was followed by fifty years of peace and an unprecedented increase in living standards in our countries that had been left devastated by the war.

      However, we must be careful not to obscure the real meaning of the commemorative ceremonies. New battles are now being fought on our continent, including fratricidal struggles between communities that used to be so close!

      Today, fifty years after the liberation of the camps designed for the "final solution", we are witnessing the worrying re-emergence of nationalist arguments and extremist hatred.

      The tragedies of the Second World War and the tragedies we have overcome give us the right - indeed, mean we have a duty - to say to all those fighting in the name of "ethnic cleansing" and those who are exploiting the current difficulties to stir up hatred of other people:

      "If you choose peace like the founders of the Council of Europe did here in Strasbourg, and if you choose dialogue, debate, respect for human rights and co-operation, then the very causes of our old antagonisms will disappear in the links of solidarity woven invisibly through co-operation between all the citizens of our continent of Europe."

      The individual well-being of every one of us and the continuing influence of the values of European humanism depend on this.

      On this fiftieth anniversary, it is our duty to convey this message commemorating 8 May 1945 to everyone in Greater Europe and, in particular, the young people of today.

Signed:

Seitlinger, France, EPP

Jung, France, EPP

de Lipkowski, France, EDG

Dundee, United Kingdom, EDG

Hardy, United Kingdom, SOC

Mackie of Benshie, United Kingdom, LDR

Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Finsberg, United Kingdom, EDG

Theis, Luxembourg, EPP

Baumel, France, EDG

Total = 10

*       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left