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2010 - The Challenges to Global Security: Ehud BARAK
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22/12/99
Ehud
BARAK PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL
Israel enters the new millennium determined to set its security on a new
footing based on the four complementary pillars of internal strength, prosperity,
peaceful relations with its neighbours, and co-operation with friendly,
countries worldwide. The first pillar, essentially the basis for all others, is the domestic one. We are committed to continue cultivating a mature Israeli society characterised by democracy and basic freedoms, social justice, economic affluence, technological and scientific prowess, and a robust defence capability. Thelatter must be sufficient to deter, repel and retaliate against all forms of present or future aggression against us.
The second pillar of Israeli security is the development of peaceful and stable relations with Israel's immediate neighbours. Attaining comprehensive and secure peace with our neighbours by widening our circle of peace with Egypt and Jordan, to include the Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese, is a top priority for our government. It will undoubtedly require painful concessions which we are ready to make. But, unless these concessions are grounded in internal strength and are in tandem with commensurate concessions by our partners for peace, they will not be prudent, nor will they provide stability and tranquillity.
We must be certain that the risks we take in the effort to bring peace to our region are calculated and worthy ones, with genuine potential to bring about a lasting settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. To that end, all forms of violence against us will have to cease permanently and a solid basis for an historic reconciliation between our peoples must be firmly established.
The third pillar of our security should be a regional security system for the Middle East. Our security is inextricably linked to that of our neighbours. Therefore, such a co-operative security framework, coupled - where possible and mutually desirable - with economic and political co-operation, will be critical for anchoring the bilateral peace accords and going beyond them to eventually encompass all countries in the Middle East. Furthermore, lasting security for our neighbours and ourselves will prove feasible only if, in addition to the "hard security" issues of rear and terrorism, we also deal with the "softer" issues ranging from water scarcity, to religious intolerance and incitement to violence. Stability will be further encouraged by cautious indigenous development of more accountable forms of governance throughout the region.
A fourth pillar of our security in the coming millennium will be enhanced co-operation with friendly countries around the world. Such co-operation should encompass trade and investments, unhindered Israeli integration into the global economy and bilateral defence ties with countries in the region and beyond - foremost among them the USA. Such co-operation will remain solely driven by a desire to achieve and enhance peace, security and stability without jeopardising that of any third party.
We are presently at a critical juncture in our efforts to bring about stability, prosperity and peace to Israel and the Middle East. The opportunities are enormous, probably unprecedented. But equally large are the risks that loom ahead, ranging from proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, to poverty and domestic upheaval. We must not miss this window of opportunity.
Together with our regional partners, friends and allies we must make every effort to shape our future and put our security on a more stable footing by endeavouring to promote peace while simultaneously joining forces to deal effectively with our common threats. Doing so will promise a better future not only for the Middle East but also for global stability and peace.
Israel's historic experience and contemporary realities compel us to maintain a position of strength. Yet ultimately, our destiny lies in the realisation of our prophets' vision of peaceful co-existence and social justice.
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Ehud BARAK
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2010
- The Challenges To Global Security | Foreword:
Cliff Beal | King
Abdullah II | Kofi
Annan | Ehud Barak
| Tony Blair | Jacques
Chirac | Bill
Clinton | Sadako
Ogato | James
Orbinski | Romano
Prodi | Lord
Robertson Of Port Ellen | Mary
Robinson | Javier
Solana | Cornelio
Sommaruga | James
Wolfensohn | Postscript:
Edward N. Luttwak | Postscript:
Lawrence Freedman