OSCE Permanent Council commemorates end of World War II

VIENNA, 4 May 1995 - The OSCE Permanent Council this morning commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War II. In his opening speech, the Chairman of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Márton Krasznai, described World War II as "one of the greatest tragedies in the history of mankind.""The 50th anniversary of the end of the War," he said, "is a time for all of us to remember and mourn the millions who died, and - in the words of the Budapest declaration - to honour the memory of those who fought for the victory of humanity and against dictatorship, oppression and aggression."Ambassador Krasznai, speaking to representatives of 52 OSCE participating States, said "the consequences of World War II have continued to be felt long after its conclusion. Decades of mistrust and tension in Europe during the Cold War created deep-seated divisions and prevented us from co-operating to tackle the root causes of instability and conflict on our continent."Looking back today on the War and its legacy," he continued, "the most important lesson for us all is clear - namely, that only a comprehensive and indivisible concept of security in Europe can ensure that such a tragedy will never be repeated... The OSCE has an important role to play in the prevention and resolution of conflict. We have, within its framework, the tools to transform Europe into a continent of peace and stability. It is up to us to use them to good effect."Ambassador Krasznai concluded by asking delegations to join in a minute of silence "in memory of those who have suffered and died as a result of man's inhumanity to man."

CSCE Budapest Document 1994

The following declaration was adopted at the December 5-6 CSCE Budapest Summit of Heads of State and Government as part of the CSCE Budapest Document 1994:Declaration on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Termination of World War II1. In 1995 mankind will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the battles of World War II which caused unprecedented suffering and destruction.

2. We mourn the tens of millions of people who lost their lives. We honour the memory of all those who fought for the victory of humanity and against dictatorship, oppression and aggression.

3. World War II and its profound and long-lasting consequences constitute a constant warning to us to observe with all our strength and determination the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. Through the power of its ideas, through the courage of men and women, through the strength of the will of the people Europe has finally liberated itself from the legacy of the past and has opened a new era for democracy, peace and unity. Guided by our desire to create a truly unified Europe we, the Heads of State or Government of the States participating in the CSCE, therefore reaffirm our intention to seek ever closer co-operation in a Europe without walls, without ideological barriers and without political animosities.

4. The CSCE is the appropriate and indispensable framework for the ongoing process of change. As a community of States dedicated to freedom and democracy, from Vancouver to Vladivostok, we are ready to make full use of CSCE potential in preventing new rifts and divisions in the CSCE region and in providing security and stability for all participating States.

5. Too many parts of our community are still overshadowed by violence and bloodshed. We are all called upon to ensure that under no circumstances does barbarity have any place in the CSCE region.

6. Remembering the World War II tragedy, and aware of today's violence and conflicts, both among and within States, we:

- recall the obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act;

- resolutely declare that the participating States will intensify efforts in order to bring to an end all existing conflicts, and to spare future generations from the scourge of new wars in any form, including through education in lessons wars.

7. We are convinced that the implementation of this commitment will be the best way to render justice to those who struggled for peace, freedom, democracy and human dignity and to commemorate the victims of World War II. Only thus we will ensure that such tragedies will never be repeated and that Europe will be transformed into a united continent of peace, stability, co-operation and prosperity.