US and Japan pay homage to ‘other’ Council

Date: 16/11/1995

The Council of Europe should be flattered. After years living in the shadow of the European Union, which it predates as an initiative for post-war unity, the Council finds itself being courted by America and Japan, both seeking status as accredited observers to the Strasbourg institution.

The first overtures from the United States came from President Bill Clinton's special advisor last June, during the inauguration of the dramatically-designed new Court of Human Rights building.

The thinking in Washington is that it is time to become more closely associated with the consolidation of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe.

There is just one snag - when the issue was raised in Strasbourg last week at talks between the representatives of the Council's 38 member states, France alone objected, despite the fact that the Council's statutes allow it to give observer status to any country prepared to accept the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

A cursory check suggests that both America and Japan meet these criteria, but the French jealously want to preserve the European nature of the Council of Europe.

A letter to the Council from French European Affairs Minister Michel Barnier explains the French position: “France attaches special value to the unique European character of the Council of Europe. It is therefore necessary to preserve the Council's special characteristics which enable it to fully carry out its role,” it states.

The French are even suggesting changing the observer status provision to ensure that such ideas cannot be repeated and not even the most warm of welcomes for President Jacques Chirac in Washington last month has softened French hearts.

A press release from the Council last week leaves the door open, saying simply that careful note had been taken of the US and Japanese requests “for observer status”.

In a French-language version of the press release this translates to “un statut d'observateur” - a less precise definition and one which suggests they may be trying to move the goalposts.