Editorial

ro. For the National Socialists The Reichstag Fire was the torch lit for following their policy of the rule of force, at first in domestic policy and then in international relations. Immediately after this event human and civil rights were suspended by means of emergency laws. Based on these Hitler installed his totalitarian dictatorship. In foreign policy he staged one provocation after the other until he unleashed the Second World War on 1 September 1939. No one stopped Hitler in his murderous pursuit, not even the Western democracies like France, Great Britain and the United States. These countries favoured an appeasement policy that made Hitler step-by-step concessions. Certain international finance circles—including weighty voices from the USA—backed Hitler actively in his installation and extension of his system of rule. This, above all, because they saw in Hitler and his movement a bulwark against Bolshevism. Precisely these circles desired the war to boost their own economy again.

What can the thirties, the time of the eve of the Second World War tell us today? History does not repeat itself, but a politically thinking person does right to analyse certain historic events carefully and to compare them with the present time. Today’s wars are also planned by political and business élites, and each war needs its pretext. Furthermore an ideology is needed for the people, who essentially reject each war, to go to war. An ideology that is banged around their heads with propagandist noise until they go deaf to any sound of peace. Today Huntington’s thesis of the ‘Clash of Civilisations’, which ultimately is founded on racist thinking, represents such a war ideology. It is used to justify further wars, among others also in the Congo, and to proceed in the ‘War against Terrorism’. This is the ground on which certain political and business élites of the sole superpower USA wish to start into a 21st century as an ‘American Century’ and to protect their Neoimperialism politically, economically and by taking military action.

But not everybody keeps silent! More and more voices are raised—also in the USA—against the ongoing and the planned wars. On World Peace Day, 1 January 2002, the pope called vehemently for peace among the peoples of the world and for dialogue between cultures.

Switzerland also makes its contribution to this goal. Its permanent armed neutrality enables it to pursue fundamental peace policy. This essential political maxim would be worth studying for other nations too because it makes the use of force impossible in international relations. Switzerland’s great and lasting economic and political success proves the soundness of its approach to peace policy.

Switzerland has never been at risk to stand aside with its concept of neutrality. On the contrary, it showed enormous dedication in the humanitarian field, with the Red Cross as a shining example. It is no coincidence that today the Red Cross is faced with verbal, financial or even military attacks, as were made twice—on purpose—in the Afghanistan war. The whole discussion about the emblem has a sinister background. The independent, neutral and universal voice of the Red Cross is a disturbing noise to the present-day war-mongers. We must not let this voice be sacrificed certain interests. If we protect the great humanitarian work of the Red Cross, then we protect the certainty that a peaceful, free and fair world is possible.