Humanitarianism & War Project

	\|\|\|\| Status Report #4: March 1, 1992
	THE SIX WEEKS SINCE our last report have been productive. In late January and early February, co-directors Thomas G. Weiss and Larry Minear carried out a series of intensive consultations in Europe with a wide range of UN agencies, governments, NGOs, and individuals. A week in Geneva for meetings at UNHCR, UNDRO, the ICRC, and with NGOs was preceded by visits by Minear to the Netherlands, England, Sweden and Norway and followed by visits by Minear to Rome and Weiss to Paris. In all, upwards of one hundred persons were consulted.
	The Project continues to generate a high level of interest and enthusiasm. Reactions to its objectives, methodology, and products confirmed the approach taken to date. Many suggestions were made regarding issues to be elaborated and additional countries and regions to be reviewed. Numerous examples of innovative strategies used in dealing with the constraints on humanitarian access were offered. Issues were identified for subsequent visits and contacts suggested for consultations in the field or in headquarters.
	In the area of publications, an article by Larry Minear entitled "Humanitarian Intervention in a New World Order" highlights recent developments in the debate regarding issues of humanitarian initiative and access and also explores pragmatic strategies for overcoming constraints. Written with a largely U.S. audience in mind, it suggests needed changes in U.S. policy. Please find a copy enclosed with this mailing. For additional copies, you may contact the Overseas Development Council or Judy Ombura at the Project's Washington address. Also enclosed is an article by Jarat Chopra and Thomas G. Weiss, "Sovereignty is No Longer Sacrosanct: Codifying Humanitarian Intervention", from the forthcoming issue of Ethics and International Affairs.
	One indication of the significant level of interest in the issues being addressed by the Project is the number of meetings and conferences being held or planned on the subject. Project staff have provided leadership at several such gatherings in recent weeks. One such meeting; co-sponsored by the Canadian Council for International Co-operation, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and the Refugee Policy Group; brought together a group of experts in Ottawa, February 14-16, to discuss assistance to the internally displaced Africa. A second; sponsored by the British Group, Humanitas, and chaired by former Foreign Secretary David Owen; convened a distinguished international group at Leeds Castle, February 20-22, to review the issue of humanitarian intervention.
	Project staff are also providing assistance to planners of a summit conference for heads of state, governments, and other political leaders in the Horn of Africa. Addis Ababa would serve as the venue for this conference, the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments would act as hosts. While a date remains to be set, behind-the-scenes efforts are underway to assure the widest participation of heads of state and insurgent movements for the Sudan, Somalia, and Kenya. If the meeting takes place as planned, a declaration of humanitarian principles might be forthcoming. Field work in the Horn by staff on the Humanitarianism and War issues will begin in early March.
	In recent weeks, three new institutions have committed financial resources to the Project. Oxfam-U.K., the Special Emergency Program for the Horn of Africa (SEPHA), and UNDRO have become financial contributors to the Project. This brings the Project's sponsors to a total of five UN organizations, two governments, and six NGOs. The Project continues to welcome any additional support.
	UNDRO has requested that Project staff also provide an independent evaluation of UN efforts to coordinate assistance and protection activities in the Gulf since August 2, 1990. The Gulf, along with the Horn of Africa and Central America, represents a region on which the project is concentrating. Consultations are being planned for Geneva and New York in March and April and for a field visit in late May and early June. The evaluation will be shared with the summer meeting of ECOSOC and may also represent a contribution to issues which the newly appointed high-level humanitarian coordinator, Ambassador Jan Eliasson of Sweden, will be addressing. As the region was one in which military forces were closely involved with aid activities, the Project is cooperating closely with another initiative of the Watson Institute, "Second Generation Multinational Forces", (Project flyer enclosed).
	Plans are proceeding for the April 8 consultation in Providence on principles and policy guidelines for practitioners to which supporting agencies have been invited. Discussion will focus on a draft outline, with participants, based on their agency's own experience, asked to suggest issues to be addressed and approaches to be taken. Please contact Sarah Lum in Providence (401-863-2728) if your agency wishes to be present.
	In sum, we are pleased with progress to date. The high level of interest in the issues, the wealth of information provided by the agencies, and the degree of collegiality demonstrated augur well for our playing a useful role. Work is proceeding in many fora. We believe, however, that our special contribution lies in exploring the nexus between the broad conceptual issues of law, sovereignty, politics and international organizations on the one hand and the more concrete world of day-to-day human suffering and pragmatic humanitarian action on the other.
	We continue to welcome reactions to our work and additional suggestions of issues, emphases and contacts to pursue. Please let us know if you are involved in discussions or conferences of your own in which we might be of assistance.
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