George Soros Press Conference
November 10, 2002
3rd Floor, J.W. Marriott Hotel

Opening comments by DCP President Morton H. Halperin: This press conference is in regards to the release of a text of appeal to governments from this conference, which was just presented at the plenary meeting here at the CDNGF Conference by Mr. George Soros. All participants will sign the document. It has been conveyed to the Ministerial Communities of Democracies Conference that is just recently beginning. Basically, the appeal makes two related sets of proposals, with an additional third. It suggests that only countries that respect the 2000 Warsaw Declaration, be part of the Communities of Democracies, and that this be strict with future participants. We are asking the convening group to accept stricter standards for participation. Second, to put teeth into the before-mentioned proposal, and also make it more valuable for countries to participate in the Communities of Democracies. Third, countries should have caucases on democracy, and use their respective institutions to vote on democratic issues. Additionally, there are ten observer countries here at the conference, who are not wholly accepted as members of the Communities of Democracies. This should continue.

George Sorros: Sorry I’m late. I won’t make any statements, but answer your questions;

Q: Background: How much teeth will this (CD) organization have?

A: If it is adopted, it would make a difference whether you were a member or not a member. If you are a member or candidate, you would have benefits of being a member. Over time, it becomes more important (to become a member). Being a member is a matter of reputation, and it becomes a much more crucial issue, with incentives to meet criteria. Members would subscribe to proposals made, where others wouldn’t.

Q: Regarding the Communities of Democracy non-governmental and governmental conferences difference: What do you expect to happen?

A: Not much. But I hope that if we can mount an effective campaign, that the 2004 Santiago Conference will be more positive. This appeal comes far too late to interest the CD ministerial conference, as they have already agreed (on their proposals) . It still should be considered by (democratic) governments, and adopted at the next conference. Hopefully, participants in both conferences will also have caucases regarding Communities of Democracies in the meantime. That is further down the road, however. It could really affect the membership of the commissions. The idea is also that you could also develop more regional interest, specifically in the African region, with economic partnership and increased development. And I think civil society could make (the above-mentioned) regional conferences more effective.

Q: When you asked what was expected, and you said “not much”, and you are going to wait for two years, is that interpreted as pessimism of Communities of Democracies?

A: Conferences can be very valuable, but there needs to be something, some substance, and operational results in order to be sustained. Otherwise there would be apathy … Although discussions continue, nothing happens. This appeal could put substance behind the Warsaw Declaration, which made a very importance step forward. It would also put greater interest for democratic countries to extend more to non-democratic countries . We need to offer incentives…it should only be as a last resort to interfere. There needs to be some positive action, and only cumulative action as a last resort. This is a framework for positive action.

Q: Why no deadline for declaration or appeals?

Morton H. Halperin: This is democracy, not an endpoint. No country reaches every point of a criteria. There is no perfection, just countries with potential. Therefore, we need to develop better criteria for specific countries. I’m asking for this to happen more explicitly, to decide potential for each country to make.

Q: Why are you so involved and concerned?

A: Because of my foundation (The George Soros Fund Foundation). I believe it is a more comprehensive idea of democracy. It is really quite central to the mission of a civil society network.