"You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war" (Albert Einstein)   Albert Einstein was honored by Time Magazine and others as "The Person of...

"You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war"
(Albert Einstein)

Albert Einstein was honored by Time Magazine and others as "The Person of the Century" in 2000. This year, his life is being celebrated on the centennial of the publication of his extraordinary papers, that in 1905 "revolutionized" the intellectual understanding of our world. He was also one of the greatest world federalists. It was Einstein who introduced me to WFM-IGP when I stumbled upon Einstein on Peace in the Denver Library 35 years ago. His first recorded public political statement was the Manifesto to Europeans, drafted shortly after the beginning of World War I. "We are stating publicly our faith in European unity ... we hope this public affirmation of our faith may contribute to the growth of a powerful movement toward such unity." Signed by only four scientists, it had no impact at the time, but they kept pressing over the years.
The EU delegation to the US published an article in the latest issue of EU Focus, entitled, "The European Constitutional Treaty." It states: "The Constitutional Treaty proposes neither a federal state nor a mere confederation of states, but rather continues on the path of developing the EU as a unique political entity in the world: a federation of nation-states, each ceding sovereignty to a larger union through common institutions while maintaining a unique society, culture, and political structure."
Europe cascaded into unimaginable, murderous darkness in 1914, and again 24 years later, devastating entire generations and introducing highly sophisticated warfare that made civilians a primary target. From the ashes emerged first the League of Nations, then in 1945 the UN. A few years later, the beginnings of the European unification movement that Einstein called for began to materialize. Political realists denounced the EU as a liberal pipe dream for decades - yet within the next months, 25 nations will vote on the constitution of this new "federation of nation states".
During the formation of the League of Nations and the UN, extreme US nationalists in our government were the main opponents of international law and institutions. Yet individuals like Andrew Carnegie and President Woodrow Wilson were among the main proponents. Today, this infuriating paradox continues. UN headquarters remains in the US world capital, New York City. New York is home to many institutions, human rights groups and foundations that provide the strongest support for the UN.
Yet the US government and rightwing political organizations are clearly the greatest and most dangerous opponents of the UN. President Bush has nominated a man reviled in the international community for his UN-bashing and disdain for international law to become the new US Ambassador to the UN. Best known for declaring that there is no United Nations, and "the happiest moment" of his government service was when he renounced the Rome Statute on the ICC, John Bolton is to be the US leader in preparation for what is to be one of the most important UN reform and strengthening summits ever this September.
Still, in reading the galleys of WF News 49, I am amazed at the depth and breadth of the issues relating to our promotion of international federalist principles. WFM-IGP was one of the first groups with whom the new Special Adviser to the Secretary General on the Prevention of Genocide met. WFM-IGP supported the first public launch of the report of the Secretary General's High-level Panel on Threats, Challenge and Change. We are working to garner support for the world summit in September. Our leadership role within civil society in promoting international democracy is described in the article on the International Conference of New or Restored Democracies. Other articles tell of WFM-IGP's work on promoting the Responsibility to Protect and a UN Emergency Peace Service. The center-spread illustrates WFM-IGP's considerable work at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil. We also report on some developments of the African Union, the next likely "federation of nation-states." Compared to 1914, 1939, 1945 and 1955, those of us seeking to "save future generations from the scourge of war" have infinitely greater resources than we had at any other time in the last five generations. Step by step.