Toward a New Central Europe

CENTRAL EUROPEAN FEDERATION INCLUDING SWITZERLAND

GYULA TASSONYI

TO restore liberty to the Central European nations and to eliminate the Iron Curtain no longer suffice. Their independence and neutrality should be internationally guaranteed. This goal, however, can be obtained only by uniting these nations in a neutral federation of states, or confederation of states.

The nucleus of such a federation wouldóas I see itóconsist of the following Central European states: Austria, Switzerland, the two parts of Czechoslovakia: Bohemia and Slovakia, Poland and Hungary. Here I would like to point out that none of the later four have ever been "East European" countries as they are now so frequently referred to, quite erroneously. Both the international and neutral status of the federation would be enhanced by the inclusion of neutral Austria and Switzerland, both highly respected by the East and West. By her entrance, Austria would again belong to her natural economic area to which she has been committed through the centuries. It would enhance her prosperity, culture and prestige in the West.

Switzerland would have unparalleled investment opportunities. Her need for cheaper manpower would be met and the political weight of the country would be much greater than in the European Economic Community where it has a tendency to be overshadowed by the great powers. During the period of transition her excellent militia would help maintain order, protect life and property.

Such a federation, having the status of a great but neutral power, would eventually bring stability to this restless part of Europe. It would end forever the present open or secret rivalry by the outside great powers within the buffer zone. Such a Central European Federation of States may seem new and bold but it is natural because it serves the interests of all the nations in this critical area where two world wars have erupted. This is another reason for neutralizing the whole area in the interest of humanity.

Short- or long-range solutions

It has always been difficult to distinguish between short- and longrange interests. Both, individuals and nations, pursue short-range interests, usually because they are pressing, offering quick but often illusory rewards. Such short-range, short-sighted objectives are often

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the cause of great personal, as well as national and international tragedies.

Following the Second World War, it was the short-range interest of Russia to realize the old dream of the Czars to extend her frontiers to the Adriatic Sea and the Balkans, to dominate as many nations of Europe as her military and political power enabled her to.

The long-range and true interest of Russia would have been to break with the hated imperialistic Czarist policy and bring liberation to the oppressed countries of Eastern and Central Europe. Instead, she merely replaced German with Russian domination. Her long-range interests would have been to observe international agreements and use her influence for a cultural drive and economic cooperation. Stalin, the Red Czar, however, believed he could maintain the same cruel oppression in Europe as he did in Russia. His successors made a similar error when the overthrew the Hungarian revolution in 1956. They damaged their prestige and forfeited the leadership of the Communist countries by taking such dubious steps. The Soviet Union is, as a consequence, not only an economic impasse but also political in a crisis, having no reliable friends and having the German and Central European situation still unresolved at a time when her prestige in China and Indonesia, and a great part of Africa as well is at low ebb and her hopes have backfired.

Bringing liberty to the nations of Central Europe and the creation of a neutral Central European Federation of States would transform about 55 to 100 million unhappy Central European individuals into satisfied members of their nations who would be ready to support the newly established federal order and its neutrality. This area would be ready to defend its liberty on every side. It would mean greater security for Russia, Germany and France than the atomic bomb and the "force de frappe" which is unthinkable in modern Europe. Central Europe would be a neutral zone having no nuclear weapons. (An extended Rapacky plan with regard to the more recent treaty banning nuclear proliferation.) When the outside powers finally acknowledge the necessity for filling the vacuum,, existing since the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and consent to the establishment of a Federation of States to form a neutral buffer zone, the solution will follow. The difficulties in accomplishing this must not be underestimated. The composition of the federation, international agreements, regulation of the federation and its constitution must be well planned.

Austria

Following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, Austria was the "sick man" of Europe. Since losing her natural resources, she had to fight for her very existence. After the First World War, fear of union between Austria and Germany prompted the Western nations to support Austria through huge loans. Today the danger is nonexistent,

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at least not to a degree that would warrant financial intervention. However, after the boom that came as a result of concluding the State Treaty in 1955, the disadvantages of Austria's isolation became increasingly evident. For Austria, the return to a natural, Danubian economic and political unity would bring many advantages, whereas the union with Germany, either economically or politically would not be without great danger to the world and all the interested nations. Austria's neighbors and Russia are sensitive to any attempt on her part to join a Western European federation or the Common Market with its possible political consequences.

Switzerland

The membership of Switzerland presents more difficulties. The obstacles are not so much economic as emotional and historical. Coming as a refugee from a Danubian country under Communist rule to "capitalistic" Switzerland, I have pursued with great sympathy and interest the grave psychic crisis triggered by the speed of modern industrial developments that are transforming the seemingly conservative Alpine confederation. Until now, the majority of the population has not grasped the fact that Switzerlandís traditional, privileged isolation that she has managed to maintain through two world wars can no longer be held. By the social transformation, Switzerland has undergone, her outstanding leaders have made this country a socially balanced, wealthy and free community of three nations. Visible signs of the social transformation are the introduction of the 5-day workweek, adjustment of old-age pensions, social insurance, collective labor contracts and many other reforms. This small country has demonstrated that social benefits can be achieved without nationalization of industry and bureaucratization of the economic life.

In the Danubian countries, Stalinism discredited Marxist Communism. A class war ideology strange to the people, which overextended the influence of the State into private lifeóto the churches, literature and economic production. In fact, individuals are confronted in their everyday life with the monolithic power of State bureaucracy. It is the State which does not deliver water taps, which sells offal of poor quality in the butcher shops, cheats the consumer in State-owned stores regarding the quality and quantity of goods sold. Socialism, which ought to have been the driving force of the system, degenerated into an omnipotent Marxist bureaucracy. At present, economic experiments are taking place in the Communist countries as to how to liberalize their over-centralized State system. Both, Switzerland and Austria could serve as examples to the other members of the Central European Federation in their way of life, forestry, horticulture, sanitation, home ownership and thrift.

As a member of the Central European Federation of States, Switzerland would obviously bring benefits to all. But would the

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average Swiss citizens see benefits for themselves? It can hardly be assumed at this time. The preparation and education for such a step would have to take place in the psychological, economic and political spheres.

Although Switzerland belongs geographically to Central Europe, she is Western in mentality. As do others in the West, many Swiss citizens consider the nations beyond the Elbe and Leitha inferior. It must be said that they did not associate this sense of inferiority with the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Conditions created by Moscow behind the Iron Curtain may be one cause of the present thinking on the subject. Many emigrants are helping to dispel such ideas. Nevertheless, such attitudes exist and must be reckoned with.

Switzerland has had a very special position in the field of international economics. With her neutrality in two world wars, Switzerland has been able to attract international capital. These billions on which no interest is paid have contributed to the establishment of Swiss industry the dimensions of which surpass the needs of the population. Now, due to changing conditions, this special position is waning. Industry has remained without the necessary number of workers and without marketing areas. By membership in a Central European Federation of States both problems would be solved. Her need for skilled workmen, as well as markets would be met. The Danubian area is in need of high quality industrial products. Swiss industrial enterprises could flourish and good markets would be available for agricultural products.

In the West European Community, Switzerland would be one of the smaller states from the point of view of the Western system of defense. But in a neutral Central European Federation of States, she would occupy a privileged position partly because of her international connections. At present the Danubian states do not possess an independent foreign policy.

Other Participants

It is perhaps hardly necessary to state the motivation for membership of Poland, Hungary and the two parts of Czechoslovakia, etc., in this federation. All have lived in the shadow of a great power posing as their "protector." A plebiscite gauging free public opinion in this area would welcome such a neutral and federal solution with enthusiasm. But this is not enough. An international atmosphere of goodwill toward the idea must be developed. None of the participating members should fear that their own interests would be endangered. What would be the organ for concluding a treaty on behalf of these states that would be a guarantee for all nations concerned? Hardly the present governments that owe their existence to a foreign power. They obviously could not fully represent their countries at an international meeting.

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As free elections are not possible, as a transitional step, national councils should be formed consisting of leading members of the last legal parties and add to those non-party representatives selected from independent scholars, artists and other well-known persons. Such councils could choose preliminary governments which in turn would prepare the international treaties. They would organize the first plebiscites and elections. The treaties would be ratified by the newly elected houses of parliament. Apart from the common affairs, the member states would continue to be independent in accord with the wishes of the majority. Even their form of government would not be of great importance. The federation of states must, however, be neutral and guaranteed by international treaty. Especially the United States of America, Germany and the Soviet Union would guarantee the security and neutrality of this new Federation of States. They would, undoubtedly, have a mutual interest to watch that no power interferes with the domestic policy of the states and the federation. The Federation itself would keep .~s own militia for maintaining order. The Supreme Court of the Central European Federation would decide constitutional issues and complaints in the field of the common affairs of the Federation.

It is important that no outside power should have reason or cause for suspicion of such a neutral federation. These much-suffering states fervently desire to live in peace. After many centuries of domination by others they want only to live their own lives with policies of reconciliation on both the domestic and international level.

Are such hopes realistic? At present the fear of German and PanSlav efforts block the way to European solidarity. There is much suspicion on all sides. Undoubtedly, these efforts are still active under the cover of democracy and Communism respectively of two great nations .

The world is beginning to form large units because it is being forced to do so. Great Britain will probably join the Western European Union and thus another great power will come into being. The participation of Great Britain in the Western European Union would balance the opposing forces of France and Germany. Otherwise England would join a World Union of English-speaking countries. Also, a new although neutral power would be created: the Central European Federation of States and would protect and safeguard Russia who would then be free to concentrate on her resources and strengthen her defenses on her Eastóespecially the Chinese border. On the other hand, the United States, for whom the role of world policeman is a heavy financial and moral burden, would be able to devote her strength to the defense of her own continent and disengage herself militarily from the other nuclear power, the Soviet Union. The buffer zone of a neutral Federation of States between Russia and Germany would be beneficial to all powers and nations interested in Europe.

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Toward a New Central Europe