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Objective: Germany sill seek to obtain a commitment from the other G8 countries to maintain a strong focus on unemployment.
Justification
Section 5 of the communiqué states: "We must take advantage of the possibilities for growth to
address unemployment and economic insecurity...We look forward to the high-level conference on
employment that takes place this fall in Japan, which is expected to contribute to the discussion on responses
to structural changes".
Although we ranked unemployment as the top issue, it is actually ranked second in the June 14th communiqué. There was a thrust on the part of France, Germany and Italy to share the task of restoring strong employment growth through deepening structural reforms, decreasing barriers to job creation, increasing government action in areas of tax reform and social security systems.
Grade: B+
Objective: Germany will seek to encourage the other G8 countries to commit themselves to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and propose the creation of a World Environmental Organization to serve as an umbrella for all existing environmental organizations world wide.
Justification
Although the leaders resolved to forge a strong agreement consistent with the Berlin Mandate, which
contains quantified and legally-binding emission targets, they fell short of specifying these targets within the
Communiqué. Although Germany insisted during Summit press briefings that this was an issue
requiring the immediate attention of the G8, no mention of a World Environment Organization was made
within the Denver Communiqué. Yet, despite Germany's inability to obtain recognition of the need
for a World Environment Organization, this objective was a decidedly an ambitious one, due to its complete
lack of pre-Summit support from other leaders. Thus, Germany's lack of progress on this environmental
initiative does not indicate a complete failure.
Grade: B+
Objective: Germany will encourage the continuation of full Russian participation within the summit process.
Justification
Section 2 of the communiqué states: "Continuing the important steps we have taken, the Denver
Summit of the Eight marks a new and deeper participation by Russia in our efforts...We are committed to
continue the trend of increased Russian participation in the work of our officials between Summits and
reiterate our shared commitment to the promotion of a fuller involvement of Russia in the Summit process".
The Germans are very pleased at the prospect that Russia will continue to participate in the summit process. Germany has always sought further Russian integration; now it is a rarity and this point is further highlighted by Russia's membership in the Paris Club.
Grade: A
Objective: Germany is interested in finding long-term solutions to the problems that currently face Africa. Germany believes firmly that economic and social development can only be achieved through political stability. Germany will stress the importance of self-help programmes for the sustainab8lity of development so that in the future, finances which are being currently used to support humanitarian aid programmes may be allocated to training and development programmes.
Justification
Section 54 of the communiqué states: "We aim to translate the principles of the Partnership (New
Global Partnership for Development) into new concrete action to support the efforts of African countries to
participate fully in the expansion of global prosperity throughout their societies".
Section 63 of the communiqué states: "We will support African peace-building initiatives at the regional, sub-regional and national levels...".
Section 64 of the communiqué states: "We express our support for long-term efforts to promote rapidly deployable African peacekeeping capacities".
In the communiqué , the Africa issue took up three pages with emphasis on partnership for development; Sub-Saharan Africa is listed as a priority area for Germany and is given extensive consideration in the communiqué. Germany also stresses the idea of increasing trade links, not only aid.
Grade: A
Objective: Germany will call to take further action in fighting terrorism, organized crime and drugs, as well as seek to advance themes in this regard initiated at Lyon.
Justification
In the Denver Communiqué , the Summit leaders outlined and committed themselves to two new
goals (paragraph 40) as well as the development of specific strategies (paragraph 41) in order to advance
their progress in combating transnational organized crime.
Further action against terrorism took the form of a collective commitment to ensure that by the year 2000 all States join the international couterterrorism conventions specified in the 1996 UN resolution on measures to counter terrorism. Additional and more specific commitments were also made to advance and elaborate upon last year's initiatives (paragraph 46).
Progress on fighting the production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs took the form of a commitment to work together to develop the agenda for the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs in June 1998. However, the leaders did not take any steps to advance last year's initiatives and merely restated commitments made in the Lyon Communiqué .
Grade: A-
Contributors: Ella Kokotsis, Cindy Blazevic and Marianne Paul
 
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