CSCE Annual Report 1994

In 1994 low intensity conflicts, as well as full-scale wars accompanied by gross violations of human rights, continued to be the scourge of the post-Cold War era. These were, in many cases, the results of inter-ethnic tensions and grievances that had been simmering beneath the surface over decades of totalitarian rule and were unleashed by the breakup of oppressive societies. At the same time, in many parts of the CSCE area growing manifestations of aggressive nationalism ran directly counter to the principles of the CSCE and commitments of its participating States. Against this background, CSCE contributions to internal and international stability became even more important. Being fully aware of the complexity of this task, the CSCE, implementing specific decisions and general guidelines of the Rome Council Meeting in December 1993, under the leadership of the Italian Chair, paid special attention to extending its activities in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention and crisis management, with the Human Dimension remaining its moral and practical foundation.