Socialist International needs clearer ideological principles

VOULIAGMENI (Itar-Tass) - The Socialist International
should clarify its ideological and political principles in the light of
contemporary realities, the leader of the party Fair Russia, Sergei
Mironov said at a two-day meeting of the Socialist International, being
held in Vouliagmeni, the seaside suburb of Athens.
According to Mironov, over the past six months in many parties -
members of the Socialist International - there developed discussions of
the role of the Socialist International and its place in the modern
political life of the international community.
"In some cases, the question was raised about its reforms," the
politician said. "As for the reform of the organization, which enjoys
international recognition, we, representatives of a party that has been a
Socialist International member for only three years, feel it would be
inappropriate for us to make judgements, but still be believe it is
necessary to express our point of view."
The leader of Fair Russia said that as the events in the Arab East and
in several African countries had shown, the Socialist International was
not always able to rise to the occasion, when it came to the departure of
some member parties from the core values of the organization -
democracy, freedom, justice and welfare for all citizens.
"Moreover, some of the member parties have long been in our
organization," said Mironov. "It took major popular unrest against the
existing regimes to make the calls of protest from ordinary people heard
in the Socialist International. In other cases, reactions followed from
the Socialist International, as it was the case with the situation in
Egypt, Tunisia, and Cote d'Ivoire. I think that the Socialist
International needs to clarify its ideological and political principles in
the light of contemporary realities."
Mironov believes it would be possible to make changes and amendments
to the Declaration of Principles of the organization, or to adopt a new
Declaration.
"It is clear that this work will take time, and these amendments (or a
new version of the document) need to be approved at the next Congress,
which we hope can be held in the foreseeable future," he said. "I am
convinced that the Socialist International has all opportunities and a
strong potential to remain one of the most authoritative international
organizations uniting socialist and social-democratic parties around the
world."