<i> A look at noteworthy addresses in the Southland.</i>

On Recent Developments in Europe “Only a few years ago, the prevailing image of Europe in the eyes of the United States was that of an old continent which was looked at like a dear old relative who is past his prime and dependent on one’s protection.

“Within a short period of time this image has changed radically. At the end of the 1980s . . . the old Europe with its predictable stability born out of the Cold War existed no more. . . . Many thought that a new era of democracy, peace and unity had finally dawned for the continent. Developments since then have, however, had a sobering effect and clearly demonstrated that the new Europe is certainly full of promise and potential but also confronted with formidable new challenges.

” . . . Four years after the end of communism in the countries of the region, a political picture of considerable contrasts is taking shape. It ranges from advanced consolidation of democracy and political pluralism to the persistence of old ideologies in “new” parties which have only changed their name. “ . . . Austria has never harbored any illusions regarding the magnitude of the task of consolidating the new democracies in Central and Eastern Europe. . . . It is this very insight which has motivated Austria’s strong commitment in this connection.

” . . . The most direct threat to security in Europe at the moment arises out of escalating ethnic conflicts and continuing disintegrative tendencies. Much as these may be regretted, behind the acceptance of the principle of self-determination stands the fact that state authority cannot simply be forced on reluctant national entities. In Austria’s view, it must be the concern of Europe as a whole to ensure that these aspirations are allowed to flow into safe and peaceful channels.

“In the case of Czechoslovakia, the separation into two different states took place peacefully. . . . The situation was dramatically different in the former Yugoslavia.”

On European Integration “With the dissolution of the bipolar European system, the European Community has emerged as the central political force on the continent. . . . The success of the community is based on the fact that the existing state system in Europe no longer corresponds to the needs of today. To resolve the problems arising from increasing interdependence requires of sovereign states a pooling of resources and an unprecedented level of solidarity. . . . Public opinion polls in many European Community countries indicate, however, that skepticism and distrust of the integration process is widespread. . . . The new security challenges that Europe faces today and to which Austria is probably more exposed than most other Western European states can only be resolved through collective efforts in the framework of international institutions.

”. . . Even after the Cold War, the United States will have to play a major role in ensuring Europe’s security. A U.S. military presence in Europe, even if it is smaller than it used to be, will be an important contribution to European security.

” . . . It would be wrong, however, to limit the United States’ European role to military security. In political, economic and cultural terms, the United States has never been closer to Europe than in the final years of this century. . . .

”. . . It is well known that Austria has become one of the great economic success stories in postwar European history. . . . The lessons learned could be of interest to the U.S. Administration. I am well aware that the United States . . . has a population more than 30 times bigger than Austria’s. Despite these differences of scale I believe that a cooperation between our two countries is not only possible, but beneficial to all of us.”

Looking Ahead *Thursday: Markus Rohrbasser, executive vice president and chief executive officer, North American Region, Union Bank of Switzerland, will discuss “The Presence of International Banks in North America” at 7:30 p.m. at the Hotel Bel-Air. His remarks will be sponsored by the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce. (213) 489-3167.

*Thursday: Paul Alvarez, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Ketchum Communications, will discuss “After the Fall: A New Image for the City of Angels,” at noon at the Hotel Inter-Continental. His remarks will be sponsored by Town Hall of California. (213) 628-8141.

Announcements concerning prominent speakers in Los Angeles should be sent to Speaking Up, c/o Times researcher Nona Yates, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053