|
Open letter to the People of Vietnam
We have come from many countries of the world to take part in the
International Meeting on Solidarity, Friendship and Cooperation with
Vietnam and join the Vietnamese people in celebrating the 60th
anniversary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Its founding was the
fruit of a long, hard and heroic struggle of a nation for dignity,
social equity and independence. This has been a major event in world
history. We recall with profound emotion the role played by President Ho
Chi Minh, your cherished and charismatic leader, founder of the
Communist Party of Vietnam.
Vietnam has been a symbol of liberation from colonialism and imperialist
aggression. It has attracted broad international solidarity and inspired
the forces of peace and justice across the world. We wish to thank you
for your courage, example and inspiration. You have helped us keep hope
during the struggles and maintain our belief in the emancipator capacity
of human beings.
The achievements of the Vietnamese people over the past decades have
proved the importance and viability of socialist ideals. This bears a
special significance at a time when capitalist globalization is
attacking the interests of people the world over, deepening social
differences and increasing social injustices.
Today, once more, we would like to express our active solidarity with
the Vietnamese people. We reaffirm our commitment to further
strengthening friendship and cooperation with you in your current
endeavors for national independence and socialism. Meanwhile, we shall
not forget the past and the sufferings of war, in particular the
Vietnamese victims of the "Agent Orange" still calling for fairness and
justice.
We wish the Vietnamese people every success in building an independent
and socialist Vietnam, a strong country with a prosperous people in an
equitable, democratic and advanced society.
Hanoi, September 1, 2005
***
An Appeal by the Permanent Secretariat of AAPSO
and the Bureau of Afro Asian
Writers Association
Fifty years have elapsed since the convocation of the Bandung Conference
for African and Asian Governments. That Conference was the first spark
which ignited the liberation movement in the two continents under the
driving force of the conference the first conference, of Afro Asian
Peoples¹ Solidarity convened in Cairo from 26/12/1957 to Jan. 1st 1958.
Neither the two Continents nor the whole world had previously witnessed
such a gathering of leaders of African liberation movement, who had
before been separated from each other by arbitrary frontiers imposed by
the European colonialism.
If the Bandung Conference was the first step towards the solidarity of
Afro Asian government, the Cairo conference constituted the first step
to the solidarity of the people of the two continents. While the
governmental movement did not continue, we find that the peoples
movement continued and developed, holding meetings and conferences in
dozens of countries in the two continents.
Out of the Solidarity movement were born a number of Afro-Asian
Organizations: youth, women, journalists, lawyers, doctors and others.
But perhaps the most important of those organizations related to
Afro-Asian Writers. The importance of this particular organization is
due to the fact that writers have always been the spearhead in the
struggle for liberation and independence. Besides most of the leaders of
the liberation movements in Africa were writers.
The first Afro-Asian Writers Association Conference was held in Tashkent
the capital of Uzbekistan, from 7-13 October 1958. A number of leading
writers participated in the conference including Mulk Raj Anand from
India, Faiz Ahmed Faiz from Pakistan, Alex Laguma from South Africa,
Efua Sutherland from Ghana. The Egyptian delegation was headed by Dr.
Khalaphalla Ahmed and membership of Abdel Rahman El Sharkawy, Dr. Soheir
El Kalamawi, Aisha Abdel Rahman and Mursi Saad El Din.
The conference adopted a number of resolutions including the creation of
a Permanent Bureau of Afro-Asian Writers Association to be located in
Colombo the capital of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Youssef El- Sebai, from
Egypt, was elected Secretary General of the Bureau and Mursi Saad El Din
as his deputy. In February 1962 the second conference was held in Cairo,
and consequently the Permanent Bureau moved to the Egyptian capital. Its
headquarters was in the writers House, in Kasr El Aini st.
That move marked the beginning of fervent activities: the publication of
Lotus, a quarterly in Arabic, English, and French which became a kind of
forum for writers, especially those from Africa who had previously no
means of publishing their works. The magazine was in 150 pages, and
contained poems, short stories, passages from novels, and passages plays
as well as articles on subjects pertaining to art and culture in the two
continents.
The editor in chief of Lotus was El Sebai with Morsi Saad El Din, Edward
El kharat and Abdel Aziz Sadek as deputy editors. Board of Editors was
from members from Algeria, Angola, Japan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Pakistan,
Senegal, Sudan and USSR and India.
The Bureau organized meetings and seminars in Japan, Indonesia, India,
Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Kasakhstan, Philippines, which dealtwith such
subjects as tradition and, innovation in literature or fiction, drama,
poetry etc.. The magazine had in every issue a special supplement for
the art and culture of member countries.
To encourage writers in Africa and Asia, the Bureau created the Lotus
Prize for literature which was bestowed on a number of writers,
including Mahmoud Darwish from Palestine, Alex Laguma from South Africa,
Abdel Rahman El Sharqawy from Egypt, Mohamed Mahdy El Gawahry from Iraq,
King Mulk Raj Anand from India, Fayez Ahmed Fayez from Pakistan, Osman
Sembese from Senegal and others.
The movement of Afro-Asian writers received, with open arms, writers
from Europe and America, and invited some of them, known for their
support of the struggle for liberation, to its conferences and seminars.
In this way the Afro-Asian Writers were not isolated from the cultural
and intellectual movements in the west.
Following the assassination of Yousef El Sebai in Cyprus, and under the
pressure from certain members of the Bureau it was moved to Beirut,
where the Palestinians had their headquarters. When the Palestinians
were forced to leave Beirut and go to Tunis, the Permanent Bureau
followed suit. Those two moves marked the beginning of the end of the
movement.
The Bureau was again moved to Cairo, and was headed by the Egyptian
writer Lutfi El Kholy who had some lofty ideas of transforming the
Bureau into an international intellectual association. His dream came to
an end with his death. Since then the Bureau has become moribund.
And this is the reason behind issuing this appeal. We feel it is a great
pity that such a noble writers¹ movement should die, or come under some
claimants who had nothing to do either with the Afro-Asian writers
movement, or even with writing.
This appeal is directed to members of the Egyptian Association of Afro
Asian writers whose Secretary General is Dr. Gaber Asfour, and to the
member countries of the Bureau.
We have chosen the 50 years anniversary of Bandung to issue our appeal.
We feel that the revival of the Afro-Asian writers¹ movement can help to
create some kind of balance with a globalization which is used by one
country to create hegemony.
We direct our appeal to the continental, regional and national writers
associations as they are the elite and pioneer leaders of enlightenment,
civilization of mind and pushing forward the society. We appeal to those
who form the conscience of their societies and that of both Africa and
Asia, the conscience that stores all what is positive aiming at the
change towards a better human society.
We are going on activating the Afro-Asian writers movement, but we are
fully aware that this activation is coming under the umbrella of world
circumstances that differ from those under which the movement was
established.
We are living now the era of globalization and even if the globalization
is a part of the existing international society movement we refuse its
militarization, and its use as a mean for hegemonism and domination and
as a tool for the new liberalism.
We direct our appeal to the Afro-Asian Writers in their democratic
organizations, with full hope that they respond to our appeal. The need
for the Afro-Asian Writers Association and its necessity is still going
on and even more than before. The need for the efforts and unity of the
Afro-Asian and Latin American writers, and even all the world "writers
without boarders" is urgent.
We seek to make a reunion which could begin by a meeting for the members
of the Permanent Bureau; for re-activating the Afro-Asian Writers
Association and studying the goals that will be adopted by the
association under the new world conditions and its method of work.
We have full confidence that you will respond to our appeal, and we are
waiting for your ideas and opinions as we can start to prepare
immediately for this historical meeting.
***
Invitation to the International Meeting on
Solidarity, Friendship and Cooperation with Vietnam
Dear Mr. President,
Afro-Asian Peoples¹ Solidarity Organization (AAPSO)
On the September 2nd, 2005 the Vietnamese people will celebrate the 60th
Anniversary of the Founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Over the last 60 years, Vietnamese people have overcome many challenges,
liberated and successfully reunified the country, developed economy and
society, improved peoples¹ life, expanded international relations, thus
contributing to the common struggle of the world¹s people for peace,
national independence, democracy and social progress.
These victories and achievements of the people of Vietnam are
inseparable from the very important contribution of the international
movements in support of Vietnam and Solidarity, friendship and
cooperation of many peoples¹ organizations and individuals the world
over with Vietnam.
On this occasion, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO)
in coordination with other peoples¹ organizations of Vietnam will hold a
gathering of the friends of Vietnam at the "International Meeting on
Solidarity, Friendship and Cooperation with Vietnam".
We have the honor to invite you to participate in this Meeting and other
related events to be organized in Hanoi from August 31st - September
2ne, 2005.
We look forward to welcoming you in Vietnam on the occasion of this
historical celebration to further strengthen our bilateral relations.
With best regards,
Vu Xuan Hong
President, VUFO
Tentative overall program:
* August 31st: International Seminar "Poverty alleviation in Asia¹Africa
and Latin America: people¹s experiences and perspectives".
* September 1st: International Conference on Solidarity, Friendship and
Cooperation with Vietnam.
* September 2nd:
Morning: Participation in the Celeberation of the 60th Anniversary of
the Foundation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Afternoon: For the world of peace and Justice: the 55th Anniversary of
the Foundation of the World Peace Council
The AAPSO Delegations to these meetings was formed of:
- Dr. Fakhry Labib (AAPSO Permanent Secretariat).
- Prof. Haroup Othman (Tanzania)
- Dr. Husin Ali (Malysia).
***
60th Anniversary of the Fatherland Restoration
Day
On 15 August 2005 is the 60th anniversary of the Fatherland Restoration
day for the Korean People.
On the accession, the "Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization” send
the warmest congratulation and best wishes to the friendly Korean
People.
It was the turning point for the Korean People's life and history to
achieve the country's restoration from the Japanese colonial rule
through the harsh armed struggle against the Japanese imperialist led by
the Korean People.
Since the restoration from the Japanese colonial rule, Korean People
have led and created the new life as independent people and have a great
success and much progress in the fields of Politics, Economy, Military
and Culture.
We always support to Korean people’s just cause to build the reunified
and prosperous country, while keeping the peace and preventing the war
in the Korean peninsular.
We would like to expect the Korean peninsular will be reunified near
future and the Korean people lead the happy life in reunified and
prosperous country.
Best regards.
Nouri Abdulrazzak Hussain
Secretary General
******
Condolences
His Excellency Ambassador of Sri Lanka
Your Excellency,
Afro - Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization pays compliments to the
Sri Lankan Embassy.
And request you kindly to forward this message to the honorable
president Chandrika Kumaratunga in Sri Lanka.
AAPSO reiterates its assurances of highness respect.
Nouri Abdul Razzak Hussain
Secretary-General
The Permanent Secretariat of AAPSO was shocked to hear about the
assassination of the Foreign Minister Mr, Lukshman Kadirgamar on 12
August 2005.
We express our deep condolences and sorrow to the Sri Lankan people,
government and his family.
Sincerely,
Nouri Abdul Razzak Mourad Ghaleb
Secretary - General President
*****
Condolences
To Mr. .A.A.M. Marleen,
Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Organization of Sri Lanka
It is with sorrow that we learnt belatedly of the passing away of Rev.
Medagoda Sumanatissa Thero, President of Afro-Asian Solidarity
Association of Sri Lanka.
Rev. Sumanatissa Thero had taken over the leadership of the Sri Lanka
Committee at a very critical time in the late sixties of the last
century. He had rendered enormous contribution to the cause of
Afro-Asian Solidarity and World Peace which the Permanent Secretariat
cherished with high esteem.
We heard from our Sri Lankan friends that he was ailing for several
years as a result, he was unable to participate fully at our conference
held in Colombo in 2002.
Rev. Sumanatissa Thero had travelled to several countries in AAPSO
delegation and was known widely.
The Permanent Secretariat expresses its condolences to the Sri Lanka
Committee and request conveys the same to the inmates of his temple.
Nouri Abdulrazzak Dr. Morad Ghaleb
Secretary-General President
E.A.Vidyasekera
Coordinator
*****
Conference in Support
of Middle East Peace
Mr. Jean Paul Escoffier
President of AFASPA
Dear Mr. Jean Paul,
Today we received the documents sent by AFASPA about the U.N.
International Conference of civil society in support of Middle East
Peace which took place last month in Paris.
We would like to thank you for representing AAPSO at this conference and
providing us with the documents.
As for what you mentioned on your letter of sending the AFASPA
priorities of issues and upcoming activities as to share them with
AAPSO, we are eager to coordinate with you.
With my best regards,
Nouri Abdul Razzak Hussain
Secretary General
***
Russian Egyptian Center for
Scientific-Technological, Industrial, Energy and Information Cooperation
(REC)
His Excellency
President of Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Organization
Dr. Mourad Ghaleb
Dear Dr. Mourad Ghaleb
I would like to take this opportunity to express my highly respect to
Your Excellency and thank You for Your kindly invitation to participate
in the International Round Table on "The possibility of building an
unconstraint economy in the era of globalization" (27-28 September,
2005) received directly from Mr. Michail Margelov, Chairman of
International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of the Federal
Assembly of the Russian Federation.
The main objective of the REC is to increase the efficiency and to
expand the scientific-technical, energy, industrial and information
cooperation, as well as to develop the innovation ans
scientific-technical potentials of the economies of the Russian
Federation, Arab Republic of Egypt and other African countries.
The founders of the REC from the Russian part are the Chamber of
Commerce of the Russian Federation, the Russian Academy of Natural
Science, the Directorate of the annual international forum Russian Oil
and Gas Week (ROGW) and International Week of Metals (IWM), Russian-Arab
Businees Council, from the Egyptian-Part the Ministry of Petroleum of
Egypt.
According to a request of Mr. Michail Margelov, Chairman of the
Organization for Solidarity and Cooperation with Afro-Asian Peoples I
would like to ask you to include my presentation "Cooperation of Russia,
Egypt and the African countries in science, industry, energy and
information in the era of golbalization" in the program of the
International Round Table as a member of the delegation of the
Organization for Solidarity and Cooperation with Afro-Asian Peoples.
I would be very grateful if you kindly send an intivation letter for Dr.
Elena Uspenskaya, Coordinator of the Russian_Egyptian Center for
scientivic -Technological, industrial, energy and information
cooperation (REC) as well as provide us with the draft program of the
Round Table.
Yours Faithfully
Elena Uspenskaya
Coordinator of REC
***
AAPSO issued the following statement
SUDAN
THE PEACE PROCESS SHOULD HOLD ON!
The sudden passing away of John Garang, Sudanese charismatic leader,
indefatigable fighter for national liberation and head of the Sudanese
Peoples’ Liberation Army (Movement), just three weeks after he was sworn
in as Vice-President of Sudan, has caused frustration and uncertainties
about the future of the peace process signed between the government and
the SPLA on 9 January 2005.
John Garang had largely contributed to, and heavily weighed on the
settlement of the 21-year long conflict which claimed more than 1,5
millions lives and 4 million of refugees and displaced persons. He was
fighting with much determination to afford the South of the country the
sharing of political power, economic wealth and social justice to its
people, in other words, to the realization of the very aspirations of
the population in the Southern part of Sudan. Although more is yet to be
done in the context of looking for stability and peace in Sudan, the
signing of the agreement in January was a landmark in the history of
struggle led by John Garang which could hopefully lead to the settling
of the remaining confrontations in other parts of this country.
The Afro-Asian People' Solidarity Organisation-AAPSO-expresses its deep
sorrow and grief over the death of John Garang and extends its sincere
condolences to his family, the government and the Sudanese people.
AAPSO is confident that the peace process will be maintained, sustained
and hold on in order to give the Sudanese people the possibility to take
active part in the construction of the war-ravaged country and look for
bright future for the generations to come.
***
General Union of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce
Dr. Morad Ghaleb
AAPSO President
Within the framework of following up the recommendations of the
Afro-Asian Summit held in Jakarta, Indonesia during 19 23 April 2005, in
which the most important was choosing Egypt to host the Afro-Asian
Summit in 2007 as appreciation for its vanguard role in the African and
Asia continents, as well as our desire to continue fruitful cooperation
between our Union and your Organization.
We would like to inform you that it was decided to form a preparatory
committee headed by the Chairman of the General Union of the Egyptian
Chambers of Commerce and members from concerned parties in order to
prepare, market and plan for the Afro-Asian Summit of 2007 in Egypt.
Kindly nominate a representative from your Organization for membership
in the preparatory committee as soon as possible.
Chairman of the Union
Khaled Abu Ismail
***
Nuclear Campain
Dear All,
From September 14-16th, heads of state and world leaders will meet in
the 'Millennium plus five (M+5) Summit at UN Headquarters in New York.
In whichever country you may live, your country will be represented at
the very highest level.
While the M+5 agenda includes many items from terrorism to global
poverty to global warming to UN reform, nuclear disarmament will be a
key item on the world leaders agenda.
Nuclear weapons continue to be, as they have been since 1945 and more
since the development of 'push-button' war in the 1960s, a threat to
human civilization and the human race.
Under article VI of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, signed by every
nation other than India, Pakistan, and Israel, nations are under an
unambiguous legal obligation to eliminate their nuclear arsenals.
Following the failure of the NPT Review Conference to agree to any
constructive outcome for the nuclear nonproliferation treaty review,
Kofi Annan said:
"'The approaching summit of the 60th anniversary of the U.N. offers a
new opportunity to the 170 world leaders who will attend. If they fail
to act, their peoples will ask how, in today's world, they could not
find common ground in the cause of diminishing the existential threat of
nuclear weapons."
"I hope leaders will think seriously about what more can be done to
reduce - irreversibly - the number and role of nuclear weapons in the
world."
John Hallam
Nuclear Weapons Campaigner Friends of the Earth Australia.
***
Foundation for Peace and Sustainable
Development
International Seminar on NAM and New World Order
The Foundation for Peace and Sustainable Development (FPSD) is
organizing an International Conference on "NAM and New World Order" on
November 12-14, 2005 at New Delhi (India). The Conference intends to
focus on contemporary issues facing the NAM Countries in the background
of New World Order, search for a common stance for economic, social and
political emancipation and work for the realignment of attitudes in
Developing World.
FPSD takes this opportunity to invite you to participate in the
Conference and share your views with the fellow participants.
Assuring you of our best cooperation always.
With best wishes
Yours Sincerely
Saifuddin Soz
***
Association of Agriculture Sector
Dear colleagues,
It is with great enthusiasm we the association of Canadian foreign
workers recruitment programme, an Independent and Non Governmental
Organization, Montreal CANADA.
Invites groups, youth and youth focused agricultural organization to
take active role and participate in the on going farmers recruitment
exercise taking place in Canada Montreal.
We believe this is an incredible opportunity to network with like-minded
individuals, organization/ association of agricultural sector in the
promotion and development of pro-active farmers association and NGOs in
our global communities to help recruit people from the poorer countries.
We are only giving chance and rooms for existing and active
organization/association to participate in this farmer recruitment
exercise as chance are limited.
Thanks, Regards,
Ashley Bickerton.
***
UNESCO
International Forum on the Social Science - Policy Nexus
We would like to inform you that the Government of the Republic of
Argentina and UNESCO have agreed to postpone the International Forum on
the Social science-Policy Nexus originally scheduled for 5 to 9
September 2005.
In response to the enthusiastic and overwhelming interest shown in the
Forum and with a view to accommodate academic calendars as well as
political agendas from different regions of the world, it has been
decided, in wide consultation with the members of the International
Steering Committee for the Forum and all relevant partners, to hold the
International Forum on the Social Science - Policy Nexus from 20 to 24
February 2006 in Buenos Aires, Rosario, Cordoba and Montevideo.
We count upon your understanding and cooperation in this endeavor.
Yours sincerely
Pierre Sané Daniel Filmus
Assistant Director General of Minister of Education
UNESCO for Social and Culture
and Human Sciences Republic of Argentina
***
CONGO Board Meeting
Dear all,
This is to inform you that the CONGO Board Meeting is going to be held
in Geneva on 29 and 30 August 2005, at the Varembé Conference Center.
All CONGO Members are invited to attend this meeting as observers, but
with the right to take the floor.
Best regards,
***
UNCTAD
Expert Meeting on Strengthening Participation of Developing Countries
In New and Dynamic Sectors of World Trade: Trends, Issues and Policies
The Expert Meeting on Strengthening Participation of Developing
Countries In New and Dynamic Sectors of World Trade: Trends, Issues and
Ploicies will be held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, 24 October to
26 October 2005.
***
UNCTAD
Trade and Development Board
Fifty-second session
The fifty-second session of the Trade and Development Board will open at
3 October 2005 tell 14 October 2005 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
***
UNCTAD
Expert Meeting on Positive Corporate Contibutions to the Economic
and Social Development of Host Developing Countries
The Expert Meeting on Positive Corporate Contibutions to the Economic
and Social Development of Host Developing Countries, convened in
accordance with the decision taken by the Commission on Investment,
Technology and Related Financial Issues at its ninth session, will be
held from 31 October to 2 November 2005, at the Palais des Nations,
Geneva.
***
Israeli Palestinian Dialoge Committee
Turn of Al Quds
The withdrawal of the abhorrent occupation army from Gaza, north of the
West Bank and dismantlement of settlements constitute a great
achievement and national accomplishment for the Palestinian people who
have gained this due to their militancy and continuous resistance for
long years and cost them the lives of thousands of martyrs, detainees
and freedom prisoners.
We heartily share the joy of the Palestinian people but should remember
that Sharon¹s aim from such withdrawal is to cut short the
implementation of the Road Map by continuing the racist settlements in
the West Bank and construction of the separating wall. Therefore, we
must accelerate the just struggle in order to abort this aggressive
scheme hatched by Sharon. We should call for the support of all peace
lovers in the world and in Israel until this glorious dream is achieved
and until occupation is terminated, until the independent Palestinian
state is established with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Let us on this day declare
May that be the turn of Al Quds
|
