"Vision of Bandung after 50 years - Facing New Challenges"
1st - 2nd March 2005 in Cairo, Egypt.

2005 will be the 50th anniversary of “Bandung Conference” which was held in the city of Bandung in 1955. This conference marked a watershed in forging the Afro-Asian Solidarity, as it was the first of its kind to bring the leaders of emerging Afro-Asian countries to meet together and charter a course of action for their future.
The initiative of organizing this historical event was taken by the five countries - Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, Pakistan, Burma and Indonesia who met in Colombo known as the Colombo powers. Bandung gave birth to the Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Stalwarts like Jawharlal Nehru of India, Chou En Lai of Peoples China, Sokarno of Indonesia, Gamal Abdul Nasser of Egypt and Kwae Nkrumah of Ghana were present at this conference.
We consider that Bandung spirit still pervades in world politics and in international relations. Therefore it is appropriate that we commemorate this great event in a fitting manner. AAPSO has therefore decided to organize an international conference in Cairo under the theme: “Vision of Bandung after 50 years - Facing New Challenges” on 1st - 2nd March 2005 in Cairo, Egypt.

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Dear Sirs,
The Permanent Secretariat of the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organisation - AAPSO - has the following to submit to your consideration:
In a world subject to profound mutations generated by globalization, African civil society and organisations have a vital role to play in the battle for economic development, progress and prosperity for the people living on this continent.
In this context, AAPSO, which has put the issues of development, environment, human rights, disarmament, conflicts problems among the top priorities of its programme of action, considers the time ripe for those who relentlessly and sincerely express such noble aspirations to seek ways and means in promoting general action leading to mutual understanding, genuine relationship and active collaboration. Such move should be considered as an imperative of our time and a necessity to strengthened solidarity among African peoples, civil society and organisations.
AAPSO is interested in developing close relationship with, and in the activities of, your esteemed regional economic grouping. It is ready to maintain contacts by offering its availability to cooperate in domains of mutual and common interests with proposals, suggestions, analysis or comments in relation with the economic development of the region. This should be achieved through sustained relationship, exchange of informations between our both organisations.
AAPSO currently publishes its own magazine : "Development and Socio-Economic Progress" as well as political bulletin and others. We propose to put your organisation in our mailing list.
AAPSO is an international non-governmental organisation enjoying consultative status with ECOSOC, UNIDO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, DPI, and observer status with the Non-Aligned Movement as well as with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
The Permanent Secretariat of the AAPSO would like to stress the necessity of the proposed cooperation and hopes you will share its view on this regard..
We avail ourselves of this opportunity to thank you in advance and wish you all success in your tasks.

Nouri Abdel Razzak Hussein Dr. Morad Ghaleb
Secretary General President

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Congratulation

Your Excellency Mr. Kim Yong II
General Secretary of the Worker’s Party of Korea
Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPR of Korea
Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army

It is great pleasure for me to send my warmest congratulations and best wishes to Your Excellency Mr. Kim Yong II, General Secretary of the Worker’s party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPR of Korea, Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army on the 63rd anniversary of your birthday.
I take this opportunity to wish you good health and happiness with the great success in your noble work to reunify Korea and to build the prosperous country under the leadership for your Excellency.

Best regards
Nouri Abdul Razzak Hussain
General Secretary of AAPSO

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Condolences
Assassination of Rafik El Hariri

AAPSO conveys its sincere condolences to the people and government of Lebanon as well as to the Hariri family. For Rafik El Hariri was a prominent Arab figure and leader who consecrated his life in defence of the Lebanese people and the Arab nation and endeavoured persistently to build Lebanon and ensure its stability and prosperity.
AAPSO is shocked by this terrible crime and is certain that the brave Lebanese people will overcome this ordeal and maintain national unity and stability in Lebanon which were the objectives that Rafik El Hariri strived for unceasingly.
AAPSO condemns this heinous and brutal crime that aims at destabilizing the entire region and seeks to undermine the stability and progress enjoyed by Arab countries. AAPSO is certain that justice will be meted upon those who perpetrated this crime.
We hope that the Almighty will have mercy on Rafik El Hariri’s soul and bestow patience to his family and the Lebanese people.

Dr. Morad Ghaleb/AAPSO President
Mr. Nouri Abdel Razzak/Secretary General

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The World Social Forum

AAPSO participated in the World Social Forum held on 26 - 31/1/2005 in Puerto Allegro, Brazil. Miss Maha Sallam represented the Organization in order to attend and supervise the seminar held by AAPSO on 28 January 2005, entitled Arab and Afro-Asian issues, the Greater Middle East project, the Israeli separation wall and Bandung+50.
The speakers in this seminar were Miss Maha Sallam, Mr. Medhat el Zahed and Mr. Saad El Tawil. AAPSO called for ending the American occupation of Iraq and launching an universal campaign to pull down the Israeli separation wall, end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and ensure the return of refugees. This, as well as imposing a total boycotting on Israel and the revival of the spirit of Bandung.

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Congratulation

AAPSO Permanent Secretariat received news that HE Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen assumed the leadership of the Palestinian National Authority after having won the confidence of the Palestinian people in the democratic elections hoping for a future in which their aspirations will be achieved, namely the establishment of the independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Al Quds as its capital, return of refuges and destroying the racist wall in a bid to achieve peace. For the Palestinian people have paid a high price in terms of the blood of their martyrs who struggled for peace and independence.
AAPSO expresses its congratulations for this confidence and wishes him all the success.

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Ministry of International Cooperation
Cooperation with International, Regional and Arab Financial Institutions

Mr. Nouri Abdel Razzak
AAPSO Secretary General

I have pleasure to inform you that the Minister of International Cooperation has agreed to the proposal made by the African Development Bank to convene a seminar in Cairo from 31 January to 1 February 2005 to discuss the initial report prepared by the Bank on the economic strategy of Egypt for 2005/2009 in order to define an operational programme for the Bank in Egypt for the forthcoming years. Representatives from government authorities, the private sector, banks, national associations, research centers and current projects being implemented and financed by the African Bank will participate as well as donors. They will express their comments on the above mentioned report before the Bank presents it in its final form.
Since AAPSO is one of the parties invited to participate in this seminar, we are sending you a copy of the initial report in Arabic and English so that you may study it and give us your comments during the seminar.
Kindly inform us as soon as possible of the name and position of your representative. The seminar will be held at the Nile Hilton hotel at 9 am on 31 January to 1 February 2005.

Under-secretary of the Ministry of
Cooperation with International, Regional and Arab Institutions
Soraya Abu El Seoud
AAPSO Representatives to this meeting were Ms. Hamsa Abdel Hamid and Ms Iman Abdel Maksoud.

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MESSAGE
AFRO-ASIAN PEOPLES' SOLIDARITY ORGANISATION
to the World Summit on Small Island Developing States
Port-Louis, Mauritius, 10-14 January 2005

The Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organisation-AAPSO- expresses its deep satisfaction regarding the timely holding of the World Forum on Small Island Developing States in a country that has just been subjected to the impact of the earthquake which has provoked the most horrible consequences of the generated tsunamis all over the Indian Ocean.
While expressing its deep sorrow and grief over the losses of hundreds of thousands of lives, AAPSO presents its condolences to the families of the victims, to the governments and the peoples of all affected countries.
The effects of such disasters, amid that of climate change due to global warming already felt everywhere, have very serious consequences on socio-economic achievements of these small Islands because of being possibly destroyed in a very short time, not to mention other odds like humanitarian crisis, spreading of diseases, eco-system problems, threatening the economic improvement and advantages of some of those who managed to have best performed.
Small Island developing countries should deserve due and particular attention from the side of international community and should be listed among the top priorities of its agenda. This mainly requires promotion and strengthening of inter-Island relationship for the sake of common interest and mutual benefit, reinforcement of international solidarity with these countries within the South-South and North-South cooperation.
It is overwhelmingly known that Small Island nations encounter serious challenges as of being subjected to fierce competition of great countries over attaining profit gains by using their territory as a safe haven for fructifying and laundering money, for fiscal evasion, drug trafficking, sexual exploitation in tourism.
AAPSO hopes that the World Summit will give new impetus to resolve the issues of Small Island developing countries and wishes the Conference a very big success.

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United Nations
Division for Social Policy and Development

Dear Dr. James A. Harris
Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization
On behalf of Mr. Johan Schölvinck, Division for Social Policy and Development, I have the pleasure to confirm the participation of your organization, as observer, in the Fifth Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promption of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, scheduled to take place from 24 January to 4 February 2005 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
We look forward to meeting you at the forthcoming session of the Ad Hoc Committee.

Best regards
Yours Sincerely,
Yao Ngoran
Chief, NGO Unit

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AAPSO Nepal
International Conference on Peoples’ Solidarity For
Peace and Human Rights Kathmandu Declaration

The delegates and observers participating in international conference on People’s Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights organized by Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity Organization of Nepal, at Kathmandu on 10,11,12 December 2004, pledges to carry forward the struggle for peace and Human Rights in order to free people of the world from exploitation, oppression, deprivation, terror and war.
The International Conference of People’s solidarity for peace and Human Rights draws the urgent attention of peoples to:
- Need of solidarity against neo-colonialism, neo-Imperialism, all types of hegemonism and exclusionism.
- Raise voice against unilateral - Imposition of war in Iraq and ask to strengthen role of UNO for multilateral co-operation for peace and security.
- Need for ban of WMD. nuclear weapons and chemical and biological weapons.
- Ratification of the treaty or banning land mines by all states.
- Repatriation of all refugees with UNHCR supervision Including Shutanese refugees in Nepal.
- Elimination of caste, gender, religious, ethnic and all other discrimination and promote inclusive and participatory democracy.
- Need to alleviate poverty from the whole world and special plan and programme to address the issue.
The International Conference of People’s Solidarity for peace and human rights condemns the perpetration of tension created by outside forces in the Korean Peninsula, recommends the need for peaceful unification of Korea without outside interference and urges withdrawal of US troops from Korea. Also, it recommends the settlement of nuclear Issue in the Korean Peninsula through negotiated settlement and on the principle of reward for freezing nuclear activities

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Cairo
The Egyptian Solidarity Committee

The Cultural Salon held a meeting on “The Arabic Language and Challenges of Globalization”. The speakers were Dr. Kamal Bashir, General Secretary of the Arabic Language institutions, Dr. Salah Eddin the cultural critic and former director of Dar el Kutub and Taher Abu Zeid on 10-1-2005

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The Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs
Dr. Morad Ghaleb
Member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs

I have the honour to inform you that the Council will hold a colloquium to discuss the book by Mr. Atef El Ghamri “The Greater Middle East” on Monday 17 January at 6 pm in Mubarak Public Library at Giza.
We hope that your time will permit you to attend this meeting.

Ambassador Abdel Raouf El Reedi
Chairman

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The Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs
Dr. Morad Ghaleb

I have the pleasure to inform you that Mrs Kristina Ojuland, Minister of foreign Affairs of Estonia during her visit to Cairo, will be hosted by the Council to speak before its members on the adhesion of Estonia in the EU. This is in the context of the Council’s concern to foster ties with new countries that joined the EU.
This meeting will be held on Monday 24 January 2005 at 5 pm in the Egyptian Diplomatic club.
We hope that your schedule will enable you to attend.

Ambassador Amin Shalaby
Executive Director

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The National Planning Institute
Invitation

Dr. Morad Ghaleb
The National Planning Institute invites Your Excellency to attend the proceedings of the fifth session of the annual scientific season known as SEMINAR on Tuesday 8 February 2005 at 10 am till 1 pm in the late Dr. Ibrahim Helmy Abdel Rahman Hall on the 7th floor of its premises in Nasr City (Corner of El Tayaraan and Salah Salem).
The theme of the session is “The Draft New Tax Law: its positive and negative aspects”. The guests are Mr Abdel Fattah El Gebali, consultant to the Minister of Finance and Dr. Niveen Kamal, First expert of the Center for Political Studies in the Institute.
This will be followed by open discussions. We look forward to your presence and your valuable participation in the proceedings of this meeting.

Seminar coordinator
Dr. Ashraf El Arabi.

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The National Planning Institute

Dr. Fakhri Labib
The National Planning Institute takes pleasure in inviting you to its fourth session of the annual scientific season known as SEMINAR on Tuesday 11 January 2005 at 10 am till 1 pm in the late Dr Ibrahim Helmy Abdel Rahman Hall on the 7th floor of its premises in Nasr City (Corner of El Tayaraan and Salah Salem).
The theme of the session is “Water and Future Precautions”. The guests are Dr. Mohamed Nasr Eddin, Professor of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Cairo University and Dr Mohamed Abu El Foutuh El Kafrawi, Consultant in the Institute.
This will be followed by open discussions. We look forward to your attendance and valuable participation.

Seminar Coordinator
Dr. Mohamed Samir Mustafa
Consultant at the Institute

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The Egyptian Organization for Administrative Development

Excellency President of AAPSO

I have the pleasure to inform you that the Organization will hold the Third Arab Conference for “Local Administration” as well as a workshop on: Practices and Experiences in Decentralization and Development of Local Administration on 10-14 April 2005 in Cairo, Egypt.
This conference aims at highlighting the modern concepts of local administration and their application. Models and methodologies of local administration will be presented according to up to date reforms in administrative thinking as well as indicators of dramatic changes to systems that resort to market mechanisms and democratic practices. Hence the conference aims at concluding its discussions by stressing the need for upgrading the local administrative system whereby governments may bear their responsibility according to complementing roles. These require integrating the citizen, civil institutions and the private sector in all policies and decisions and thereby creating a holistic development atmosphere.
The Organization looks forward to the participation of your esteemed institution in this important conference and requests that this invitation be extended to all targeted parties. The participation fees amount is 600 dollars to cover the technical and administration expenses. Delegations will bear travel and accommodation expenses.

Dr. Basman Faisal Mahgoub
Consultant of the Organization
Conference Coordinator
The Arab Organization for Administrative Development

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Excellency President of AAPSO

I have the pleasure to inform you that the Organization will convene the second Arab meeting (Administration of large cities) followed by a workshop entitled (Civilizational problems and creative solutions) on 22 - 26 May 2005 in Alexandria, Egypt.
This meeting aims at identifying current trends in the administration of large cities and analyzing relevant problems, determining opportunities and conditions to privatize local services in large cities and their requirements. This, in addition to envisage future prospects and present successful experiences in the administration of large cities.
Administrative leaderships in ministries of Local Administration, Internal Affairs, Local Regime and Administrative Rulers (the governors, the leaders, areas and regions rulers ........etc.), will participate in this meeting. As well, the mayors, presidents of townships and cities and their regional councils and administrative leaderships, professors of universities and research and academic agencies, administrative leaderships at communications and transportation corporations and the environment, the police and the traffic administrations will participate.
The Organization conveys to you this important scientific event and hopes you will participate in this meeting by sending a research or working paper to us or by attending and taking part in discussions. Kindly convey this invitation to those concerned with this issue. Participation fees amount is 550 dollars.

Dr. Basman Faisal Mahgoub
The Counsellor

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Hyderabad Anti War Assembly Declaration,
December 19, 2004

We are delegates from social movements, organizations, political parties, networks, and coalitions of workers, peasants, women, students and other sections from Asia, Africa, Europe and North America who are struggling for global peace and justice and are committed to equality, solidarity, and diversity. We are engaged in our own campaigns and struggles against imperialism, colonial occupation, militarization, nuclear weaponisation, US bases and corporate led globalisation, and against all wars, including internal wars.
We condemn the use of torture by occupying powers and dictatorial regimes against those who are asserting their democratic right of protest. The people of Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan have been particular targets of this violence. Women are routinely singled out for rape and other forms of sexual violence. We demand prosecution and deterrent punishment of all such sexual assaults under War Crimes.
Iraq
- We support the legitimate right of the people of Iraq to resist the illegal occupation of Iraq by all means.
- We call for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of US and “coalition” forces from Iraq.
- We demand that those violating human rights in Iraq must be treated under the International War Crimes Tribunal.
- We condemn attacks on innocent civilians.
- We demand the release of all Iraqi political prisoners.
Palestine
- We demand the end to the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine and all other occupied territories.
- We denounce the racist and colonial character of Zionism, Israel’s State ideology.
- We demand that the Right of Return for all Palestinians be fulfilled.
- We demand the dismantlement of the Apartheid Wall and all settlements.
- We demand the release of all Palestinian political prisoners.

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International Kashmir Conference

Dear friend,
The International Educational Development (accredited with the UN ECOSOC) and the Kashmiri American Council would like to invite you to participate at the "International Kashmir Peace Conference", entitled "Peace Initiative in South Asia: Exploring Possible Options for Kashmir" to be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, February 24th & 25th, 2005.
We look forward to your participation in this event.

Yours sincerely,
Ms. Karen Parker Esq, UN Delegate
Dr. Ghulam-Nabi Fai, Executive Director

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The Arab Lawyers Union
Secretary General

Ambassador Moheb El Samra
AAPSO

The Arab Lawyers Union and its Center for Legal Researches and Studies conveys to you their best regards and wishes.
Within its scientific and cultural activities, the Center will organize its first seminar for 2005 on : the QUIZ Agreements and its Impact on Arab National Security. The seminar will discuss different dimensions of these agreements at the political, economical and legal levels. The speakers are: Dr. Gouda Abdel Khalek, Professor of Economics - Cairo University, Dr. Hazem Atlam, Professor of International Law, Ein Shams University.
The seminar will be held in the general Secretariat of the Union, 13 Etehad El Mohameyeen El Arab Street, Garden City, Cairo at 6 pm on Monday 21 February 2005.
It gives us pleasure to invite you to attend and participate in the proceedings and discussions of this meeting and expressing your views.

Ibrahim El Samlali
Secretary General of the ALU

This meeting was attended by Miss Iman Abdel Maksoud as representative of AAPSO.

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Supporting Development Center for Consultations and Training
A Preparatory Overview of the World Social Forum

Dr. Fakhri Labib

Within the context of preparations undertaken by a group of Egyptian civil society institutions for the World Social Forum in its fifth round, held in Puerto Allegro, Brazil on 26 - 31 January 2005, the participating group in the Forum organized four main activities (attached herewith is information on participating Egyptian institutions and detailed agenda of the Forum).
The group has the pleasure to invite you to the preparatory workshop to be held in the Center on Tuesday 11 January at 10 am, 30, Haroun Street , Dokki, 3rd floor, in order to reactivate participation , dialogue and exchange of views between institutions and experts and to enrich the papers that will be presented to the Forum.
The workshop shall be composed of two main sessions:
1st Session: Preparatory presentations by Dar El Khadamat, El Hayat El Afdal Institution, Health and Environment Development Association on the issue of asbestos, workers in quarries, privatization of the health sector and TRIPS agreement.
2nd Session: A round table discussion entitled “The Arab region is a war region”, dealing with military globalization and resistance strategies.

Miss Maha Sallam attended the workshop as AAPSO representative.

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The International Campaign against American and Zionist Occupation
Third Cairo Conference
24-27 March, 2005
With the Resistance in Palestine and Iraq.
Against Globalization, Imperialism and Zionism
Appeal and Invitation for Participation

To all the activists, popular committees, mass movements, civil society organizations, research centers, unions, political forces, parties, public personalities against globalization, imperialism, Zionism and occupation in Egypt and the Arab world and to all the world.
The international campaign against American and Zionist occupation that organizes the 3rd Cairo International Conference (Egypt), announces the preparations for holding the conference from 24 to 27 March under the slogan: “With the resistance in Palestine and Iraq. Against Imperialism and Zionism”. Numerous discussions will take place on major issues and procedures will be adopted to mobilize the world around them in addition to decide upon launching international campaigns in this regard.. The main issues addressed by the conference are:
1 - To support the resistance in Palestine and Iraq.
2 - To struggle against the Zionist project in the Arab region.
3 - To confront American imperialist project and globalization policies in the Arab region and the world.
4 - To support the struggle of the Arab peoples for democracy in facing the Greater Middle East project and oppression in the Arab region.
5 - To develop the against war movement, globalization and oppression in the Arab region.

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PCHR.

Adalah and al-Haq Demand the Israeli High Court to Issue Temporary Injunction Stopping Wide Scale House Demolition’s.
PCHR, Adalah and al-Haq submitted an appeal to the Israeli High Court in may 2004 to define the legal term “military necessity” used by the Israeli military to justify house demolition in Rafah. On 10 January 2005, the three organizations submitted a response in accordance with a decision by the court to provide specific cases.
The three organizations demanded that the Israeli High Court issue a temporary injunction stopping house demolition in Rafah, which are carried out under the pretext of “immediate military necessity” and a form of collective punishment and are prohibited under international law.

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The Palestinian Center for Human Rights
One day before the Palestinian presidential elections

The occupation forces kill a Palestinian policeman at a military barrier in Khan Younis.
Just one day before the Palestinian presidential elections, the Israeli occupation forces killed a Palestinian policeman in Khan Younis on 18-1-2005 as he was standing near Matahen barrier, north of Khan Younis waiting for a car to take him to his work at El Nusayrat camp.
According to the investigations of the Center, at 6.10 am when Mahmoud Yehia El Farra, a citizen, 61 years old, and an officer in the Palestinian police force was getting into a taxi near the Matahen barrier, north of Khan Younis that was set up since the Intifada, the occupation soldiers at the road block fired at a few Palestinian citizens and their cars as they were crossing the barrier. The policeman was hit in his stomach and chest and was martyred immediately. Following this crime, the occupation forces closed the barrier for a short time. The investigations indicate that the area was totally calm before the crime was perpetrated. In fact, the occupation forces had kept firing haphazardly during the Intifada at civilians and their vehicles as they crossed the said barrier. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights documented several similar cases that involved those injured and killed.
This new crime differs from the Israeli version for facilitating access to Palestinians going through military barriers during the presidential elections that block roads between cities and villages in the occupied territories.
The Palestinian Center strongly condemns this crime that comes within the framework of a continuous series of war crimes perpetrated by the occupation forces in the occupied territories that directly affects the course of the elections process.

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The Palestinian Center for Human Rights
The Occupation forces continue to prohibit
The return of nearly 180 citizens to their
homes in Muwassi, Rafah, Khan Younis,
South of Gaza which indicates their deprival from
Exercising their election right

The Center is greatly concerned that 180 Palestinian citizens could not return to their homes as a result of the stringent closure imposed by the Israeli military occupation forces. This means more suffering for the inhabitants in this area and a matter that impedes them from exercising their election rights and their participation in the presidential elections.
The Center denounces these Israeli measures and calls upon the high contracting parties of the 4th Geneva Convention and NGOs to bring pressure to bear on the Israeli military occupation authorities to stop their coercive measures as well as collective punishment of the Palestinian civilian inhabitants. The Parties should demand the occupation forces to enable the inhabitants to exercise their rights in the presidential elections tomorrow.

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The International Committee in Defence
of Taysir Aloni

In these difficult moments in which mystery and questions prevail, the International Committee in Defence of Taysir Aloni (composed of more than twenty Arab and European NGOs concerned with freedom of the press and human rights), calls upon all organizations and personalities concerned with this issue and who are able to influence it, to intervene promptly to save the lives of Florence Opinass and her companion Hassan Hanoun El Saadi and to release them immediately. They should also condemn and stop capturing foreign journalists and civilians in Iraq.

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The Egyptian Human Rights Organizations Grouping
demand the prompt release of Taysir Aloni

The Egyptian Human Rights Organizations Grouping which includes 19 relevant NGOs was greatly shocked by the second detention of Al Gezira correspondent Taysir Aloni from his home in Granada, Spain by the Spanish authorities.
This Grouping deems that such a measure taken by the Spanish government constitutes a blatant violation of human rights and is not based on any evidence.
The Grouping demands the Spanish government to safeguard his life as he had previously suffered a heart attack and deems that they are fully responsible for any harm that may affect his life.

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The Arab Organization for Human rights
The AOHR urges the international community
To support the Palestinian people’s rights.

The AOHR closely monitored the election process for electing the president of the Palestinian Authority to replace the late President Yasser Arafat. There were seven candidates and primary results indicated that Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen, head of the PLO Executive Committee had succeeded.
Although the Organization is convinced that occupation and freedom are contradictory and divisible, and that elections is one of the central mechanisms for freedom and democracy, the Palestinian people have underscored their awareness of sound democratic practice. In fact, they indicated their capability to manage their own affairs and settle problems far from schemes hatched by the occupation and foreign interference.
The Organization is aware that the Palestinian people conveyed a message to the international community in which they underlined their resolve to continue their struggle for exercising their right for self determination. Moreover, it is incumbent upon the international community to take this message into account. All forms of collective punishment should end as well as the Israeli occupation in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions that stipulate the availability of true guarantees for enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their legislative elections. This, in order to fulfil their march for a revolving peaceful authority and establishment of their independent state in all its occupied territories including Al Quds

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United Nation Conference on Trade and Development
Expert Meeting on Trade and Development Aspects of Professional Services and Regulatory Frameworks

The Expert Meeting on Trade and Development Aspects of Professional Services and Regulatory Frameworks will be held from 17-19 January 2005 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

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United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Dear Sir,
I have the pleasure to inform you that the forty-third session on the Commission for Social Development will be convened from 9 to 18 February 2005 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The session will be held in Conference Room 4 of the United Nations Secretariat Building.

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United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Expert Meeting on New and Dynamic Sectors of World Trade

The Expert Meeting on New and Dynamic Sectors of World Trade will be held from 7 to 9 February 2005 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

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United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Commission on Investment, Technology and Related Financial Issues
Ninth Session

The Ninth Session of the Commission on Investment, Technology and Related Financial Issues will be held from 7 to 11 March 2005 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

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United Nation Conference on Trade and Development
Investment Policy Review of Brazil

The Investment Policy Review of Brazil will be considered on Tuesday, 8 March 2005, within the framework of the work of the Commission on Investment, Technology and Related Financial Issues. The event will take place at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.