AAPSO Strongly Condemns
the Israeli insistence
for Establishing the Apartheid and Separated Wall

On Monday 23/2/2004, The International Court of Justice in the Hague will review the legal status of the Israeli Wall inside the Palestinian territories on the request of the U.N. General Assembly. In case of the continuity of establishing this wall to reach 620 Kms, there will be 42% of the West Bank taken away from the Palestinian. This Wall will lead to the homeless and harm badly more than one million and half of the Palestinians, split the West Bank into five parts, prevent any contacts between the villages and cities and separate the villages from its agricultural lands. Also, it will separate students from their schools and universities, confiscate a large number of water artesian wells, which feed these cities and villages with fresh water and confiscate the watering well for agricultural lands.
It is clear from the above that the Israeli leadership who is responsible for establishing this racist wall aims to accomplish the following three objectives:
1) Hindering the establishment of the Palestinian City.
2) Forcing the Palestinian to emigrate on the pretext of unemployment and blockage, to seize them forever in all fields of life and destroy their economy.
3) Continuing to change Jerusalem to be a Jewish city by suppressing the Palestinian citizens and their sons and daughters who have been living there from the early stages to emigrate them from the holy city for all kinds of religions.
Israel tried before to obstruct the work of the International Court of Justice because of the strong belief of violating the International Humanitarian Law in an obvious and clear way with the Fourth Geneva Convention. These violations were condemned by many international and humanitarian institutions. So now Israel wants again to disturb the work of this court by using a large gathering of mass media with falsifying and politically pressuring the Court and its procedure so as to move the attentions to other direction. However, it is known that Israel is the main responsible for all the crimes committed against the rights of the Palestinian People such as, the collective punishments and xenophobia which are condemned continually by the U.N., its bodies and all International Institutions.
Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization strongly condemns the Israeli insistence for establishing the apartheid and separated Wall which is considered a precedent which has never been done before even in the most racist regimes. Also, condemns all the Israeli crimes and policies against the rights of the Palestinians and calls upon all states, nations, institutions and parties to stand firmly against these shameful crimes as similar to the South -African Racist regime.
In addition, AAPSO announces again its support to the Palestinians with its legitimate leadership and believes on the Palestinian rights for an independent State with Jerusalem as a capital in order to reach peace and stability in the region.
Let's stand together against this wall which violates Peace, the international legitimacy and the rights of the Palestinians.

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Congratulation
Mr. Kim Jong II
General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea
Charirman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
It is a great pleasure for me to send my warmest congratulations and best wishes to his Excellency, the great leader of the Korean people on your birthday anniversary.
I take this opportunity to heartily wish you long life and good health and great successes in noble efforts for the reunification of your country.
With best regards,
Nouri Abdul Razzak Hussain
Secretary General of AAPSO

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Meeting
Mrs. Emma Yonino, member of the European Parliament and president of "No Peace without Justice" Organization met Dr.Morad Ghaleb, President of AAPSO and Mr. Nouri Abdel Razzak, Secretary General on Thursday 5/2/2004 to discuss the issue of democracy and human rights. Mrs. Emma expressed her views on the problems of emigrants and democracy practiced in certain countries where human rights were not upholded. She said it was necessary to apply these rights and to promote better understanding between Europeans and Arabs as well as to consider democracy as an ongoing process. She mentioned the International Criminal Court and its role related to the United Nations and Security Council. Discussions revolved around these issues. Dr. Morad Ghaleb and Mr. Nouri Abdel Razzak concluded by pledging to hold more meetings to address these common concerns and problems.

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AAPSO COMMITTED
TO AFRICA

The Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization (AAPSO), an International NGO founded on January 1958, having observer status with ECOSOC, UNESCO, UNCTAD, UNIDO, Non-Aligned Movement and the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, has been for decades committed to the African affairs and to work closely with African peoples, which was demonstrated by the holding of six out of its seven Congresses in Africa (Cairo, Egypt-1957-58); Conakry, Guinea (1960); Moshe, Tanzania (1963); Winneba, Ghana (1965); Cairo, Egypt (1972), and Algiers, Algeria (1984). Now, in the eve and the dawn of the new millennium and the 21st century, AAPSO's activities have been marked by very important meetings such as its participation at the UN Human Rights Commission; its organization of international conferences like the one dedicated to Cultures and Civilizations, or the Conflicts and civil wars in Africa; its organization of, and participation to the preparatory meetings for the World Conference against racism in South Africa, thus underlining the importance of the role played by AAPSO in Africa and giving impetus to its responsibility vis-à-vis the peoples of this continent.
AAPSO took active part in the support of the liberation movements while many African countries were under colonial regime. In this context, AAPSO exerted tremendous efforts in organizing numerous conferences, seminars and other emergency gatherings in support of the struggle for independence as well as the newly independent African countries.
The position of Africa vis-à-vis the rest of the world now raises much alarm. The effects of internal and external factors on the efforts exerted by African populations to survive at the price of immense sacrifices could drive the African continent towards growing marginalization. Socio-economic disparities continue to be aggravated leading to more poverty and withdrawal. AAPSO is conscious of the fact that the African continent caught by the so-called globalization is assailed by vast difficulties that are threatening and shocking its stability, its security and the welfare of its peoples in general. AAPSO is concerned of the nefarious effects on several aspects of the life of African peoples as well as the negative impact of all measures which tend to make the African peoples bear the burden of their historic past under foreign powers, as well as their debts and to make enormous sacrifices in order to survive. AAPSO is also aware of the dimensions reached by events occuring in some regions of Africa, especially in the areas where still persist regional conflicts, civil wars, terrorism and other forms of inter-ethnic violences. Recently, seminars and other major gatherings have been organized by AAPSO to discuss issues like the conflicts in Africa, the situation in the Great Lakes region, the problem of racism and racial discrimination, etc...
In its efforts to adapt itself to the present situation AAPSO has put as main priorities in its activities the development, democracy, human rights, environment, disarmament, peace, South-South cooperation, North-South dialogue, the struggle to combat racism, all forms of discrimination and poverty, for the enhancement and respect of the rights of women and children.
AAPSO maintains close relationship with pan-African organization such as the Organization of African Unity (OAU), as well as the United Nations, for example, in sending its representatives at the meetings of the UN Economic Commission for Africa. More recently, this relation has been strengthened and reinforced by granting AAPSO the observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.
Facing the process of worldwide transformation actually taking place, AAPSO seeks an alternative to globalization which would include popular alliances for progress and social justice.
AAPSO campaigns for Solidarity with African Peoples and Movements in their struggle for socio-economic development, peace, stability and progress by activating democratic mechanisms of solidarity by democratic movements for real partnership ( conferences, campaigns of solidarity, exchange of views and news, etc..).

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Promotion and Protection
of Human Rights
Mrs. Franچoise Mandallaz
NGO Liaison Officer
UN Office in Geneva
Dear Madam
On behalf of the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization the following persons will be attending the 60th Session of the Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to be held at Geneva from March 15 to April 24, 2004. You are kindly requested to provide accreditation to the following and advise concerned authorities to issue them visa to visit Geneva.
Name:
1- Mr. Julien Randriamasivelo
2- Dr. Masooma Ali
3- Mr. Keith Bennet
4- Mr. Tahir Naseem Manhas
5- Mr. Shaukat Hussain Baloch
6- Mr. Mohammed Asim
7- Dr. Shri Prakash
With best regards and thanking you for your kind efforts.
Yours sincerely,
Nouri Abdel Razzak Hussain
Secretary General

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An answer to lies
Dr. Fatma Nasr
Director of the Board of Soutour Magazine

Certain unknown suspicious elements and parties hiding behind names and organizations with whom we have no relations, launched a poisonous campaign through the Internet and then moved it to newspapers based on fabrications, deceit and false allegations which were denied by these names and organizations. These sources published articles and attributed them to us, then they replied to them and attacked us. Therefore it is clear that there is a mechanism specialized in smearing and falsification, a matter to be expected from hostile organs.
In fact, an article published by your magazine signed by Mowafak Mahadin entitled "the Iraqi Communist Party" issue no. 87 February 2004 mentioned in the first paragraph that Iraqis were carrying red banners and waving them joyfully when Saddam Hussein was captured. My name was mentioned among others. Evidence against such lies is that I live in Cairo and was not in Baghdad when Saddam Hussein was captured. Nor was I there at any other time waving red flags in celebration. Moreover, I am not member of any party and am independent.
The author of the article mentioned " the communists turned directly to American circles or through networks funded by foreign sources in which Nouri Abdel Razzak Hussein played the role of mediator taking advantage of his so-called Afro-Asian Organization". In another paragraph he said, ".. and whatever that was facilitated by the struggle's broker Nouri Abdel Razzak due to his private organization".
There are two paragraphs that expose the true nature of the writer in that he has reached untold baseness and made accusations that incriminate him legally because he is a liar, liar, liar for smearing the reputation of honorable people. Moreover, he mentioned the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization, this Organization which has not ceased from fighting colonialist hegemony in general and American in particular as well as Zionism and its heinous aggression and occupation of the land of Palestine. He dared to disregard this significant and reputable history and joined all the hostile forces against the Solidarity Organization for having adopted its clear positions, this in order to achieve the American/Zionist objective, namely to discredit and damage the Organization's reputation.
AAPSO was established and emanated from the rise of the liberation movement at the hands of liberation leaders who have persistently and resolutely waged and continue to wage unwavering struggles against occupation, invasion as well as colonialist powers and against the American invasion of Iraq and Zionist occupation of Palestine. Moreover, AAPSO has manifested its uncontested stances that cannot be denied except by those lackeys who stand with the American/Zionist side.
This person who wrote the article and published it in the Internet then moved it to your magazine truly indicates that he has no concern about the reputation of your magazine, its role and its policies thus proving his irresponsibility.
I denounce all that was written in the article whether it concerned me or concerned AAPSO.
I have sacrificed my life defending my country Iraq, the Arab countries and peoples worldwide. I have also consecrated my life in defence of democracy for the Iraqi people and all peoples in the world. I have opposed the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein as an independent Iraqi and firmly stand against the Anglo/American invasion of Iraq. I call for the prompt withdrawal of the occupation forces and reject all American schemes aimed at the region which must be confronted resolutely.

Dr. Fatma Nasr
I would have hoped that before publishing such articles in your magazine founded on lies, fabrications, smearing reputations that do lead to filing law suits to have checked with those who were accused of such falsifications about the truth of such allegations. For publishing such articles in a magazine that is respectable and popular undermines the reputation of those who are attacked whether persons or organizations.
Kindly publish this denial in the same space and column bearing in mind that I stand by my legal rights versus this writer.
Respectfully

Nouri Abdel Razzak

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Meeting of Arab Solidarity Committees

According to the decisions of the coordinating committee related to Arab Solidarity Committees and determining the date of their meeting and in view of the Syrian Solidarity Committee's request, it was decided that the meeting will be held on 27, 28 March 2004 in Damascus, Syria.
The meeting will discuss the Arab situations in general and Palestine, Iraq and Sudan in particular as well as mechanisms used in the activities of these committees.
The draft agenda will be as follows:
First day: Opening session
First session: Situation in the Palestinian territories
Second session: Situation in Iraq
Third session: Threats directed against Syria
Second day: First session: Situation in Sudan
Second session: To reactivate solidarity committees
Third session: Final declaration

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The Asia-Pacific Regional Conference
Mr. Vidya Sekera
Coordinator
AAPSO, Cairo
Dear friends,
First of all, we would like to extend our warm greetings to all of you, For you kind information, Nepal AAPSO is planning to organize Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on April 7 and 8.
We request you to send the email address and fax of all AAPSO National Committees of countries like India, Pakistan, USA, ect.
We shall send the major theme, sub-theme and formal invitation of the conference only after a week.
With high regards
Sincerely yours
Gopal Prasad Pokharel

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Cairo Egypt
The Egyptian Solidarity Committee
The cultural salon of the Egyptian Solidarity Committee held a meeting on Wednesday evening 18/2/2004 in commemoration of the anniversary of the late writer Youssef El Sebai.

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Assembly Calls for Global Resistance
on March 20, 2004
The General Assembly of the Global Anti-War Movement called on the world to fill the streets on March 20 to demand an end to the occupation of Iraq.
The General Assembly of the Anti-War Movement convened on January 19 at the World Social Forum (WSF) in Mumbai, India.
Meeting for the whole day, the Assembly began with an assessment of the current political situation, followed by reports from various activists involved in various anti-war movements around the World. Reports were also made by many anti-war campaigns such as the World Tribunal on Iraq, the "Close the US bases" campaign, the Campaign for Disarmament, the Occupation Watch Center, the Caravans to Iraq and the Civil Missions to Palestine.
It ended with a session dedicated to strategizing on ways forward and common campaigns to be supported.
Envisioned to be the biggest and most representative meeting of the anti-war movement since the invasion, the Assembly was a collective effort by anti-war coalitions spanning all continents of the globe.
The Assembly ended with the call for an International Day of Action on March 20, the anniversary of the attack on Iraq. It calls for all movements in all continents to organize mass-protests on that day to demand the end of the occupation of Iraq.
Resistance in Iraq and around the world is growing daily and March 20th will be the day when the global resistance tells not only Bush but all the occupation troops and warmongers that the movement will not rest until the occupation of Iraq and Palestine and the "war against terror" is ended.
Hague Appeal for Peace

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General Gathering of Women
On Socio-Cultural Issues & Globalization
16 - 17 May 2004
Tehran University
Coordinators :
Headquarters of the Supreme Leader's Representative Offices in Universities - Bureau of Women Affairs.
Department of Women's Studies at Tarbiat Modarres University
Department of Family Studies at AL-Zahra (s.a.) University
Department of Women's Studies at Allameh Tabatabaei University
With the cooperation of :
Women's Studies and Research Office - Islamic Seminary of Qom
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) :
- Association of Islamic Revolution's Women
- Assembly of Muslim Female Jurists
- Muslim Women Researchers Organization
- The Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) World Assembly
Secretariat of the Gathering :
Headquarters of the Supreme Leader's Representative Offices in Universities - Bureau of Women Affairs.

***

The National Planning Institute
Dr. Morad Ghaleb
On the occasion of the implementation of the seminar program of the National Planning Institute for 2003/2004, it gives us pleasure to extend to you an open invitation to participate in its successive activities in which a strategic issue will be addressed: " Dialogue on the priorities of development in Egypt, contribution of ideas in conformity with the transformation phase in a changing world". We would like to invite you to the 6th session on: To promote the role of scientific research and technological development institutions and modernize industry in Egypt. The speakers are: Engineer Mohamed Abdel Wahab, former Minister of Industry, Dr. Essam Eldin Gallal, Director of the National Association for Technological and Economic Development, Dr Hani El Nazer, Director of the National Research Center, Mr. Selim El Tallaltali, Director of the Center for Modernizing Industry in the Ministry of Industry and Technological Development.
The meeting commences at 9.30 am on Tuesday 17/2/2004 at the Institute in Nasr City (Dr. Ibrahim Helmi Abdel Rahman Hall, 7th floor, the dialogue will start at 10am).
We wish to express our appreciation for your participation which will enrich the discussions and look forward to receive your proposals and views in this important scientific and intellectual meeting.
Seminar coordinator
Dr. Mustafa Ahmed Mustafa
Counselor National Planning Institute

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The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists
Dr Fakhri Labib
The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists invites you to attend the second workshop that will be held in El Saeed Association for Development on Thursday 12th February within the framework of its campaign to annul emergency laws and courts entitled: "The position of jurists and media officials towards emergency laws and courts", at 12 noon until 9pm on the same day. We are certain that you are aware how this issue adversely affects all walks of life and its negative impact directly reflects on rights and freedoms of all categories in society.
We are certain that your participation will enrich the proceedings of this workshop.
Director of the Board
Haggag Nayel

***

Arab African Research Center
Dr. Fakhri Labib
The Arab African Research Center will organize its activities for the cultural season 2003-2004 on Egypt and the impact of regional and international events. Intellectuals and researchers will participate during this season at the rate of one meeting per month.
It gives us pleasure to invite you to this cultural season in a meeting that will be held at 6pm Wednesday 25th February 2004 in the Arab African Research Center, 8/10 Mathaf El Manial Street, 12th floor, entitled: "Peoples' issues in the discussions of the World Social Forum held in India". The speakers are: Dr. Samir Amin, Mrs. Shahida El Baz, Dr. Zuhdi El Shami, Engineer Mamdouh Habashi, Dr. Fakhri Labib and Mr. Medhat El Zahed.
This will be followed by an open discussion in which intellectuals and researchers will participate.
We look forward to your presence in this season which will enrich discussions and culminate in appropriate and fruitful results.

Director of the Center
Helmi Shaarawi
Coordinator of Cultural Season
Abdel Ghaffar Shukr - Deputy

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Kashmir and Jammu
The Association of Humanitarian Lawyers (AHL) and the Kashmiri American (KAC) invite you to participate our conference, "Peace Moves in South Asia: Different Perspectives" to be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 in New York .
We welcome the Islamabad Agreement between Prime Minister Vajpayee and President Musharraf wherein the Kashmir issue has been placed on the negotiating agenda, with no preconditions over the question of self-determination.
We also welcome the discussion between Kashmiri leadership and Prime Minister Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister Advani.
We always want the people of India and Pakistan to live in peace and prosperity. That is why we believe that the Kashmir conflict has to be resolved through peaceful negotiations and not through military means.
We look forward to hearing from you at earliest convenience.
With profound regards.
Yours Sincerely,
Karen Parker, J.D.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai
President Executive Director
The Association of Humanitarian Lawyers.
Kashmiri American Council

***

I.I.N.S
To Mr. VidyaSekera
February, 4, 2004
The Board of Directors of I.I.N.S. have decided to establish a Human Rights Development (HRD) fund with AAPSO to the value of USD 1,000 (One Thousand United States Dollars) which will be used towards the development of Human Rights activities with or within your organization.
We understand that this is not a significant amount but we hope that our small contribution will help you towards reaching the common goal that both our organizations share of an Equal and Just Society for all Peoples.
We look forward to working with your organization closely in the future and hope our friendship and solidarity will extend into deeper cooperation to fighting for the cause of Human Rights and development of peoples around the world.
Thank you, I.I.N.S. Board of Directors

***

To the International
Court of Justice
- The wall anchors Israeli military occupation and colonies in the Palestinian territories, in a blatant violation of International law and resolutions, which do not permit annexation of land by force.
- The wall drives towards the practice of ethnic cleansing and is subjecting an entire population to aggress collective punishment, to the strangest and harshest laws such as separating the farmers, students, workers the sick from their lands, water source, schools, doctors and hospitals and their workplace. Moreover, it divides each city and village into enclaves, splitting and dispersing members of the same family. These practices contra basic human rights, the 4th Geneva Convention and the related international covenants.
- The wall restores the ghetto culture and instills an apartheid regime encouraging discrimination in the era of globalization and openness.
- The wall destroys hopes for peace and all of the political initiatives, fostering an atmosphere of hatred, animosity and war between states and countries of the region as well as jeopardizing security and stability in the Middle East.
- The wall is causing environment catastrophes, with the uprooting of a hundred thousand trees in the first stage alone and the destroying and/or annexing Palestinian water resources. Furthermore, the wall had destroyed targeted archaeological and historical sites in this ancient land.
- In order to solve the harms caused by this wall, which are listed above, a unified and strong campaign, should condemn and combat these actions to stop and reverse the construction of this wall, for no change in route can dissolve these violations.
We appeal for your urgent action for the sake of peace. We call on you to act immediately, to stop and remove the Israeli segregation wall that is under construction now in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The National Initiative
to Resist the wall.

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The Arab Lawyers Union
Calls upon Arab Lawyers
To protest against the racist separation wall
In answer to the call made by the World Social Forum and Palestinian, Arab and international organizations, the General Secretariat of the Arab Lawyers Union invites Arab Lawyers Associations and syndicates to stop working at 10 am for one hour on Monday 23rd February. This should be registered in the records of all courts. All possible forms of protest should be manifested to express strong denunciation and opposition of the aggressive practices perpetrated by the Zionist entity against the heroic people of Palestine. These crimes, such as assassinating Palestinian leaderships, demolishing houses, erecting barriers, closing cities and building settlements reached a peak with the construction of the racist separation wall which was condemned by all human rights international organizations for being a blatant violation of the Palestinian peoples' rights.
In fact, the racist wall aims at creating a new de facto situation in the territories to hinder the establishment of an independent Palestinian state by the confiscation of half of the lands in the West Bank and its water sources.
The Arab Lawyers Union appeals to all free peoples and their NGOs to bring pressure to bear on governments to stop the construction of the racist wall and lend support to the Palestinian people's legitimate struggle for achieving their aspirations for freedom and independence.
Ibrahim El Samalali
Secretary General - Arab Lawyers Union

***

The Arab Organization
for Human Rights
The Council of Secretaries rejects the racist solution
In Palestine and warns of ethnic violence in Iraq and
Reiterates the commitment to international legitimacy
The Council declared its total support for the objectives of the Iraqi national struggle to end American/British occupation, the Iraqi people's right to self determination, to restore national sovereignty and independence, to safeguard the unity and territorial integrity of its territories, to control its resources and to reject all ethnic and factional solutions within a democratic pluralist system that respects human rights and freedoms.
The Council denounced the racist separation wall and the efforts of the Israeli occupation forces to impose a racist solution to the Palestine issue in order to undermine the establishment of a Palestinian state, transform the Palestinian territories into isolated ghettos, seize more Palestinian land, and practice ethnic cleansing by annexing Palestinian districts in the 1948 territories to the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Council denounced Israel's stance and certain countries that have not supported Arab and international diplomatic efforts for carrying the issue of the racist separation wall to the International Court of Justice to give its legal opinion for this breach of existing international law, humanitarian international law, the UN Charter and 1949 Geneva Conventions. The Council reiterated its adherence to international legitimacy as the sole reference for resolving the Palestinian issue and stressed the inalienable and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The Council welcomed initiatives aimed at establishing peace in Sudan and stressed the need to broaden the scope of participation in settlement efforts by including all political forces in the country. Moreover, it strongly condemned the ferocious violence which embroiled numerous parties in Darfour and demanded a peaceful solution of the Darfour problem and other marginalized areas.

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Israel Urged to Stop Construction of "Security Barrier"
Pyongyang, A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on Feb. 19 as regards Israel's illegal construction of a "Security Barrier" in the self-governing area of Palestine: Isrel's large-scale construction of the "Security Barrier" in the self-governing area of Palestine presents itself as a serious issue in dispute between Arab countries and Israel, causing concern not only among countries in the region but the rest of the world. It is referred even to the International Court of Justice.
The construction of the barrier pushed forward by Israel under the pretext of "combating terrorism" defying international law is an illegal act of intruding into the Palestinian area and seriously violating Palestinians' right to existence. The DPRK supports the initiative of Palestine and other Arab countries to bring this issue for discussion at the International Court of Justice and demands Israel immediately stop the illegal construction of the barrier.

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UNCTAD
Hearing with civil society and the private sector
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Mr. Ricupero, I have the pleasure to invite you to participate in the second "Hearing with civil society and the private sector", which is being convened on 23 February 2004 in the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
The forthcoming Hearing, like the previous one, will take the form of an interactive debate and will provide an opportunity for dialogue and exchange of views among officials from UNCTAD's member States, representatives of civil society, parliamentarians and the private sector on issues relevant to the sub-themes of the Conference:
1- Development strategies in a globalizing world economy;
2- Building productive capacity and international competitiveness;
3- Assuring development gains from the international trading system and trade negotiations; and
4- Partnership for development.
May I kindly request that you provide us with your confirmation by 13 February.
Jean-Claude. Zanga

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Conference on Access to Knowledge in the 21st Century
Dear Sir,
We have the pleasure of introducing to you the upcoming conference to be held within the framework of the Middle East Education Market - ACADEMA LEBANON 2004, the Second International Convention on Education and Training, 26-28 February, 2004, under the patronage of His Excellency General Emile Lahoud, President of the Republic of Lebanon.
The Conference on Access to Knowledge in the 21st Century
28 February 2004, United Nations House, Beirut.
The Conference aims at integrating the region in the global education agenda by providing a medium for imparting knowledge, investigation problems and working out solutions, fostering international cooperation and reporting recent projects and initiatives directed towards increasing and upgrading educational opportunities in the Middle East.
Best regards,
Soha Radwan
Managing Director

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UNCTAD
Pre-UNCTAD XI High-level International Meeting
of Experts on Sustainable Tourism
for Development

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is convening a High-level International Meeting of Experts on Sustainable Tourism for Development under the sponsorship of the Government of Portugal in the context of the preparations for UNCTAD XI. This Meeting will be held from 8 to 11 March 2004 at the Centro de Congressos, Lisbon, Portugal.

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ECOSOC
Preparatory meetings to the ECOSOC High-Level Segment

This year, the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council, to be held from 28-30 June 2004 in New York will cover the theme: Resources mobilization and enabling environment for poverty eradication in the context of the Brussels Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for the Decade 2001-2010. The Council plans to adopt a Ministerial Declaration, providing policy guidance and recommendations for action.

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The Israel - Palestinian Dialogue Committee
Demands that Sharon,
the perpetrator of massacres
Against the Palestinian people be brought to trial

The continuous escalation of bloodshed perpetrated by the occupation army, particularly in Gaza has led to terrible massacres, the last being in El Shagaeya district in Rafah in which 15 citizens were martyred and scores were wounded, mostly children.
This indicates that Sharon's resounding statements about withdrawing from Gaza and dismantling settlements are false and deceitful in order to deviate international and domestic public opinion from the issue of the separation wall as well as the alleged bribes that involve him and his sons and to cover up the obvious drop in his popularity.
We demand the International Court of Justice in The Hague to bring Sharon to trial on the same day the Court will examine the issue of the racist wall because he was behind its construction.

***

The Israel - Palestinian Dialogue Committee

A friendly meeting between Naif Hawatma and Israeli peace advocates.
In a friendly atmosphere, a meeting was held in Amman last Friday between Naif Hawatma, Secretary General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Latif Duri, Secretary of the Israeli - Palestinian Dialogue Committee and Mousa Raz from the Peace Now Movement.
Hawatma reconfirmed that he was initiating a united political Palestinian project for peace with Israeli society and called upon Israelis to formulate a common comprehensive peace project in order to abort Sharon's allegation as well as the right wing that there was no Palestinian partner.
Hawatma demanded the cessation of all military activities against innocent civilians on both sides.
He expressed appreciation to the peace camp and Peace Now movement in Israeli society.
Duri and Raz supported this important initiative and will seek its success. Both parties agreed to broaden the scope of these meetings in the near future.

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