Final Statement Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the Afro-Asian Writers Association International Conference on Culture and Intellectuals Within Hegemony
Cairo, 12-13 April 2006

Upon the initiative of the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization (AAPSO) and with the participation of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), the Arab Writers Union, Russia Writers Association and Egypt Writers Association, a meeting was held at the AAPSO headquarters on 12-13 April, 2006. It comprised representatives of the aforementioned associations and a delegation representing the Progressive Writers Association of India. The meeting was held, in part, by a number of writers, intellectuals, researchers and media people. The representatives of the organizations referred to made intensive interventions on the theme of globalization, culture and the fierce aggressive hegemony by one pole of politics, economy and energy by imposing the language of might in an attempt to strengthen its control, interests, model and strategy by all possible means including occupation, threat and siege and endorsing the principle of pre-emptive strikes, weakening states' sovereignty, spreading what it calls "constructive chaos", and interfering in peoples' domestic affairs thereby threatening the national cultures and identity, cultural character and cultural specificity of peoples and groups and also threatening the principle of the dialogue and constructive diversity of cultures which enriches human civilization, renovates the knowledge vistas and stimulates creativity.
The participants believe that what the national cultures, and identities of peoples, human values, concepts, laws, legislation and humanitarian and international agreements are facing is extremely dangerous and requires the closing of ranks by those concerned with cultural, creative and humanitarian affairs in defense of what they share. They also believe in the need for restoring regional and international groupings, forces, institutions and organizations identities as well as creating others, and developing structures, forces and methods to stand in the face of the continued ferocious assault by monopolies, aggressive hegemony, racism, Zionism, extremism and neo-imperialism which are expanding and spreading evils, wars and instability everywhere. The participants recalled the effective role of writers' associations and organizations in the service of just humanitarian causes, deepening values and defending national cultures, identities and creative works. They also recalled the writes' role in this confrontation within the framework of a serious humanitarian front that stands against designs against the cultures, values, creative works and the cultural specificity of nations and peoples. The Afro-Asian Writers' Association played an important role in this respect and looks forward to expanding the scope of its performance to include writers from Latin America and all who share them the same world concerns.
Accordingly, and based on and in consolidation of this orientation, the
participants decide the following:
First: Reactivating the Afro-Asian Writers' Association which played a
positive role in the cultural life of the writers of the two great continents, their peoples and struggles for liberation, progress, prevalence of justice, peace, democracy and stability in the world away from hegemony, dependence, alienation and the use of force in international relations, and which worked for spreading culture and boosting its stances and status.
Second: Set up a preparatory committee for the Afro-Asian Writers' Association comprising:
1-Pan African Writers Association.
2-Arab Writers Union.
3-Russia Writers Association.
4-Progressive Writers Association, India.
5-Egypt Writers Association.
6-Coordination with the AAPSO Secretariat in this respect.
The committee membership may also include representatives to be designated by the Writers Unions in China and Pakistan in light of the contacts to be held with them. The Committee is concerned with:
a- Contacting writers' associations and organizations in Asia and Africa in preparation for holding an international conference that shall decide new statutes, systems, membership criteria and new democratically elected leadership. A memorandum will be presented to the conference on broadening the scope of the Association to include writers from Latin America and those who share them the same world concerns according to organizational formulas to be agreed upon.
b- Developing the Association's organizational structure, methods and tools of work, orientations and means to achieve the objectives included in the statutes to be presented to the aforementioned conference as well to discuss means of financing it, while affirming the importance of its credibility and independence, its giving absolute priority to serious literature, creative works and culture, effective and constructive cultural synergy between writers and peoples and having a presence in the political decision making arena and an influence on the conscience and orientation of their peoples.
c- Consider the proposals presented by countries to host the conference, which are so far: India, Egypt and Yemen and following up preparations for holding the conference. It is preferable to hold it in the first half of 2007.
Third: Re-issuing Lotus Magazine by the Association after developing its systems, structures and methods of work in light of the Conference decisions next year.
Fourth: Granting the Lotus annual award after the development of its system and its approval by the conference.
Fifth: Informing public opinion, official quarters -especially in Egypt- and other concerned bodies that the legitimate representation of the Afro-Asian Writers Association is confined to the aforementioned Preparatory Committee and whoever it designates to speak for it until the holding of the conference and the election of legitimate leadership as should be.
The participants appeal to writers in the two great continents of Asia and Africa to condemn aggression, occupation and aggressive hegemony and to support the writers' movement for understanding, cooperation and dialogue and for upholding serious literature and creative works, as well as boosting writers' status, freedom, rights and role in cultural development, defense of identity, freedom, noble values and justice for individuals and peoples.
The participants would also like to express thanks and appreciation to APPSO Secretariat for its initiative, invitation and facilitation which made this meeting a success.
Cairo, 13 April 2006

Participants in the Meeting
* Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization Secretariat Messrs:
- Mourad Ghaleb, President
- Nouri Abdel-Razzak Hussein, Secretary General
- Fakhri Labib
- Mursi Saadedin
- Fathi Abdel Fattah
- Helmi Shaarawi
- Abdel-Meguid Abu Zayd
- Shawqi Galal
* Pan African Writers Association:
- Atukwei Okai, Secretary General
- Mamadou Traore Diop, Deputy Secretary General
* Arab Writers Union
- Ali Okla Orssan, Secretary General
* Progressive Writers Association (India)
- Faizee Shameem , Deputy President
- Ali Javed, Deputy Secretary General
* Russia Writers Association:
- Valeryi Ganetsev, President
- Olig Pavikin, Foreign Relations Officer

* Egypt Writers Association
- Mohamed Salmawy, President
- Mohamed El-Sayed Eid, Vice President

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Progressive Writers' Association
(India)

Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzak
Secretary General AAPSO & Coordinatior Bureau of Afro-Asian Writers' Association

Dear Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzak
We are delighted to receive an appeal from you through Mr. Pallab Sengupta, Secretary General, All India Peace and Solidarity Organization (AIPSO), to revive the Afro-Asian Writers' Association.
You must be aware of the fact that the Progressive Writers' Association, India, has been one of the organizations that took initiative in organizing the first Afro-Asian Writers' Conference in Tashkent in 1958. A part from Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mulk Raj Anand, the founder General Secretary of the Progressive Writers' Association in 1936, Sajjad Zaheer was one of the main pillars of the progressive writers' movement. Actually, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mulk Raj Anand attended the Tashkent Conference under the leadership of Sajjad Zaheer whose 100th birth anniversary is being celebrated these days all over India and Pakistan since he had been the leader of the cultural and writers' movement of undivided India. A number of joint programmes of writers from India and Pakistan have been organized in the last two years. A few months back a joint delegation of more than 25 writers from different Indian languages visited Pakistan (between 22-31 December 2005) on this occasion and passed a joint declaration of writers and cultural artists at Lahore on 29 December 2005. It may also be stated here that Sajjad Zaheer breathed his last in September 1973 while attending a meeting of the Secretariat of the Afro-Asian Writers' Association at Almatta. it may also be recalled that the lotus magazine was being published by us, under the editorship of the then General Secretary of PWA Bhisham Sahini. Unfortunately, its publication was stopped due to his ill health, apart from other factors.
We feel that under the circumstances, when the entire human civilization is under threat from imperialist war mongers it is right time that writers and creative artists see the writing on the wall and come together to fight these forces of destruction.
As stated above, we are celebrating 100th birth anniversary of Sajjad
Zaheer, and in continuation of these events, the concluding function will be
held at Delhi in November 2006. On this occasion we propose to hold the
first consultative meeting of the Afro-Asian Writers' Association towards
reorganizing it in future, if necessary logistics are provided by the bureau
of the Afro-Asian Writers' Association and the Permanent Secretariat of
AAPSO.
We hope you would give a serious thought to our proposal and send your response at the earliest.

Fraternally yours,

Dr. Ali Javed
Deputy General Secretary, PAWA

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People's Writers' Front of Sri Lanka
Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzak
Secretary General, AAPSO

Dear Sir,
We are thanking you and AAPSO for the invitation for participate the
preparatory committee, to discuss the preparation of the International
Conference "Culture and Intellectuals Within Hegemony".
It is pity we have to inform you our inevitability to participate the
above-mentioned voluble historical meeting. Please accept our greetings and the best wishes.
We consider it as a great effort made by AAPSO, and also we greatly appraise the idea of reactive the AAWO.
As a found member of Afro-Asian Writers Association, People's Writers Front of Sri Lanka is willing to support for the well being of AAWO.
We will send you our ideas and opinions immediately.
With best regards.

Gunasena Vithana
Secretary-Peoples Writers' Front of Sri Lanka
Louts Prize 1980
Chairman-National Book Development
Council of SriLanka

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Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzak
Secretary General

I have received your invitation, and the appeal for activating the Afro-Asian Writers Association.
I confirm to you my full approval to participate in Cairo meeting.
I have a long history with the Afro-Asian Writers Association.
1973: 5th Conference at Almaata.
1973: Youth Conference at Tachkend Writers
1979: Seminar at Adis Ababa
1979: 6th Conference at Luanda
1980: Seminar at Olan Batur
1980: Opening of Lotus bureau at Lebanon
1980: Meeting at India
1981: Meeting at Kabul
1982: Tour at Vietnam and Cambodia
1983: 7th Conference at Tachkend
1986: Seminar at Pyong Yang
1986: Meeting at India
1987: Seminar at Kabul
I have visited many times, Baghdad, Damscas, Algeria, Moscow, Sofia, Tunisia, etc.

Mamadou Traoré Diop:
Poet, dramatic, novelist, writer.
Member Founder of Senegal Writers Associations.
Honour Secretary General since 2005.
Member Founder of Pan African Writers Association and Deputy Secretary General since 1989.
Member of Permanent Secretariat of Afro-Asian Writers Association from 1973 to 1988.
Former Editor of Lotus (French Version).
Now, Cultural Councellor of H.E Senegal Republic President.
Mamadou Traore' Diop

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Greeting

Your Excellency Mr. Kim Jong II
*General Secretary of the Worker¹s Party of Korea
*Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the D.P.R. of Korea
*Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army

I would like to greet your Excellency, on the occasion of the 94th
anniversary of the birth of president Kim II Song.
I, once again take this opportunity to wish you good health and Korean people great success in their just cause to build the reunified and
prosperous country.


Best regards
Nouri Abdul Razzak
Secretary General of AAPSO

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Congratulation

Your Excellency Mr. Kim Jong II
*General Secretary of the Worker's Party of Korea
*Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the D.P.R. of Korea
*Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army

I am pleased to send the warmest congratulations and best wishes to Your Excellency on the occasion of 13th anniversary of your election as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the D.P.R. Korea and 74th anniversary of the Korean People's Army Founding day.
I take this opportunity to wish you good health and happiness and the Korean people great success in their just cause to keep the peace, independence and sovereignty of the country and to build the prosperous country under your leadership.
Best regards

Nouri Abdul Razzak
Secretary General of AAPSO

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Arab Solidarity Committees Meeting

In implementing the agreement reached in the 20th Arab Solidarity Committees Meeting in Aden, October 2005, on holding the next meeting of the committees in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan by the end of the first half of 2006, AAPSO's Permanent Secretariat contacted the brothers heads of the Jordanian Committee for Peace and Solidarity and Mr. Mousa AlMa'ita, the committee's Secretary General. He informed us of the undergoing talks of organizing the meeting in Jordan. Most probably, the meeting will be held by the end of June 2006.
We will inform you of any new business in this respect to prepare for the best conditions for holding the meeting to reach the best results.
Best Regards,

Nouri Abdul Razzak Dr. Mourad Ghaleb
Secretary General President

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The Reflections of Partnership with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) On the Regional Security of the Mediterranean Region

AAPSO's Permanent Secretariat held a seminar on Monday 17/4/2006, discussing the reflections of Partnership with NATO, at AAPSO's headquarters.
The seminar tackled the following:
1-A review of existing partnership initiatives between NATO and
Mediterranean countries.
2-The transformation of NATO's role and the future plans in the region.
3-The reflections of partnership on the regional security (defense systems, terrorism and disarmament of mass destruction weapons).
The keynote speaker was Dr. Mohamed Kadry from the Strategic and Military Studies Department, Al Ahram.

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AAPSO Issued the following Statement:
Terrorism and Sinai

Terrorists launched a treacherous attack on Dahab Resort in Sinai causing heavy losses in souls and properties.
The attack that befell the innocent, either Egyptians or foreigners,
martyrs or injured reflects, in that specific timing, the antagonistic
spirit to Sinai liberation and release from the Zionist grip.
The attack is not directed against that precious city in Sinai; it is in
fact directed against all Egypt, from North to South, and from East to West. The attack is an attempt to strike terror in one of the main pillars of the Egyptian economy, Tourism. It aims at paralyzing tourism destroying the lives of millions who depend on this important and significant sector.
It is an attempt to cause absolute chaos in peoples' lives. Moreover, the attack is an essay to deny the state of peace and security that Egypt
enjoys, and to implant the sense of instability and lack of that peace and
security by the hand of terrorism that can reach the citizen as well as the
guest tourist.
Afro- Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization (AAPSO) condemns those hostile acts against peoples' welfare, present and future extending the deepest condolences to all martyrs' families, and sympathizing with all the injured wishing them a speedy recovery.

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Press Release: By the Egyptian Solidarity Committee
On the Terrorist Crimes In Dahab Resort

The Egyptian Solidarity Committee expresses its strong condemnation and denouncement of the dreadful terrorist crimes in Dahab Resort, Sinai. Such acts that left behind tens of civilian victims of different nationalities.
The Committee believes that such terrorist crimes targeting the lives of the innocents corresponding to national occasions as the 6th of October (1973 war), 23rd of July (The Revolution Day), and 25 April (Sinai Liberation Day) are but an indication to their hostile sources to Egyptian and Arab nationalism.
The Committee recognizes that the terrorist power taking the opportunities of national occasions is a proof on the extend of animosity that such powers have for Egyptian people and their great glorious victories.
The Committee re-calls upon all solidarity committees and peace advocate authorities to address the phenomena of international terrorism.

President of the Egyptian Solidarity Committee
Ahmed Hamroush

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Nepal AAPSO
Mr. E.A Vidyasekera
AAPSO, Cairo

We would like to inform you that we are organizing different programs according to our objectives.
There is still the autocratic rule of the king. Human rights and democracy has been surrendered to the king. Vice-Chairman of Nepal AAPSO and former minister Mrs. Bidya Bhandari and many others have been imprisoned.
We request you to support us for the worldwide solidarity against the
autocratic rule and in favour of peace and democracy in our country and for the release of imprisoned persons.
Warm greetings,
Thanking you,

Gopal Pd. Pokharel Biwash
Secretary General, Nepal AAPSO

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Baghdad – Iraq
A Statement Issued by the Iraqi Council for Peace and Solidarity in the
Third Anniversary of the Fall of the Authoritarian Regime

O Citizens, to Solidarity and Unity

These days, the Iraqi people recall the memory of the resounding fall of the authoritarian regime. Such regime that was antagonistic to human rights, free citizenship and all humanity.
To the Iraqis, these are bitter memories for its accumulated social,
political and intellectual components reflecting all sufferings, precious
sacrifices, destruction and losses in souls and properties. Such memories
bring about the growing sense of oppression to people and country, as well
as the lack of security and the simplest requirements of decent life
(electricity, pure water, job opportunities and other services).
The expanded circle of terrorism that restrains citizens and the emergence of many dangerous negative aspects accompany the ongoing deterioration in political, economic and social conditions. In the meantime, dark atheistic powers and political circles that seek to obstruct the political process, hamper reconstruction and improvement of the conditions. Such powers are against boosting the country's economy, establishing democratic freedoms and maintaining the national unity that guarantees averting challenges and hazards.
With deep awareness of national responsibility and the nature of challenges and hazards, the citizens identify the reasons of the continuous
deterioration and those responsible for it. On top of responsible parties
are the occupation forces and other beneficiaries of their wrong deeds and
sins. Citizens are aware at the meantime that the political powers in the
country, especially that which won the peoples' trust in the last
legislative elections, has to bare as well part of the responsibility for
the chaos in security systems, political setback, the expanded circle of
terrorism and great sacrifices of peoples' segments without exceptions,
while most of such powers refrained from taking any action to put an end to such deterioration. Yet, most of them preferred to leave the country
attaining personal rescue.
The responsibility of the mentioned powers is not limited to the wrong deeds they committed, but due to their vain movement within the narrow circle of interests unable to overcome the strangling crises that is about to drive the country to further deterioration and loss. Such powers cannot realize that this useless action and the inability to overcome its contradictions, which are in fact conflicts of interests and gains at the expense of public interest, will not be of benefit to any of the parties, but ultimately they will be scourges to everyone as well as the country.
Citizens with anxiety and with denouncement follow up the political vacuum and the stumbling national right represented in the formation of a united national reconciliation government.
The Iraqi Council for Peace and Solidarity in its activities and objectives is keen to enhance national unity, brotherhood, and social peace as well as providing the requirements for the reconstruction of the state on a democratic basis in order to restore its national sovereignty and independence, and deport foreign forces from the country.
The Iraqi Council for Peace and Solidarity anxiously states the fact of
dragging into sectarian conflicts that some atheistic circles and followers
of the previous regime nourish. Such conflicts that causes bodily
liquidation, destruction of many worship houses, and assassination of
intellectuals and other national figures.
The Council as condemning any side using any form of arms and force against civilians denounces as well any violation of human rights and freedoms.
As the Council condemns and denounces innocent citizens annihilation by explosives planted or fired by criminals, or by the cursed suicidal booby- tarps, or assassinations, or acts of death-groups, it calls upon the citizens to support one another, cooperate and work jointly by all means to address terrorism starting with the formation of voluntary national committees to restrain terrorist acts.
The council appeal for setting up peoples delegations comprising
representatives of all national sectors and components, men of religion, and preachers at mosques to help the victims of terrorism and address the
processes of, religious and national migration as well as deterring the
perpetrators. They should also protect the victims of such processes and return the migrants to their homes.
The Council calls upon all parliamentary blocs' leaders who lost valuable opportunities to prevent deterioration of conditions, to work together and overcome their differences and develop their activities to the level of challenges and hazards addressing the country. The formation of national coalition government should be finalized without procrastination or delay involving every individual to block the way before those lurking waiting for a continuous state of political vacuum to implement their criminal schemes against Iraq.
The Iraqi Council for Peace and Solidarity is looking forward to a memorable role by men of religion and distinguished figures in the country to launch an effective relentless campaign to besiege terrorists and murderers, and dry up their resources. A public alarm should be raised from rostrums of mosques, churches and Shiia's worship houses (AlHusseiniat) against them. Such terrorists and murderers should be declared publicly atheists, cut them from the roots as well as incriminating dealing with them.
Dear Citizens:
To vigilance and caution.
To unity and solidarity.
To taking initiatives and assembling in various forms to avert hazards away from your children, your homes, and your country.
To brotherhood and national unity.
The Iraqi Council for Peace and Solidarity
Governing body
April/2006

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World Peace Forum 2006
Dear Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzak
Re: Letter of invitation to attend the World Peace Forum 2006 in Vancouver

The World peace Forum Society is pleased to invite you to attend the World Peace Forum 2006 to be held in Vancouver, BC Canada from 23 to 28 June 2006.
The World peace Forum 2006 is an international gathering of individuals, groups and civic governments from cities and communities to envision a living culture of peace and sustainability in our lifetimes.
The goal of the Forum is to build networks of citizens and civic governments committed to a culture of peace. As global militarism rises as an imminent threat to our cities and communities, these networks will play a major influence on their national governments to reduce military spending and promote peaceful solutions to conflicts in the world.
We are delighted to have you as one of our international delegates and we look forward to your personal contributions on peace, justice and
sustainability issues. We are confident that your experience at the World
Peace Forum will be significant and we hope that your collaboration with
other delegates will contribute to your peace building efforts.
On behalf of the World Peace Forum Society, we thank you for your interest in participating in this conference.
We look forward to meeting you in Vancouver in June 2006.
Sincerely,

Jef Kelghley
Executive Director
World Peace Forum Society

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The Popular International Court
Mr. Mourad Ghaleb, AAPSO's President

The Court Verdict Against George W. Bush Jr., Tony Blair,
and Ariel Sharon Court of "War Criminals" , Cairo 3-4 February 2006

The people against
George W. Bush Jr.,
Tony Blair,
Ariel Sharon

The Verdict
According to the trial held in Cairo, Egypt and after examining the
prosecution case, and listening to the defense represented by a friend to
the court on behalf of the defendants, as well as listening to the
witnesses, we find that the defendants:
George W. Bush Jr., President of USA and Commander-In -Cheif of its armed forces,
Tony Blair, prime Minister of the United Kingdom,
Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of Israel,
are guilty of all charges addressed to them.
The tribunal was composed of:
Head of the tribunal Dr. Mahathir Muhammad Former Malaysian President, and the members:
Dr. Fouad Abdel Monem Riad, Former Judge- International Court of Justice, Mr. Carmello Benoshe- Former Prime Minister of Malta,Mr. Ibrahim Al-Simlali, Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Lawyers, Mr. Samih Ashour, President of Arab Lawyers Union, Mr. Abdel Rahman Ben Amro, Former President of Association of Lawyers Authorities in Morocco, Mr. Mohamed Waleed El Tash, Head of Lawyers Association in Syria.
The prosecution team:
Mr. khaled Sefiani, a Moroccan lawyer, Head of National Action Group for supporting Iraq and Palestine (Morocco), Dr. Stanley Cohen, an American Lawyer, Ahmed Elsayad, Head of Lawyers Syndicate (Palestine), Consultant. Hassan Ahmed Omar.
The defendants of victims:
Edrees abou EL Fadl, Head of Association of Lawyers Authorities in Morocco, Dr. Yehia Shawer, Head of Doctors Syndicate in Palestine.

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Invitation

The Russian Cultural Center in Cairo, the Ministry of Education and
Scientific Research in the Russian Federation and the Russian Railway
governmental company are honored to invite you to attend the opening
ceremony of the scientific technical exhibition ³The new technologies to
provide sources in industrial energy engineering and transportation². The
opening ceremony will be at 7.00 pm, on Sunday April 16, 2006 at 127
Eltahrir Street- Dokki.

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Arab- African Research Center Committee of Freedoms- Journalists Syndicate
An invitation To Participate In The Center's Cultural Season 2005/2006

Dr. Mourad Ghaleb
Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzak

The Arab African Research Center, in the framework of its cultural season, is organizing a seminar in cooperation with the Committee of Freedoms in the Journalists Syndicate at 6.30 pm on Wednesday, April 26, at the syndicate's headquarters (fourth floor). The seminar will be under the theme "Towards a Common Concept of Democracy Between the Egyptian Political Trends".
The speaker: Dr. Professor Mohamed Elsayed Saeed, Deputy Manager - Center for political and Strategic Studies- Alahram.
Commenters : Dr.Kamilia Shokri, Mr. Amin Eskandar, mr. Abdel Ghafar Shokr, and Dr. Essam ElArian.
An open discussion between all participants will succeed the seminar. Your participation will have a remarkable effect on enriching the discussion.
Sincere regards,

Cultural Season Coordinator                  Manager
Abdel Ghafar Shokr                         Helmi Sharawi

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Center of Political Studies and Researches

The Center of political Studies and Researches is pleased to invite you to a seminar under the theme "Iran and the International Order". The seminar will be held on Thursday April 27, 2006, room 5 at the Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences, Cairo University. We hope you would have the time to attend the seminar. We are confident that your attendance and contribution would enrich the discussion of the theme.
Kindly accept our appreciation and respect.

Seminar coordinator Chairman
Dr. Bakinam Al Sharkawy, Dr. Nadia Mostafa

Ms. Maha Sallam represented AAPSO in this seminar.

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Arab Lawyers Union
Dr. Mourad Ghaleb
AAPSO's President

Seminar on The Future of the Palestinian Issue
After the Legislative Elections
April 30, 2006
Cairo- Union's headquarters
7.00 pm

The attempt to have a future vision of the Palestinian issue necessitates an accurate analytic reading of reality, and hence coming up with data that can present a vision of the Arab Zionist conflict in general and the Palestinian issue in particular.
As soon as the last legislative elections results have been declared, with Hamas winning the elections with the majority of the legislative council seats, many parties took the responsibility and exerted all efforts to picture this significant event as the source of all scourges that will
befall the Palestinians at all levels. To them, this event will be the main
reason for loosing all the achievements the Palestinian issue and
Palestinians have reached at the Arab and international levels, as if such
repercussions were not present before Hamas taking over the government. Few weeks later, the Israeli elections were carried out with all its results
that will definitely have repercussions over the Palestinian issue.
The response to all relevant aspects, concerning the future of the
Palestinian issue requires raising a number of questions that the speakers
will try to answer during the seminar. Finding answers to such and other
questions will introduce the real status quo of the Palestinian issue, a
matter that will be discussed during the speakers speeches in this seminar
which will be divided into three main focal issues:
1- The Palestinian elections: The Results and Repercussions
2- The Israeli elections: The Results and Repercussions
3- The future vision

The speakers in the seminar:
Dr. Saeed Elsayed Saeed "Future Senarios".
Dr. Emad Gad "The Israeli Elections".
Dr. Mohammad Hamza "The Palestinian Elections".

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World Forum on Human Rights

Dear Sir
The 2nd World Forum on Human Rights will take place in Nantes, France.
The main objective for the 2006 Forum is to be a centre for unrestricted dialogue in which all actors from the field of Human Rights can participate equally and where they can create and reinforce international solidarity networks for promoting, defending and implementing Human Rights all over the world.
I am looking forward to seeing you in Nantes July 1oth to 13th 2006.

Jean-Marc AYRAULT
Member of the French Parliament
Mayor of Nantes
President of Nantes Métropole

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United Nations Seminar on
Assistance to the Palestinian People

Dear Friends,
I would like to inform you that the Committee on the Exercise of the
Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People will convene the United Nations
Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People in Cairo on 26 and 27 April
2006. The theme of the event is "International efforts at alleviating the
Palestinian economic and humanitarian crisis".
The Committee is deeply troubled by the present situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in particular the acute socio-economic and humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people. The Committee firmly believes that at this pivotal juncture, it is incumbent on the international community to continue and intensify its assistance to the Palestinian people in order to prevent a further decline and erosion of
their living conditions. The Seminar will provide participants with an
opportunity to assess the scope of the crisis; discuss the United Nations
response to the immediate and longer-term needs of the Palestinian people; and review the role of international donors in alleviating the crisis.
I have the pleasure of inviting your organization to attend the Seminar as an observer.
I hope you will be in a position to accept this invitation.
Yours sincerely,

Paul Badji
Chairman
Committee on the Exercise
of the Inalienable Rights
of the Palestinian People

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2006 International Coalition

Dear friends,
Women's World Summit Foundation is happy to share with you that 625 organizations from 115 countries joined the international (WWSF) coalition marking the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse last year, organizing activities and events on 19 November or supporting the Day in general.
WWSF invites you to join the 2006 global campaign (or renew your membership) and to encourage your partners to do the same.
We sincerely hope to count you among the members of the 2006 campaign and celebrate with you the power of NGO partnership.
Sincerely,

Laure Maitrejean
Children's Section Co-ordinator

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UN
CONGO - Geneva

Civil Society Forum

The Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO), with its partners, has the great pleasure to invite you to the Civil Society Forum to the ECOSOC High-Level Segment to be held in Geneva from 29th June - 5th July 2006. The aim of the Forum is to allow NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC and other interested Civil Society Organizations to make the best possible impact on the
dignitaries' deliberations on the issues of employment and decent work.
With my very best regards,

Renate BLOEM
CONGO President

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Challenging Intellectual Property

The United Nations University-Office in New York and the United Nations University-Maastricht Economic and social Research and training center on Innovation and Technology are organizing a panel discussion on Challenging Intellectual Property: Access to Knowledge Issues in Open Source and Medicine on 13 April 2006, at UN Headquarters.

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UNCTAD

Commission on Science and Technology for Development

The ninth session of the Commission on Science and Technology for
Development is to be held from 15 to 19 May 2006 in Geneva.

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