Darfur’s Crises… Aggravating

Three years have elapsed since Darfur’s crises not reaching a solution till now. It has rather been aggravated. Due to the violation of the two conflicting parties to the cease fire resolution, many serious challenges, now, face the rescue efforts. Moreover, relief organizations could reach only half of Darfur’s population. The United Nations states that nine of the relief employees have been killed during last month, while unknown armed groups murdered two of the African Union’s forces deployed in the region. The humanitarian organizations, as well, were incapable of offering assistance, for about 1.6 million peoples are unreachable except by risking the lives of relief organizations’ members to danger. In addition, civilians flee from killings and rape as more than two hundred women were raped during last weeks.
More than a three years- war led to the murder of tens of thousands and the displacement of 2 million peoples. Such an aggravated situation had given the chance to those who aspire in the Name of UN to interfere in the internal affairs of Sudan.
In fact the Security Council passed a resolution no. 1706 of 2006 which stipulates that UNMIS shall be strengthened by up to 17,300 military personnel and by an appropriate civilian component including up to 3.300 civilian police personnel. Meanwhile, the government of the Sudan declared its disapproval of this resolution and sending thousands of Sudanese soldiers to Darfur while America declared that UNMIS forces could be sent to Sudan without the approval of the government.
The present situation does not indicate any positive trends of a solution to the crises as the conflicting factions in Darfur declared their unity in one national front against Khartoum.
The Afro- Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization is deeply concerned over the aggravating situation in Darfur, and sees that the ideal solution is by giving all ethnic, racial and religious groups the citizenship, political, economic and social rights to maintain the unity of Sudan. This is AAPSO’s prior concern. Until achieving this unity , strengthening the existence of African Union’s forces that is an African administrative regional organization is a temporary way out till reaching a political settlement between the factions of the one homeland.
*****
FREE THE FIVE!

The Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization- AAPSO is considered deeply with the continuous detention and incarceration in different prisons of the United States, the five Cubans: Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, René Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando Gonzalez.
After eight years of their arrest, which is highly politically motivated, they are still enduring unjust sentences in US jails precisely for their anti-terrorist acts, for their commitments to justice and respect of human rights. As a proof of their innocence, they have demonstrated that their determination to fight against this totally reprehensible and inhuman situation is unshakeable. This is also evidenced by the fact that on May 25, 2005, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared that the arrest of the five Cubans was arbitrary and illegal, while in August of the same year, the Atlanta Appeals Court overturned their sentences passed by Miami against them. Moreover, their arrest and incarceration is a flagrant violation of the Article 14 of the International Convention on Political and Civil Rights, to which the US is signatory.
The US double standard policy on war on terrorism is embodied clearly when the five Cubans have been arrested and imprisoned, while a notorious international terrorist who had bombed Cuban passenger plane causing the death of 73 people on board, has been granted full protection in US territory.
Considering that nothing justifies the continuous imprisonment of the Five Cubans, AAPSO urges the US to release and free them immediately.
AAPSO praises the firmness and strong determination of the Five and expresses its entire solidarity with them.
*****
Press Release

The Permanent Secretariat of AAPSO hold a Seminar on “Situations in Darfur-Sudan”, to discuss the aggravating issues there, where the violence increases.
The speakers were:
 Dr. Zaki Albehery, Professor of Modern and contemporary History- Faculty of Education –Mansoura University.
 Mr. Mergheny Mosa'ed, Political writer and Secretary General of the Sudanese Solidarity Committee.
 Mr. Helmy Sharawy – Director of the Arab and African Research Center.
It was held on Wednesday 20/9/2006 at AAPSO's headquarters.
A number of Darfur's sons participated in the Seminar, they spoke honestly about their vision concerning this issue, and this enrich the discussion in a democratic atmosphere, which helped in making the vision clearer.
The speakers condemned sending the foreign forces under the UN umbrella. Also, how it was important to save the Darfur's people, through the positive participation of the African Union Forces. And the importance of putting the citizenship rights in its right place, politically (democracy and effective participation in managing their affairs and the country's affairs), economically (real development for citizens who were abandoned for national projects) since a long time, and socially (all the working rights, education, health and services).
The situation in Darfur is a real case, and it's citizen's rights should be supported in order to have a united independent and a real democratic Sudan.
*****
Ramdan’s Felicitations

Secretary General of the Arab Human Rights Organization felicitates Dr. Mourad Ghaleb, President of AAPSO, and Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzaq, Secretary General of AAPSO.
On the occasion of the holly month of Ramadan, I am sending you my best greetings and may it be filled with joy, happiness and success to you and the whole Arab and Islamic nations.
Happy Ramadan,

Mr. Mohammed Fayek, Secretary General
*****
The Arab Lawyers Union
The Secretary General

Dr. Mourad Ghaleb, President of AAPSO
Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzak, Secretary General of AAPSO

Greetings,
I am sending you my best regards for the holly Ramadan, may it be filled with joy, happiness and success to you, your family and all the Arab and Islamic nations.
Happy Ramadan,

Ibrahim El Semalaly, Secretary General
*****
The National Planning Institution
The Chief Office

Dr. Mourad Ghaleb

I am sending you my best greetings for the holly Ramdan, may it be filled with joy, happiness and success to you and all the Arab and Islamic nations.
Happy Ramadan,

The chief, Dr. Alaa’ Soliman Alhakim
*****
Arab Labour Organization
General Manger

Dr. Mourad Ghaleb, President of AAPSO
Cairo - Egypt

Thank you for your kind greeting on the occasion of holly Ramdan. May it be filled with joy, happiness and success to you, your family and all the Arab and Islamic nations.
Best wishes and regards,

Dr. Ibrahim Queider, General Manger of Arab Working Organization
*****
Arab Association for Economic Researches

Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization

On the occasion of the holly month of Ramadan, we are sending you our best greetings and wishing you all the best.
Happy Ramdan,

Dr. Mahmoud Mansour
*****
Embassy of Popular Democratic Republic of Algeria, Cairo

Dr. Mourad Ghaleb, President of AAPSO
Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzak, Secretary General of AAPSO

I received your greetings for the holly month of Ramdan…
In return, I have the pleasure to send you my best wishes and felicitations.
May it be filled with joy, happiness and success to you, your family and all the Arab and Islamic nations.

Abdel Qader Hegaz
Algerian Ambassador in Cairo
Permanent Delegate in the Arab League
*****
Arab Republic of Syria Embassy, Cairo

Dr. Mourad Ghaleb, President of AAPSO
Arab Republic of Egypt

On the occasion of the holly month of Ramadan, I have the honour to send you my best greetings. May it be filled with health, success, prosperity and progress to you, Egypt’s people and all the Arab and Islamic nations.

Yousef Ahmed
Ambassador of Arab Republic of Syria
Permanent Delegate in the Arab League
*****
Sons Land Association for Human Rights

Dr. Fakhry Labib

We have the pleasure to send you our best greetings for the holly month of Ramdan.

Executive Director, Mr. Adel William
*****
Congratulations

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

It’s my pleasure to send the warmest congratulations and best wishes to your Excellency and all your party members, as well as the friendly Korean people, on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the foundation of the Worker’s Party of Korea and the 80th anniversary of the formation of (LTD) anti-imperialist front.
I take the opportunity to wish your Excellency good health and great success in your noble work to strengthen and develop the party. We support the “Proposal of Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo” and wish that the Korean peninsula could be reunified in the near future.
Best regards,

Nouri Abdulrazzak Hussain, Secretary General of AAPSO
October, 2006, Cairo
*****
The General Federation of Chambers of Commerce

Ms. Hamsa Abd El Hamid, AAPSO
Member of the Preparing Committee for the Afro-Asian Summit, Egypt 2007

Regards,
In the frame of continuation of the Afro-Asian Summit recommendations which was held in the Indonesian Capital (Jakarta) in the period of 19-23 April 2005. The most important recommendation was to choose Egypt to hold the Afro-Asian Summit in 2007 and this was to appreciate the leading Egyptian role in the both continents Africa and Asia, and our desire is to have a continuing and productive arrangement between the Federation and your Organization.
So far this reason, we are honoured to invite you to attend the third meeting for the preparing committee for the Afro-Asian business Summit Egypt 2007 and this is on Monday 18/9/2006 at 12:30 p.m. in the headquarters, 4 El Falaky Sq - Bab Ellouk.

Thank you in advance,
The President, Mohamed Abd AlFatah Almasry
*****
A Proposal for the Afro-Asian Business Summit

Suggested Theme:

Promotion and Enhancement of South-South Economic and Business Cooperation.
Or
Upgrading Business Opportunities and Investment in Asia and Africa.

Main Objectives:

- Evaluate and assist the implementation of the strategies adopted at Jakarta joint declaration on “Enhancing Cooperation for Progress between Asian-African Business Community”..
- Encouraging the establishment of an Asia-Africa Business Forum.

Time Table:

Attached herewith, a paper which is a reference taken from the documents of the NAASP Senior Official Meeting hold in Durban, South Africa from 1-3 September 2006. It is a matrix of the Asian-African Summit 2005 follow up – Economic Cooperation- No. 3 “Trade and investment.”

Main Tasks for Economic Committee:

1) Prepare the provisional agenda and official timetable.
2) Prepare studies and researches related to the themes.
3) Prepare the data of the brochures
4) Define the list of invitees.
5) Prepare the draft communiqué of the summit.

AAPSO Permanent Secretariat
*****
Arab Engineers Union, General Secretariat
Congratulation

Dr. Mourad Ghaleb, President of AAPSO

Greetings,
The Arab Engineers Union has the pleasure to invite you for attending the celebration which will be held for honouring the former presidents and secretaries, who worked for the Union since its establishment in 1963 till now. This will be on Wednesday 13/09/2006, at 7 pm, at Conrad Hotel… We are looking forward for your attendance.
Best regards,

Secretary General, Dr. Eng. Adel Ibrahim Alhadithy
*****
Dialogue of Civilizations Program

His Excellency, Dr. Mourad Ghaleb

Conference “Cultural Privacy: Towards Activating the Political and Social Change”
11-14 September 2006

The cultural privacy issue, with the problems related to it and the consequences which come from dealing with it, is one of the most complicated issues. The privacy, as a concept or term, arise many complicated philosophical questions about the relation between the general and private, the constant and changeable, and the subjective and objective. At the same time, it interdicts with very realistic issues, like the political changes, the religion role in public life, woman and society, scientific research strategies, status and psychological problems of individuals and groups, customs and traditions, and many other topics that are related to the cultural privacy.
For the prevailing circumstances of this conference and in activation of the privacy indications in the aggression and resistance issue, it was decided that the 4th day of the conference would be devoted for discussing the “Aggression and Resistance: cultural indications for the war in Lebanon” issue.
Dialogue of Civilizations Program the culture dialogue program has the honour to invite you for attending this conference, which will be held in Room (5), 2nd floor – Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences - Cairo University.

With respect,
Vice President of the Program, Dr. Saif El Din Abd Elfatah
Program Manager, Dr. Nadia Mahmoud Moustafa
*****
The Arab and African Research Center

Dr. Fakhry Labib
Greetings,
The Egyptian Association of Historical Studies will hold a general conference, from 4 to 6 November 2006, for the 50th memory of the triple aggression on Egypt in 1956.
Dr. Raouf Abbas, President of the Association, asked me to cooperate with him, in the name of the Arab and African Research Center, for participating in the conference through organizing a discussion session on the dimensions of this important event in the third world, especially in Africa whether in the event’s period or after.
I suggested that the discussion session deals with the issue from different angles as follows:
1- The direct echoes of the attack on Egypt, on the Afro-Asian level.
2- The Egyptian move in the 3rd world countries after the aggression.
3- The forms in which Egypt participated after the aggression and how it has benefited from its new position for both Arab and African cases.
It will be held in the 2nd day of the conference, at morning, (5 November 2006), at the Historical Association headquarters, in Nasr City, at any place determined by the Association.
Also, there will be no paper in this issue because of the time shortage; so we will record the interventions, then they will be edited in one paper concerning the event’s dimension in the 3rd world.
I hope that you agree to participate in the discussion session and to receive your approval and the themes, in which you will talk, in a letter, in order to arrange the interventions which will be made within the two sessions of the 5th of November.
I hope to receive your positive reply the new Center’s address, 5 Hassan Barrada St. - behind the old building of Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Guiza – Tel.: 7744644.

Thank you,
Helmy Shaarawy, Center Manager
*****
PCHR, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

PCHR Condemns Attacks on Palestinian Churches

PCHR strongly condemns the series of attacks launched on a number of churches in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), PCHR believes that such attacks on churches is an extension of the spread security chaos status in the OPT, which requires the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to interfere, immediately, to stop it.
According to the investigations conducted by PCHR and the information given by a number of those who are in charge of these churches, 6 churches have been attacked by unknown persons in the past two days in Gaza City, Nablus, Tulkarm and Tubas. These attacks have followed a statement by Pope Benedict XVI, Pope of Vatican, in a lecture in Regensburg University, Bavaria - Germany, which has been strongly criticized in the Islamic World.
First of these attacks was on Friday, 15 September 2006, as a bomb exploded inside the Orthodox Saint Brevarios Church, in al-Zaytoun district, in the center of Gaza Strip. The explosion broke the door of the Orthodox Youth Center inside the Church and a number of windows were destroyed. At approximately 14:00, of the same day, unknown persons threw a local made bomb (Koue’) in the church court and at 15:30, unknown persons threw a hand-made bomb in front of the external door of the church.
On Saturday, 16 September 2006, at approximately 12:00 am, 5 unknown persons threw a Molotov Cocktail bottle at the Biblical Church in Rafidya street. Doors and stores were burnt, and walls were damaged. Then, the same persons threw another Molotov Cocktail bottle at the New Orthodox Church, causing similar damage.
At approximately 15:30, also on Saturday, a number of unknown persons fired a number of gunshots and then threw a Molotov Cocktail bottle at the wooden door of the Royal Church, in Rafidya district, Nablus. The door was burnt.
At approximately 16:00, 3 masked gunmen travelling in a civilian car fired at the office of the Council of Church Agents in the Orthodox Church in Gaza strip. No casualties were reported.
At the same time, unknown persons threw a number of Molotov Cocktail bottles at the Latin Church in Rafidya district, Nablus.
At approximately 03:00, Sunday 17 September 2006, a number of persons broke the locks of the external gate of the Orthodox Church in the center of Tulkarm, and then broke the lock of the internal door leading into the Church. Soon after, they set fire inside the church, burning all of its contents. According to Daoud Metri Khar’ouba, the servant of the Church, the attackers are unknown and they stole some of the Church’s contents, specially the plastic chairs.
Worth mentioning that the Church is the only one in Tulkarm, it is about 100 m², in addition to its outside area. Only one Christian family, of 15 members, lives in the town, Karooba family, since more than 50 years.
At the same time, unknown persons broke the northern window of the Orthodox Church in Tubas village, southeast of Jenin. They, then, set fire inside the Church. The northern part of the church was burnt, before firemen were able to extinguish fire.

PCHR strongly condemns these attacks on Palestinian Churches, and:

1. Believes that these attacks is an extension of the state of security chaos in the occupied Palestinian territories;
2. Totally, rejects attacks on holy sites for whatever the reason is;
3. Calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks and bring their perpetrators to justice; and
4. Calls for promoting the spirit of brotherhood, dialogue and tolerance.
*****
Human Rights Forum, Germany

This preparatory meeting is also supported by the Special Committee of NGOs, concerned by human rights, and the Conference of NGOs (CONGO).
It is sponsored by World Council of Churches, Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation - Geneva office, Foreign Office of the Federal Government of Germany, and Human Rights Forum Germany.
*****
UNCTAD
The 53rd Session
Trade and Development Board

Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi
Secretary General of UNCTAD

Dear Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi,
The Permanent Secretariat of the Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization (AAPSO) thanks you for the invitation to attend the 53rd session of the Trade and Development Board due to take place in Geneva, from 27 September to 2 October 2006 and 10 October 2006.
Unfortunately, our prior commitments to preparations of other conferences keep us busy during this period, leaving us unable to send representative to the session.
We wish the session great success.

Nouri Abdulrazzak Hussain, Secretary General of AAPSO
*****
UNCTAD
Trade and Development Board
Hearing with Civil Society and the Private Sector

The UNCTAD Secretariat would like to inform you that due to the WTO Public Forum which will be held on 25 and 26 September 2006, the UNCTAD Hearing with civil society and the private sector will now be convened in Geneva on Friday, 22 September 2006, in the Palais des Nations.
*****
UNCTAD
Expert Meeting on Best Practices and Policy Options in the Promotion os SME-TNC Business Linkages

Expert Meeting on Best Practices and Policy Options in the Promotion os SME-TNC Business Linkages will be held from 6 to 8 November 2006 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
*****