Part 2 - DW062 001 021 002

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The Second International Athens Conference Against the Embargo on Iraq The Second International Athens Conference Against the Embargo on Iraq was held at Panteion University, Athens, on 18th to 19th February 1995, attended by over 400 participants from more than 20 countries, including politicians, lawyers, journalists, artists and actors, academics, peace activists, religious activists, health and social workers, and others from many walks of life, representing a broad cross section of concerned and humanitarian public opinion in Europe, the Middle East and America. The Conference was addressed by over 70 speakers, many of them eye- witnesses to the current conditions in Iraq. As our Commission's statement makes clear, a spirit of constructive cooperation prevailed at the Conference, which was of great encouragement to all who participated. It provided an impulse to all concerned to end the embargo, leaving them determined to step up their efforts in the coming period, particularly in the remaining weeks before the UN Security Council's meeting of March 14th 1995. It is notable that the Conference received widespread media coverage in the press in Greece and in the Middle East. The Conference received messages of greetings from many international personalities, showing the importance attached to its proceedings in many countries. A message was received from Iraq's President Saddam Hussein. Messages were also received from Mme Mitterand, wife of the President of France, from Jesse Jackson of the US, from Claude Cheysson, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of France, from Glenys Kinnock MEP of Britain, from Ramsay Clark, former US Attorney General, and a great many other internationally-known personalities. Among those addressing the Conference were veteran Greek socialist Michel Raptis ('Pablo'); French philosopher Professor Georges Labica; Margarita Papandreou, International co-ordinator of Women for Mutual Security; representatives of PASOK of Greece, including parliamentarians and a representative of its foreign affairs department; parliamentarians from Russia and Ukraine; Dr. Morad Ghaleb, former Foreign Minister of Egypt and President of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organisation; Goran Hans Franck MP of Spain; veteran French socialist Marcel Beibtreu; Angeles Maestro Martin MP of United Left of Spain; Greek peace activist Michel Peristerakis; Libyan peace activist Dr. Ali Ghadban; Reverend Dr. James Moon, President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of the US and other preachers from the US; and speakers

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