Part 4 - DW062 001 021 004

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International Commission of Inquiry on Economic Sanctions Honorary Presidency: Ahmed Ben Bella Tony Benn Ramsey Clark Morad Ghaleb Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici Daniel Ortega Sheikh Mohammad Rashid British Commission of Inquiry President: John Platts-Mills QC Coordinators: Hugh Stephens, Dr. Safia Safwat. Address: BM 2966 London WC1N 3XX Phone/fax: 071-436-4636 Statement on the successful conclusion of the Second International Athens Conference Against the Embargo on Iraq, 18th to 19th February 1995. The Second International Athens Conference Against the Embargo on Iraq was successfully held on 18th to 19th February 1995, attended by 400 participants from more than 20 countries. Both Co-ordinators of the British Commission of Inquiry were present and actively participated in the proceedings. Dr.Safia Safwat presided over the opening Session, and delivered an address, while Hugh Stephens presided over the Second Session, delivered an address, and, along with Michel Raptis and Margarita Papandreou, drafted the Call to Action which was adopted by the Conference. Also in attendance was co-initiator of the Commission, Jaime Ballesteros, whose two-day conference in Madrid in September 1994, presided over by Ahmad Ben Bella, former President of Algeria, helped launch our Commission's work internationally. Numerous delegations expressed interest in the International Commission and declared their intention to conduct activities in collaboration with it in their own countries. The Iraqi and other Arab delegations expressed high appreciation for the concept and activities of the Commission, and made clear that they will be following its progress with great interest. A meeting was held with a representative of the International Department of the ruling party of Greece, PASOK, who heard a report on the work of the Commission so far. A notable feature of the Second Athens Conference was the great harmony and constructive agreement among people of many different ways of life and opinions, all of whom were able to lay aside secondary points of difference and focus on the tasks of working together in the common cause of urgent action to end the blockade on Iraq, beginning with activities in the coming days in connection with the March 14th UN Security Council meeting. This unity was symbolised at the conclusion of the Conference by the audience rising to its feet to applaud the unanimous adoption of its Call to Action. We urgently appeal to all our supporters and friends to sustain contact with us in the coming days to conduct activities, in accordance with the sentiments expressed in this Call. Hugh Stephens Dr. Safia Safwat, Member of the Permanent Bureau of the Union of Arab Jurists. Co-ordinators of the British Commission of Inquiry.

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