Forum for the Future welcomes steps to achieve democracy in Iraq
Regional, Politics, 12/13/2004

Participants in the Forum for the Future (Dec. 10-11) welcomed "all steps taken so far to achieve democracy in Iraq and to encourage the Interim Government of Iraq to continue the political process by holding general elections before the end of January 2005."

Participants also hailed Saturday at the end of the Forum, held in the Moroccan capital, the "efforts of the Interim Government of Iraq and other leaders of the Iraqi community to broaden political participation by encouraging all elements that reject violence to engage in the political and electoral process through peaceful means."

Delegations taking part in the Forum also raised the Palestinian question, reaffirming "support for free and transparent elections in the Palestinian Territories," and urging "Israel to work towards fulfilling its commitment to facilitate the holding of such elections."

They called for "the participation of all Palestinians, including those in Jerusalem, and commended those nations that are supporting the elections with observers and financing."

The Forum, co-chaired by US secretary of state, Colin Powell, and his Moroccan peer, Mohamed Benaissa, expressed support for a "just, comprehensive, and lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict, based upon U.N. Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338."

Participants, which included Foreign and Finance Ministers of the Broader Middle East and North Africa region (BMENA) and the eight most industrialized countries (G8), also "reiterated their commitment to the full implementation of the Roadmap and to the goal of two states, Israel and a sovereign, independent, viable, democratic, and territorially contiguous Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, achieved through direct negotiations between the two sides."

The Forum, attended by delegates of financial institutions and regional organizations, also allowed parties to exchange viewpoints on means to support the BMENA region's commitment for pursuing economic, political and social reforms.

Previous Stories:
  Civil Society Forum to submit recommendations to Forum for the Future   (12/11/2004)
  Forum for the Future: a non-constraining dialogue space, Moroccan government spokesman   (12/11/2004)
  Political and economic freedom go hand-in-hand, Powell   (12/11/2004)

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