ISTANBUL - The Socialist International (SI) Committee on Peace, Democracy and Human Rights Saturday called on the European Union (EU) to take necessary decisions to open enlargement negotiations with Turkey in December of 2004 without any delay.
The Istanbul Declaration released at the end of the meeting said that the situation in Iraq confirmed that unilateral strategies were not able to build peace and stability.
The statement said, ''the Socialist International Committee on Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, meeting in Istanbul on 25-26 June 2004 reaffirms the importance of a strong support from the international community to help the Iraqi people to approve a Constitution for a secular, democratic, multiethnic, multicultural, and multireligious federal state, safeguarding the political and territorial integrity of Iraq and able to respect the rights of women and minorities, and to organize free and fair elections.''
The Istanbul Declaration noted that when the coalition powers ceased to exist, the Interim Government of Iraq would assume effective responsibility and authority over political and administrative decisions.
Urging all parties involved to refrain from any action that might further endanger peace and stability in the area, the Istanbul Declaration strongly condemned all terrorist and other acts of violence, irrespective of perpetrators and targets, stressing that no reason might justify the killing of innocent people.
''The Socialist International Committee on Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, meeting in Istanbul on 25-26 June 2004 condemns all acts of violence and torture including the violation of Human Rights in Abu Grahib prison in Iraq, and firmly asks that those responsible, at every level, be prosecuted,'' the Declaration noted.
The Socialist International Committee on Peace, Democracy and Human Rights urged the United Nations (UN) to play a more effective role in Iraq for the maintenance of peace and security and urged coalition forces to transfer their power to a UN-led Peace-Keeping Force.
''The Socialist International Committee on Peace, Democracy and Human Rights strongly supports all efforts aimed at the establishment of democratic and secular regimes in the region and asks the Iranian authorities to fulfil the commitment taken with the international community in regard to nuclear production and to respect human and civil rights, believes that dialogue and cooperation between different religions and cultures is the only possible way to defeat the risk of a clash of civilization which we strongly oppose,'' the Declaration said.
The Istanbul Declaration urged both parties in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to abstain from all use of violence and to implement a mutual and simultaneous ceasefire.
Believing that promoting a multilateral approach to facing the new global problems means also to support the creation or the strengthening of regional/continental institutions, the declaration said, ''the EU is currently the most advanced and effective expression of regional integration based on democracy, peace, and respect for diversities. The recent enlargement and the first European Constitution are historical events, not only for the Europeans. Further countries are ready to join and we call on the EU to take the necessary decisions in December 2004 to open enlargement negotiations with Turkey without delay.''
The declaration called on NATO, on the eve of its forthcoming summit in Istanbul, to further contribute to increase stability and security for the enlarged Euro-Atlantic community and its neighbors.
Considering that any eventual change with regard to the nature or goals of NATO should be done transparently and following a democratic debate amongst its members, the declaration said, ''the Socialist International encourages NATO's efforts aimed at deepening and widening political understanding, dialogue and partnership with neighbors, extending the positive experience of the Partnership for Peace initiative with the former USSR countries, looking at the Mediterranean countries and region, aiming at enhancing dialogue and positive influence in the entire Middle East area, appreciates NATO's commitment to key stabilization initiatives such as its missions in the Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo), and to its implementing action in Afghanistan and believes that the Atlantic Alliance can be a crucial part of a new multilateral environment of security in peace, based on international law and on a renewed, enhanced role for the United Nations.''
(BRC) 26.06.2004