[E-rundbrief] Info 1121 - Peace Delegation to Syria, 2.-8.6.2013

[Matthias Reichl]

E-Rundbrief - Info 1121 - International Initiative for Peace in Syria: 
International Peace Delegation to Damakus, Syria 2. - 8.6.2013, Press 
Release.

Bad Ischl, 2.6.2013

Begegnungszentrum für aktive Gewaltlosigkeit

www.begegnungszentrum.at

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INTERNATIONAL PEACE DELEGATION FOR SYRIA

Press release

29.5.2013

Since more than one year a group of representatives of civil society 
from different continents and countries around the world engaged since 
many years in the process of democratisation and social justice in the 
Middle East, came to the conclusion that the conflict in Syria cannot 
be solved by military means. In the meantime this position not only 
gained support among peace activists, numerous outstanding 
intellectuals and political experts within the civil society, but also 
within a large spectrum of governments who support the peace building 
efforts of the United Nations.

Now, on the eve of a much publicised international conference to be 
held in Geneva in the near future this International Initiative for 
Peace in Syria (www.peaceinsyria.org) has constituted a delegation of 
renowned personalities from different parts of the globe which is 
headed for Damascus from June 2nd to 8th, 2013. Their objectives are 
based on a Mission Statement published in September, 2012 which calls 
against foreign military intervention and for the initiation of a 
process of democratisation on the grounds of the right for 
self-determination of the people of Syria: 
http://www.peaceinsyria.org/mission.html

In Damascus they are going to hold meetings with the Syrian government 
on the level of ministers, vice-prime ministers and the presidency and 
with representatives of the Syrian opposition inside the country; but 
there will be also encounters with representatives of different 
sectors of the Syrian civil society like the universities, religious 
leaders and internal refugees. In the period before the initiative has 
met with all sectors of the opposition movement.

During their stay in Damascus the delegation which consists among 
others of Bishop Raul Vera from Mexico, the Coordinator of the Gaza 
Fleet from Greece Evangelos Pissias, representatives of parliamentary 
fractions from Germany and Greece and renown social scientists like 
Francois Houtart from Belgium and Leo Gabriel from Austria, will 
present to the government and opposition the following concrete proposals:

A)    Create the conditions for a negotiation process through the 
establishment of LOCAL CEASE FIRES

B)    Immediate RELEASE of women and old-aged prisoners on both sides

C)    FREE ACCESS of national and international humanitarian 
organizations to all cities of the country

D)    Participation in an international peace conference organized by 
civil society organizations in Vienna, Austria (probably in September 
2013).

Vienna,  May 29th, 2013

Any request for further information please direct to:

Dr. Leo Gabriel  -Institute for intercultural research and Cooperation

Laudongasse 40 1080 Vienna, Austria – tel.: +4369912622275 e-mail: 
lgabriel at gmx.net


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Matthias Reichl, Pressesprecher/ press speaker,
Begegnungszentrum fuer aktive Gewaltlosigkeit
Center for Encounter and active Non-Violence
Wolfgangerstr. 26, A-4820 Bad Ischl, Austria,
fon: +43 6132 24590, Informationen/ informations,
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