Iraqis, Palestinians to be a major presence

Iraqis, Palestinians to be a major presence
Global Anti-War Movement to Chart Strategy in Beirut
TNI Press Release, September 2004

The 500,000-strong march against the war in New York City last week, preceded by Greek activists' protests which forced US State Secretary Colin Powell to cancel his trip to Athens, show that far from being dead, the global anti-war movement is alive, kicking, and marching on. As resistance to the illegal occupations of Iraq and Palestine continues, representatives of the global anti-war movement are set to converge very close to the two current focuses of their struggle - in Beirut, Lebanon - this September 17-19 to discuss and debate their next steps. Expected to attend are around 150-200 representatives of various anti-war coalitions, social movements, NGOs, and other organizations from more than 50 countries around the world. Joining them are scores of activists from neighbouring Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Morocco - including a delegation of Iraqis who will be travelling by bus from Iraq.

Hosting the meeting is a broad range of political forces in Lebanon and Palestine, including progressives, seculars, and Islamists. Most of the international delegates represent groups that were behind the historic February 15, 2004 global mobilisations against the invasion of Iraq - the biggest internationally coordinated rally in history - as well as the continuing protests against the occupation in various countries around the world. The meeting in Beirut, entitled "Where Next for the Global Anti-War and Anti-Globalisation Movements?" hopes to provide the movement with an opportunity to come up with a stronger political consensus on the movements' positions and priorities, and a proposed plan of action. Heated debates are expected on such questions as "What should the movement do now?", "What are our strengths and weaknesses?", "How do we relate to the resistance movements in Iraq?", "Is there a role for the United Nations?" and "What if Bush wins the presidential elections?", among others.

The decision to hold the meeting in the Middle East was part of a conscious effort to build closer links with anti-war and anti-corporate globalisation activists in the region.

Translation will be provided in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.

At the moment, the meeting has been endorsed by more than 250 organisations, coalitions, and movements from 52 countries.

For more details, visit Focus on the Global South website on th event, call the Secretariat office in Beirut at +9611360919, or e-mail herbert@focusweb.org