OIC foreign ministers’ meeting in Turkey issues joint communique

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
17 Jun 04

subheadings inserted editorially

Cyprus

Istanbul, 16 June: A decision was made at the 31st session of
the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers that [self-declared]
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would be represented
at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) under the name of
“Turkish Cypriot State” as it was envisaged in the United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan.

The joint communique of the 31st session of the Islamic Conference
of the Foreign Ministers, said: “The member countries decide that
the Turkish Muslim people of Cyprus should continue to participate
in the work, activities and meetings of all OIC organs under the name
envisaged by the United Nations secretary-general’s settlement plan.”

“We acknowledge that a new situation has emerged in Cyprus following
the referenda on 24 April 2004 which necessitates a fresh and
comprehensive assessment of the Cyprus issue. We reaffirm the full
equality of the two parties in Cyprus as the principle enabling them
to live side-by-side in security, peace and harmony without the one
having the ability to govern, exploit, oppress or threaten the other,”
it said.

The joint communique noted: “We welcome the statement and calls made
by the United Nations secretary-general, international organization
and states, as well as decisions taken by various international
organizations for ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots;
and call upon the international community to take immediate concrete
steps to that end.”

“We urge the member states to strengthen effective solidarity with
the Turkish Muslim people of Cyprus closely associating with them,
and with a view to helping them materially and politically to overcome
the inhuman isolation which has been imposed upon them, to increase
and expand their relations in all fields and in particular direct
transport, trade, tourism, culture, information, investment and sports
contacts,” it said.

The joint communique stressed: “We decide to actively support,
until the Cyprus problem in solved, the rightful claim of the Turkish
Muslim people of Cyprus for the right to be heard and represented in
all international fora on the basis of equality of the two parties
in Cyprus. We request the United Nations secretary-general to carry
out the necessary contacts with the Islamic Development Bank with
a view to seeking the ways and means of the latter’s assistance for
the development projects of the Turkish Cypriot side.”

The joint communique noted: “We decide to remain seized of the request
of the Turkish Cypriot side of Cyprus for full membership of the
OIC. We request the secretary-general to take all necessary measures
for the implementation of this resolution and to report thereon to
the 32nd session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.”

Greek Muslim rights

Referring to recent developments in Western Thrace, the joint
communique noted: “We condemn the judicial harassment of the elected
muftis of Xanthi Komotini, Mehmet Emin Aga, and Mr Ibrahim Serif. We
urge Greece to take all measures to respect the rights of the Turkish
Muslim Minority in Western Thrace and urgently recognize the elected
muftis of Xanthi and Komotini as the official muftis.”

Israel/Palestinians

The Islamic countries held Israel fully responsible for destroying
the Middle East peace process.

The joint communique of the 31st session of the Islamic Conference
of the Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, said: “We express our strong
condemnation of Israel’s persistent and mounting aggressions against
the holy places in the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the other
Palestinian cities, desecration of the holy places and violation of the
hall of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and aggressing people performing
prayer there. We also strongly condemn Israel’s illegal measures and
practices in the city of Al Quds Al-Sharif carried out in contradiction
with international resolution and laws with the purpose of Judaizing
the holy city and eradicating its Arab and Islamic character.”

“We reject the declaration made by US President George Bush during
the joint conference with the Israeli prime minister on 14 April
2004, and the US letter of guarantees to Israel which contained
dangerous concessions to Israel concerning the final settlement and
the mechanism of agreement thereon, which jeopardizes the national
rights of the Palestinian people,” it said.

The joint communique said: “We emphasize that the Israeli policies,
practices and expansionist designs threaten not only Arab states
and the peace process, but also the Islamic countries at large and
jeopardize international peace and security.”

“We hail the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their valiant
‘intifada’ (uprising) aimed at recovering their inalienable national
rights,” it stressed.

The OIC noted that it called for immediate lifting of the siege on
the Palestinian people and President Yasir Arafat of Palestine.

“We stress the need to implement the declaration adopted by the
Conference of the Contracting States Parties to the Geneva Convention
of 1949 adopted on 5 December 2001,” it said.

Condemning Israel for building the segregation wall, the OIC
called upon the Quartet to intensify efforts to achieve a just and
comprehensive peace in the Middle East in accordance with the road
map and the relevant agreements and resolutions.

“We strongly condemn Israel for its assassination of the symbols of
Palestinian national action, particularly the founder of the Islamic
Resistance Movement (Hamas) Shaykh Ahmad Yasin and Dr Rantisi,”
it said.

Emphasizing that the Islamic countries held Israel fully responsible
for destroying the Middle East peace process, the joint communique
stressed that Israel acted against the principle of the “land for
peace” and Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council 242
and 338.

Iraq

Member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) welcomed
establishment of an Interim Government in Iraq.

The joint communique issued after the 31st session of the Islamic
Conference of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul strongly condemned the
inhuman practices committed against the Iraqi prisoners and detainees
in Abu Ghurayb prison and demanded that those responsible be put
on trial.

The joint communique welcomed the appointment of the president and
prime minister of the Republic of Iraq and the establishment of an
Interim Government as a beginning for sustained and urgent action to
end occupation and to establish a fully sovereign, free and democratic
Iraq and to define its political future and national options without
any interference whatsoever.

The joint communique demanded occupation forces in Iraq to comply
with International Humanitarian Law particularly the 1949 Geneva
Convention and stressed the need for the occupation forces to respect
the civil and religious liberties of the Iraqi people and preserve
their cultural, religious and historical heritage.

The communique condemned the terrorist acts perpetrated against
the Iraqi people, their places of worship, religious sites,
police stations and official institutions, including the health,
public utility institutions, diplomatic institutions and diplomats,
diplomatic personnel and premises, and stressed the responsibility of
the occupation forces for protecting the civil and religious rights
of the Iraqi people and preserving state institutions.

The joint communique strongly condemned the kidnapping and
assassination acts committed against Iraqis and others, especially
those committed against religious leaders, university professors,
doctors and intellectuals.

The communique reaffirmed its condemnation of the collective
assassinations, revealed by the discovery of mass graves, committed
by the previous regime in Iraq, against innocents Iraqi, Kuwaiti and
other peoples as a crime against humanity, and requests that those
responsible for such crimes to be put on trial.

The joint communique appealed to member states and the international
community not to grant safe havens to former officials of the defunct
regime and those accused of crimes against the Iraqi and other peoples
in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1483.

The communique welcomed the announcement made by the Interim Government
to establish good relations between Iraq and neighbouring states
based on mutual respect and the principle of non interference in
their internal affairs, as well as to abide by the existing treaties
and agreements, particularly those relevant to internationally
recognized borders and invites Iraq and neighbouring countries to
actively cooperate to promote peace and stability in the region, in
line with the statements issued in the meetings of the neighbouring
countries of Iraq.

OIC countries appealed all states to contribute to the alleviation
of the financial burden on Iraq by writing off Iraqi debts as an
expression of their support and as a contribution to the reconstruction
of the country.

The joint communique of the 31st session of the Islamic Conference
of the Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, said that the Organization
of Islamic Conference (OIC) Convention on Combating International
Terrorism was ratified, and called on member states to follow up the
convention and expedite their signing.

Stressing that the Islam was innocent of all forms of terrorism which
involved the murder of innocent people, the joint communique said,
“we reject any attempts to link Islam and Muslims to terrorism because
the latter has no relation whatsoever with religions, civilizations
or nationalities.”

Terrorism

“We strongly condemn the perpetrators of these heinous terrorist
crimes, who pretended to act in the name of Islam or under any
other pretext. We call upon all states not to grant asylum to these
terrorists, and to take all necessary measures to help bring them to
justice,” it said.

Affirming the determination of member states to coordinate
their efforts to combat all forms and manifestation of terrorism,
including state terrorism, directed against all states and peoples,
the joint communique said: “We reaffirm that the struggle of peoples
under colonialist domination or under foreign occupation, for their
national liberation or to regain their right to self-determination,
does not constitute an act of terrorism.”

The joint communique said: “We call upon member states to follow up
the OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism and expedite
their signing and/or ratification of the convention.”

“We invite member states to stress the need for convening an
international conference to define the meaning of terrorism and
to distinguish it from people’s struggle for national liberation,”
it added.

UN Security Council

Islam countries decided to support Turkey’s membership to UN Security
Council.

The decision taken in the joint communique issued after the 31st
session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul
said: “Having considered the candidacies presented by member states in
this regard; decides to support the following candidacies: Candidacy
of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the membership in the United
Nations Security Council for the period 2009-2010, at the elections
that will be held during the 63rd UN General Assembly in New York in
2008. Candidacy of the Republic of Turkey for nonpermanent membership
in the United Nations Security Council for the period 2009-2010, at
the elections that will be held during the 63rd UN General Assembly
in New York in 2008.”

Azerbaijan/Armenia

In the joint communique, the aggression of the Republic of Armenia
against the Republic of Azerbaijan was strongly condemned. The
joint communique called on the UN Security Council to recognize
the existence of aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan and
strongly demanded the strict implementation of the United Nations
Security Council resolutions related to the issue, and the immediate
unconditional and complete withdrawal of Armenian forces from all
occupied Azerbaijani territories including Nagornyy Karabakh region
and strongly urges Armenia to respect the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The joint communique called upon member states, as well as other
members of the international community to use such effective political
and economic measures as required in order to put an end to Armenian
aggression and to occupation of the Azerbaijani territories.

Member countries decided to instruct the Permanent Representatives
of Member States at the United Nations in New York, while voting at
the UN General Assembly, to give absolute support to the issue of
territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

OSCE

Islamic countries also decided to make constructive contribution to
the OSCE peace process ongoing for the solution of the problem.

Islamic sports/broadcasting

The joint communique approved the future activities which the Islamic
Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) decided to undertake in 2005 at
the top of which the first edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games.

The joint communique recommended that the Islamic Broadcasting
Organization and the International Islamic News Agency coordinate
with the Islamic Solidarity Sports Foundation to cover the coming
activities of the Foundation, in particular, the Islamic Solidarity
Games to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2005.

Nuclear energy/Iran

Islamic countries, which supported Iran to develop nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes, wanted the United States to revise its decision
on imposing economic sanctions on Syria.

Joint communique, which was released after the 31st session of Islamic
Conference of Foreign Ministers, reaffirmed the inalienable rights of
member states without discrimination to develop nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes and noted that Iran has continued its cooperation
with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Noting that Iran adopted the necessary measures to resolve the problem,
Islamic countries welcomed Iran’s signing the Additional Protocol to
the IAEA Safeguard Agreements.

The communique expressed concern that certain circles are putting
pressure against Iran to renounce its alienable right to develop
nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and expressed its support and
solidarity with that country.

Syria/Libya/sanctions

Islamic countries expressed concern that the United States started
to impose economic sanctions on Syria. Islamic countries requested
the United States to reconsider its decision which is against
international principles and laws and they also welcomed UN Security
Council resolution lifting sanctions imposed against Libya.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress