Inter-Parliamentary Union Holds 105th Conference in CubaThe 105th meeting of the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) opened at the Havana convention center Sunday, attended by more than 1,500 people from some 120 countries or regions, including Cuban President Fidel Castro and officials from the United Nations and the IPU.In a brief opening speech, Castro said that all countries around the globe should bear responsibilities and obligations for the challenge the human beings are facing. Castro criticized the United States for it's failure to implement agreements related to international peace and security, environmental protection, and the protection of natural resources. In a welcome speech made at the opening ceremony, Ricardo Alarcon, president of the National Assembly of the People's Power of Cuba, called for the democratization of international relations, the reform of the United Nations and the UN Security Council, and joint efforts by all countries to eliminate racism, exclusionism, gender discrimination, terrorism and the practice that a few big powers control the multinational organizations. Kieran Prendergast, representative of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, delivered a greeting message from the UN chief, who hoped for further cooperation between the IPU and the UN. The conference, scheduled to close Saturday, will discuss respect for the principles of international law, the irreplaceable role of education and culture in the citizens' political life and economic development, and the issues of the Middle East, Cyprus and the Great Lakes Region in Africa. The IPU, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, was founded in June 1889. As the largest international parliamentary organization, it has 140 members and five regional organizations. It is the venue for the parliaments of countries pursuing different political systems to conduct dialogues and parliamentary diplomatic activities. |
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