I.P.O. Information Service

I.P.O. President Hans Koechler visits Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan

Tashkent /Vienna, 14 September 2001/P/RE/17298c-is

The President of the International Progress Organization (I.P.O.), Dr. Hans Koechler, will arrive later today in Tashkent for an information visit to the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan. He will visit the ancient centers of Islamic civilization in Samarkand and Bukhara and will conduct meetings with Islamic scholars.

From 13 to 15 September 2001, the International Ibn Sina Foundation is holding an international conference on "The Legacy of Ibn Sina and Modern Civilization" at Ibn Sina's birthplace in Bukhara City.

Since its foundation, the I.P.O. has been promoting the civilizational dialogue between Islam and the West. The organization has sponsored major dialogue meetings in Europe, the Middle East and Asia on issues of religion, justice and human rights. Upon his departure to Central Asia, the President of the I.P.O. stated that -- under the present international circumstances -- all people of good will have to join in an effort to avoid a major confrontation. The dialogue of civilizations must not give way to the horrors of a new civilizational war, Dr. Koechler said.

I.P.O. activities on civilizational dialogue

END/I.P.O. President Hans Koechler visits Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan/14-09-01/P/RE/17298c-is