I.P.O. ANNUAL REPORT 1987

Vienna,  6 January 1988

 NEW PUBLICATIONS


 ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS

At its session in New York City (1987), the Executive Board admitted new members from Austria, Ghana, and Uganda.


INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE QUESTION OF TERRORISM

The International Conference on the Question of Terrorism was successfully held in Geneva (19-21 March 1987). More than 60 experts of philosophy, sociology, international law and political science from all continents took part in the deliberations. The United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Council of Churches and other international organizations sent observers. - As result of the discussions, the "Geneva Declaration on Terrorism" was adopted which was also circulated as a document of the General Assembly of the United Nations. 


INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE (ISC) IN SUPPORT OF THE AUSTRIAN PRESIDENT

At the initiative of the President of the I.P.O., an international committee to support Austrian President Kurt Waldheim has been formed. Prominent personalities from 27 countries (among them many members of the I.P.O.) have already joined the committee. A Memorandum on political, humanitarian and legal implications of the decision of the U.S. administration to place the name of Austrian President Dr. Kurt Waldheim on a so called "watch list," barring him entry into the United States, was formulated by legal experts of the committee and submitted to the United Nations. (For a free copy of the Memorandum please write to the head office of the I.P.O.) - It is to be noted that President Waldheim - in his capacity of Secretary-General of the United Nations - has considerably contributed to the work of the I.P.O.


 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR PEACE IN THE GULF

During 1987 the International Committee for Peace in the Gulf has further expanded its activities and membership. (Nobel Laureates, former Heads of State and former members of Government have joined this independent committee which has issued a declaration on the principles for a peaceful solution of the conflict.

 

MONITORING GROUP ON THE SOUTH PACIFIC REGION

In October 1987 the I.P.O. established a monitoring group on "The Pacific Region: National Self-determination versus Superpower Hegemony and Continued Colonization."

 

INFORMATION VISIT TO THE YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC

From 6 to 12 June 1987 the President of the I.P.O. undertook an information visit to the Yemen Arab Republic. He met in the capital, Sanaa, among others, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Dr. Abd Al-Karim Al-Iryani; the Provost of Sanaa University, Dr. A. Al-Qirby; the Rector of Sanaa University, Dr. A.-A. Al-Maqaleh; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development, Muhammad Said Al-Attar; the Head of the National Institute of Administrative Science, Muhammad Anam Ghalib; and with the Dean and Faculty members of the College of Economics as well as with with Professors of Philosophy at the Faculty of Arts of Sanaa University. He also gave an interview to the Editor-in-Chief of the daily newspaper Al-Thawra. On 11 June, the Yemen Economic Society gave a luncheon in honor of Prof. Koechler.


 APPEAL BY LAWYERS AGAINST NUCLEAR WAR

In cooperation with the International Peace Bureau (Geneva), the I.P.O. launched a worldwide signature campaign in support of the "Appeal by Lawyers against Nuclear War." The signatures will be sent to the General Assembly of the United Nations in the hope that the Assembly will ask for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on this matter.


RESEARCH PROJECTS

In conformity with a resolution adopted by the Executive Board at its last session in New York City, the I.P.O. is considering to organize an international meeting of experts on "The South Pacific Region: National Self-determination versus Superpower Hegemony and Continued Colonization." The meeting should also discuss questions of de-nuclearization and the environment. (The President of the I.P.O. has already held consultations with officials of the United Nations Office for Decolonization and Trusteeship who offered their cooperation.)


 HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES

The I.P.O. has assisted families of the civilian victims of the American bombing of Tripoli and Benghazi to file law suites in the U.S. - Mr. Ramsey Clark, Esq., member of the Executive Board of the I.P.O., has accepted legal representation of the families concerned.