IPU conference adopts resolution condemning terrorism including in Iraq

Nusa Dua, NU Online
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) concluded its 116th meeting here on Friday after adopting  several resolutions one of which strongly opposed all forms of  terrotist actions in the world, including in Iraq.

The resolution against terrorism however was produced with  reservations from several delegations from Europe and Australia or the Group of 12 Plus.<>

Another resolution produced by the meeting was on ensuring respect for peaceful co-existence between all religious communities and beliefs in a globalized world.   

The others were on promoting diversity and equal rights for all through universal democratic and electoral standards, on job creation and employment security in the era of globalization and on presidential declaration on climate change.

As reported by the state news agency, a heated debate occurred before the resolution on terrorism was passed following a proposal from four countries, namely Indonesia, India, Algeria and Iran.

The debate happened after IPU President Pier Ferdinando Casini through IPU Secretary General Anders Johnson complained that the process of decision making on the resolution did not follow a relevant regulation.

"If the regulation continues to be ignored the Group of 12 Plus will possibly not take part in the process to pass the resolution,"  Anders Johnson said.

His statement drew protests from several delegations such as from Venezuela, Jordan, Bostwana and Chili who fully supported the resolution entitled "International Cooperation to Combat Terrorism, its Root Causes and Its Financing including Cross-Border Financing."

Japan rejected the resolution because it named certain countries but stated that it would remain in the ranks of countries that called for eradicatin of international terrorist movements.

The South Korean delegation meanwhile asked for clarification regarding articles that had been violated by the resolution on terrorism and Iraq.  

Agung Laksono from Indonesia who presided over the meeting explained that no article or statute of the IPU had been violated and his explanation was welcomed by the majority of participants.

One of the Indonesian delegation members, Theo L Sambuaga, said it was not true that the resolution on terrorism cornered certain countries. (dar)