VIENNA, Dec 18 (KUNA) — The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has rejected Arab calls to change venue of a seminar on combating racial indiscrimination due in Tel Aviv starting next Tuesday.
OSCE official sources told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that Spain, chairman of the organization’s ministerial council this year, turned down a request in this respect, addressed last month, by the Arab League and responded, saying that it could not alter the venue of the seminar due to lack of ample time for such a move.
The Arab League has notified the Spanish presidency of the OSCE that it would be unwise and untimely to hold such a gathering, dealing with combating racism, in shadow of turbulent conditions in the Middle East, Israel’s practices of indiscrimination against the Palestinians, its construction of the separation wall and expansion of Jewish settlements.
It remains to be seen as how many member states of the 56-seat organization will take part in the forum. The league, an observer in the organization, has already declared its intention to boycott it.
Up to 11 Middle Eastern countries are represented as observers in the Vienna-based OSCE. They include Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Jordan and Egypt, in addition to the Arab League Secretariat-General.
The two-day seminar will deal with racial indiscrimination, intolerance, mutual respect and dialogue among the planet’s diverse nations. Debates and lectures are expected to focus on other topics, namely means of combating indiscrimination against women, plights of refugees and women role in promoting dangers of proliferation of non-tolerance among nations of the globe.
The OSCE, in 2005, named three delegates, specialized in combating hostility against Islam, semitism, racial indiscrimination and hatred of foreigners.
The regional organization aspires to ensuring security in Europe, making early warning on forecast flare-up of conflicts, resolving crises, supervising cease-fires, reconstruction, post-war rehabilitation, supporting democratic reforms, overseeing polls, protecting human rights and the environment.
The organization has representation in Geneva, Copenhagen, the Hague, Prague and Warsaw. Up to 4,000 personnel serve in the organization at centers located in the east and southeast of Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia.