The International Solidarity Conference with Iraq Freedom Congress (IFC)

In Japan Finalizes Its Works Successfully

Delegations from the United States, Europe, and Asia participated in this massive event

A resolution to establish a Satellite TV for IFC

The solidarity voices with IFC rise, the eyes fill with tears, the hands embrace each other, and everyone singing in English…"We shall overcome some day… we are not afraid… we shall overcome." Thus the conference ends its works in Tokyo.

On January 28& 29, 2006 and in a presence of more than 200 people, the international solidarity conference with the IFC was held. The delegates attended from:

Japan,

The hosting organization (Solidarity Committee with the Iraqi Civil Resistance, the Movement for Democratic Socialism (MDS) and the National Assembly for Peace and Democracy (Zenko)

Also:

Dr. Ito Narihiko: Professor Emeritus in Chuo University

Okamoto Mitsuo: Professor Emeritus in Hiroshima Shudo University

United States of America,

Joseph Gainza: member of the steering committee of United for Peace and Justice (an umbrella organization of more than 1500 organization defending peace in United States)

Bill Pelz: International secretary of the Chicago Socialist Party and director of the Institute of Working Class History

Bill Weinberg: War Resisters International League

France,

Nicholas Dessaux: Solidarity Iraq

South Korea,

Oh Seichul: Socialist Political Alliance (Preparing Group)

Woo Changsoo: East Asia Antiwar Conference

Lee Iljae: Socialist Political Alliance (Preparing Group)

Philippine,

Paul Galang: president of Parents and Children against War and Violence organization

Indonesia,

Yeni Rosa Damayanty: Solidarity Without Border

Iraq Freedom Congress delegate from Iraq formed of

Samir Adil: IFC secretary general

Ali Abbass: IFC president in Basra

Nada Moayed: assistant of the president of Organization of Woman Freedom in Iraq (OWFI)

Azad Ahmed: Director of Children Protection Centre in Iraq.

In addition to many professors, lawyers, and prominent figures from Japan, Pakistan, and United States of America, the conference was endorsed by several international and political figures such as Denis Halliday, the former head of the UN’s humanitarian program in Iraq.

In response to the IFC delegate, the conference commenced its works with a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of war and terrorism in Iraq and the world. Later, a welcoming speech of Dr. Ito Narihiko is delivered and the guests introduced themselves to start the conference. In the beginning a draft resolution was put forward by MDS and the National Assembly for Peace and Democracy for discussion. The draft consisted of a detailed presentation about the current situations in Iraq and their impacts on both local and international level. Then an introduction of IFC, its activities and actions in Iraq, also the draft appealed to the libertarian movement through this conference to uphold and support IFC financially and form branches in as many countries as possible in the world. After amendments were added by the Iraqi, French, and Philippino delegates, the draft was decided unanimously.

The first day of the conference focused on a project of establishing a satellite TV. This project was a draft resolution put forward by IFC delegate to the conference. In the end of the day Sato Kazuyoshi, president of MDS has delivered his speech emphasizing on the necessity of the TV and its support.

In the second day of the conference speeches of the participated delegates were delivered in which a great support was shown to back the IFC.

The US delegate in its speech said: we were always thinking of pulling out the US troops however we never thought of how Iraqi people live. We couldn’t distinguish the right from the wrong. We were confused. But when we heard our Iraqi friends of IFC we then realized where the exit is.

The South Korean speech was also very well received by the conference, while it was announcing all possible financial support to establish the IFC TV.

Moreover the speeches of IFC delegate were warmly perceived which had a positive impact on proceedings of the conference and its success. In his speech, Samir Adil referred to the effect of this international event on the anti war movement in which a first step towards building a global front is set out to confront both terrorism poles.

Ali Abbass came second to emphasize on the role of the working class, its struggle and accomplishments. Following was Nada Moayed, who spoke in details of OWFI’s activities in the last three months with a photos and documents exhibition unveiling the ongoing violation of human rights and woman rights in particular in the detention centers.

Later was Azad Ahmed who spoke in numbers and statistics of the children situations, the alternatives and children protection centre projects and the role of IFC in this field.

In the end Ito Narihiko delivered his speech stating his support to what IFC delegate mentioned regarding the international impact of this conference.

The conference finally came to an end with revolutionary anthems, exchanging symbolic presents, and collecting donations to the conference. Then all participants chanted together a song that was well known and sung by millions in the time of Vietnam War one day (we shall overcome… we are not afraid… we shall overcome)

IFC media centre

January 30, 2006