Forum of Caucasian NGOs

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From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 10:15:32 +0300 (EET DST)
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Subject: Forum of Caucasian NGOs

From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>

Original sender: Zaliha Tahirova <[email protected]>

Forum of Caucasian NGOs


THE FORUM OF CAUCASIAN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
 
More than 30 representatives of non-governmental organizations and
independent experts from a number of regions Northern and Southern
Caucasus suffering by the inter-ethnic conflicts,  have held on July
19-26 1998 a meeting in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkariya for the
discussion of essential problems of peace-making in  Caucasus.  There
was noted,  that many problems of Caucasus are connected to the
under-developed civil society,  to separatism and isolation of the
Caucasian peoples from each other.

As a result of the discussions,  the Forum of Caucasian NGOs was
established with the purpose of strengthening of confidence and
interrelation between the Caucasian peoples,  revival of Caucasian
culture,  maintenance of the joint civil initiatives,  directed on
formation of a tolerance, development of political culture,
establishment of civil consciousness, revival of traditions peace
co-existance, overcoming the ethnic hate.

The Forum adopted so-called "Elbrus Declaration" on July 24, signed by
the participants from Tbilisi, Sukhum, Tskhinval, Baku, Yerevan, 
Vladikavkaz,  Nalchik,  Makhachkala,  London. In it was reflected an
anxiety by the growth of tension on Northern Caucasus and purposes and
problem of new organization.

It was resolved,  that the Forum,  leading by the Council of Founders
from the representatives of regions (now 8 persons), will try to
ensure the regular contacts and dialogue in Caucasus, to establish an
effective communication network between the participants of Forum, to
support and to develop the NGOs, to initiate the joint projects within
the framework of main directions of the Forum activities.

The constituent session of Forum was held with active organization
activity of NGOs of Georgia and Abkhazia,  facilitation of the British
organization "International Alert" and financial support of TACIS.

The Forum also discussed with our participation some future projects
on the protection of women's rights in Caucasus.

The representative of our Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan, Mr.Eldar
Zeynalov, was elected to the members of Council.

Zaliha Tahirova

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