European Social Forum Prepares in Istanbul

The last preparatory meeting ahead of the third European Social Forum (ESF) to be held in London in October, will gather in Istanbul on April 17-18. Representatives from some 150 institutions and associations in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East will attend the assembly. Some important decisions will be made at the Istanbul assembly concerning the European Social Forum to be held on October 14-17. The officials at the assembly will decide on the content of the conference to be organized at the London forum, the speakers, and the distribution of quotes according to countries.

A number of other meetings including the "International Women's Network," and "International Court for War Crimes," will also take place this weekend.

The assembly will not be open to public. Registration will be required for attendance. Every institution or person who would like to take part in the organization of ESF will be able to attend the assembly. There will be simultaneous translations in five languages at the gathering.

Support for anti-NATO protest

A number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are supporting the Istanbul Social forum hosting this gathering.

"The fact that Turkey did not join the U.S. in the invasion of Iraq has gained international prestige for anti-war activists in the country," said Sami Evren, head of Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK). "A preparation meeting is going to be held in a non-European Union country for the first time. We are happy to host the global solidarity of laborers and people."

Evren said organizing this meeting in Istanbul meant that the European social movement supported their campaign against the NATO summit to be held here in June. Turkey has gained prestige

Evren said the ESF preparatory assembly would greatly contribute to the expansion of the social forum course in Turkey. "There is huge interest especially from Ankara, Izmir and Diyarbakir," he said. "We expect a high level of attendance.

Evren said the fact that the Turkish parliament rejected a motion to allow U.S. troops to go to Iraq from Turkey in March 2003 played a role in the decision to hold the assembly in Istanbul.

"Turkey was prevented from becoming part of the invasion with this decision, which has become part of history as the only concrete gain of the anti-war movement against Bush's hegemony wars, Evren said. "This success turned the eyes of everyone in this global opposition movement to Turkey."

Every color of global opposition is in Istanbul

The British Trades Union Congress (TUC), UNISON, the British Public Service Union, CGT, the French Workers' Union, and Italian, Greek and Cypriot Social forums. Representatives from the British "Stop the War Coalition," which organized one of the biggest demonstrations against the invasion in Iraq, Via Campensia with 130 million members, and European ATTAC organization, will also attend the Istanbul assembly.

Following is a list of Turkish organizations that will attend the assembly:

Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK) Global Peace and Justice Coalition (BAK), Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK), pro-Kurdish political party DEHAP, Revolutionary Socialist Laborer's Party (DSIP), Liberal Democrat Party (ODP), Greenpeace , Public Centers, Istanbul Chamber of Doctors (ITO), a human rights organization Mazlum-Der, Foundation for Social Democracy (SODEV), Turkish Union of Chambers of Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), Greens, Turkish Association for the Disabled, Turkish Psychologists' Association and the Association for Improving Social Dialogue.

Further information about the Istanbul Social Forum and the Istanbul assembly can be found on ESF's web page. (EU)