Kurdistan Info-Report: KDPS Special Press release, 6.11.2006

Meeting of the Syrian Democratic Opposition Movement in Istanbul

Activities and Efforts to Promote the Democracy & Human Rights in Syria and in the Middle East
Organized by the Aspen Institute Berlin
The meeting took place on November 2. / 3. 2006, in Istanbul, Turkey.
It was titled under the name: Civil Society in Syria & in the region.

The meeting brought together than 25 participants from Syria, Europe and the United States for a dialogue on foreign policy and civil society issues (minority rights & media).
It was one the best organized meeting by Aspen Institute with a good conclusion after detail discussions including the important needs and demands of the Syrian democratic opposition movement in Syria and in abroad.
Conversations, discussion and Subjects:
- Political developments in Syria and in the region;
- US and European foreign policy;
- the role of minorities in democratic societies;
- the role of media in democratic societies;
- Turkey's role and interests in Syria and the region.
Parallel discussions in small groups on Thursday, November 2:
1- Dealing with minorities
2- The role of media
Parallel discussions in small groups on Friday, November 3:
1. The Eastern Euripean experience
2. Buildimg support in Brussels and the E.U.
3. Turkey´s regional role
It was not a complete list gave free for press, some of Participants:
-- Prof. Salah Aeiyach, Denis Diderot University, Paris, Syrian Salvation Front.
-- Prof. Ali Banuazizi, Bosten College, USA
- Axam Barakat, Syrian Democratic Forum
- Ali Haj Hussein, Syrian Democratic Reform Party, Syrian Democratic Meeting
- Roberta Bonazzi, European Foundation for Demicracy, Brussels
- Mouhrram Duderi, Democratic Party of Kurdistan-Syria
- Özgül Erdemli, ARI Movement, Istanbul
- Klaus Dieter Frankenberger, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
- Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin, Aspen Institute Berlin
- Reuel Gerecht, American Enterprise Institute, Washington
- David Goder, RSL Management, USA
- Dr. Dr. Taufik Hamdosch, Democratic Party of Kurdistan – Syria
- Jana Hybaskova, Member of the European Parlament
- Kemal Köprülü, ARI Movement, Istanbul
- Allen Roth, Policy Forum, London
- Prof. Peter Skerry, Boston Colleg, USA
- Tim Williams, Institute for War & Peace Reporting, London
- Michael Zantosky, Czech Ambassador to Israel
- Diane Zeleny US State Department, Brussels
- Representatives from Syrian Opposition Groups from Syria
- Human Rights Organisations & Journalists from Syria
Note: The Syrian opposition activist Farid Ghadry, was not invited.
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