September 23^th, 2002

Addressing yesterday closing session of the two-day "Women for Peace" conference which was held at this Red Sea resort under her auspices, Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak expressed happiness at the positive outcome reached by the gathering in this city which has become a symbol of peace.

    "We have come together from different parts of the world to call for a world movement for peace to be undertaken by women, stressing the unity of goal to confront all forms of violence and extremism," Mrs. Mubarak said.

    Mrs. Mubarak noticed the escalating acts of violence and armed conflict and different forms of discrimination. She said that successive international changes make it incumbent upon us to make more efforts to push forward the wheel of human progress towards a new way of thinking compatible with these dangerous changes.

    "We are called upon to expedite the launching of an international promising movement to enable women to play a more effective role to realize world peace and strengthen it in response to the just demands of all peoples of the world- a movement which considers that peace is the only means of human progress and the sure guarantee to realize the values of right, justice, the principles of freedom, fraternity and equality," Mrs. Mubarak said.

    Mrs. Mubarak added: We should exert maximum effort to spread the culture of peace to eradicate bias and discrimination, believing in the role of culture and the media in changing ways of thinking and residues which continue to stand in the way of the dreams of the world to realize peace and obstructs common understanding and mutual cooperation.

    We seek to bolster the cause of peace in the entire world so that the spirit or tolerance may prevail among mankind, our humanitarian message is to provide welfare for nations, stability for peoples and restore balance based on justice in support of peace.

    Hence was our keen desire to make this first gathering a serious attempt for the birth of an international movement under the title "Women present conditions and what is taking place in the Middle East area and fears that violence will escalate in the entire area and what is taking place in Palestinian territories dictates on us to express our extreme concern and our deep sorrow for latest development in occupied Palestinian territories because of the continued (Israeli) occupation which cannot serve the cause of peace in the Middle East which is an indivisible part of the peace of the whole world.

    Mrs. Mubarak went on: as we express our full sympathy with Palestinian women in the cruel suffering through which they are passing, we call for supporting them by extending all kinds of assistance to help them face the present cruel circumstances facing them.

    We express our deep sorrow for the civilian victims on both sides and stress that bloodshed does not stop violence or lead to resumption of peaceful settlement.

    We believe that the cause of women and their support to peace is an integrated issue in which all participate, without exception.

    Therefore, we appeal to the international community and all its organizations and institutions to stand on the side of the cause of just and overall peace in the Middle East.

    We hope that the area will get out of the cycle of the long struggle and continued conflict in which its peoples gave huge sacrifices which affected development programmes in their various forms.

    The time has come for us to work together to realize peace, stability and prosperity. Peace is a common effort and a sincere desire on the part of all parties.

    We look upon our conference amid regional circumstances and international events, considering that it represents a glimmer of hope and a light which illuminates the road ahead of us towards the goal which has gathered us at this meeting.

    I conclude my address by expressing a dream, namely that this would be a beginning and a launching point towards a better future for all of us.

    When man dreams alone, it is only dream. But when we have a common dream, this dream will become a fact.

    The Sharm El-Sheikh message which was issued at the close of the conference, said that women have a role to play to encourage and realize peace.

    Peace is at hand. We are fully aware that there are no great wars. They have been replaced by struggles, civil wars and terrorism.

    "We, the participants in the Sharm El-Sheikh initiative, believe that we have an opportunity to contribute to peace and security and the realization of peace, freedom and prosperity.

    "We shall go forward and strengthen our work and hold our next conference in 2004".

    Mrs. Rowlings, the former First Lady of Ghana, expressed thanks to Mrs. Mubarak and all attending the Sharm El Sheikh conference for their efforts which made the conference a success and hoped that the movement of women for peace will lead to a world position which would have fruitful results for all nations.

    Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak then declared the Sharm El-Sheikh conference closed and hoped to meet participants again at the 2004 conference and at regional meetings which will be held to prepare for the next conference.

    Former US President Jimmy Carter's son, who took part in a conference, accused Israel of destroying the peace process which his father had contributed to building its foundations.

    Addressing the morning session of the conference, he said "if it is up to me. I would have changed the regime in Israel".

    He said that he is trying through his work as chairman of the friendship society for peace and with cooperation with all peace-loving powers to reiterate the world’s desire in peace.

concluded.