"The need to put an urgent end to the war in Iraq and to re-establish peace: the role of the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union" was placed on the agenda of the 108th Inter-Parliamentary Conference today. The proposal, which was presented by Argentina, Egypt, Sudan and Indonesia, was carried with 1105 votes in favour, 215 votes against, and 105 abstentions.

The proposal submitted by Portugal on "The ending of the conflict in Iraq, the role of the United Nations and the international community in assisting the people of Iraq in their future political, economic and social development; support for humanitarian efforts to relieve the suffering of the Iraqi people and the role of the IPU in supporting the development of democratic institutions in Iraq" was defeated with 430 votes in favour, 706 votes against, and 289 abstentions.

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Established in 1889 and with its Headquarters in Geneva, the IPU, the oldest multilateral organisation, currently has 144 affiliated national parliaments and five regional assemblies as associate members. The organisation of the world's parliaments also has a Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York.
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Mrs. Luisa Ballin, IPU Information Officer 5, ch. du Pommier, CH - 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex / Geneva Tel. +4122 919 41 16/27 Fax: +4122 919 41 60, 919 41 97 E-mail: lb@mail.ipu.org or cbl@mail.ipu.org