A forum of Arab women MPs voted Friday to send a message to the US Congress, the European Parliament, and the International Union of Parliamentarians, calling on them to adopt a fair stand and foresight regarding the Arab-Israeli struggle.

The forum was held in Damascus on Thursday and Friday to mark the first anniversary of Arab Women’s Day.

In their message, participants urged that Israel be forced to abide by UN resolutions. They also said that sanctions should be lifted on Iraq and Sudan, and permanently lifted from Libya. Sidon MP Bahiya Hariri, who attended the forum with Zghorta MP Nayla Mouawad, called on the forum to add another recommendation concerning Israel’s alleged use of depleted uranium ammunition.  Hariri, who is the deputy chairwoman of the union’s Women’s Affairs Committee, recommended that international organizations, especially the World Health Organization, take serious steps toward providing a specially-equipped center to search for cases of cancer in the various areas in Lebanon targeted by Israel during its occupation.  The move is aimed at investigating whether Israel has been using DU ammunition in its attacks on the country. If so, Hariri said, the Israelis should be forced to pay compensation to victims and should be prohibited from continuing to use DU.

The recommendations were endorsed by participants in the forum, which also focused on the role of Arab women in supporting the Arab cause.

DS 03/02/01