For a millennium of peace, starting from the Mid-East

Baghdad, March 2nd, 1998

The volunteer human shields for peace in Iraq, who were there during the recent crisis, and the association Un Ponte per Baghdad have addressed the following proposal for a disarmament conference to the Secretary General of the UN, the governments of Mid-East and UN member countries, NGOs and peace and disarmament movements.

We, the volunteer human shields in Iraq, willing to contribute to a Middle East area of peace;

concerned about the growing presence of huge quantities of weapons, both conventional and of mass destruction, in the region;

considering that this is a constant threat to the lives and security of millions of men, women and children;

aware that only negotiations building mutual confidence and security among all States concerned will lead to a lasting disarmament;

convinced that industrialised countries, foremost the European ones, could benefit from facing an area of peace;

suggest to the governments of the Middle East to autonomously establish a permanent Conference for a gradual and balanced disarmament process in the whole region, starting with the mass destruction weapons;

ask the industrialised countries to facilitate this process, by committing themselves to respect the autonomy of the peoples of the region, by withdrawing their military presence and reducing their weapons, so that they

cease to be a threat to the people of the region;

call upon the UN Secretary General to promote consultations so as to initiate this process of peace.