General News of Sunday, 12 February 2006
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JEDDAH, Feb 11 (GHP) -- Former President of Ghana Jerry Rawlings has warned of double standards in the Isreali-Palistenian conflict.
Addressing the three-day 7th Jeddah Economic Forum(JEF), on Saturday, he called for a fair and just settlement of the Palestinian cause. (read the full speech)
Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, made a plea for women's rights, telling the kingdom's leaders that the dearth of women in the work force was "undermining economic potential" of the kingdom.
And Irish President Mary McAleese urged Saudi Arabia to learn from Ireland's economic transformation, which hinged on opening the country to the outside world and ushering women into the workplace. Gerhard Schroeder, former chancellor of Germany, said globalisation affected the scope for manoeuvre not only for nation states but for private enterprises as well. He said that tremendous opportunities were generated by global business activity and free trade, and the nations of the world were called upon to jointly protect national identity and cultural diversity.