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10 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 62/2001
Trade union delegates attending the Third Regional Energy Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, currently under way in Rio de Janeiro, have issued the following statement:
Manifesto of Solidarity with the People of the United States
We, the workers of the chemical, energy, mine and allied industries of the affiliated and fraternal union organisations of the ICEM, meeting at the Third Regional Energy Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean, declare our solidarity with the people of the United States against the barbaric attack which took place on September 11, 2001.
We repudiate all forms of violence practised against human life. We declare our solidarity with the families of the victims and appeal to the heads of state and government and to all civil society in this tragic moment to find a dialogue to preserve and maintain equilibrium and world peace.
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The unions' regional energy conference in Rio continues until 13 September. Union leaders there are drawing up alternative energy plans for the region. The conference will also help to develop international trade union networks in the oil, gas, electricity and coal industries. More details in ICEM Update 61/2001.
The conference is sponsored by the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). Represented at the talks are energy unions from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay. Union leaders from Canada, France, Portugal, South Africa and the United States are also participating in the discussions.