Activists to mark conference date

BANDUNG, West Java: The Bandung Spirit, a newly established organization of activists and intellectuals, plans to commemorate the landmark 1955 Asia-Africa conference later this month.

Group spokesman Saini K.M. said on Wednesday that a two-day commemorative seminar will be held from April 21 aimed at increasing the spirit of self-reliance and strengthening cooperation among developing countries.

The 1955 conference was a precursor to the Non-Aligned Movement, which was established five years later to offer an alternative forum to newly independent countries which did not want to take sides in the Cold War.

The Bandung Spirit, so named after the document declaring the principles of the movement, includes musician Acil Bimbo, communication expert Deddy Jamaludin Malik and former West Java military commander Herman Ibrahim among its members.

Coordinator of the commemoration Acil said former foreign minister Ali Alatas and foreign ambassadors in Jakarta were among those invited to address the seminar. President Abdurrahman Wahid is also expected to attend, he added. (25)