Brussels, 11/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - Religious personalities took a stance when they spoke with one voice during last week's conference at the European Parliament, against a war in Iraq. Participants at the debate on the crisis in Iraq and peaceful coexistence of religions included, among others, the Cypriot Orthodox Bishop of Kikkos, Mgr Nikiforos, the German Catholic Father Hans Vöcking, and Advisor to the Mayor of Jerusalem on religious matters Simne Avyatav. Before closing the debate, the Greek Vice-President of the EP, Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos, declared that, if there were to be war despite the efforts made to avoid it, this would mean, and would be eloquent proof of the fact, that the decision to go to war had already been taken, and that, consequently, the motivation for such a war was different to that being given today. Furthermore, Greek MEP Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL), who initiated the meeting, regretted that the President of Islamic Studies of Syria, Mahmod Kuftaro, was absent. According to Mr Alavanos, the latter had declined the invitation at the last moment because of participation by an Israeli political adviser in the place of Rabbi Elijahu Baqshi-Doron, who was initially expected to attend.