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SAARC
summit begins tomorrow The 10th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) will open tomorrow under tight security when the Heads of State or Government of the seven member countries assemble for talks at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). The sessions will begin at 10 am tomorrow with Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom handing over the chair of SAARC to Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga. The Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be present. However, the bilateral talks between Indian Premier Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif during a 'retreat' on Thursday are expected to overshadow the summit. It is the first meeting of the two Heads of Government since India conducted nuclear tests in May and Pakistan retaliated with similar tests. Major players in the nuclear game are said to be watching closely for the outcome of these talks. 'The Hindu' last week quoted the US Deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbot, as saying during a visit to Pakistan, "It's a very good thing that... Pakistan-India dialogue is to resume, and we will be watching and supporting every way we can". Diplomatic sources at home say they hope the two leaders would at last agree to send their officials back to the conference table. The nuclear race is not the only issue that is expected to be taken up for discussion by the two countries. Pakistan has reiterated over the past week that the Kashmir dispute should be hammered out first if summit talks are to be anything worth writing home about. Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan has already given a dismal prediction that the outcome of the impending meeting between the arch-rivals would be 'nil'. Pakistan opine that 'judiciously' refraining from discussing regional tensions that are driving two important members apart will only nullify any decisions aimed at progress. The nuclearisation of India and Pakistan is not on the agenda of SAARC. The SAARC Charter clearly notes that, "Bilateral and contentious issues shall be excluded from the deliberations." What the world is keeping their eyes and ears peeled for is the outcome of crucial bilateral talks. Meanwhile, Khan's Sri Lankan counterpart Lakshman Kadirgamar asserted last week that the SAARC summit will revolve around its theme, "Role of SAARC in the changing world". The meeting of SAARC Foreign Ministers commenced yesterday and will continue through today with participants formulating a formal agenda for the summit. Regional trade arrangements and inter-economic cooperation are expected to top the agenda. Leaders are expected to discuss the impact of global issues on the economies of the SAARC nations, globalisation and the World Trade Organisation. The summit will also review the progress made by the SAARC Preferential Trade Arrangement (SAPTA) and South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA). At the last meeting at Male, leaders decided to launch SAFTA by 2001. A group of eminent persons representing each of the seven countries has in their collective report observed that this deadline is an unrealistic goal. The group was set up following a decision at the Male summit. The members were commissioned to review the progress made so far from a 'futuristic' viewpoint and to propose various areas of activity for the SAARC during the early part of the new millennium. The report of this group will be discussed by the summit following which the leaders are expected to set a time-table for their further activities. Surveillance will be tight in and around the city with a large contingent of security forces on the job. Setting up of checkpoints took place well in advance and the routes along which the Heads of State or Government will travel have been declared high security zones. A 6,000 strong police force has been stationed in the city while other security personnel are also on full alert. Fifty sniffer dogs will supplement their performance. Search operations and random checks have had commuters clambering in and out of their vehicles for the past one week. The greatest worry of the general public appears to be the state of roads and the traffic situation. Many anticipate long traffic jams although the police have announced the deployment of a special 'Rider Team' to clear any blocks. On Thursday, the leaders will be helicoptered to a beach resort at Bentota for a 'retreat' where what is considered to be the 'most important part of any summit' will take place - the commencement of bilateral talks. Leaders will have the opportunity to discuss bilateral issues in a relaxed atmosphere. Only senior officials will be present at the retreat, to be summoned by leaders if necessary. Bilateral discussions take place at a 'retreat' in keeping with the SAARC Charter and its above-mentioned clause on 'bilateral and contentious issues'. The seven Heads of State or Government are to arrive in Colombo today for the summit. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Head of the Government of the State of Bhutan and Chairman of the Council of Minister Lyonpo Jigmi Yoeser Thinley, Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala will land at the Bandaranaike International Airport today. They will call on President Chandrika Kumaratunga this evening. Ranil and Anura for LA fund-raiser Mr. Anura Bandaranaike and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe have been invited by UNP supporters in Los Angeles for a special fund raising dinner to be held in late September. Already a thousand tickets priced at $ 100 each have been sold, sources said. "The Island' understands that both will be attending the ceremonies. Since Mr. Bandaranaike will be in Los Angeles on September 26 Bandaranike Commemoration Day, his supporters in Los Angeles have organised a 'dana' to be held on that day. LTTE releases 'Misen' crew
member The LTTE has released a crew member of the vessel 'Misen' in an undisclosed location in the Wanni last Friday ICRC sources revealed yesterday. The Tigers had handed over the freed crewman believed to be a cook to the ICRC on humanitarian grounds. He had sailed to his village in Trincomalee on Saturday to rejoin his family, ICRC said. 'C Misen' was chartered by Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority for North (RRAN) in 1997. It had the capacity to transport 500 passengers at a time. While it was at anchor at Pesalai on July 1, 1997 Tigers who had come in a boat and forcibly boarded the empty vessel and abducted the 9 crew members including the captain. After setting the vessel on fire half a mile off Mannar the Tigers had released two Indonesian crew members the Captain and Chief Engineer and took hostage the balance 7 crewmen who were Sri Lankans. They were being held by LTTE at an undisclosed location in the Vanni from where one of them was released on humanitarian grounds, ICRC sources said. Meanwhile five more members of 'Iris Moana' that was forcibly taken away by LTTE in the seas off Mullaitivu in August 1995 remain in the custody of the LTTE in an undisclosed location in the Vanni. Altogether 8 crew members were taken hostage by the LTTE along with 'Iris Moana' vessel but subsequently three crewmen were released on humanitarian grounds. Thorough search on persons, vehicles from
East to Colombo All persons and vehicles coming to the Colombo city from Batticaloa in East are subject to tight screening and searches with passengers being subject to video photographed before they re-commence their journey from Manampitiya check point, reports from East indicated yesterday. All these tight security arrangements are due to the 10th SAARC heads summit commencing in Colombo on July 29th and intelligence sources suspect that LTTE suicide bombers could try and infiltrate Colombo carry out attacks, security sources said. A transporter who operated two buses from Batticaloa every Sunday ran only one bus to Colombo which was only half full last Sunday. All vehicles coming to Colombo from East are subject to strict scrutiny at almost every check point along the way and lorries being directed to park their vehicles at Manampitiya for 24 hours while all goods and vehicles were fine combed intensively with sniffer dogs. All passengers are requested to alight from all vehicles. They are travelling in with their bag and baggage to Manampitiya grounds identified searched and subject to video photographing before they could commence their journey. Lack of finance and
acquisition problems delay marine drive completion The much delayed Marine drive project has once again run into problems caused by financial constraints according to authoritative sources. Targeted to complete construction by end last year the project is bound to be held up another year due to difficulties relating to acquisition of land and lack of funding, these sources said. The project was expected to be ready for use by end last year. The Road Development Authority has filed legal action against 45 owners of these lands for their inability to have the lots released for clearing and construction the sources added. Meanwhile Minister of Transport and Highways, A. H. M. Fowzie told to ‘The Island’ yesterday that the already delayed drive was not likely to be ready for commissioning by this year as well. The financial difficulties being faced is expected to be overcome with additional funding he has requested from the government coffers. The Minister added he had submitted a cabinet paper seeking Rs. one billion from the government as additional funding to complete three projects including the Marine drive. The finances were expected to be released soon, he said. "The project has been delayed by one year. We were hoping to complete it by end of last year, but because of these difficulties we have had to extend our target days. My idea was at least to open the drive by the end of this year but we might not be able to do that either," the Minister said. Meanwhile the Director, Programming & Progress Monitoring Division RDA T. L. Chandradasa told ‘The Island’ that of 96 lots in the phase one and two of the project area, 60 lots have already been acquired and cleared and ready for construction. "Of the 2.26 km first phase from Ramakrishna road to Melbourne Avenue and the 1.10 km stretch from Melbourne Avenue to Glenaber place, 60 lots have already been cleared for construction. It is with the rest of the owners and a few from phase 3, of 2.68 km from Glenaber place to Galle Face Green that we are facing acquisition problems, he said. "But construction cannot proceed without us having the whole stretch clear-ed. We hope to have the drive completed in 6-9 months time," he added. According to Mr. Chandradasa approximately Rs. 60 million has already been utilised for the project. Meanwhile the Acquisition Officer of the RDA, Gunasena Imaduwa speaking to ‘The Island’ said that so far Rs. 20 million has been paid as compensation to 25 of the owners whose plots were acquired. According to him approximately Rs. 500 million has been released to the RDA from the Consolidated Fund for the project. Subsidies for people of Jaffna The Commissioner General, Essential Services has re-adjusted the figure in line with the resettlement programme and approximately 30,000 families in Jaffna have been taken out of the system of ration distribution after ensuring that they are resettled, a press release issued by the Government Information Department said. The full text of the statement is as follows: This news item appears to be based on a letter issued by the Commissioner General Essential Services to Govt. Agent Jaffna readjusting the distribution of dry rations issued to families in Jaffna. Upto May 1998, Commissioner General Essential Services has been distributing dry rations to 81,224 families in the Jaffna peninsula. The sytem of dry rations is not the solution to the refugee problem. Hence, action has been taken to resettle these refugees on their own lands and help them to re-establish themselves in their own agricultural and other pursuits. According to the reports maintained by the Commissioner General Essential Services, 7,400 families were resettled in Jaffna peninsula in 1996. Another 32,600 families were resettled in 1997. Altogether Rs. 200 million has been paid to this 40,000 families as resettlement assistance for them to commence their agricultural and other vocations and re-establish themselves. By now almost all of them have been able to harvest their first crop. After ensuring that they are resettled, the Commissioner General Essential Services has re-adjusted the figures in line with this resettlement programme. Approximately 30,000 families have been taken out of this system of ration distribution. In addition, the Commissioner General Essential Services has introduced many other subsidies to ensure that the agricultural pursuits of these resettled people are made economically viable. Free transport by sea is provided in respect of all agricultural products from Point Pedro to Colombo to ensure a competitive market for the Jaffna farmers. The policy is to deviate from the practice of merely granting food rations and shift on to a scheme of assistance and subsidies to re-established the Jaffna agricultural economy, thereby ensuring more long term prospects of a re-established agricultural life for the Jaffna farmers. It is also pertinent to mention that the government is spending millions of rupees to provide transport facilities to the Jaffna refugees presently held up in Wanni region, to return to their homes. Government has programmed to transport an average of 350 persons from Trincomalee and Mannar to Jaffna on a daily basis commencing from mid of July. The cost of sea transport per head is estimated at around Rs. 1,500. It can therefore be positively stated that there is no truth in this allegation. The news item is a total distortion of an otherwise factual situation in relation to a long-term policy favoured in the resettlement of people in Jaffna. SAARC nations told to free South
Asia of nuclear arms The South Asian People’s Solidarity movement will be presenting their recommendations on the life and progress of the people of the SAARC region to the Heads of State when they meet in Colombo on July 29. The movement, having solemnly resolved to unite the people of the region through economic, social, cultural and spiritual ethos will convey their concerns in various sectors and areas in the South Asian region which include Labour, Agriculture, Environment, Women, Poverty and Militarisation. MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Tapan Bose, Dinesh Mohan and Lucy Xavier from India, M. Naqavi from Pakistan and Sarath Fernando addressed a press conference in Colombo yesterday on the content of their Declaration to the Heads of Stateand government. One of the main topics that they wish to discuss is the People’s Memorandum for a South Asia free of Nuclear Arms which has been signed by over 200 key South Asians representing various organisations the world over. The Memorandum urges the SAARC summit in Colombo to put moral pressure on India and Pakistan to immediately sign a bilateral treaty of peace ensuring no first use of nuclear weapons and abjuring the use of force in settling bilateral differences. The Constitution of SAARC provides however that bilateral disputes shall not be taken up at SAARC summits. Mr. Nanayakkara said that taking this into consideration they agree on this point but he said it all depends on the definition of ‘regional’ and ‘bilateral’. "When it is an issue affecting just one or two countries such as a border dispute we can say that it is a bilateral problem but an issue such as the nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan does not affect just those respective countries but the region as a whole. This is why we hope that the leaders will take note of this issue" he said and added that India and Pakistan acted immorally; "When the whole South Asian region is battling poverty, the two countries performed an act of immorality and spent heavily to do so when the money could have been used for more humanitarian purposes". Lucy Xavier also spoke on the life of women in South Asia. "In India women are not treated as people worthy of recognition although they play a major role in the electoral process," she said. She also noted that a large number of women were illiterate and said that it should be discussed at the Summit as to how this can be reduced to a certain extent. The South Asian Peoples’ Solidarity movement in their Declaration call on the SAARC governments to transcend the narrow confines of nationalism and statism in their common efforts to resolve the major problems of social and economic injustice, exploitation, inter-state rivalry, authoritarianism, militarism, communal hatred, sectarian and ethnic violence and cultural and environmental degradation. They also propose to promote a liberal policy of free travel and exchange of knowledge, information and skills as well as the sharing of cultural and artistic resources which will facilitate greater people-to-people solidarity. Why PA not keen now on implementing devolution proposals, asks Ranil "I do not believe that either the President nor the People's Alliance government can solve the ethnic problem due to uncertainty prevailing in the government at present", UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told, special press conference on the tank bund of Rathkindawewa in Girandurukotte last Saturday. The news conference was called to explain the UNP's proposition of a 'government for the village'. Mr. Wickremesinghe said that he was unable to understand why the People's Alliance government was not keen on to pursue the devolution proposals now. The UNP leader and party General Secretary answered questions by the media at this conference. Q: You said that once you take the leadership of the UNP you would bring in new faces. Is the suspension of Wijeyapala Mendis from the party the result of your decision? A: It was a decision of the working committee of the party. Q: Is it an attempt to cleanse the UNP? A: What I said was that a new UNP would be created. Before this the membership of Susantha Punchi Nilame was suspended temporarily by the party. Q: What is your intention of creating a new UNP? A: What I want is a party that could be accepted by people of the country and which could go forward with the people. Before we could develop the country we should be able to develop our party. My dedication is to ensure clean politics. Q: There were allegations against Mr. U. L. Seneviratne. Under such circumstances how can he be given nominations from the UNP for provincial council election? A: What I always said was that action would be taken in terms of commission reports. Q: In that case you accept the reports of commissions of this government? A: No. When a commission makes a recommendation such recommendations would be considered by a committee of the party and decisions would be arrived at after such considerations. Q: Do you accept the recommendations in the report of the Sinhala Commission? A: I have not received the final report of the Sinhala Commission. But I read the preliminary report. There it states that they accept the 13 amendment. UNP also accepts the 13th amendment. Q: Would you be meeting the Indian Prime Minister who arrives for the SAARC summit? A: Yes. I will be meeting the Indian Premier. Q: What is the theme of the UNP's proposal of 'a government for the village?' A: New administrative system combining Pradeshiya Sabhas and Divisional Secretariats. Q: Are you proposing this system because there are shortcomings in the present Pradeshiya Sabha set up? A: The authority of the Pradeshiya Sabha is limited. If we are speaking of democracy people should be allowed to take their decisions at village level. UNP General Treasurer, Milroy Perera, and UNP MPs Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Tissa Attanayake, Lakshman Seneviratne, Thabir Hasheem, Ravindra Samaraweera also participated. Court issues notice on High Court Judge and
Commissioner The Court of Appeal yesterday issued notice on J. M. S. Samaraweera, High Court Judge and Commissioner who probed irregularities, said to have taken place in Vavuniya and the Eastern province, during the Local Authorities poll held in 1993. Notice was also issued on the Attorney General, who was also cited as one of the respondents, in the writ application filed by Senior D. I.G.Chandra Fernando. Notice is returnable on September 7. The petitioner, Chandra Fernando challenged the legality of the findings and the recommendations, made against him by the Commission. The petition requested the Court of Appeal to nullify the adverse findings, made against the petitioner. R. K. W. Goone-sekera, Senior Counsel for the petitioner, told Court that this Commission had been appointed under Commissions of Inquiry Law of 1948. This particular law does not empower the Commission to recommend civic disability being imposed on any person. This particular Commission of Inquiry, had gone beyond its scope and recommended civil disability on the petitioner Fernando and 67 other police officers. The petitioner was not given a chance to cross examine certain witnesses. But however, the Commission had relied on the evidence of those witnesses. This has been a breach of Natural justice. R. K. W. Goone-sekera, with J. C. Weliamuna, and Asoka Manthriratne, instructed by Ms. Lilanthi de Silva, appeared for the petitioner. The Deputy Solicitor General Mr. Kolitha Dharmarwardene appeared for the Attorney General. The Bench comprised, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice A. Ismail and Justice T. B. Weerasooriya. Spectacular window on Sri Lanka in Japan Nagoya International Centre in collaboration with the Sri Lankan embassy in Tokyo launched a "Sri Lanka Festival", to commemorate the 50th Independence Anniversary of Sri Lanka which was held from July 22 to July 26. On the opening day, as his first official function in Japan, Sri Lankan Ambassador, G. Wijesiri delivered the keynote address entitled "Sri Lanka, Now..." and emphasized Sri Lanka’s potential to be an industrialized nation in the twentieth century if the current ethnic problem, which is drawing about 5-6% of GNP each year, could be overcome successfully. A small nation like Sri Lanka can no longer afford expenses for such a devastating war when there are many other burning issues at hand. In his speech, Mr. Wijedasa also emphasized that there are two misconceptions regarding the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka: (1) some tend to view the present ethnic problem as "a primordial problem going back to 2000 years." He however asserted that it is a fundamental misconception, and (2) he further pointed out that though some journalists attempt to depict Sri Lankan ethnic problem as a religious war between Buddhists and Hindus, it is also a fundamental misunderstanding. He asserted that the current problem lies on a completely different issues, primarily of economic nature. On July 25, several specialists on Sri Lanka in Japan delivered speeches and discussed a variety of issues: (1) "Sri Lanka Buddhism that crossed over to Japan" (Egaku Maeda, Aichi Gakuin University), (2) "Sri Lanka culture from the point of view of Sinhala Language" (Noguchi Tadashi), (3) "Folk Art and Festivals in Sri Lanka" (Shibiya Toshiyo, Wako University) and (4) "The effectiveness of ODA and NGO activities for the regional development in Sri Lanka (Monte Cashim, Ritsumeikan University). Hishasi Nakamura (Ryukoku University) will deliver the commemorative lecture "Sri Lanka in South Asia" and Ven. A. Sumanasara will delivered a sermon on "Moral Education." This is the largest event ever organized in Japan to commemorate Japan-Sri Lanka relations. It included a variety of activities for five days. Two films — Avaragira (1994) directed by Lester James Peries and Seilama (1993) directed by H. D. Premaratne — were shown. Mahinda Ranaweera, a prominent Sri Lankan batik artist, holds a special batik exhibition having a great variety. Deepani Sriya will perform Sri Lankan traditional dances and Judy Hiratha will give Sri Lankan cooking lessons. It will also include a panel discussion on "Living in Sri Lanka" and children programmes with a puppet play and varieties of other exhibits and entertainment with a musical concert conducted by Latha Walpola and Jagath Wickramasinghe. All these events will be an important step towards enhancing Japanese understanding of Sri Lanka and its resources, both economic and cultural. Sent by Ven. Dr. Deegalle Mahinda, Dept. of Religious Studies, Aichi Gakuin University, Japan. Telecom launches major expansion projects in Gampaha, Horana Sri Lanka Telecom launched a major expansion of its telecom network in Gampaha and Horana areas. The ceremonial inauguration of the two projects was by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications and the Media Mangala Samaraweera. A communique issued in this regard says: The two projects will pave the way for 13,450 new telephone connections to be given speedily in the short term, as well as other key expansions to customers in these areas. The Gampaha development project will provide 10,000 and 3450 new telephone connections respectively at the initial stage. In addition, Gampaha project will add new 30,000 primary loops capacity to the network and that of Horana will add 10,000 new switching lines and 12,200 primay loops. The total cost of these projects is Rs.2,300 million, of which Rs. 1,600 million will be provided by Korea, under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (ECDF) of Korea. It is expected that these two schemes will considerably ease the demand for telephone connections in the Gampaha and Horana areas. The projects are also part of SLT's plans to wipe out the current waiting list for telephones by the end of 1999. The selection of the Gampaha and Horana areas of these projects is because of the high population density in these areas, with a high demand for telephones at present and future projections of demand. Student hospitalised after ragging A 17 year old student admitted to Grade Eleven of Wickremabahu Maha Vidyalaya of Gampola was admitted to the Gampola hospital the same day Friday (24) afternoon following an alleged incident of ragging by Grade thirteen students, according to Gampola police. The victim Upul Kumara had gained admission to the school from a school in Pussellawa last Friday. A group of students of Grade 13 of the school it is alleged had kept the new comer after school and ragged him by instructing him to creep under desks and chairs and also do sit-ups more than 40 times. The student exhausted as a result of the torture was admitted to the Gampola hospital. The parents of the student lodged a complaint at the Gampola police station. Police commence inquiries on the directions of the HQI, IP, Lakshman Weerasekera. Meanwhile the Principal of Wickremabahu Vidyalaya M. R. Hewage said on Monday (27) that a Grade 13 student was handed over to Gampola police to assist in the inquiries into the alleged incident of ragging. The victim is out of danger, Gampola hospital sources said. The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts will issue a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs. 2.50 to mark the 10th SAARC summit in Colombo. The first day cancellation of the stamp will take place at 11.30 a.m. on July 29, 1998 at the BMICH camp post office.
Q: Do you consider Pakistan to be a Nuclear Power following the successful nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan last month? As has been the experience of Nuclear Powers, will Pakistan continue with a programme of nuclear weaponisation? If that happens would that not result in a nuclear arms race in South Asia. A: We are not fascinated by accruing status from the possession of the weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear weapons. Pakistan, unlike India, has never sought any recognition as a nuclear weapon state. We have repeatedly reiterated that the issue confronting Pakistan is of security and not of recognition. Pakistan has always acted with utmost restraint and responsibility. Definitely South Asia is on the brink of a disastrous nuclear arms race. We hope that sanity will prevail and India will join us and agree on measures for nuclear restraint and stability in South Asia. Pakistan, for its part, has already declared a Unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing. Q: Will Pakistan take the initiative of proposing to India an agreement under which nuclear weapons programmes of both the countries could be brought to a halt? A: Pakistan would very much like to enter into such an agreement. We recently proposed to India to enter into a bilateral nuclear test ban agreement, which was rejected by them. This is not the first time that Pakistan has taken an initiative to prevent further spread of nuclear weapons in South Asia. Even since 1974, Pakistan launched a major diplomatic campaign to prevent nuclear proliferation in South Asia. We presented a whole series of proposals to save our region from the spectre of this deadly weapon. Let me mention a few:
Q: Can you withstand these sanctions? It is apparent that Pakistan is facing hard times because immediately after conducting the nuclear tests you were compelled to declare emergency? A: Please try not to underestimate the resolve of the Pakistani nation to withstand economic difficulties due to the unjust, selective and unrealistic sanctions imposed by the G-8 and other Western countries. We have chosen the path of national self reliance. We will single handedly pursue what we deem necessary to safeguard our security, independence and territorial integrity. The Pressler and Symmington sanctions have proved to be counter-productive. Sanctions under Glenn amendment and those imposed by the G-8 countries will equally fail to bend the resolve of the Pakistani nation. We were aware of these consequences and had factored them in our decision. The Government is equally determined to steer Pakistan out of its economic problems. We shall, Inshallah, succeed. Q: With the Bharatiya Janatha Party taking office in India did Pakistan perceive a confrontational posture from India even before they conducted the Nuclear test? Did you notice any change in the attitude of India after the Pakistani Nuclear tests were conducted? A: Even prior to assuming office, the signals that emanated from BJP were disturbing. During the election campaign the BJP leaders issued provocative and threatening statements against Pakistan. Atal Behari Vajpayee, then Prime Ministerial candidate, in a statement on 25 February, 1998 had threatened that his government would liberate AJK (Azad Jammu Kashmir). Such provocative pronouncements continued after BJP had come into power. The Indian nuclear tests were accompanied by threats against Pakistan of nuclear blackmail. These served to seriously destabilise regional peace and stability and posed a grave threat to Pakistan's security apart from dealing deadly blow to the non-proliferation regime. Owing to the magnitude of the threat posed to our security, Pakistan was left with no choice but to opt for nuclear tests in self-defence. The redress of the strategic balance of power between the two countries has restored a measure of stability to the region and is a clear disincentive for aggression. Pakistan wants a tension free relationship with India based on equality and self respect. Q: The Indian Defence Minister Mr. George Fernandes has been quoted as saying that the Pakistani bombs tested were "ping-pong balls". Your comments? A: No Comments. Q: How has the nuclear tests conducted by both affected the Kashmir dispute? A: The dramatic change in the geo-strategic situation in South Asia as a result of India's decision to induct nuclear weapons has given been greater urgency to the settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute which has been the root cause of tensions and conflicts between Pakistan and India. Even before the dust settled at Pokharan, Indian Home Affairs Minister L. K. Advani threatened Pakistan with nuclear blackmail and spoke of a military solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Deterioration in the regional security environment has made it all the more imperative for the two countries to address the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. In view of the prevailing tension, we have already proposed to India to resume the bilateral dialogue with special emphasis on the two more urgent issues of "Peace and Security" and "Jammu and Kashmir" which are inextricably linked to peace and stability in the region. Q: Pakistan has been pursuing for a nuclear free zone of South Asia. Has your country's position changed since the events of last month? A: For more than 25 years Pakistan has pursued the goal of establishing a nuclear-weapons free zone in South Asia. Since 1974 the United Nations General Assembly has annually adopted, with an overwhelming majority, A Pakistan-sponsored resolution calling for the establishment of such a zone. On each occasion India has voted against the resolution signifying its disregard for the aspirations of the international community. India's nuclear ambitions have never been a secret. Its decision to carry out the nuclear tests and its subsequent declaration that it had become a nuclear power has destabilised the security environment in South Asia. In these circumstances, the goal of establishing a nuclear-weapons free zone in South Asia has been rendered unrealistic. Q: Given the current situation, can SAARC itself or any South Asian country help in improving better relations between India and Pakistan? A: Pakistan has always desired normal and good neighbourly relations with all regional states. In pursuance of this objective we seek resolution of all outstanding disputes with India. SAARC has now reached a level of maturity where it could effectively contribute to the peaceful resolution of disputes that have bedevilled the region for almost half a century. SAARC's cooperative processes cannot flourish in an environment of mistrust, tension and conflict. With this in mind, the Male Summit had agreed on informal political consultations to promote peace and stability. The Group of Eminent Persons established by the Male Summit also recommended that the process of informal political consultations should be carried forward and operationalized to foster mutual trust and understanding among the SAARC member states. At the same time Pakistan has welcomed mediation between Pakistan and India for facilitating resolution of outstanding issues with India. Recently the UN Secretary General, the P-5 States and some other countries including the Prime Minister of Bangladesh have offered to mediate. While we have welcomed all these initiatives Indians has rejected them. The experience of the past 50 years show that the bilateral process has remained sterile. It has not produced results. It is time for the international community to encourage Pakistan's efforts to defuse the security crisis in South Asia and promote a just settlement of the Kashmir issue. Q: After India exploded its nuclear bombs last, were you satisfied with the reactions of other South Asian leaders? What was your reaction to Sri Lanka's position? What are your comments on reactions of South Asian leaders after Pakistan exploded its bombs? A: The South Asian nations have expressed concern at nuclearization of South Asia but we believe India is responsible for igniting the nuclear issue. The Indian nuclear tests had created a serious imbalance of power and brought about a sharp deterioration in the regional security and stability. All countries of South Asia are alarmed at this development. They have expressed serious concern both at the official level as well as at the popular level. This concern finds reflection in the statement of the President of the Maldives in his capacity as the Chairman of SAARC when he said that the recent developments had led to increase in tensions in South Asia and called upon all to exercise restraint and make every possible effort to contain the situation. It was also reflected in the visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India and Pakistan to ease the tension. Q: What is your position now vis-a-vis the NPT and CTBT? A: Our position on the NPT and the CTBT has always been of one based on principles. Pakistan, as you would know, had supported the UN resolutions on the NPT and the CTBT in 1968 and 1996, respectively. Unfortunately, our genuine security concerns could not allow Pakistan to accede to these instruments unilaterally without India. Now that South Asia has been nuclearised due to India's brazen and irresponsible actions, the whole issue of nuclear non-proliferation warrants a fresh and realistic appraisal. By disregarding the new realities, I am afraid, we would not get any closer to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. While Pakistan, as in the past, remains committed to these goals, it would not take any step, under any a pressure, which is detrimental to its security and territorial integrity. We are in the process of reviewing our position of a range of disarmament issues, including the CTBT and the NPT, in light of the changed circumstances in South Asia. |
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