     
NAM and terrorism
There could not have been a better venue for President
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to air her views on
international terrorism than Durban, South Africa being a
safe haven for the LTTE bent on destroying the state of
Sri Lanka. It is believed that the overtures that the
LTTE made to the South African authorities in respect of
fund raising etc. have received a favourable gesture and
the LTTE is planning to set up a secretariat there.
"The scourge of terrorism, "President
Kumaratunga said at the 12th NAM Summit early
this week," continues unabated across the world,
causing sudden and devastating loss of human life and
colossal damage to property. No part of the world is safe
from terrorist attacks."
Exhorting all NAM nations to become parties to the UN
Convention on Suppression of Terrorist Bombings adopted
early this year after much deliberation so as to help it
come into force without further delay, she went on to say
that this would be "a clear signal that no state is
prepared to condone terrorism, not provide safe haven for
terrorists, nor permit fund raising within its borders to
sustain terrorist -activities in another state."
This was a fervent appeal by a leader who is being
zeroed in on by a ruthless terrorist outfit, to a group
of nations some of whom nestle terrorists so fondly to
their bosoms cherishing the delusion that they are
effective weapons against perceived enemy states.
We are afraid that as on many a previous occasion this
time too her appeal has fallen on deaf ears of those who
readily wield the scourge of terrorism to flog their
enemies across borders as part of their foreign policy.
This policy of running with the civilised world' and
hunting with terrorists has made reaching a consensus on
the need to eradicate global terrorism an uphill task.
More so when the organisation that is encumbered with the
task of mustering support for the cause is so big as the
NAM. Even a mush smaller version of NAM like SAARC has
yet to put into practice its resolution on suppression of
terrorism adopted years ago.
The NAM we are told is playing David's role before
Goliath, the west. And come a NAM summit these
David’s indulge in bashing Goliath to the heart's
content. The clamour and ululation at these summits
remind one of May Day rallies where workers shout anti
capitalist slogans till. their throats are hoarse and
then return to their work places the following day to
resume their chore servilely.
Likewise these leaders too having slaked their pent up
anger and pledged solidarity to stand by one another at
the summit will sober tomorrow and stand at the portals
of superpowers holding begging bowls.
That is not the point. It is that their camaraderie is
short lived and they will return home the same paranoids
or hypocrites eager to bring about the downfall of the
very ones whom they hugged so warmly at the summit.
While mum is the word on the part of most NAM members
on the need to battle international terrorism, the west
hasshown willingness to abandon their policy of tolerance
towards terrorism on technical grounds. There appears to
be a reversal of roles.
Bitten repeatedly by terrorists, the US appears to be
quite shy and wise now. It has taken the initiative at
last to fight international terrorism in a meaningful
way. So has Canada, which has shunned its pretence of
stiff upper lip as regards terrorist activities on its
soil. Both countries have taken a firm stand against
terrorism while the UK has made its intention known in
the wake of terrorist bomb incidents involving splinter
Republican groups that it will adopt legal measures to
counter international terrorism.
If this proposed legistation sees the light of day, it
is sure to mark a watershed in the war against terrorism.
This is by all means positive action by the west,
which itself has now felt the need for concrete action to
weed out terrorism.
It is Strange that the Davids of NAM in spite of their
moral tub thumping have failed to stand up to the blight
of terrorism unitedly?
The NAM Should make its contribution towards this
worthy cause of defeating terrorism. That will be one way
of justifying its existence.
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