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ACHA PEACE BULLETIN

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http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACHAPeaceBulletin

A publication of Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA) www.asiapeace.org

 

Editors:

David Campion, PhD           campion@lclark.edu

Pritam K. Rohila, PhD          pritam@open.org

 

Subscription is free.

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Volume VIII, No. 8, August 15, 2005; Next Issue, September 15, 2005

 

CONTENTS

 

EDITORIAL

 

PEACE & HARMONY NEWS FROM & ABOUT SOUTH ASIA

India

Pakistan

Pakistan-India

Sri Lanka

 

FEATURE

 

PEACE EDUCATION AND TRAINING

 

PEACE EVENTS

 

(Readers are invited to submit similar information from other areas of South Asia to help us broaden of our coverage. Please send the info to pritamr@open.org, a week before the date of publication of the next issue of the ACHA Peace Bulletin)

 

 

 

EDITORIAL

 

Petition to ease travel between India and Pakistan

Khalid Hasan and Pritam K. Rohila, PhD

 

The peoples of India and Pakistan have many ethnological similarities and centuries of common history and shared culture. Yet for almost six decades they have been kept apart. The separation has engendered mutual misconceptions, prejudices and suspicion, becoming one of the major roadblocks to peace between the two countries.

 

Now that the two governments are making an earnest effort to bring the walls down, it is essential to enable people to meet easily and frequently. We believe these contacts will permit the citizens of India and Pakistan to play their due role in the success of the ongoing dialogue so that their two countries can, at last, take their rightful place in the world. But the existing India-Pakistan Visa Agreement is a major obstacle.  It invariably takes a long time to process visa applications. Consequently, many applicants are unable to honor their commitments across the border. Others are prevented from participating in such important family events as weddings and funerals.

 

The border can be crossed at one place only, and in limited ways. People are forced to travel long distances and spend a lot of money just to go across. Crossing by road presents special difficulty to the elderly and the handicapped.  People are only allowed to visit a limited number of places in the other county. Points of entry and exit have to be identical and specified at the time the application is made.  Sometimes visas are denied without explanation. Unless an exemption has been allowed, which is rare, every visitor is obliged to report to police all movements, even change of hotel in the same city. This is a time-consuming and demeaning procedure.  Visa restrictions hinder cross-border business, and cultural, intellectual, and civil society exchanges.

 

Therefore, Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA) has a launched a petition urging the governments of India and Pakistan to order the removal of all measures and formalities that inhibit and block people-to-people contact.  The Petition can be signed online at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ACHA2005/petition.html

 

Khalid Hasan is the Washington correspondent of Pakistani newspapers Daily Times and The Friday Times, and was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s press secretary at the time of the Shimla Conference in 1972.  Dr. Rohila is Executive Director of the Oregon, U.S.A.-based Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (www.asiapeace.org).

 

 

PEACE & HARMONY NEWS FROM & ABOUT SOUTH ASIA

 

* India

 

Singh plea on Kashmir militants

Srinagar, BBC South Asia, August 15

 

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has used his Independence Day speech to call on Pakistan to end all support for militants in Kashmir.  His remarks coincided with a grenade attack at an Independence Day parade venue in Indian-administered Kashmir’s capital, Srinagar. No one was hurt.  Pakistan responded to Mr Singh’s comments by again denying it was aiding militants in Kashmir.  And Mr Singh in his speech also talked of progress in the peace process. “There seems to be some success in our search for peace and harmony now,” he said in his speech, delivered from behind a bullet-proof glass screen at the 17th-century Red Fort in Delhi.  “I have said earlier and I repeat again that there is no issue which cannot be resolved through talks.”  But the prime minister also warned of tough action from his government if violence continued in Indian-administered Kashmir.  “If violence continues, then our security forces will reply with an iron hand,” he said.  Responding to the comments, a Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman said Islamabad was neither supporting any armed militancy, nor was there any terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan.  Naeem Khan said both countries had worked recently towards the settlement of all outstanding disputes.

 

Mr Singh in his speech also said India should focus on economic growth and ensuring social justice.  “Our vision is not just of economic growth, but also of a growth which would improve the life of the common man,” said the prime minister.  The Srinagar attack targeted the stadium where the national day was to be celebrated.  It took place an hour before Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed was due to arrive, under conditions of tight security.  Shops and businesses across Srinagar are shut after separatists groups called for a boycott of the celebrations.  On Friday evening, police said Islamist militants had killed five Hindus and injured nine in an attack on a remote mountain village.  Kashmir has seen a recent spate of violence despite peace talks.  India and Pakistan both claim the divided region in its entirety

 

Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4151934.stm

 

Center extends cease-fire with NSCN-IM in Nagaland

Press Trust of India July 30

 

Center extends cease-fire with NSCN-IM in Nagaland for six months: Consequent to “intensive discussions”, the Center and National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Isak-Muivah, (NSCM-IM) decided to extend the prevailing cease-fire for another six months beginning July 31, 2005.  “The ceasefire has been extended for six months for now and both sides have agreed in principle to extend it by another six months after expiry of the first phase,” official sources told PTI over phone from Amsterdam. The truce has been in force in Nagaland since August 1997 and has been extended on a yearly basis. This is the first time that the cease-fire is being extended by six months to be followed by another six months.

 

* Pakistan

 

Pakistan Administered Kashmir delegation meets Governor

Srinagar, KRRC news@krrc.org, July 31

Saying that violence is no solution to problems, Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) S K Sinha today described commonality of culture and rich traditions between people of India and Pakistan especially two parts of Kashmir as a strong weapon to overcome problems besides steering the sub-continent to peace and progress.  In an interaction with members from Northern Area in Pak occupied Kashmir delegation, which called on him at Raj Bhavan, the Governor said that rich traditions and strong community ties bind the people together, leaving no room for mistrust and misunderstandings.  “Together, we can steer to new era of peace and progress,” he observed.  Northern Area delegates fully reciprocated these sentiments adding that they had much in common with people of Kargil and Leh.


The delegation led by Haji Fida Mohammed Nashad, Member Northern Area Legislative Council and former Deputy Chief Executive of Northern Area urged the Governor to pursue the cause of opening of Kargil-Skardu Road, enabling divided families to meet frequently. They reminded General Sinha of his Republic Day Address in which he had made a mention in this regard and said that the people of Northern Area were overwhelmed to hear his sentiments on the issue. They felt that opening of this road will reduce journey to just few hours from present several days.


Responding to their plea, the Governor said that opening of roads will help in cementing relations between the people of India and Pakistan which will eventually isolate the elements inimical to peace who were still active across the border. He said violence has brought miseries to people of the Valley as they become victims of indiscriminate firing and bomb blasts carried out by terrorists.  The delegation exuded confidence about the success of ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan and said that General Parvez Musharraf has a positive attitude to curb religious terrorism. They said Islam believes in peace and harmony but unfortunately some elements were misinterpreting it for their vested interest. They also referred to the measures taken against terrorist outfits in the neighboring country.  Stressing the need for lasting peace in the region, the Governor said that terrorism has spread its tentacles in the entire world and the West was also grappling with this menace. “Unfortunately, Pakistan had been the epicenter of terrorism in past few decades and it is not easy for it to completely change gear.”  He said India has been fighting proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir for the past decade and half but never during this period have air operations or artillery been used or religious places damaged as was done in Faluja in Iraq or Wana in Pakistan. He referred to the operations carried out to clear Hazratbal shrine from militants and said maximum restraint was exercised to save the much revered worship place.

The Governor said that the people of Indian and Pakistan have to fight their common enemies like poverty, ignorance and disease rather than fighting each other. He said confidence-building measures have raised hope for early peace and end to terrorism in Kashmir, which has been the seat of Sufis and Saints. He elaborately dwelt on the rich ethos of Kashmir and said that its pluralistic character makes the Valley unique in the world.  The Governor gave historical perspective of the problems in the subcontinent including Northern Area that has commonality of culture, language and religion with Kargil district. He inquired about the text-book controversy that had been the cause of Shia-Sunni violence. He was told that this controversial issue had been resolved. He was also told that the Legal Framework Order, provided for greater delegation of power to the Northern Area Council was redesignated as Legislative Council.

The Governor inquired if the Minister for Kashmir Affairs continued to be the Chairman of the Council. He was told that this continues to be so but the Deputy Chief Executive has been given more powers. The Governor’s enquiry about influx of Sunni population from Punjab and North West Frontier Province, one of the delegates confined that this was a matter of concern as it would reduce the indigenous population to a minority. Haji Mohammed Nishad clarified that this was a problem affecting the urban areas and not so much the rural areas.  Impressed with his knowledge of men and matters of Northern Area, the delegation observed that he was more aware about their problems than they themselves.  On a personal note, the Governor recalled his association with the son of Mehtar (Ruler) of Chitral at a military school in Dehradun in the thirties.  One of the delegation members informed the Governor that the Colonel Mallawal Mulle had commanded the Chitral Scouts but he was no more now and his son was his great friend. The Governor expressed sorrow at his passing away.

The delegation expressed desire for extension in their visas to visit Kargil mand sought intervention of the Governor who assured that this would be earnestly taken up at appropriate level. They were enthusiastic to visit Kargil, which they feel has much in common with their area than any other part of the subcontinent.  The other three members of the delegation were Ian Nadeem, Mohammed Ismail Khan and Assadullah Khan.  As a token of affection, the delegation presented a traditional cap, a book and a CD on Northern Area to the Governor who reciprocated their friendly gesture.

 

Pakistani proposals to India on N-CBMs

Islamabad, The News, July 19

 

Pakistan has decided to put up a number of serious proposals to India when both the countries enter the next round of talks on nuclear CBMs in New Delhi in the first week of August under the composite dialogue process.  On top is the proposal to resort to non-aggressive doctrines and pre-notification of missile tests by eliminating differences about the provisions of agreement that is already on the table for deliberations.  Highly placed diplomatic sources told The News here on Monday that August would be an eventful month for senior level contacts and talks between Pakistan and India after 10 weeks of slow-paced diplomatic activity.  Talks on nuclear CBMs will be held on 5-6 August while conventional CBMs will be discussed on the 8th. Additional Secretary Foreign Affairs Tariq Osman Hyder will lead Pakistan's team at the talks while nuclear expert Mrs Mira Shankar will be heading the Indian side.  For conventional CBMs, Pakistan's team would remain unchanged while Indian joint secretary territorial Ministry of External Affairs will replace Mrs Mira. The sources indicated that Pakistan has already proposed a Strategic Restraint Regime to India for overall nuclear CBMs.

Under the proposal; firstly, anti-ballistic missiles will be disbanded in the region and no country will be building such type of missile batteries. Secondly, D-alert will be ensured in nuclear and missiles system. Thirdly, no nuclear missile will be placed on alert status. Fourthly, no missile will be positioned to pose threat to the other side.  Both sides would also take up the question of establishing quick signal hotlines between the GHQs and foreign secretaries. The existing hotline between directors-general of military operations of the two countries is active but does not prove adequately efficient. Under the new arrangements the hotlines would be upgraded with better frequency and more efficient communication, the sources added.

 

Full story: http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=222309&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

Bus across Line of Control aiding businesses in Pakistani Kashmir

Roshan Mughal, India West, July 15

 

Chakothi, Pakistan: Gas stations, hotels, shops and houses have sprouted up since April, when the bus began carrying a few dozen passengers across LoC every two weeks.  “The start of the bus service has ended our perpetual fears of cross-border shelling,” said Bashir Ahmed in Chakothi. His small grocery store lies a few doors down from a school ruined by Indian artillery fire. “Now I am hopeful that peace will last in the area,” said the father of six.  Since the bus service began, Bashir said he has doubled his investment in his shop – selling groceries and footwear – as sales have risen.

 

Nearby, Munir Hussain Shah, 36, who recently set up a shop selling kulcha, reported he was also doing risk business.   “No one would think about opening a business in Chakothi when the town was being shelled,” he said, “Now, I have no spare time from my business. I am selling 5,000 kulchas every day.”  Now the bazaar is bustling, and along the 38-mile road that skirts the rushing Jehlum River to the provincial capital, Muzaffarabad, there are signs of increased commerce in every town and village.  Locals are moving more freely since the cessation  (in November 2003) of hostilities at the border, and the number of tourists from the rest of Pakistan to the scenic province have increased.  Al-Haj Muhammad Ashraf Qureshi, chairman of the regional Traders’ Action Committee, said there had been a 20 percent increase in business along the route since the bus started.  “There would be a 100 percent increase if five or six buses run daily from Muzaffarabad and Srinagar,” he said.

 

The governments of India and Pakistan plan to increase the frequency of the buses and allow trucks carrying goods to travel the same route.  Malik Muhammad Imtiaz, 30, said he has set up a shop on the road two months ago, hoping that he could soon trade in goods imported from the Indian side – like fruit, vegetables and spices – when the truck service starts.  He said produce was cheaper in India, and travel costs would be less from Srinagar – 75 miles from Chakothi – than from his current suppliers in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi, 125 miles away.  Pakistani officials say a delegation of Indian traders will visit Muzaffarabad by the end of June.  Obstacles, however, remain to a further “softening” of the border – still patrolled by thousands of Pakistani and Indian forces.  Some Islamic separatist militant groups fighting on the Indian side of the border oppose the bus and have threatened to sabotage it. The insurgency continues to claim lives there almost daily.

 

* India-Pakistan

 

India and Pakistan to boost financial ties

New Delhi, Reuters, August 11

 

India and Pakistan agreed to step up financial sector ties on Wednesday, promising to urgently process requests for opening bank branches in both countries and to set up a fiber optic link between two cities.  The nuclear-armed nations decided to soon set up a fiber optic link between Amritsar and the Pakistani city of Lahore.  The two countries had decided to open bank branches in each other's countries last year but that got bogged down in the slow progress of the peace process.  Both sides also decided to sign an agreement between stock market regulators of the two countries to increase cooperation in the capital market sector.  Talks on strengthening air and shipping links will be held next month to review progress in these two sectors and the second meeting of the joint study group will be convened in Islamabad soon.

 

Full story: http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=228629&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

India and Pakistan rework air and shipping pacts

New Delhi, Indian Express, August 10


India and Pakistan on Tuesday decided to rework their civil aviation and shipping agreements. Technical groups from both sides will meet next month to thrash out the details of the fresh agreements.  And, to enhance cooperation in financial sector and capital markets, India and Pakistan also agreed for a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Indian regulator Sebi and the Pakistan stock market watchdog, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, SECP.

The Indian side, led by Commerce Secretary S.N. Menon, and the Pakistani team – led by their acting Commerce Secretary Syed Asif Shah, – decided to enhance cooperation in banking sector as also insurance support for exporters to boost trade.  However, on the issue of opening up of Wagah-Attari land route on permanent basis, both sides felt that it cannot be opened until infrastructural bottlenecks were addressed. But, according to sources, both sides are working out the roadmap for the joint study group on trade.

The sub-group on customs and trade facilitation and non-tariff barriers will meet in September to chalk out the future course. New Delhi also gave a fresh list of items it wants Pakistan to add on to the positive list, which Islamabad said would be looked into when the list is reviewed.  However, Pakistan ruled out importing diesel from India, saying new additions to the positive list of importable goods were not possible in the immediate future. At the commerce secretary level talks, Pakistan said it had already put 70 items on the ‘positive’ list of importable items from India and further additions to the list were not possible immediately. Islamabad may look into importing diesel from India at a future date but did not give any time frame.

Last week Pakistan lifted the ban on sugar imports from India in the wake of rising domestic prices. The talks were earlier scheduled to continue till Wednesday but were concluded in a single day. Both sides also decided to improve their transit facilities as a measure to push trade.  Earlier, Menon had outlined opening up of Wagah-Attari land route for trade in more number of commodities on a permanent basis, liberalising visa restrictions among measures needed for pushing up bilateral trade. “This has the potential for creation of jobs by increasing ancillary activities along these routes,” Menon said.  Delivering his opening remarks, Pakistan’s Syed Asif Shah noted that “Growth in trade can be sustainable in the long run only if it is mutually beneficial for both the trading parties, which, in turn, is dependent on availability of a level-playing field. Our efforts should aim at developing a model of win-win commercial relationship.”

 

Full story: http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=228483&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0

 

India and Pakistan ease conflict risk

New Delhi, BBC August 9

 

India and Pakistan have agreed to a series of measures to reduce the risk of a military conflict.  The two sides have also agreed to continue a ceasefire along the Line of Control that divides Kashmir.  The nuclear-armed neighbors announced the measures after day-long talks between senior officials.  At an earlier round of talks at the weekend, India and Pakistan agreed measures to reduce risks involving nuclear weapons.

After Monday’s talks, the two sides issued a joint statement outlining the seven measures that would help reduce the risk of military conflict. They include a ban on building new army posts and defense constructions along the Line of Control and upgrading an existing military hotline between senior military officers.  The two sides also agreed to continue a pact on air space violation and conduct regular talks between local military officials. The statement said the talks were “held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.”

 

Full story: http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=228054&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0

 

Indo-Pakistani pilgrims to double

Islamabad, Daily Times, July 27

 

Cultural officials from India and Pakistan opened talks on Tuesday on promoting cultural ties and other contacts, and on easing visa procedures. A seven-member Indian delegation, led by Culture Secretary Neena Ranjan, arrived in Pakistan on Monday for the two-day meeting in Islamabad, Foreign Ministry spokesman Naeem Khan said. Culture Secretary Jalil Abbas led the Pakistani delegation.

 

Both sides agreed to double the number of pilgrims, add more shrines to the list of shrines that people from both countries could visit. Jalil Abbas said the meeting reviewed easing visa restrictions, promoting tourism and reviewing the outcome of the last meeting. He said decisions taken in the last meeting in New Delhi had been implemented. He said India had increased the number of shrines Pakistanis could visit from five to thirteen. India had also agreed to double the number of Pakistani pilgrims from 1,500 to 3,000.

 

The meeting also discussed visa policies besides cooperation in 10 major sectors including education, health, science and exchange of youth delegations. He said India had offered Pakistan to arrange Pakistani and Punjabi film festivals in India.  Neena Ranjan said the talks were held in a “cordial atmosphere”. She said both countries had agreed to improve cultural ties, work towards exchanging youth delegations and increase cooperation in other areas. Both sides also discussed the prevailing security situation in the region, she added. The Indian delegation also met Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Muhammad Ajmal Khan.

 

Full story: http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=224551&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

Wagah opens for Indo-Pakistani trade

Wagah, Indian Express, July 27

 

The Indo-Pakistani peace talks crossed a new milestone when several tons of garlic was sent to Lahore via the Wagah checkpost Tuesday. It’s the first time after Partition that the Indian government had opened land route for trade. Earlier, most trade was through the bi-weekly Samjhauta Express, the lone rail link between India and Pakistan, or through Mumbai port. Though traders had been pressing for opening the route for quite some time, the Indian government decided to take this step only after Pakistan lifted import duties on garlic, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and green chilies. Thanks to this, India will be sending about 250 metric tons of garlic to Pakistan this week alone.


Wagah was abuzz with activity as coolies lugged sackfuls of garlic to their Pakistani counterparts across the Radcliffe Line. “A total of 500 tons of onions and tomatoes each would be sent to Pakistan in the coming week alone,” said Harish Taneja, an exporter who feels this route holds tremendous promise for the Punjabi farmer. “He will no longer have to dump his potatoes in the streets in case of a bumper crop,” he said. Besides vegetables, Indian traders are also exporting buffaloes and goats to Pakistan.


Welcoming the new trade link, Gunbir Singh, district head of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), hoped it would facilitate trade with other countries, including the Central Asian republics.  Calling it a revolutionary step, Rajdeep Uppal of Narayan Exports-Imports Corporation said, “Our products will be able to reach Pakistan in a few hours and with a minimal transportation cost.”  It’s a win-win situation for both the countries. For instance, onions, tomatoes and green chilies, are priced at around Rs 60, Rs 65, and Rs 200 per kg, respectively, in Pakistan. But dry fruits there are cheaper than in India.

 

Full story: http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=224687&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0

 

India ready to permit trade via Wagah

Islamabad, Daily Excelsior, July 21

 

India has conveyed to Pakistan its willingness to permit export through the Wagah border of cattle, vegetables, and four other perishable items badly needed to bring down prices in the domestic markets here.  “Pakistan had requested India to allow duty free import of cattle, meat, onion, potato, tomato and garlic and we have conveyed our willingness to permit such imports through the Wagah border despite Pakistan’s reluctance to open the land border in a big way to boost bilateral trade,” Indian High Commission officials here said.  Indian diplomats and officials of Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said some of the five items have already been imported from India.  Reports here said big hotels in Karachi had already imported 60-65 containers of beef and mutton from India.

 

Full story: http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=222953&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

Kashmiri Pandits-APHC resolve to work towards Pandits’ return
Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar, July 19


An extraordinary conclave of Kashmiri Pandit representatives and moderate All Parties Hurriyat Conference politicians has resolved to work jointly for the dignified return of local migrant Kashmiri Pandits back to their homes.  The conclave, the first of its kind held at the Rajbagh headquarters of the APHC, also decided that the Muslim and Hindu communities would work together to find a lasting and honorable solution to the Kashmir issue.  A delegation of the migrant Kashmiri Pandit community traveled all the way from Jammu to the uptown Rajbagh headquarters of the APHC and found prominent separatist leaders including APHC chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq waiting with garlands to honor and embrace their Pandit brethren.  Emotional scenes set the pace for the day-long closed-door proceedings of the first ever conclave between Kashmiri separatist leaders and members of the minority Pandit community.

 

Many prominent Pandit leaders including the Panun Kashmir group have however dissociated themselves from Tuesday’s enclave, blaming the separatist leaders for their misery and migration.  Sources said the meeting was held in a warm and congenial atmosphere and cordiality was reflected in the joint statement issued at the end of the meeting.  The joint statement said that the Muslims and Hindus of Kashmir were inseparable elements of the local fabric.  “That Kashmiri migrants return to the Valley with a deeper sense of security and dignity unmistakably requires a favorable environment, for which the APHC along with other sensible elements will endeavor to discharge their duty as effectively as is possible and the Pandit intellectuals will on their part also contribute towards the forward movement as handsomely as is needed,” the statement said.  The statement further said, “Participants support the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan with a view to resolving all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir and thus ensuring lasting peace in the region. In this regard, the involvement of the people of the state will further consolidate the process and help build bridges of good will and mutual trust and above everything else the understanding required under the circumstances.”  The statement appealed to all sections of the society in the state to “throw their weight behind our efforts so that the movement forward translated into reality.”

 

Full story: http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/jul/19pandit.htm

 

India to facilitate Pakistani visa applicants

Lahore, Daily Times, July 19

 

In the wake of increased demand for visas from Pakistani patients wanting to undergo treatment in India, the Indian High Commission on Monday announced setting up of special counter in its premises to give “medical visas.”  Besides the patients, two of their attendants could be given visas to travel with them and the attendants could also apply along with that of the patients through the special counter, according to a PTI report. Those seeking visas in this category could apply with relevant documents, including details of medical appointments and correspondence with hospitals concerned, it said.  The announcement for special counters for medical visas followed recent decision by India to provide more visas for Pakistani patients as the demand has gone up heavily in the recent years. Indian officials said more Pakistanis are traveling to India as treatment there is cheaper, easier and the expertise available across the border

 

Full story: http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=222275&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

*Sri Lanka

 

Peace process focus after killing

Colombo, BBC South Asia, August 16

 

Politicians and peace brokers in Sri Lanka are trying to bolster the peace process, a day after the funeral of the assassinated foreign minister.  The president called on parliament to ratify a state of emergency and met Norwegian peace monitors over the island’s three-year ceasefire.  However, police in the north-east said a suspected Tamil Tiger sniper had killed a soldier there.  The president blames the Tigers for Friday's assassination which they deny.

 

Lakshman Kadirgamar, a Tamil and critic of the Tamil Tigers, was killed at his home in Colombo.  The reported shooting of a government soldier is the first instance of anti-government violence since Mr Kadirgamar's assassination. Lance Corporal HKA Hendeniya was shot while on duty in Muttur, about 230 km (143 miles) northwest of Colombo, regional police chief Rohan Abeywardene told the AFP news agency.  Rebels attacked another army guard post in the same area fifteen minutes later, he said.  The Tamil Tigers have not yet commented on the shooting.

 

Also on Tuesday the UN lodged a protest with the Tamil Tigers after a mob of sixty people tore down flags being flown at half mast in respect of Mr Kadirgamar.  Parliament will meet on Thursday to ratify the state of emergency declared by President Chandrika Kumaratunga following the assassination.  Under the state of emergency, police have powers to conduct searches without a warrant and to detain people without charge.  The military is assisting the police in their search for suspects.  “Our information is that a lot of Tigers have infiltrated [Colombo] in recent years,” defense ministry spokesman Daya Ratnayake told AFP.

 

New York-based Human Rights Watch have called on security forces to exercise restraint and expressed concern about possible reprisals against Tamils living in government-controlled areas.  “At this critical hour, the government needs to make sure the security and investigative forces follow internationally accepted norms,” said Sam Zarifi, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division.  “Many innocent Tamils have suffered unjustly in the past when the government has ignored their basic rights,” he said.

 

In a meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse pledged that there would be no backlash against Tamils.  He also called for more international pressure on the Tamil Tigers or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), his secretary told Associated Press.  The president also held talks with Mr Petersen on Monday evening.  The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for a separate homeland in the country's north and east since 1983.   The government and the Tamil Tigers sealed a ceasefire in February 2002 paving the way for peace talks mediated by the Norwegians.  Talks broke down after five rounds in 2003, but the ceasefire has held.

 

Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4155436.stm

 

 

FEATURE

 

Welcome speech to Manmohan Singh

George W. Bush, President of the United States, July 18

 

We meet as leaders of two great democracies committed to working together, for a better and safer world. Your visit reflects the growing bonds of cooperation between your nation and mine. Our nations have ties that are strong and warm.  These ties are enriched by hundreds of thousands of Americans of Indian origin who contribute so much to America’s vitality. Our peoples share the bonds of friendship and a commitment to prosperity, peace, and regional stability.

 

As diplomatic partners, we are confronting global terrorism in our nations and abroad. As economic partners, we are working around the world to displace hatred and violence with prosperity and hope and optimism.  India’s embrace of democracy and human rights has ensured that its great diversity will remain a national strength.  Since enacting its economic reforms in the early 1990s India has become an emerging economic power to the betterment of its people.

 

The relationship between our two nations has never been stronger, and will grow even closer in the days and years to come. This transformed relationship was seen vividly in the response to the December 26 tsunami disaster that devastated parts of Asia.  The US and India have built a relationship of great potential.  As we face this century’s challenges, we look forward to building and expanding this relationship to lay the foundation for peace and prosperity for our children and grand children

 

Speech to Joint session of the US Congress

Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, July 19

 

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, distinguished members of the US Congress, ladies and gentlemen: I deem it a privilege to be invited to address this Joint Session of the US Congress. I thank you for the invitation. I bring you the greetings and good wishes of the people of India.

 

India and the United States have much in common that is very important to both countries. You are the world’s oldest democracy, we are its largest. Our shared commitment to democratic values and processes has been a bond that has helped us transcend differences.  We admire the creativity and enterprise of the American people, the excellence of your institutions of learning, the openness of the economy, and your ready embrace of diversity. These have attracted the brightest young minds from India, creating a bridge of understanding that transcends both distance and difference between us.  In addition to the values we share as democracies, there is also a convergence in our perceptions of a rapidly transforming global environment, bringing us much closer together than at any time in the past.

 

Globalization has made the world so inter-dependent that none of us can ignore what happens elsewhere. Peace and prosperity are more indivisible than ever before in human history. As democracies, we must work together to create a world in which democracies can flourish.  This is particularly important because we are today faced with new threats such as terrorism, to which democracies are particularly vulnerable.  Indian democracy has been fashioned around India's civilizational ethos which celebrates diversity. Our society today is the culmination of centuries of assimilation of diverse peoples and ethnic groups. All the major religions of the world are represented in India.  We have a tremendous diversity of languages, customs and traditions. The Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, called for universal adult franchise as early as 1931, long before India became independent. Our political leadership remained true to this commitment and the Constitution we adopted after Independence enshrined democracy based on free elections and the associated principles of tolerance of dissent, freedom for political activity, protection of human rights and the Rule of Law.

 

Our first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, addressing this very forum in 1949, acknowledged our debt to America on this score. He said that you could hear in our Constitution the echo of the great voices of the Founding Fathers of your Republic.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, the real test of a democracy is not in what is said in the Constitution, but in how it functions on the ground. All Indians can be proud of what we have achieved in this area and our experience is also relevant beyond our boundaries. Free and fair elections are the foundation of a democracy.

 

Over the past six decades, governments in India, at both the national and state level, have regularly sought the mandate of the people through elections. Our elections are conducted under the supervision of a statutory independent Election Commission, which has earned respect for its fairness and transparency, both at home and abroad. The independent judiciary has been a zealous defender of our Constitution and a credible guarantor of the Rule of Law.  The Press is a key institution in any democracy and our media has a well-earned reputation for being free and fearless. Our minorities, and we have many, participate actively in all walks of national life – political, commercial and cultural.  Civil society organizations are thriving and are vigilant in protecting human rights. They are also watchful of threats to the environment. Our Army has remained a professional force, subject throughout to civilian control.  Recently, the Constitution was amended to ensure constitutionally mandated elections to village and municipal councils. This process has produced no less than three million elected representatives in the country, with one million positions reserved for women.

 

This has brought democracy closer to the people and also empowered women and promoted gender balance.  Our commitment to democratic values and practices means there are many concerns and perceptions that we share with the United States. The most important common concern is the threat of terrorism. Democracy can only thrive in open and free societies. But open societies like ours are today threatened more than ever before by the rise of terrorism.  The very openness of our societies makes us more vulnerable, and yet we must deal effectively with the threat without losing the openness we so value and cherish. India and the United States have both suffered grievously from terrorism and we must make common cause against it. We know that those who resort to terror often clothe it in the garb of real or imaginary grievances. We must categorically affirm that no grievance can justify resort to terror.  Democracies provide legitimate means for expressing dissent. They provide the right to engage in political activity, and must continue to do so. However, for this very reason, they cannot afford to be soft on terror. Terrorism exploits the freedom our open societies provide to destroy our freedoms.  The United States and India must work together in all possible forums to counter all forms of terrorism. We cannot be selective in this area. We must fight terrorism wherever it exists, because terrorism anywhere threatens democracy everywhere.

 

We know from experience that democratic societies which guarantee individual freedom and tolerance of dissent provide an environment most conducive to creative endeavor, and the establishment of socially just societies. We therefore have an obligation to help other countries that aspire for the fruits of democracy. Just as developed industrial countries assist those that are less developed to accelerate development, democratic societies with established institutions must help those that want to strengthen democratic values and institutions.  In this spirit, President Bush and I agreed yesterday on a global initiative to help build democratic capacities in all societies that seek such assistance.  The capacities we have in mind are those related to the electoral, parliamentary, judicial and human rights processes of emerging democracies. Respect for cultural diversity, minority rights and gender equality is an important goal of this initiative.

 

Democracy is one part of our national endeavor. Development is the other. Openness will not gain popular support if an open society is not a prosperous society. This is especially so in developing countries, where a large number of people have legitimate material expectations which must be met. That is why we must transform India’s economy, to raise the standard of living of all our people and in the process to eliminate poverty.  India’s aspirations in the respect are not different from those of other developing countries. But we are unique in one respect.

 

There is no other country of a billion people, with our tremendous cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, that has tried to modernize its society and transform its economy within the framework of a functioning democracy.  To attempt this at our modest levels of per capita income is a major challenge. We are determined to succeed in this effort. To achieve our developmental goals, our policies and strategies must be in step with changed circumstances and especially the opportunities now available in the global economy.  Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, standing at this very podium two decades ago, spoke of the challenge of building anew on old foundations. He started a process of reorienting India's economic policies, which has been continued by successive governments.

 

The economic policy changes that have been made in India have far-reaching implications. They have liberated Indian enterprise from government control and made the economy much more open to global flows of trade, capital and technology. Our entrepreneurial talent has been unleashed, and is encouraged to compete with the best. We will continue this process so that Indian talent and enterprise can realize its full potential, enabling India to participate in the global economy as an equal partner.  We are often criticized for being too slow in making changes in policy, but democracy means having to build a consensus in favor of change. As elected representatives, you are all familiar with this problem. We have to assuage the doubts and calm the fears that often arise when people face the impact of change. Many of the fears we have to address are exaggerated, but they must be addressed. This is necessary to ensure sustainability. India's economic reforms must be seen in this light: they may appear slow, but I assure you they are durable and irreversible.

 

I am happy to say that our efforts at transforming India into an economy more integrated with the world have borne fruit. Our rate of growth of GDP has increased steadily, and has averaged around 6.0 per cent per year over the past two decades. Poverty has declined although more slowly than we would like. We are determined to improve on this performance. We hope to raise our growth rate to 8 per cent or so over the next two years, and we will ensure that this growth is “inclusive” so that its benefits are widely spread.  For this we must act on several fronts. We must do much more in health and education, which are crucial for human development. We must continue to open up our economy. We must impart a new impetus to agricultural development. We must expand investment in economic infrastructure which is a critical constraint on our growth prospects.

 

India’s growth and prosperity is in American interest. American investments in India, especially in new technology areas, will help American companies to reduce costs and become more competitive globally.  Equally, India's earnings from these investments will lead to increased purchases from the United States. The information technology revolution in India is built primarily on US computer related technology and hardware. There are many other examples of such two-way benefits, with both sides gaining from the process.  US firms are already leading the foreign investment drive in India. I believe 400 of the Fortune 500 are already in India. They produce for the Indian market and will hopefully also source supplies from India for their global supply chains. We welcome this involvement and look forward to further expansion in the years ahead. India needs massive foreign direct investment, especially in infrastructure. I hope American companies will participate in the opportunities we are creating.

 

The 21st century will be driven by knowledge-based production and India is well placed in this area. We have a large and relatively young population with a social tradition that values higher education. Our educated young people are also English-speaking. This makes us potentially an attractive location for production of high-end services whether in software, engineering design or research in pharmaceutical and other areas.  Our laws on intellectual property rights have been recently amended to comply fully with our international obligations under the WTO. We look forward to attracting business in these areas from the United States.  The presence of a large number of Indian Americans in high technology industries here makes the US and India natural partners. It gives you confidence about India's human resource capability. It also gives you an edge over your competitors in the ease with which you can operate in India. We are proud of what the Indian American community has done in this country.  I was touched, as were many of my countrymen, by the news that a Resolution of this House celebrated the contribution of Indian Americans to research, innovation, and promotion of trade and international cooperation between India and the US.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, to fully exploit potential areas for cooperation between our two countries, we need to make special efforts to bring our private sectors closer together. To this end, President Bush and I have constituted an India-US forum of chief executive officers. I hope this forum will promote greater understanding of each other’s perspectives and also a better assessment of prospects for future cooperation. The two governments will draw on their experience and advice on how to realize the full potential of our relationship.

 

The bulk of our population still depends upon agriculture for a living. The United States was an early partner in this area, helping to establish agricultural universities and research institutions in India in the 1960s.  It was an American, Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug, supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, who developed high yielding varieties of wheat in Mexico which were then adapted to Indian conditions in the Agricultural Universities you helped establish.  This was the start of the Green Revolution in India that lifted countless millions above poverty.  I am very happy to say that President Bush and I have decided to launch a second generation of India-US collaboration in agriculture. The new initiative will focus on basic and strategic research for sustainable development of agriculture to meet the challenge of raising productivity in conditions of water stress. It seeks to take information and knowhow directly to the farming community and promote technologies that minimize post harvest wastage and improve food storage.  It will also help Indian farmers to meet phyto-sanitary conditions and enable them to participate more fully in global agricultural trade.

 

Energy security is another area where our two countries have strong common interests.  The world’s reserves of hydrocarbons are finite and we must tap new energy sources. India’s reliance on coal and hydro-power will increase. We have to invest in new oil and gas exploration and in enhanced recovery of oil and gas from available fields. We must also tap the full potential of nuclear energy. The US can help in all these areas.  I am happy to say we have initiated an Energy Dialogue with the US to explore the scope for cooperation in each of these areas in the years ahead.  The field of civil nuclear energy is a vital area for cooperation between our two countries. As a consequence of our collective efforts, our relationship in this sector is being transformed.

 

President Bush and I arrived at an understanding in finding ways and means to enable such cooperation. In this context, I would also like to reiterate that India’s track record in nuclear non-proliferation is impeccable. We have adhered scrupulously to every rule and canon in this area. We have done so even though we have witnessed unchecked nuclear proliferation in our own neighborhood which has directly affected our security interests.  This is because India, as a responsible nuclear power, is fully conscious of the immense responsibilities that come with the possession of advanced technologies, both civilian and strategic. We have never been, and will never be, a source of proliferation of sensitive technologies.  We are conscious that plans to meet our energy requirements will have implications for the environment. This is especially so since any energy scenario for India will involve heavy dependence on coal. Clean coal technologies that can make an impact need to be developed and should be affordable for poorer countries. We need to find ways whereby sufficient resources can be devoted to ensure the development of these technologies. We must also find ways of allowing greater access for developing countries to these technologies including ways of undertaking cooperative research.  We stand ready to explore new partnerships in this area with you, which will help enable a more efficient use of our hydrocarbon resources.

 

There are other areas too where we can collaborate. Our combined effort in providing relief and succor to the millions affected by last December’s tsunami is an example of what partnership can achieve.  Building on this experience, President Bush and I have launched a joint initiative to ensure that our capabilities will be readily on call for those in need in similar situations in future. The global challenge of HIV/AIDS is another area for India-US cooperation. President Bush and I have agreed on the need to provide increased international access to safe and effective anti-retroviral drugs.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, globalization has woven a web of inter-connections across the world. This makes it all the more necessary that we evolve a system of global governance that carries credibility and commands legitimacy.  Such a system must be sufficiently participative to be able to generate a global consensus. It must also reflect contemporary reality. The Doha round of world trade negotiations and the reform of the United Nations are two major processes in the international arena where we need to work together to strengthen the system of global governance.  India is committed to strengthening the multilateral trading system and we will work with the US and other partners for a successful outcome of the Doha Round. I am sure that we can find a reasonable and balanced outcome that is mutually beneficial. We will make every effort to do so.

 

On the reform of the United Nations, we believe that it is time to recognize the enormous changes that have occurred since the present structure was established. There must be comprehensive reform of the United Nations to make it more effective and also more representative.  The UN Security Council must be restructured as part of the reform process. In this context, you would agree that the voice of the world's largest democracy surely cannot be left unheard on the Security Council when the United Nations is being restructured.

 

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, distinguished senators and members of the House of Representatives, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to conclude by saying that the Indian people look forward to a bright future, full of confidence, based on a growing recognition of our economic capabilities and the readiness of our society to meet the challenges before us.

 

We have had some success in improving the quality of life of our own people and we will redouble our efforts to this end. We will also work towards securing a world order in which democracy can flourish, and in which developing nations can strive for greater prosperity.  As two democracies, we are natural partners in many respects. Partnerships can be of two kinds. There are partnerships based on principle and there are partnerships based on pragmatism.  I beli