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DOCUMENT No.
8
Statement By Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee At The 13th NAM
Summit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 24, 2003
Speaking at the 13th NAM Summit, Prime Minister Atal
Behari Vajpayee asked member countries to take a "clear and unequivocal stand"
on terrorism. He emphasised that "there can be "no double standards", on
terrorism. He said that terrorism could not be termed as freedom struggle. He
said it is wrong condone terrorism by making references to its ‘root causes’
He suggested that NAM should develop an agenda on democracy, human rights and
multi-culturism and noted preserving and consolidating democracy in NAM member
countries is a major challenge that they are faced with.
Presented below is the full text of Vajpayee’s address at the
Summit.
Mr. Chairman,
Your Majesties,
Your Royal Highnesses,
Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As a number of distinguished colleagues before me have already
done, I congratulate Malaysia on its assumption of the Chairmanship of the
Non-Aligned Movement [NAM]. We are at a critical point in international
relations. Perhaps we are also at a defining moment in the life of this
Movement itself. We are seeking to revitalize its agenda in a global
environment profoundly different from that in which it was created.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has presided over the destinies
of Malaysia, as it transformed itself from underdevelopment into an economic
powerhouse of South East Asia. We hope he will bring the same sure hand and
deft touch to the transformation of NAM.
I would also like to warmly compliment South Africa
for chairing the Movement with such distinction during a period of flux in
international relations. President Mbeki has invested considerable energy in
guiding the Movement towards a new equilibrium between the interests of
developed and developing countries.
Mr. Chairman,
The tectonic shifts in international relations over the last
decade have challenged NAM to adapt itself to effectively tackle the new
contemporary challenges. Even while preserving independence of judgement and
autonomy of action – which are its defining characteristics – NAM should take
a close, hard look at the realities of today.
India has participated in the various deliberations
within our Movement on the theme of its revitalisation. We believe that
certain principles are fundamental to this process:
One, NAM should have a clear consensus on key
issues of common concern to all of us. Multilateralism, combating global
terrorism and reform of the UN system would be the political elements of this
agenda. Developmental issues, democratisation of international financial
institutions, constructive North-South engagement and South-South cooperation
would be its main economic planks.
Two, NAM should concentrate on issues that unite,
rather than divide us. In a Movement of one hundred and sixteen members, it is
inevitable that there are some differences or even disputes among us. We would
be losing time, energy and focus if we involved ourselves in these issues.
This principle is accepted in the Charters and practice of successful
organizations like the OIC and ASEAN. NAM’s outlook and its agenda have to be
global.
Three, in projecting our view on global issues, our
tone has to be objective and pragmatic. We should position NAM as a major pole
in a multi-polar configuration.
Four, we should use cooperation between ourselves
as an effective tool to promote our national development. South-South
cooperation has to move from the political lectern to the economic
marketplace.
Five, NAM should develop a progressive agenda on
the fundamental values of democracy, human rights and multiculturism. The
preservation and consolidation of democracy throughout our membership is a
major challenge.
Mr. Chairman,
The threat of global terrorism presents our Movement with an
immediate test of its commitment to its core principles. It is imperative that
we take a clear and unequivocal stand on this scourge. There can be no double
standards, no confusion between terrorism and freedom struggles, and no
implicit condoning of terrorism through an investigation of its ‘root causes’.
There can be no justification for terrorism. No political, ideological,
religious or ethnic grounds can justify the shedding of the blood of innocent
people.
We should finally conclude the negotiations at the
UN on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. It is a matter
of the greatest shame to all of us that while terrorism continues to claim its
victims with one brutal act after another, we cannot conclude an international
agreement because we cannot find a universally acceptable definition of
terrorism!
Mr. Chairman,
The world’s attention - like that of this Summit - is riveted
on Iraq. Like every other non-aligned country, India fervently wishes for a
peaceful resolution. We also support the multilateral route of the United
Nations to address this issue.
But objectivity – and not rhetoric – should govern
our actions. Weapons of mass destruction do need to be eliminated. It is
essential that Iraq complies fully with the obligations it has accepted,
including disarmament, and that it cooperates fully in implementing Security
Council Resolution 1441. As a fellow member of NAM, this is our sincere advice
to Iraq. We also expect that if Iraq fully complies, the sanctions against
that country should be lifted.
We should also not lose sight of the humanitarian
dimension of the suffering of the Iraqi people. Apart from the immediate
consequences of military action, there are long-term implications for
stability and security in an already volatile region.
Mr. Chairman,
NAM is at a historic moment in a new century. We need to
introspect, take stock of our achievements as well as our failures and take
concrete steps to revitalise our Movement. India is ready to play its part in
this effort.
Mr. Chairman,
I had never intended to mention such matters at this forum, but
I am constrained to respond to some allegations against India.
President Musharraf has referred to my country a
little while ago. His strange logic masks Pakistan’s territorial designs on an
integral part of India. He justifies terrorism against India by talking of
root causes.
Does he go into the root causes of sectarian
terrorism in his country? Or does he take stern action against the
perpetrators of that terrorism? He talks of the "oppressed people of Kashmir".
These same people very recently cast their ballots in an election universally
recognized as free and fair. They defied the bullets of the terrorists, aided
and abetted by Pakistan.
Those very terrorists assassinated candidates and
political activists in the elections and killed women and children because
they refused to provide them food and shelter. These terrorists continue to
perpetrate violence against innocent civilians every day. Yet General
Musharraf talks of an international humanitarian order!
Thank you.
<http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/document/papers/NAM_pm.htm>
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