Following is the
text of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statement
at the XIIIth NAM Summit in Kuala Lumpur today:
"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. 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
Mahatir 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 revilisation. 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 an 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 organisations 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
recognised 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".