Following is the
full text of the statement by the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari
Vajpayee to the Indian Media at Kuala Lumpur today:
"I
am reaching the conclusion of a productive visit to Kuala Lumpur
for the NAM Summit. This is an important Summit in the history
of the Non Aligned Movement. It is looking at ways to revitalise
the agenda of the Movement in response to the contemporary world
environment. It is grappling with issues of multi-lateralism
and terrorism. Naturally, the developments relating to Iraq
have taken centre stage at the Summit.
The Summit
Communique and the Kuala Lumpur Declaration are to be issued
later today. We are satisfied that we have been able to put
across to other NAM leaders our perspectives on the future course
that the Movement should take to advance the interests of the
developing countries in a globalizing world. In my statement
at the Summit, I outlined five points which, in our view, NAM
should adopt as its guiding principles for its future development.
It should have a clear consensus on key issues of common concern
to developing countries. It should not get involved in contentious
bilateral problems between its member states. NAM should develop
into a major pole in a multipolar world. South-South cooperation
should become a major economic plank of the Movement. All NAM
countries should promote the values of democracy, human rights
and multiculturism.
NAM is today refashioning
itself to better address post-Cold War realities. If it avoids
divisive issues and focuses on the core issues of its political
and economic agenda, it can develop into an important pole in
a multipolar world.
The NAM Business
Forum was a good beginning of an institutionalised interaction
between business and industry of the developing countries. I
hope it will initiate a process of closer interaction between
businesses of all our countries. The NAM business Portal can
also make a major contribution to this, if it can attract wide
participation from other countries and if it is regularly updated
and geared for real-time information exchanges.
I had an excellent
bilateral interaction with Prime Minister Mahathir. We agreed
that the implementation of decisions taken during his visit
to India in October last year was proceeding satisfactorily.
My bilateral meetings
with the Presidents of Nigeria, Iran, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe,
the First Vice President of Sudan, and the Prime Minister of
Mauritius were very useful, both to exchange views on matters
under discussion at this Summit and to discuss the progress
in our bilateral relations. Later this evening, I will be meeting
the Presidents of Sri Lanka and Cuba, and the Prime Minister
of Nepal."
