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SAARC To Keep Out of Indo-Pak Conflict: Kadirgamar

Prakash M Swamy at the United Nations

SAARC would not like to get involved in the India-Pakistan tangle and, in a way, is helpless as to how to approach the growing tension in the region, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister and SAARC Chairman Lakshman Kadirgamar said.

In an exclusive interview at the UN, he said, "I don't think SAARC countries themselves can do much to solve the problem between India and Pakistan. We are, in a sense, real victims of the problem. Our capacity to help solve the conflict is probably nil.

"Apart from hoping and praying that something would happen magically, we are helpless," he added.

SAARC is now concentrating on the economic co-operation program in the region and is progressing quite well despite the conflict. So far it has not cast an ugly shadow on the progress of development, he said.

"All the nations including India and Pakistan are keen to co-operate in the economic development of the region. There are many programs India and Pakistan are jointly involved or with other nations despite their differences. They are keen not to be seen as the ones standing in the way of economic co-operation and development in the region which is so much desired by others," he said.

However, the development may not be as fast as one would have expected or even a whole-hearted effort. Escalation of their own problems tends to have fall-out here too.

"Sometimes they may drag their feet. In recent years I must say that India has been very, very helpful and co-operative. It fully shares the vision of economic co-operation in the region," he said.

"The confrontation wouldn't destroy the movement as a whole but may give some hiccups. I don't think either of them will allow the SAARC to collapse. There is no question of forcing anybody out too to satisfy the other. SAARC is here to stay. But we may fail to achieve the fullest potential of the objectives because of the problem," he said.

The only area where it would be affected badly will be in the area of free trade and economic co-operation. Bilaterally so far only India and Sri Lanka have signed the free trade agreement and some more countries may follow suit. Sri Lanka is to sign a similar one with Pakistan and Bangladesh. India is also trying for an arrangement with Bangladesh.

"We are now working on the regulatory framework of the system. The redeeming factor is that there is a political will to do it. India and Sri Lanka are now trying to create an international atmosphere where the dangers of terrorism are better understood.

"If more and more countries have stringent laws, it would be difficult for the terrorists to operate globally with impunity," he said.

Now that terrorist organizations are also extremely well-equipped and competent in their own deadly spheres, there is bound to be a constant battle between the good and the evil, he said.

The Chandrika administration is keen to bring in the required constitutional changes to bring about peace in the island nation but there is no support from the opposition in the parliament. "We are stuck, unable to amend the constitution without the support of the opposition."

When pointed out that some Indian parties (the Pattali Makkal Katchi and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam under the National Democratic Alliance banner) had demanded a Tamil Eelam in their election manifestos, he said, "I don't think they represent the population and alter, to any meaningful extent, opinion in the Tamil population or Tamil Nadu.

"The Eelam business is not taken seriously by the BJP government despite the alliance partners' prodding. This all seem to be election talk and we don't attach much importance to it."

He said Sri Lanka is very grateful to the US for its support in combating terrorism.

Asked about reports about human rights abuse in the island nation, he said the concept of human rights differs among South Asians and the West. Third World countries feel that some of them are being singled out for certain beliefs although human rights are universal in application. This perception has gained ground because of arbitrary application of human rights criteria to a given situation. It could be a political discrimination.

There is a polarization of views on this subject among the SAARC nations, he said.

The problem of human rights should not be looked at even-handedly. Human rights cannot be the preserve of some countries alone, he said.

Asked about India's candidature for the UN Permanent Member seat, he said the SAARC had to first evolve the criteria.

"We should have a regional representation and we have to come to a decision as to who will represent us effectively. India's case is very strong for a permanent membership on its own merits intrinsically. India can satisfy a number of criteria to qualify for a permanent seat," he said.

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