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NAM declaration backs India's call for disarmament conference in 1999

Endorsing India's resolution, the 12th Non- Aligned summit has called for an international conference on disarmament in 1999 with the objective of arriving at an agreement on a phased programme for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons

The 150-page Durban Declaration, issued late last night contains no critical reference to India and Pakistan for conducting nuclear tests and is considered as a diplomatic victory for New Delhi.

Indian government representatives held protracted consultations with delegates of various countries to persuade South Africa and Indonesia to toe a softer line on the explosions.

India made it absolutely clear to member nations that the series of nuclear tests conducted by it should not be considered as an act of proliferation and moved a resolution to hold the nuclear weapons convention by 1999 to evolve agreement on the time-bound elimination of the nuclear weapons.

Without naming India and Pakistan, the declaration said the ''complexities arising from nuclear tests in South Asia, underlined the need to work harder to achieve the goal of nuclear disarmament.''

The summit considered positive commitments by the parties concerned in the region to exercise utmost restraint.

The two countries promised to discontinue nuclear tests and not to transfer nuclear weapon-related technology to any third country.

The summit, which was inaugurated by South African President Dr Nelson Mandela, was attended by over 55 heads of state and government, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Notable absentees at the summit were the Gulf rulers, prime ministers of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia, besides Indonesian President B J Habbibe.

Representatives of India and Pakistan also held a series of talks on bilateral matters on the sidelines of the summit, in which the reference of NAM chairman on the Kashmir issue evoked a sharp reaction from the prime minister.

Vajpayee made it clear to the South African president that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and New Delhi rejected third party mediation in it.

The declaration expressed concern over the failure of the nuclear weapons states to demonstrate a genuine commitment with regard to complete nuclear disarmament.

The declaration remained silent on the US attacks on Afghanistan, but condemned America for its missile attack on Sudan, describing it a violation of international law. The summit also said the US action was an act of aggression on Sudan.

However, none of the participating countries condemned attacks on militant camps of Saudi billionaire Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan as a majority of the members felt that the Taliban regime of Afghanistan was responsible for spreading terrorism.

The summit took a harsher view of terrorism, urging all the states to enhance international co-operation in the fight against the menace of terrorism.

It vowed to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations regardless of race, religion or nationality of the victims or perpetrators of terrorism.

It decided to convene an international summit under the auspices of the United Nations to formulate a joint organised response by the international community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The non-aligned countries condemned terrorist attacks in fellow countries and called upon competent UN organs to promote ways and means to strengthen cooperation for tackling this menace.

The focus of the summit was also on the economic crisis of the developing countries. It accused the developed countries of marginalising the countries of the South by introducing new conditionalities.

They, therefore, stressed the need for the movement to ensure an active presence in international economic and commercial negotiations with strong and common positions.

It felt that globalisation of the world economy, which has created new opportunities, had translated itself into an increased marginalisation for the majority of the countries.

The summit called on the international community to create a more balanced and participatory system of international economic relations in which such interdependence would benefit all nations.

''The World Trade Organisation should contribute for a non- discriminatory and secure multilateral trading system based on clear and transparent procedures. These procedures should protect the interests of the developing nations,'' the summit said.

The summit expressed its full commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity and national unity of war-torn Afghanistan.

It called on all states to strictly refrain from outside interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. The declaration stressed the need that the main responsibility for finding a political solution to the conflict lay with the Afghan parties.

It expressed serious concern on continuation of the military concerned to immediately end the supply of arms, ammunition and military equipment, besides training and military support to all parties to the conflict.

The presence of deposed Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani at the summit was a clear rebuff to the Taliban regime, which tried best to secure support for a seat in the NAM.

The declaration condemned the capture of the consulate general of Iran by the Taliban in Mazar-e-Sharif and demanded safe passage out of Afghanistan of the diplomatic personnel and other Iranian nationals.

It took a strong view that the Afghan territory was being used for training and harbouring of terrorists, which creates a threat to peace and stability in the entire region.

On the social development issue, the Durban Declaration said educational and health programmes for women needed to focus on women, especially the girl child.

UNI

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