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Commonwealth focus still on Pak

Sheikh Manzoor Ahmed and George Verghese in Durban

Pakistan continued to remain in the focus during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting as the leaders grappled with divergent views to evolve a consensus on the future course of action against it.

Although the leaders in principle agreed to suspend Islamabad for an indefinite period, the association has yet to finalise its formal declaration on it.

Commonwealth officials said that the leaders would have further discussions on Pakistan during the retreat, being held in George Island today and tomorrow.

The officials said, ''The Pakistan issue has so far not been finalised.'' However, there was unanimity behind the decision of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to suspend Pakistan.

India has played a major role in the indefinite suspension of Pakistan from the Commonwealth. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had strongly warned the member countries against becoming participants in the military coup. The prime minister had also opposed the CMAG recommendation that Pakistan be given two years' timeframe for the restoration of democracy.

Vajpayee had received support from Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and leaders of various African nations, which have been victims of military highhandedness.

However, some countries were of the view that a lenient view should be taken in the case of Pakistan. In fact, Commonwealth Secretary General Emeka Anyaoku was of the opinion that some timeframe should be granted to General Pervez Mushraff for the installation of a democratic government in Pakistan.

But all leaders were unanimous that there should be no deviation from the Millbrook Action Programme, which deals with Pakistan-like situations.

UNI

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