ID :
14291
Wed, 07/30/2008 - 08:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/14291
The shortlink copeid
India pitches for adoption of convention against terror
Sagar Kulkarni Tehran, Jul 29 (PTI) Describing terrorism as "one of the most serious threats" to global peace, India Tuesday made a strong pitch for early adoption of a convention mooted by it over a decade ago to tackle the menace, days after its two key cities were rocked by serial blasts which left more than 50people dead.
"I would particularly underline the need for concerted efforts by all of us to work towards early finalisation and adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, a draft for which was presented by India at the United Nations as far back as 1996," India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said at the 15th Ministerial Meetingof the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) here.
He said "we shall be remiss in our commitment to the theme of this Conference ('Solidarity for Peace and Justice') if we do not send a strong message that our movement stands resolutely for international cooperation in bringing the perpetrators, organisers financiers and sponsors of all acts of terrorism to justice." "An act of terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace andstability everywhere," he said.
Mukherjee termed terrorism as "one of the most serious" threats to global peace and said it "negates the fundamentalprinciples of justice" and can have no justification.
Referring to the recent serial blasts in Bangalore and Ahmadabad and the terror attack at the Indian Embassy in Kabul, he said the terrorists' intention, quite clearly, is to rupture India's resilient social fabric. "But India's resolve and capacities are strong enough and can withstand all these terrorists can do." Dismissing terrorists' claim to act on behalf of religion, Mukherjee said "in truth they have no religion, because the essence of religions is peace and universal brotherhood, and not violence and the violation of human rights." He pointed out that the NAM has been successful when themember nations have shown unity, commitment and perseverance.
"The history of our movement is a testimony to that. With unity and commitment, there is no doubt that we will achieve our goals and objectives." Recalling that nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in all its aspects has been a long standing priority of NAM, Mukherjee said that India shares the belief of its friends in NAM that all states should commit to early negotiations on thecomplete and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons.
At the same time, he made it clear that India firmly believes that all states have the right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear technology in accordance with theirobligations.
Mukherjee said NAM has a vital role to play when the world is undergoing rapid transformation as the Movement provides an independent point of view on international issues and functions as a platform from which its memberscollectively address key issues of common concern.
The NAM needs to overcome the social and economic difficulties arising out of the simultaneous impact of crises in food, fuel and finances as well as threats to its politicaland security systems.
"These and other challenges facing the international community make it more imperative than ever before that our Movement collectively projects the central and universal values that bind us and focusses on issues that unite us," theminister said.
"I would particularly underline the need for concerted efforts by all of us to work towards early finalisation and adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, a draft for which was presented by India at the United Nations as far back as 1996," India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said at the 15th Ministerial Meetingof the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) here.
He said "we shall be remiss in our commitment to the theme of this Conference ('Solidarity for Peace and Justice') if we do not send a strong message that our movement stands resolutely for international cooperation in bringing the perpetrators, organisers financiers and sponsors of all acts of terrorism to justice." "An act of terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace andstability everywhere," he said.
Mukherjee termed terrorism as "one of the most serious" threats to global peace and said it "negates the fundamentalprinciples of justice" and can have no justification.
Referring to the recent serial blasts in Bangalore and Ahmadabad and the terror attack at the Indian Embassy in Kabul, he said the terrorists' intention, quite clearly, is to rupture India's resilient social fabric. "But India's resolve and capacities are strong enough and can withstand all these terrorists can do." Dismissing terrorists' claim to act on behalf of religion, Mukherjee said "in truth they have no religion, because the essence of religions is peace and universal brotherhood, and not violence and the violation of human rights." He pointed out that the NAM has been successful when themember nations have shown unity, commitment and perseverance.
"The history of our movement is a testimony to that. With unity and commitment, there is no doubt that we will achieve our goals and objectives." Recalling that nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in all its aspects has been a long standing priority of NAM, Mukherjee said that India shares the belief of its friends in NAM that all states should commit to early negotiations on thecomplete and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons.
At the same time, he made it clear that India firmly believes that all states have the right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear technology in accordance with theirobligations.
Mukherjee said NAM has a vital role to play when the world is undergoing rapid transformation as the Movement provides an independent point of view on international issues and functions as a platform from which its memberscollectively address key issues of common concern.
The NAM needs to overcome the social and economic difficulties arising out of the simultaneous impact of crises in food, fuel and finances as well as threats to its politicaland security systems.
"These and other challenges facing the international community make it more imperative than ever before that our Movement collectively projects the central and universal values that bind us and focusses on issues that unite us," theminister said.
