Regional co-operation for international understanding

People will, no doubt, support continued dialogue to resolve bilateral disputes between nations and like to seek and exhaust all possible peaceful means to this end. Secondly, both the nuclear powers should, by agreement, stop production of missiles and begin to cut down their nuclear arsenal stage by stage. This will arrest escalation and promote peace, without which there will be no understanding or co-operation, not to speak of friendship among nations.

Rotary International was set up by that great soul, Paul Harris, with three of his like-minded friends in 1905, almost a hundred years ago. It was originally contemplated to be a club, but it shortly grew into an institution, nay a movement. The motto of the Rotary, "Service Above Self," was adopted to further the noble cause and extol virtues of mankind -- love, compassion and, above all, service to humanity. The seed of love that was sown by Paul Harris, the pioneer of this great movement, has now grown into a century-old giant tree, sheltering and nurturing 1.2 million people all over the world under its cool shady branches.

The theme of the subject that was chosen by the Rotary International this year "Regional Co-operation for International Understanding" is, therefore, so appropriate, both in substance and in timing, that it overwhelms us. Discussing it with reference to the "South Asian Perspective" is also but natural, as it evokes special interests and thoughts of the billion people that inhabit this part of the globe where we reside.

South Asia is a subcontinent. It is composed of diverse religion, caste, creed, language, culture and tradition. Yet, it is a homogeneous whole marked by a natural geographical boundary and a common, though checkered, history ranging back to the time long before the birth of Christ. The unity of its people, however loose may it have been, lies in its diversity. This is a product of history and is accepted as such. To discuss regional co-operation as an instrument of promoting understanding in South Asia has, therefore, to be perceived in that geo-political context.

The end of the two centuries-old British rule in what was called the Indian sub-continent left behind a lingering but deadly legacy of the British Raj. Some of the unresolved issues continue to pose a veritable and dangerous problem. With nuclearisation of the two most powerful states in South Asia rendered this danger to be real, closer and more devastating than ever before. Over and above that, their sustained policy to develop more powerful and sophisticated missiles system have been causing fear also to their neighbours by bringing this danger to their door-steps. A nuclear war, if it breaks out, will, therefore, not remain confined within the borders of the two countries, but has the potentials of pervading the entire region, if not beyond. Under these circumstances, regional co-operation and promotion of understanding make the task not only difficult but almost a mission impossible.

But, fortunately, there is a silver lining around the dark cloud. Strangely enough, South Asia may be regarded as fortunate in so far as regional co-operation is concerned. A platform already exists for promoting the objective of forging co-operation in undisputed fields designated from time to time among countries of the region to the mutual benefit of their people. This institution, SAARC or the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation, was conceived and initiated by the late President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh as early as in the late seventies. It took a formal shape in an institutional framework with manifestation of great verve and enthusiasm by leaders of all the seven countries of South Asia in 1984. The deep apprehension of domination of one or more of its members over

others was allayed by incorporating a provision in the SAARC Charter to the effect that all decisions must be taken unanimously.

Yet, the journey of this forum has neither been smooth nor steady due largely to historic disputes leading to armed conflicts between two of its members. The principal obstacles in the way remains to be continued and deep-rooted suspicion and, real or imaginary, a sense of insecurity. The result is a crisis of confidence, which warrants urgent resolution. The dreamer and the founding fathers had contemplated that the SAARC would ultimately grow in the same way as the neighbouring ASEAN, if not the distant Union of Europe. Both these institutions are shining examples of success stories of regional co-operation as an effective means of not only promoting understanding but also of furthering mutual co-operation and generating friendship. When the ASEAN's success has been confined mostly to economic spheres, Europe's endeavour has gone beyond it and almost succeeded in the creation of the ultimate, a United Europe. The credit finally goes to the people, who had goaded their governments to initiate and undertake measures to attain their cherished objective.

Though several empires covering vast tracts of land had been built throughout the history of Europe, greater geographical cohesion was found to exist in the South Asian region since the ancient times. Then why have we failed to achieve the progress we had set before us? The purpose of this deliberation is not to assign responsibilities to or blame one country or the other for the slow progress. We should set our sight and aim at identifying the means and direction, which would help achieve our objective. Some quarters argue that governments of some member countries of the SAARC had deliberately thrown spanners in its wheels causing the retarded growth. But happily, on the other hand, they have witnessed vivid demonstration of the desire of the unsuspecting common people of forging not only co-operation but true friendship among peoples of the region.

What measures may, therefore, be taken to realise this popular aspiration? Governments of a few member states have taken some new steps or reinforced the old ones through formation of sub-regional co-operation. They cite examples of BIMSTEK and the Kunming initiative on the east and the Economic Co-operation Organization on the western flanks of South Asia, incorporating some countries from outside the region. Progress in these spheres, according to political observers, would rejuvenate and reactivate the SAARC and help further its objectives. While sharing thoughts and taking actions in promoting sub-regional co-operation, we must also simultaneously act, slowly but steadily, for the promotion of all-round interests of the people of the region as a whole.

People will, no doubt, support continued dialogue to resolve bilateral disputes between nations and like to seek and exhaust all possible peaceful means to this end. Secondly, both the nuclear powers should, by agreement, stop production of missiles and begin to cut down their nuclear arsenal stage by stage. This will arrest escalation and promote peace, without which there will be no understanding or co-operation, not to speak of friendship among nations.

Finally, in addition to these measures, our objective can be largely accomplished, under the present circumstances, by fostering people to people contact. The enlightened groups of intellectuals, educationists, journalists, cultural groups, traders, industrialists and other interested milieus of the society have thus a significant role to play. They can mould public opinion and create adequate pressure on their governments to adopt the necessary policy and take appropriate measures towards realising their dream.

The civil society will thus form a catalyst for this purpose. Their efforts will help remove suspicion, create confidence and generate sincerity, especially among the relevant governments and political leaders. To conclude, I must say that failures we have endured, but success we will achieve, given goodwill and sincerity of purpose, through relentless efforts and dogged perseverance.

M.M.Rezaul Karim, a former Ambassador, is a member of BNP's Advisory Council. The article is based on his speech delivered at the Annual Conference of Rotary District 3280 Bangladesh on 10 January at Dhaka.