CHOGM 2007:

Call for action-oriented initiatives on terrorism

Rohan MATHES in Kampala, Uganda

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday urged enhanced action-oriented initiatives on terrorism and called for closer co-operation between the Member countries of the Commonwealth.

Addressing the opening session of the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting in Kampala, Uganda, Minister Bogollagama pointed out that terrorism was undoubtedly a global threat and has had an adverse influence and impact on the political fabric and the economic stability of the Member States.

The fund-raising campaigns by the diaspora communities mainly in the West, was fuelling the illicit arms smuggling and the growth of terrorism.

“Closer co-operation is needed in training, information gathering, intelligence and sharing of experience in dealing with terrorism in areas such as arms smuggling, maritime and airspace security, human trafficking, procurement of arms and ammunition, illegal transfer of funds, bio terrorism, conscription of children, use of non-profit organizations such as charities, criminalisation and glorification of terrorism among others,” he said.

He added the report of the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding, outlining the diverse approaches in dealing with different aspects of terrorism, would be an appropriate basis for discussion on counter terrorism issues.

Bogollagama also pointed out the importance of ‘Climate Change’ to an island nation such as Sri Lanka, referring to the rise in sea-levels and the impact on adverse weather patterns in densely populated coastal areas.

He was of the view that the ‘Green House Gas Emissions’ of Sri Lanka per se were comparatively insignificant and negligible and urged international compliance of the relevant international conventions in the adaptation to ‘climate change The Minister called upon the Commonwealth Governments to expedite the work leading to an early conclusion of the ‘Doha’ Round of talks with greater flexibility to generate further trading opportunities.

“Given its composition which is representative of the developed and developing world, the Commonwealth should play a greater role in this regard”, he added. He said that the ‘Aid for Trade’ concept which was gaining ground, should help the developing countries to build the supply side capacity and trade-related infrastructure.

Minister Bogollagama also focused on the rising price of oil and the negative effect it was having on petroleum import-dependent developing countries.

He urged the Commonwealth to take the initiative in debating with the petroleum exporting countries that a portion of the substantial surplus generated by them, be transferred to a global fund, to help the developing countries dependant on fuel imports for their energy sectors to develop alternate sources of energy.