A global player

Another Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting has come to an end, in Kampala, Uganda. This time, the Commonwealth received extra publicity due to the issue of Pakistan, which was eventually suspended.

Sri Lanka strongly opposed the suspension, pointing out that due consideration should have been given to the changes now taking place in Pakistan before such an important decision was taken regarding a Member of the Commonwealth.

In an ideal situation, all avenues must have been explored by the Commonwealth towards Pakistan’s continuity in the Commonwealth Councils and for this process the Commonwealth should have judged the developments in that country in the context of domestic compulsions and ground realities as Sri Lanka advocated.

However, the majority view at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group was that Pakistan should be suspended. The onus is now on Pakistan to expedite the road to normality.

It must be recalled that Pakistan was re-admitted to the Commonwealth with the full blessings of all Commonwealth nations in 2004, after a five-year suspension. We hope this suspension would last a much shorter period.

It was also gratifying to note that the Commonwealth has realised the need for urgent action on climate change. Being a gathering of both rich and poor nations, the Commonwealth does have some of the world’s biggest polluters in its ranks.

Coincidentally, this momentum will be carried forward to next month’s climate change conference in Bali where nations will attempt to thrash out a successor to Kyoto when it expires in 2012. Although there are no binding cuts, the Commonwealth action plan has been described as a very strong political statement.

The Commonwealth has thus shown that it has risen above the level of a mere talk shop as some other international parleys have unfortunately become. It can still be a formidable voice in global affairs, having a broad spectrum of nations from the smallest (Tuvalu) to some of the biggest (Canada/Australia).

It does not hurt that most of the 53 Members are members of other economic and regional blocs, which give them a substantial leverage in world affairs.

The challenge is to make the Commonwealth an even more vibrant player on the international stage. This will call for more dedication from all Commonwealth nations to the fundamental values still cherished by the Commonwealth, long after the sun has set on the British Empire.

New direction for Australia

The Australian people have spoken. They have voted in Kevin Rudd from the Centre-Left Labour Party as their new Prime Minister, ousting Conservative John Howard.

Rudd has already vowed to take Australia in a new direction. Howard has said ‘no’ to the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change and Rudd is planning to say ‘yes’. This will be one of the major turning points for Australia.

There will be also be a shift in the Iraq war policy, possibly with a troop withdrawal in the offing. Iraq and other policy differences apart, the traditional bond between the US and Australia is unlikely to change.

Rudd has already allayed fears of having any rifts with the US by announcing that his first trip would be to the US to meet President Bush. Australia is also likely to continue its partnership with the US in anti-terrorism initiatives.

At just 50, Rudd has many years ahead of him to transform Australia into an even more dynamic player on the world stage. But he will first have to act on many issues on the domestic front, including labour law reforms which became a thorny issue during the elections campaign.

Australia is economically prosperous, but many have been uncomfortable with Howard’s Choices labour laws and job security.

Asia will watch Rudd’s progress closely, as Australia has preferred to be identified as an ‘Asian’ country on many occasions and traditionally maintained close links with all Asian nations.

The special relationship with Indonesia is also likely to flourish, as the Indonesian President was one of the first world leaders to be contacted by Rudd.

Australia watchers will also keenly follow any developments with regard to immigration. Australia’s notorious Nauru detention system has not won any favours from international human rights groups. Will there be more opportunities in Australia for would-be immigrants? Or will there be a hardening of the policies? These are questions for which the world is eagerly awaiting answers.

Sri Lanka will look forward to closer relationship with Australia in the years to come. The two countries, being former colonies of the British Empire, share many things in common including the English language.

Thousands of Sri Lankans now call Australia their home. Rudd can take his country towards a brighter future with the support of all those who call Australia their home.