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COOLUM (AUSTRALIA) March 2.Commonwealth leaders, meeting here after a delay enforced by the September 11 attacks, today adopted an action plan to stamp out terrorism. The plan was drafted by a special group set up by the Secretary General, Don McKinnon, to examine ways of helping Commonwealth nations implement U.N. Resolutions on combating terrorism. The conference spokesman, Joel Kibazo, said that the action plan covers legal and financial measures, as well as enhancing law enforcement in member countries. The leaders deferred a decision on what action to take against Zimbabwe, agreeing to raise the issue during a two-day retreat, officials said. ``The debate didn't take very long as leaders agreed that tomorrow (Sunday) will be the day when they will give it a longer time,'' said Mr. Kibazo. The issue of what to do about the political violence in Zimbabwe has split the ranks of the 54-nation Commonwealth, with African nations leading opposition to British and Australian calls to suspend Harare. Commonwealth Ministers on Friday failed to agree on what measures to take, passing the issue up to their leaders for resolution. Earlier, opening the 35 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II appealed to Commonwealth leaders to strive to embrace reform and bridge cultural differences to meet new challenges and counter terrorism. She made a strong plea for greater racial and religious tolerance, saying it was its diversity that made the 54-nation group relevant in the 21st century. But she added: ``The Commonwealth must move with the times if it is to remain relevant to all generations.'' Dressed for a colourful ceremony in flame-red with a matching hat, the Queen also used her speech to underline the need for a continuing effort to reach consensus in a summit which looks set to be overshadowed by differences over Zimbabwe. She told the 900 guests, including the leaders of 35 Governments, the Commonwealth, established in 1931, was an organisation which had defined its own values and ideals through its particular focus on issues important to it, notably sustainable development and good governance. ``It has also developed its own style of informality, tolerance and an insistence on bringing all along together on the sometimes difficult path of building consensus.'' This tradition of consensus was in spite of the remarkable variety of its membership with every region of the world represented, every size of nation at all stages of development and all the great religions,'' she said.
AFP
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