The Hindu : SAARC eases travel curbs on journalists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 11, 2002

International

International

SAARC eases travel curbs on journalists

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 10. The third conference of the Information Ministers of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation will be held in the first quarter of 2003 in India.

The decision was taken at the second SAARC Information Ministers' meet which concluded here after three days of deliberations. The Information Minister, Sushma Swaraj, and Ministers from all the other six member-countries took part in the conference.

Various measures adopted included the decision to curb visa restrictions to permit free movement of journalists within South Asia, the establishment of a media development fund and the promotion of frequent interaction among the information establishments of the region.

``There was tremendous sense of harmony in the conference and that is why we have taken the decisions unanimously to promote cooperation in the field of information and technology,'' the Pakistan Media Minister and new chairman of SAARC Information Ministers, Nisar A. Memon, said at a press conference.

Asked whether the journalists would also be able to go to Kashmir, he said free movement of newspersons had been agreed to by easing visa restrictions. ``We all want to go to Srinagar because it is a beautiful place,'' he said, hoping that continuous interaction among the Information Ministers would help resolve contentious issues.

The meeting had also decided to establish a ``SAARC Media Fora'' in all the seven member-countries with a view to facilitating a meeting of editors and working journalists every year. Bangladesh had expressed its willingness to host such a meeting in Dhaka. Besides, the SAARC secretariat would organise at least six training programmes for journalists each year. These would be held in radio and TV academies as well as the information academy, Mr. Memon said.

It was also decided to establish a model trance- satellite broadcasting technology system for greater collaboration in the field of satellite research. ``This will help us to have free flow of information.''

Mr. Memon said a SAARC Information Centre would be set up at the SAARC secretariat to provide information on the

member-countries. A audio-video exchange committee would also be established to telecast live joint programmes during prime time on the television networks in the member-states.

Pakistan had offered to give away awards, on a regular basis, to artistes of folk music, the Minister said. ``The good thing about this conference is that we have set dates for compliance to have increased cooperation in the field of information.''

Replying to another question, he defended the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf's reference to the differences between India and Pakistan during the inauguration. Gen. Musharraf had ``rightly'' pointed out that the objectives of SAARC could be achieved only if there was peace in the region.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

Stories in this Section

Kashmir one of the core issues: Sushma

Riyadh offers Israel `complete peace plan'

Cheney to build support against terrorism

SAARC eases travel curbs on journalists

Awami League sponsoring terrorism, says Khaleda

Massive turn-out on second day of voting

U.S. says list targets China

Bush to unveil next phase of campaign

Storm over Iraq ahead of Cheney's visit to U.K.

Militants asked to surrender weapons

Khaleda condemns Gujarat killings

Rift among Afghan troops over Gardez battle

U.S. `plan' against Russia may affect talks