Date:28/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/28/stories/2007032805101200.htm

International

"SAARC convention needs review"

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Existing one is inadequate, says Minister

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka would seek a review of the SAARC convention on Suppression of Terrorism at the SAARC summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi in the first week of April.

Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama told Colombo-based foreign correspondents on Tuesday that the existing SAARC convention has proved to be inadequate in addressing terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

"Since the adoption of the convention by SAARC in 1987, terrorism in the region has grown. It is time to revisit it and draw up a regional counter-terrorism drive. We need a comprehensive counter-terrorism agenda to include subjects like fund raising, arms procurement and front organisations of the terrorist outfits", the Minister said in response to a question.

Mr. Bogollagama said that during his recent to New Delhi he emphasised that a successful response to terrorism required a collective effort, effectively addressing it in all its forms and associated manifestations.

Capacity to neutralise

In response to questions, Mr. Bogollagama said while the air capabilities of the LTTE posed a threat to the region and the international community, Sri Lanka had the capacity to neutralise the "air assets" of the Tigers.

Answering a question, he said that India was right in maintaining that there was no decision yet on "joint coordinated patrolling" of the seas by the Indian and Sri Lankan navies.