Date:30/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/30/stories/2008073055231200.htm

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Pranab calls for global mechanism to fight terror

Atul Aneja

Pranab Mukherjee

TEHRAN: India on Tuesday reiterated its plea for a global mechanism to fight terror following the attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul and the bomb explosions in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Addressing the 15th meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM), External Affairs Minister Pranab |Mukherjee pointed out that the attack on the Indian embassy killed five embassy personnel, including two diplomats, and 60 Afghan civilians. He also pointed out that the strikes in Bangalore and Ahmedabad killed over 50 and injured over 200.

“They have no religion”

“Terrorists may claim to act on behalf of religion, but in truth they have no religion, because the essence of religions is peace and universal brotherhood, and not violence and the violation of human rights,” he said.

Making a case for adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), Mr. Mukherjee said the NAM had to work resolutely to bring to book “the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of all acts of terrorism.”

India presented a draft of the CCIT to the United Nations 12 years ago. The NAM should tackle new threats to the international system, including the social and economic impact of the global food and energy crises.

The Minister appealed for reforming the United Nations and the institutions based on the Bretton Woods charter, which include the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

However, he stressed that “substantive South-South Cooperation,” should coexist with “constructive North-South engagement” if these goals were to be achieved.

Advocating the use of nuclear technology, he said “the advantages of nuclear power as a clean and affordable source of energy are well known.”

In an apparent reference to the debate surrounding the Iranian nuclear programme, he said India firmly believed that “all States have the right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear technology in accordance with their obligations.”

Mr. Mukherjee called for early negotiations to ensure complete and verifiable elimination of all nuclear weapons.