Act now for a south Asian mindset

 South Asian Peoples Solidarity and SAARC: Looking for a confrontation free society to eradicate poverty

Sushasoner Jonno Procharravijan (SUPRO) (in English, Campaign for Good Governance) organized the seminar on 3^rd March 2007 at CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka ahead of the 14th    SAARC Summit to be held in New Delhi in April 3-4. Advisors of former caretaker government CM Shafi Sami and Advocate Sultana Kamal, former State Minister forForeign Affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, former Ambassador Mohammad jamir, former Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhit, former Sate Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharef Hossain Shahjahan and Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Huq Inu were among others present at the seminar. Secretary of the SUPRO, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and its National Council member Mohsin Ali moderated the seminar.  

The seminar stresses the need for keeping the countries concerned free from "hate culture" to make the SAARC truly a centre of peace and regional cooperation among the South Asian countries. The speakers also expresses their anguish that even after two decades of its establishment, SAARC did not turn into a "symbol of hopes" among the people of this region. So, apart from government initiatives, the opinion of civil society should be made heard prior to the summit, they opined.

Shafi Sami, a former foreign secretary, told the seminar that India should play a leading role in making the SAARC effective, as only India has borders along all the SAARC countries. He also suggested forming a national committee to coordinate the strategy of SAARC in poverty alleviation. The worthy comments of few of the  distinguished speakers are summarized below;
 

20

Bangladesh is the lowest among the SAARC Countries in Human Development Index.

 Mr. Aminul Hoque, Coordinator- Policy Research,SUPRO

At the inception Mr. Aminul Hoque, Coordinator- Policy Research has presented the draft position paper on behalf of SUPRO Titled “South Asian Unity for peace & progress” addressing the upcoming SAARC summit in Delhi. The position paper especially highlights the existing situation of poverty eradication program under SAARC platform through MDG & SDG, Trade issue and elimination of relative different tariff and non tariff barrier from respective countries as a means of increasing inter trade and Climate change effect & remedial strategies.    

1

Human security should come first: Nowadays SAARC Summit Turns into a Ritual Event

Sultana Kamal, Ex-Adviser of Caretaker Government

In the context of globalization we can not expect any positive spill over if SAARC countries do not develop bilateral cooperation. But ironically the SAARC summit, the highest annual strategy meeting of the South Asian country leaders, turns mere into as a ritualistic occasion and competition among government bureaucrats to participate in the summit. Sultana Kamal, one of the ex-advisers of the care taker government of Bangladesh, also emphasises inclusion of human security rather than internal security in the SAARC charter. She says human rights and governance issues should be given priority on treaty; there also should have a systematic process of recommendation to address common issues. The issues raised on SAARC Charter should be looked on equity, affirmativeness and positive discrimination, and we need to consult with the SAARC civil societies before formulating an action plan. Therefore, role of civil society and mechanism of their participation should be clearly defined so that bilateral participation of government personnel and CSO members are encouraged and ensured. Resource allocation and its distribution and plan of operation also should be open for all. In this regard, the major concern is to focus ‘South Asian Development’ mindset among all stakes. 

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2

Countries should run on win-win situation

C M Shafi Shami, Ex-Adviser of Caretaker Govt.

Among the SAARC countries, India is the only country which has either land or maritime boundaries with almost all others. Such geographical proximity should be given priority

as this could give a momentum in all aspect of SAARC movement. In this era of globalization cooperation on economical, industrialization and trade and commerce etc. are the major considerations of bi-lateral and multilateral relationship. In this regard, SAARC should run on win-win situation. We should follow strategic advancement on poverty reduction and sustainable development. The 22 indicators that underlined in the SAARC charter should be monitored by a national committee so that sharing of equitable benefit could be ensured. Besides, emphasis should be given on investment and production so that LDCs could equally and effectively participate in ‘Regional Free Trade’ mechanism. Sectors like transportation, communications, energy, ICT, health etc. should be considered on priority basis.

 In the recent years, growing insurgency is a critical concern that, very often, is creating tension and mistrust among countries. SAARC countries should come to a mutual agreement on not giving any support, facilitation, shelter or provocation to the insurgencies and terrorist activities, which would ease internal terrorism or insurgency and would uphold trust and belief and among countries. Countries having inefficiencies in production and trade capacities should be considered as Least Favoured Nation (LFN) rather of Most Favoured Nation (MFT). Domestic policy should not intervene economic policy.  He emphasises CSOs participation in the SAARC trade and development process; he also recommended that NGOs or CSOs of SAARC countries could form a network and could influence respective foreign affairs ministries with a common agenda of action.

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3

Poverty reduction strategy should be considered on priority basis

A M A Muhit, Ex-foreign minister

AMA Muhit, the ex-economic and planning minister of the government of Bangladesh, criticizes for not considering the contribution of SAARC countries in international business, its policy and evolution. He questioned about the measuring indicators of Human Index and the military expenditure and its percentage in GDP and budget. He says, without resolving three critical and common crises like (i) child and maternal mortality (ii) malnutrition and (iii) poverty MDG can not be achieved. He emphasized on development fund rather than development bank. He also proposes for the establishment of common Disaster Preparedness Centre and Trade Institutes for quality trade and measurement under SAARC, which will support us to avail institutional support from other international agencies. SAARC countries could also establish a common ‘Water Sharing Monitoring Cell’, he added.    

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4

Bangladesh not yet Ready for Liberalized Trade

Hasanul Haque Inu, President-Jatiyo Samajtantric Dal

Although the process of economic globalization opened new windows of trade and investment for the countries beyond their boundaries but, in fact, LDCs- so as SAARC countries are lagged behind from this scope due to inefficiencies in their supply side, says Hasanul Haque Inu. He also says, in relation to regional cooperation we should follow common paths for water sharing, human security and resolving conflicting matters. Although we have scope of developing regional trade but the growing inequality and imbalances in production and trade capacities among the countries might further widen the gap. In this context, a systematic process of trade liberalization should be developed. SAARC leaders also should examine why India does not allow free goods movement from Bangladesh to its north-eastern zone. The following things should be considered as priority basis: (i) combined movement to reduce military expenses (ii) common and multilateral educational policy where no country will be treated as enemy of each other (iii) combined boarder security policy to minimize tense situation (iv) joint water sharing committee (v) development of law commission to observe anti-law dumping and performance of rules of origin and its impacts on other countries (vi) formation of conflict mitigation authority (vii) open up visa system for SAARC people (viii) revisit the tax structure to export commodities to India (ix)  removal of non-tariff barriers within the subcontinent (x) development of tax and revenue fund for compensation (xi) development of easy certification system of goods and commodities (xii) development of uniform LC system (xiii) allow SAARC people to open account within this territory (xiv) development of national grid system etc. He says, implementation of above things will develop brotherly relationship among the countries, which certainly will pave the ways of peace and prosperity.

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5

Participants Spin into Dine at Banquet

Abul Hasan Chowdhury, Ex-state Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Putting his concern on the internal political conflicts of Bangladesh, Abul Hasan Chowdhury says, despite having democracy since 1990 we, the political parties, couldn’t come to a common stance. We have been involved in sermonizing scandals of oppositions even in foreign countries.   We should develop a common culture where we should not share our bad experiences particularly internal conflicts to other countries. He says that participants in the SAARC summit turns into dine at banquet rather than talking development and cooperation. We have many sectors of common interest but as priority energy cooperation, water sharing, up-rooting terrorism etc. should be considered as main concern. He says, we would be able to make impossible possible if our political leaders develop a culture of respect, coordination and cooperation.

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6

100 yrs for hard-core poverty alleviation! NO

Mosharraf Hossain Shahjahan, Ex-state Minister of Ministry of Religious Affairs

He says, proper utilization of allocated money is the main concern of poverty alleviation. We need not spent 100 years for identifying hard-core poor; we need not PRSP or symposium/seminars for poverty reduction. What we need is the honesty and positive efforts. We all know who are the hard-core poor, if we could initiate and organize affirmative actions for poverty alleviation then both the SDGs and MDGs will have fruitful outcomes.

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7

Only Non conditional positive attempts could resolve South Asian problems

Monoranjonsheel Gopal, Ex-MP

To address common problems of SAARC countries we need to solve bilateral problems initially. No conditions at the beginning, we need positive attempts. If we really want a peaceful state, we should not give protection to the terrorists in the name of politics.

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8

Reshape Educational Curriculum for Setting a Common South Asia Mind Set  

Walliur Rahman, Ex-ambassador

On the basis of mutual interest, we need to prioritize potential issues before upcoming SAARC summit. He says, setting a common South Asian mind set is a essential pre-condition of establishing brotherly relationship among the countries. We are learning from their childhood that Pakistan or India is our rival; such educational curriculum must be changed. He also quote a study which revealed, the revenue of the government would raise from 500 crore to 5000 crore within 5 years if transhipment are allowed.

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9

Bilateral treaty should be given importance

Abdul Mannan, Ex-MP

Development of deep sea port should be prioritized to freight bulk commodities within SAARC countries, he says. National ID card for free and fair election and health services for all should be introduced. Blasphemy laws imposition and minimum restriction on visa procedures is necessary to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Employment generation should be the motto of SAARC.

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10

Development of Think Tank Group is Essential for Bangladesh

Karar Mahmudul Hasan, Ex-secretary

We have to give importance on smaller issues on SAARC. In the long term strategy railway communication can be established, but the utmost important is to increase bus communication from 4 to 10 or more. BSF killed 667 innocent people of Bangladesh. India has lot of information on the dam of Tipaimukhi since 150 years back; we have no data even for 3 months on it. The most polluted 4 rivers surrounded by Dhaka city can be a great issue in upcoming meeting.  Technology and Human resource transfer can be demand for Bangladesh. We have passed around 35 years, very few things achieved. We need to develop a group of think tank with ex-bureaucrats and researchers to get a pace of thoughtful advancement in SAARC.

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11

Trade gap discourages trade liberalization

Sardar Shakhwat Hossain Bokul, Ex-MP

No significant achievement has taken place in the last 21-22 years since its (SAARC) inception. Identification of LDCs concerns, removal of trade barriers and standardization, demarcation of sea line, reduction of women and child trafficking, Farakka, Dahagram, Angarpota, Tipai dam, huge trade gap were always bilateral issues between India and Bangladesh which discourage to open up their internal market.

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12

Internal vacillation vague to right demand

Sabbir Bin Shams, GCAP-SouthAsia

Civil society participation should be ensured to take proactive role to achieve SDGs alongside government personnel. United movement of LDCs on intellectual property rights, common political indicators and SAARC parliament/court can be important concern in this territory. GDP should not consider as the only indicator of development, Indian GDP is in healthy stance but it does not mean that poverty has been wiped out from there. The timeline to achieve SDGs within 2010 is too ambitious in respect of MDG. Racism what we observed particularly in India should be avoided in respect of humanity. 

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13

Poverty & Conflict can be wiped out by 2020

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Mahbubur Rahman, Ex-Army Chief and MP

Increasing poverty within this territory can be mitigated within 2020 if political leaders of these countries work together and equal resource distribution is ensured. It is very difficult to achieve SDGs because the giant economy of India never resolves the existing problems e.g. international boarder, demarcation of sea line etc. The meaning of SAARC is now self-contradictory. 

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14

Does South Asian Solidarity Exists in  SAARC?

Mohammad Jomir, Ex-secretary and ambassador

People strongly felt the lack of intolerance among our political leaders. Common pro-people political policies on common issues, for example, cross boarder energy policy and implementation, institutional capacity building, arbitration and regulatory mechanism, environmental degradation, disaster preparedness centre etc should be developed in the upcoming summit. India achieved US $18 billion through Business Process Outsourcing (BOP) where as Bangladesh earned only US $ 7.43 million. The role of this Caretaker Government in the forthcoming meeting should be made public as soon as possible so that civil society could put their positive criticism on these, he said.

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15

Unresolved Bilateral Issues must Discussed in SAARC

M A Siddique, Bir Uttam

The present situation and charter of principles of SAARC does not consistent with the current pace of development. The common issues like water and electrification can be topic of affirmative actions. To alleviate poverty, focus should be given on poor not on meetings, seminars etc.

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16

Maternal mortality might hold back SAARC Achievement

Syeda Monira Khatoon, SAAPE

SAAPE is working for establishing good governance, human rights, solidarity and peace in the  SAARC countries. Women and child oppression, trafficking, women empowerment etc should be considered to achieve SDGs. We need to figure out how to reduce maternal mortality within this region. Poor should be allowed to move anywhere in SAARC countries.

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17

There is a dearth of State Solidarity, but not People’s Solidarity,

Ahmed Shwapan Mahmud, VOICE

People of South Asian countries have common stance and solidarity, which is not present among the states. The existing social structure that is aggravating poverty should be restructured considering people’s motive. Privatization of public service providing is a growing concern in SA countries that are undermining people’s rights and scope of development. We are privatizing these agencies as the loan conditionalities of IFIs. We already have paid around US $ 184,000 as consultation fees for the privatization of our banking sector.  

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18

We have to show patience

A H M Noman, DORP

He made an observation and criticism on the title of the keynote paper and also asked for fixing the timeline 2062 for poverty alleviation within the SAARC Countries. He appreciated thoughtful insight of this research paper and hope peace will come and corruption will be wiped out from the society if such kind of platform (SAARC) works with the civil society participation.

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19

Micro credit is not the panacea for poverty eradication

Nurual Alam, SAP Bangladesh

We have submitted issue specific demand of the common people of Bangladesh in the last 4 summit and emphasized on implementation process of SAARC Charters, he said. Transport and interaction have to be harmonized and manpower should be allowed to move visa free within the region. South Asian Civil Society Commission should be developed to strengthen people to people interaction.  We have to come out from paper based so called vociferous development.   

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