International The Telegraph

INTERNATIONAL

Political consultations on Foreign policy and security issues

-Ambassador K.K.Bhargava, India (currently in Canada)

Background: So far the concept of political consultations at regional level has not received adequate attention. What more, the subject matter is viewed by different persons in different contexts. Those who are its enthusiastic supporters feel that political consultations should cover bilateral problems and invoke mediation and even arbitration. On the other hand its detractors do not want any type of political consultations, as they are apprehensive that ultimately it will bring in the SAARC agenda contentious and bilateral issues. Yet another group feels that these should cover broader foreign policy and those non-military security issues which the region as a whole faces, particularly the concepts of comprehensive and cooperative security of the region. In the view of the author political consultations in a regional framework should not embrace bilateral issues.

2. Given the divergences in foreign policy matters among the member states, at first glance regional consultations appear to be an impossible and futile task. However, we need not subscribe to the dictum that recognizing the difficulty means giving in to them. A determined, confident and cautious approach could produce some results by narrowing the differences if not bridging them. It may be mentioned that even after almost three decades, the European Union has yet to ensure the visibility of a common foreign and security policy. The Commission has proposed the setting up of a Joint Analysis Unit, composed of members from the Member States and the Commission, and has the incorporation of a Permanent Political Committee into the existing machinery and the council for preparing decisions in Brussels, so as to facilitate the formulation of common foreign policy. Even though its membership consists of both nuclear and non-nuclear powers, the common ground to cover on security matters is enormous. Also, the author believes that military security issues cannot be considered in a strictly regional constrict.

However, there can only be beneficial effects of regional consultations on non-military issues that affect the security of the member States and of the region as a whole, particularly matters such as comprehensive and cooperative security. Also, political consultations at regional level need not take place at inter-governmental level till such time as adequate ground is covered in the framework of track two dialogues and also among parliamentarians.

3. At present, in South Asia, there is total absence of any sorts of regional mechanism where, through consultations, the countries can harmonize positions, narrow and possibly eliminate differences on foreign policy and security issues and their negative impact on the standing of the South Asian region in the international community. This situation to a great extent due to the dilemmas arising from fears of bilateral and contentious issues being raised and focus of attention being shifted from economic issues to political ones. It is noteworthy that though promotion of political understanding and cooperation has not yet explicitly mentioned, another objective of SAARC is "to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of another's problems".

4. At present SAARC is like a grouping in which each partner considers its own economy and strategic interest in isolation of those of the others. Its members shun continuous uninterrupted and comprehensive dialogue among each other, though the foreign ministers have informal consultations on some international issues that are of common concern during general Assembly sessions. In today's world, political consultations in South Asia can go beyond being merely a philosophical virtue. They are desirable as they give opportunity to each country to define and redefine its interests so that there is proper perception of them by its partners in South Asia in a way that purposeful efforts become possible for harmonizing the interests of all concerned.

5. Overcoming the present dilemma: Given the complexity of the South Asian region and the present political situation in the region, it will be counter-productive to attempt any ambitious approach. It will be desirable not to formally press in SAARC meetings ideas that are half-baked or whose relevance is not clear. Instead, a non-official network like CASAC may consider setting up a group to make a study of the experiences of other regional groupings and of provisions that were evolved by them in this regard. The same group may also make recommendations in regard to the possible options for South Asia that could be considered appropriate for South Asia for initiating consultations on foreign and security policies in the context of specific requirements of the region and its envisaged geo-political role. It may also suggest topics that need to be considered for political consultations at the regional level.

6. Mobilization of Political will: The involvement of parliamentarians is a prerequisite for mobilizing political will.

7. Mechanisms for Political Consultations: There is no need at present to devise any specific mechanisms. The proposed Group may study the evolution of existing mechanisms in other parts of the world and to what extent they have relevance for South Asia while the focus of its study ought to be the identification of a proper feasible South Asian mechanisms.

8. Possible Gains: The process of Informal Political Consultations as articulated in the Male and Colombo Summit Declarations of1997 and 1998, if properly devised, may help countries in South Asia to define better the contours of neighborhood policy. It can even help South Asian countries in formulating coherent policies based on dialogue and problem solving. A prerequisite for its success is the creation of an atmosphere that is conducive to dialogue and consultations. Consultations over a broad range of issues may help in overcoming imbalances and anchor co-operation and relationship on a more sound basis in South Asia. Political consultations can promote political dialogue and cooperation, accelerate economic and trade co-operation, identify co-operation possibilities for meeting common global challenges, and facilitate working together for achieving the objectives of the Social Charter for SAARC work on which is now expected to commence.

9. Such consultations can also facilitate agreements on sub-regional and inter-regional cooperation projects that can be of enormous benefit to countries in South Asia in the rapidly revolving contemporary situation. Above all, they can help in both formulating and implementing CBMs whether bilateral or regional in charter. Given an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding, they can facilitate seeking of feasible agreements that would contribute to optimism of progress.

10 Likely pitfalls: As against the possible gains mentioned above, political consultations may result in the loss of present focus in SAARC on economic and social issues. Given the divergences in the foreign and security policies of member States of SAARC particularly of its two largest members, the harmonization of foreign and security policies of South Asian is an uphill task.

11. Guidelines and General Provisions: Political consultations may assist member countries of SAARC in meeting transnational challenges such as prevention of environmental degradation, the conservation of resources and energy, suppression of terrorism, sale of drugs, abuse and drug trafficking, prevention of drug related criminal acts. Above all political consultations may be used, when deemed appropriate, for reviewing regional relations and for providing stimulus to the development of SAARC.

12. They may cover subject's such as establishment and promotion of regional projects and joint ventures.

13. Overall Objectives: When political consultations are held at the level of Heads of State/Government, these should be in the nature of a forward-looking dialogue which may serve the purpose of:

Ų Shaping future agenda of SAARC and giving it new directions so as to meet the challenges of future;

Ų Determining and laying down priorities and sequential steps;

Ų Establishing monitoring mechanisms. And ; and

Ų Overseeing implementation including the examination and removal of hurdles in the way of smooth and fast transition from commitments to implementation.

14. It needs to be emphasized that the role of leaders is most important. Leaders set the tone and the standard of co-operation. People generally tend to emulate and imitate their leaders. If the leaders meet in cordiality, the people will also meet in friendly and creative atmosphere.

15. Need for Cautious and Gradual Approach: Given the sensitivity o the matter and lack of adequate under standing of the subject, it is suggested that a cautious and gradual approach should be followed. However, there seems to be the need for taking the fieriest step i.e. constitution of a Group at Track-II level into all aspects of the matter.

The first children's world parliament: The expectations of young people for the 21st century

-Sylvie Thomas, France

Because children and teenagers today are the citizens of tomorrow, the first Children's World Parliament brought together young people from all over the world, aged 14 to 16, in Paris. It is now up to adults to give reality to the wishes strongly expressed in "young people's manifesto for the 21st century".

It was a bold undertaking to bring together 350 school children from all countries, in Paris, and to have them reflect together on the great present-day issues, but the symbol was clear. The idea was, with the dawning of the new millennium, to let those who would build the next century speak. At the end of October, last year, the first Children's World Parliament was thus held at the National Assembly. This original initiative by the French National Assembly and the UNESCO, with the contribution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mobilized 400 classes and more than 10,000 pupils all over the world whose work was continued in Paris and culminated in the adoption of the "Young People's Manifesto for the 21st century". It was also a matter of making young people aware of the role of a Parliament and of showing them how it worked in a long established, living and active democracy", Marie-Ange The'obold, in charge of co-ordination the operation for UNESCO, explains.

Peace, the major concern of young people:
This operation was inspired by the Children's Parliament, held at the National Assembly every year, which brings together 577 junior members of Parliament who, like their elders, adopt a text that they themselves have developed on a chosen theme. This time, however, instead of school children, young people aged 14-16 were concerned, making it possible to sound out the opinion of an age group that is not often questioned. "Young people of this age start to feel involved, but they still need adults", Marie-Ange Theobold points out. "So it is interesting to know what they expect from us". Projects for texts written by selected classes, one class from the country and one class from the city, in each country, were examined and chosen in Paris by a selection committee and by a committee made up of international personalities. Using this as a base, the pupils gathered in Paris wrote the final manifesto.

According to the accompanying adults, there was a festive atmosphere. Meals were taken together, games and songs were impoverished and endless discussions carried on far into the night at the hotel. These children coming from different backgrounds immediately felt at ease with each other. Their dialogue continued in a more studied atmosphere during the workshops held at the Chateau de Versailles and the text, which was, voted clearly shows their state of mind. The themes chosen show a certain hierarchical structure, which is not necessarily the one, imagined at the outset. In the "Young People's Manifesto for the 21st century", peace takes the lion's share, followed by education, the environment and housing, well ahead of communication and information technologies.

The manifesto will be presented at the United Nations:
Unlike the children's parliament, one of whose proposals becomes a law in its own right, the Manifesto has no legal standing, but there will be a follow-up. Young parliamentarians will take it up again and present it to the General Assembly of the United Nations next autumn, in the presence of numerous Heads of State. "This text can support other international activities". Marie-Ange points out. "We are going to distribute it widely and help our junior deputies to present it to the parliaments in their own countries. These young people have been just great and we do not want to disappoint them!" Its impact might just give other countries the idea of taking up the torch and, in turn, holding a similar event.