All problems that afflict
our region must be sincerely addressed and resolved
president pervez Musharraf, Pakistan
It is a matter of great satisfaction
for my government that the 11th summit is finally taking place. There have been instance
of postponement of saarc summits in the past. However, this time, we have witnessed an
unprecedented delay of more than two years. It is unfortunate that the delay was caused by
factors extraneous to both the association and its charter. We need to make certain that
saarc stays on course. Saarc summits once scheduled, after obtaining the concurrence of
all the member states, must go ahead even if the heads of state or government of one or
two members do not find it convenient to attend. No member should be allowed to hold saarc
to ransom. Using internal developments in one member state to disrupt the saarc process
should be unacceptable. We must also oppose any attempt to dilure the principle of
sovereign equality of member states in this joint endeavour we are all equal partners.
The stark reality is that saarc has not been
able to develop to its full potential. The vision that led to the creation of saarc had
not been translated into reality. A region that gave birth to many sages who upheld the
cherished goals of peace and harmony; a region that is home to some of the oldest human
civilizations; and a region that takes pride in the diversity and beauty of its cultural
heritage, has in the modern era failed to resolve its many contradictions, differences and
tensions. We need to bring to bear the wisdom, sagacity, tolerance and sense of justice of
the ages in which we take so much pride to resolve our problems.
Saarc’s performance so far, in
comparison with other regional organizations, had been dismal, while saarc limps along,
organizations like the european union and asean, have galloped ahead. The national leaders
in these organizations had a vision for their people and their regions. They worked with
commitment and with sincerity to resolve political issues, while embarking on the road to
economic integration. We should learn from their experience. All problems that afflict our
region must be sincerely addressed and resolved sweeping them under the carpet does not
make them go away, the only wise and courageous choice is to resolve all disputes and
differences on a durable basis. And only those solutions which are based on justice and
fair play can be durable.
Our seriousness and sincerity about making
saarc a genuine agent for cooperation and economic among south asian countries, will be
judged by our determination and ability to resolve bilateral disputes. The proposal to
devise a saarc mechanism to address all issues was informally taken up at 9th the 10th
summits at male and colombo respectively. The declarations of our intent to promote peace
and to resolve differences amicably should be translated into concrete action. It is not
only pakistan that has bilateral differences. Other countries also have this problem. We
cannot afford to remain frozen if we want to present a unified face to the world, and if
we genuinely want to make saarc a strong, potent and effective organization.
Your excellencies, ladies and
gentlemen,
South asia is not only one of the least
economically integrated regions, it is also one of the least developed. We need to
overcome the challenges of our development, poverty, income inequalities, unemployment,
economic and social deprivation, high mortality and low literacy.
If south asia remains mired in problems, the
world will gradually lose interest in our region, indeed there already are sings that this
is happening south asia’s share of capital inflows to the developing world declined
from 7% in the 1980 to 3% in the 1990s. This lack of investor confidence in this region,
in the era of globalization when official development assistance is shrinking and capital
flows are market driven, is due primarily to the atmosphere of uncertainty and absence of
peace and stability in our region. We have the highest number of people living below the
poverty line in the world. Half a billion south asians experienced a decline in their
incomes during the last decade. This certainly wes not the vision that inspired the
founding fathers of saarc to establish this organization.
The agreement on saarc preferential trading
arrangement (sapta) provides the foundation for greater economic co-operation, leading
ultimately to economic integration. The sapta process still remains incomplete because of
mutual mistrust and the absence of a level playing field.
In view of our experience with sapta, moves
towards a south asian free trade area (safta) should be evaluated to protect the interests
of the smaller countries of the region. It would not be appropriate to embark on the road
to safta without completing a comprehensive study on all aspects of this very complex
venture.
However, it is gratifying that member
countries are already in the process of translating the saarc social charter into action.
The group of eminent persons has made a number of valuable recommendations for improving
saarc’s performance and profile. An in-depth discussion at the pre-summit meetings on
the implication of these recommendations and their practicability has already been held.
These recommendations would be instrumental in imparting greater dynamism and substance to
saarc.
The plight of women in our region calls for
focused attention and determined action for the amelioration of their condition. The
children in south asia also continue to suffer because of economic and social
backwardness. No civilized society can afford to ignore the welfare of its women and
children. The saarc conventions on combating the trafficking of women and children are on
the welfare of child are designed to help member countries in taking necessary measures
for the fulfillment of their obligations towards these two vulnerable segments of our
society. These needs to be fully implemented.
We have noted with satisfaction that the
commerce ministers of saarc met in new delhi last year to evolve a common position of wto
issues. Similar cooperation on other issues of shared concern needs to be encouraged.
Your excellencies, ladies and
gentlemen,
I would also like to say a few words about
the conduct of business in saarc. With the world becoming smaller and infinitely more
complex, government leaders and officials have less time available to them to address the
vast array of issues before them. There is thus an mereasing requirement to utilize our
time and resources in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.
Saarc procedures and practices have been
significantly simplified over the years. However, there is a need to keep these under
constant review. I would propose a reconsideration of the duration and format of summits
and other meeting in order to making them more business like. While adding substance, form
should be reduced. The exchanges at the retreat should be allocated more time, perhaps
ceremonies may be curtailed. The standing committee may be mandated to make concrete
recommendations in this context.
Your excellencies, ladies and
gentlemen,
Our meeting is taking place in new year, a
new century, a new millennium and also a new world after the terrorist attacks of 11th
september last year. Pakistan condemned those terrorist attacks and joined the
international coalition in the campaign against terrorism.
Pakistan itself has been a victim of
terrorism. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We regard
terrorism as a grave threat to civil society. We abhor violence. We are determined to
eliminate terrorism and therefore, fully implement the saarc convention for combating
terrorism.
However, a concerted campaign against
terrorism must also identify and examine the causes that breed terrorism, that drive
people to hopelessness and desperation. We cannot address only the symptoms and leave the
malaise aside. It is equally important that a distinction is maintained between acts of
legitimate resistance and freedom struggles on the one had and acts of terrorism on the
other.
We need to do much more to realize the
potential of saarc. However, not much can be achieved as long as there is tension and
hostility among any two of the members. It was with the objective of dissipating and
reducing tensions that i undertook the journey to agra last july. My government remains
ready to engage in a serious and sustained dialogue with india at all times and all
levels. Peace and tranquility between pakistan and india are essential for progress in
south asia.
Your excellencies, ladies and
gentlemen,
Pakistan would be delighted to host the 12th
saarc summit in islamabad in the year 2003. During the current year, we would be hosting
ministerial meetings on poverty alleviation, information and communications.
Pakistan has an abiding interest in an
efficient and effective saarc, capable of playing a significant role in the realization of
the aspirations of the people of our region. We are firm in our commitment to the vision
of the founding fathers of the association and the objectives enshrined in its charter. I
would like to assure you mr. Prime minister and the other heads of state and government of
our unswerving resolve to endeavour jointly for a peaceful, progressive and prosperous
south asia. We must work together to chalk out the agenda, the strategy and the work
programme to ensure a brighter future for our people.
I thank you
Statement made by H.E.General Pervez
Musharraf, President of Pakistan on January 5, 2002 at the Eleventh SAARC Summit held in
Kathmandu.
Waxworks at the Grevin
museum; first ascent of the Annapurna by French national Maurice Herzog
-Ines SOMARRIBA-CHAPRON, France
The Grevin museum in Paris, which together
with Madame Tussaud's in London, is the most famous waxworks museum, as created in 1882.
Since June 2001, it has portrayed 80 new characters in a new presentation. It is a strange
place which the living have wax faces and the dead, arranged in skilful historical
tableaux, seem ageless.
"I am proud to be given a place in
your museum. I finally feel that I'm free", the French comedian, Coluche, wrote. For
a famous person, having your double in wax in the Grevin museum really is a final
consecration. The Grevin museum ehich reopened in June 2001, has brought together
celebrities from the City of Light in real or reconstructed settings, from fugures who
have passed away, such as sculptor Rodin, to top personalities in Paris society today,
such as dancer Marie-Claude Pietragalla, the judoka David Douillet or the French president
Jacques Chirac. In this veritable Grevin theatre, better than at the Cannes Film Festival,
a whole gallery of actors is within reach of amateur photographers' cameras. The
mysterious Isabelle Adjani is revealed alone on her balcony, and Gerard Depardieu's
imposing stature stands out. Further on, in a brassiere, the fashion designer Jean-Paul
Gaultier is involved in an impossible conversation with the soprano Maria Callas while, on
a catwalk, a fashion show brings together the top models of the day. The figures are so
lifelike that some visitors can't resist being photographed next to the stars.
Visitors do not rub shoulders with these 80
new characters just by chance. Since it was created in 1882, the museum has sought to
fulfil this purpose devised by the journalist Arthur Meyer. He had the brilliant idea of
creating three-dimensional figures of people in the news figuring in his daily Le Gaulois.
To carry out this idea, he used Alfred Grevin, a draughtsman and sculptor. In 1900, the
Theatre Joli was created. Then the Palais des Mirages was set up in 1907. So the Grevin
museum continues to decide on its future wax residents choosing between ephemeral stars or
s priori longer-lasting ones. Its Academy created in 2001 and a pastiche of the Academie
Francaise, is presided over by the literary critic and television host Bernard Pivot,
surrounded by a group of journalists well known in the media.
Once the character destined for posterity has
been selected, in 2002, the Canadian singer Celine Dion, the wax figures have to be given
flesh and human expressions. Making a clay face of the character from photographs, old
illustrations or sessions of posing does this. An elastomer mould is then produced before
wax is poured for the face and resin for the body. By adding glass eyes, some 500,000 real
hairs, teeth and oil-paint make-up, the face takes on a realistic appearance. Care with
details is taken on the costumes, such as that of Serge Gainsbourg, which was given by the
singer or by well known fashion designers such as Yves Saint Laurent for Catherine
Deneuve. Objects are not forgotten such as Mozart's harpsichord or the bath in which Marat
was murdered. The genius of the Grevin museum lies in its ability to appeal to the
imaginations of a public aged 7 to 77, consisting of families, provincials and tourists.
The Museum's strength also lies in its
ability to unravel the threads of the eventful history of France, in a few tableux. An
example is the assassination, in 1610 of Henry IV by Ravaillac, a fanatic catholic, which
led to the irrelevant reflection; "it is not worth being the sovereign if it means
dying assassinated"'. The tragic side of history is also portrayed in the
presentation of the Black death of 1347, episodes from the Inquisition or ones from the
Wars of religion with the massacre of the Protestants on Saint Bartholomew's day in 1572
or under the revolution with a scene from the Terror. These tragic events are followed by
brighter evocations such as the Court of Louis XVI, the Sun-King, in Versailles. The
museum is fond of historical tableaux but also makes clever use of famous paintings to
give events a dramatic intensity. The episode of the 1830 revolution, known as the Trois
Glorieuses, is thus depicted through Liberty guiding the people, a work by the painter
Delacroix including the presence of Gavroche, the hero of "Les Miserables", by
Victor Hugo. Another reflection of art is the Bal de Bougival, inspired by the painting by
Auguste Renoir, grouping together the members of the Impressionist movement. The Grevin
museum also successfully combines historical reality and historical novels as with
Alexandre Dumas' "Three Musketeers" or Victor Hugo's "Notre Dame de
Paris"' intended to present the mediaeval Paris of the "Cour des Miracles"
in which Esmeralda, the gypsy girl, dances, watched by Quasimodo.
But the Grevin museum can also be a
"historian of the present time" through eleven freeze-frames from the 20th
century which are as varied as they are memorable. An example of this is the Football
World Cup of July 1998 won by France against Brazil, or the first ascent of the Annapurna
in June 1950 by Maurice Herzog. The political and psychological shock wave caused by the
Fall of the Berlin Wall on 11 November 1989 is movingly illustrated by the recital given
by the violinist Rostropovitch. Or when the tableux not only illustrate but leadpeople to
stop for a moment and to reflect…on the events. |
