|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 25 September 2004 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Indian PM: terrorists more united than their targets UNITED NATIONS,Friday (AFP) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warned that terrorist networks were proving more adept at working together than the members of the international community they target. Highlighting what he described as a "democracy deficit" within the United Nations, Singh told world leaders at the UN General Assembly that the global war on terror lacked "substance and credibility." "We speak about cooperation, but seem hesitant to commit ourselves to a global offensive to root out terrorism, with the pooling of resources, exchange of information (and) sharing of intelligence," Singh said. "It is a sad reality that international networks of terror appear to cooperate more effectively among themselves than the democratic nations that they target," he added. Pushing India's bid for a permanent Security Council seat, Singh said reform of the United Nations' top-decision making body was crucial to refashioning a new multilateral order capable of taking on the global challenges of the 21st century. India has joined Brazil, Germany and Japan in launching a united bid for permanent council seats. India's credentials rest on its status as the world's largest democracy and as a vocal advocate for the problems facing developing nations. "It is common knowledge that the UN is often unable to exert and effective influence on global economic and political issues of critical importance," Singh said. "This is due to it's democracy deficit, which prevents effective multilateralism. "The expansion of the Security Council ... and the inclusion of countries like India as permanent members, would be a first step in the process of making the UN a truly representative body," he said. While acknowledging the importance of defeating terrorism, Singh warned of the dangers of ignoring hunger and poverty eradication. "Development must return to the center of global discourse," he said, noting that UN members had already "fallen behind" in implementing the ambitious programmes envisaged by the Millennium Summit four years ago. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
