Commonwealth 2007:
Lanka strongly objects to Pakistan’s suspension
Rohan MATHES in Kampala, Uganda
* President raises Lanka’s voice against suspension |
* Cabinet resolves to stand by Pakistan |
* Pakistan conveys ‘deep appreciation’ to Lanka |
* Pakistan says committed to restore full democracy |
PRESIDENT Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed the strong objections of
Sri Lanka at the decision taken to suspend Pakistan from Commonwealth
membership at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in
Kampala, Uganda earlier yesterday.
President Rajapaksa expressed Sri Lanka’s position when President
Yoweri Museveni, who is the Chairman of the CHOGM, asked for the views
of Heads of Governments on the decision taken by the Commonwealth
Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to suspend Pakistan from the
Commonwealth in view of current developments there.
It was of President Rajapaksa’s view that due consideration should be
given to the changes now taking place in Pakistan before such an
important decision is taken regarding a Member of the Commonwealth.
President Rajapaksa’s objections to the decision to suspend Pakistan
was in keeping with a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held
yesterday, which reiterated an earlier decision that Sri Lanka should
stand by Pakistan, vis-a-vis the move to suspend her from the
Commonwealth, in view of the changes the country was going through at
this time.
He stated that all avenues must be explored by the Commonwealth
towards Pakistan’s continuity in the Commonwealth Councils and for this
process the Commonwealth should judge the developments in that country
in the context of domestic compulsions and ground realities.
The President recorded Sri Lanka’s dissent on the decision taken at
the Executive Session of CHOGM.
Sri Lanka advocated the need for greater space for Pakistan to
achieve and realise its obligations from the last meeting. It was
reiterated by Sri Lanka that it is important for CMAG to engage Pakistan
from within the Commonwealth.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has consistently taken this
position during the CMAG in New York in September 7 and at the two
subsequent meetings.
At a media briefing at the venue of the CHOGM attended by the
President of Uganda and Don Mckinnon, Secretary General of the
Commonwealth, many questions were asked about the decision to suspend
Pakistan, and Sri Lanka’s objection to it.
The Secretary General explained that Sri Lanka had acted within her
rights as a senior member of the Commonwealth.
Subsequently Pakistan’s caretaker Foreign Minister Innamul Haq
speaking to Foreign Minister Bogollagama conveyed Pakistan’s deep
appreciation for the efforts made in maintaining the consistent position
of Sri Lanka on the issue of Pakistan at CMAG.
He requested the Minister to convey to the President of Sri Lanka,
the gratitude of Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister for Sri Lanka’s
efforts in support of Pakistan.
In Colombo, the Cabinet at a special meeting yesterday discussed the
decisions arrived at the CMAG regarding the membership of Pakistan in
the Commonwealth of Nations and having considered the fact that the
internal problems faced by that country are now being resolved through
freeing persons taken into custody during the emergency resolved that
any action initiated to remove Pakistan from the Commonwealth or suspend
its membership, should be opposed by the Government of Sri Lanka.
In this connection, the Cabinet further noted that considering the
close historical and bilateral relations between the two countries, Sri
Lanka is of the view that Pakistan remain within the Commonwealth and it
would not support any motion adopted to oust Pakistan at the
Commonwealth Summit being held in Kampala, Uganda.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said it deeply regretted
the CMAG decision to suspend Pakistan from the Councils of the
Commonwealth. The decision does not take into account the objective
conditions prevailing in Pakistan, it said.
“The Government of Pakistan is committed to restore full democracy in
the country. Emergency was a necessary measure to avert a serious
internal crisis which is being addressed and the situation is now
returning towards normality.
A neutral caretaker Government is in place to hold free, fair and
impartial elections. The Election Commission of Pakistan has already
announced that elections to the National and Provincial Assemblies would
be held on January 8, 2008.”
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