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Commonwealth 2007:

Lanka strongly objects to Pakistan’s suspension

* 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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