Unity is strength

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the South Asian leaders at the Thimpu Summit that ended yesterday said that South Asians tend to underestimate their collective strength. They tend to discount the resources and skills they have that could meet the challenges before them as well as their social and security needs, he added.

Instead of looking at their own inherent strength they were accustomed to look West for leadership. This has resulted in giving priority to relations with powers outside the region getting priority. It also gives them a leverage to intervene in the affairs of South Asian nations and even undermine their security.

There are, however, historical reasons for such policies. First among them is the historical legacy that they inherited from centuries of colonial domination. The colonial rulers left a class of westward looking elite in almost all colonies in order to perpetuate their domination by other means.

Things national were looked down as inferior and weak in relation to those of the West. This colonial mentality still persists. Though the great movements for national independence triumphed the former colonial powers found new ways and means to continue their economic, political and cultural domination.

Globalization that ensued under the dominance of monopoly capital further strengthened the hegemony of the West in Asia and elsewhere.

Hence, the significance of the President's call for regional cooperation and depending on the potential of South Asia is very relevant today.

The 21st Century certainly marks the advent of the Age of Asia. China and India are emerging as big powers followed soon in their footsteps by Vietnam. The centre of gravity of world production as well as world politics is shifting East. In this situation it would be foolhardy to insist on a Western-centric approach to foreign relations as well as development.

Half a century ago or even a quarter of a century ago it would have been unthinkable to look East or call for regional South Asian unity as a factor in development.

Though SAARC celebrates its silver jubilee at present it is yet to build suitable structures to advance its development so as to become an effective vehicle for improving the life of its several million fold population. As President Rajapaksa stressed it is time for introspection and review of existing structures. Outdated or malfunctioning structures should be replaced. Those that could be revived should be revived and invigourated.

The biggest single factor that has impeded the development of SAARC is the strained relations between its two giant members India and Pakistan. The future advance of SAARC will depend on the future development of cordial relations between India and Pakistan.

Though fruitful relations with States outside the zone should not be and could not be done away with, priority should be given to intra- regional developments and unity.

There is much potential in SAARC for intra-regional unity and cooperation. This extends to all spheres including cooperation in the fields of ICT, security.

Further, as President Rajapaksa underlined SAARC should speak with one voice in international fora, including those of the United Nations. On the most significant issue of climate change which threatens the very survival of the species man, South Asia should present a unified approach and solutions.

Freedom of the press

Several accredited media personnel, including veteran journalists who had covered more than a few dozen international assignments were denied transit visas to fly through the United Kingdom to report on the T-20 Cricket World Cup that is being held in the West Indies.

There is no rationale behind this unjust decision. The media personnel have submitted all necessary documentation including a letter from the ICC.

The T- 20 World Cup is not a political event. The applicants are all sports journalists. None of them have been refused visas earlier. To add insult to injury their passports have been stamped to say that visa has been refused.

Is this the freedom of the press?

Hope the British media would solidarise with their comrades in arms from Sri Lanka.