The 15th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, ended on a high note with a resolution to fight terrorism and poverty in South Asia. With the Olympics starting from today, all eyes are on China and Beijing is being criticised by many countries in the West for imposing restrictions on visitors to the country. In the Middle East, Hamas-Fatah infighting in Gaza has widened the chasm between the two Palestinian groups. These events were contemplated, analysed and commented on. We present here excerpts of editorials from the regional and the international press.
Saarc summit
In the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, the eight-member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) took some concrete steps to propel the region towards economic development. They also united to fight the menace of terrorism which has plagued the region for years now.
Commenting on the summit, Arab News stated that it was quite clear why terrorism, in all its bigoted and fanatical manifestations, took centre stage. It lauded the decision on the regional trade pact and its effect on fighting terrorism. It said: "It is a key ambition because with greater economic cooperation between states will come greater wealth, which will in its turn bring better education, welfare and services and so undermine the fields of poverty and ignorance from which terrorists recruit their support."
Moreover, it stated: "Despite the distractions of terrorism and the sadly inevitable Indo-Pakistani tensions, this was not a bad Saarc summit, which possibly laid the groundwork for much greater things and helped some heads of state to a better understanding of their differences."
The Jakarta Post took a broader view of the scope of the summit and its implications on the Association of South East Asian Nations. "And as Asean now expands its scope to solicit nations of South Asia, it is imperative that groupings like Saarc can forge unity and stability. A harmonious South Asia is advantageous to all. Asean's dreams of a vibrant East Asia Community, which includes India, will never bare fruit if South Asia is persistently mired in local conflicts and endless suspicion," it remarked.
"It further stresses Indonesia's bilateral relationship with other South Asian countries if that region is consistently filled with tension. Long overdue, its time for Saarc to get its act together soon," it said.
Sri Lanka's Daily Times called the outcome of the summit as retreat from trade corridors to terrorism.
"In 2007, the 14th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation had resolved to build trade corridors in the region; but in 2008, just in one year, the 15th summit has become defensive: it wants to fight terrorism as its priority number one. Such is the hypocrisy of the states that the eight members have piously pledged to end terrorism as if it was coming from outer space," it said sarcastically.
Restrictions in China
As the Olympics get underway today in Beijing, China has come under a lot of criticism for its human rights records. Visitors are barred from carrying books and other items which do not confine with the Communist ideology.
"Sports fans attending the 2008 Olympics in Beijing will have a long list of rules to carry in their pockets along with their tickets," remarked The New York Times.
It added: "There's an inherent contradiction between China's desire to invite the world to the Olympics and its effort to deny those visitors - and its own people - the most basic freedoms. Last week, an IOC official said he is convinced the Games would be a 'force for good' in China. The committee and Western governments need to remind Beijing that the world is watching, and so far the picture isn't good."
Hamas-Fatah infighting
Over the past few days, Fatah and Hamas, the two Palestinian factions have targeted each other as if they were enemies. So much so that a group of Fatah fighters had to seek refuge in Israel!
"The scenes of Israel coming to the rescue of Palestinians after a bout of Arab fratricide were reminiscent of the events of Black September, during which scores of Palestinians sought asylum in Israel to escape King Hussain's crackdown on the Palestine Liberation Organisation. The only difference this time around is that instead of seeking refuge from a heavy-handed Arab crackdown, Palestinians are fleeing from the murderous hands of their own Palestinian brothers," The Daily Star remarked.
"Achievement of the Palestinian cause requires that all factions maintain a semblance of orderliness and keep their eyes on the price of independent statehood. In this both Fatah and Hamas have been miserable failures," it added.
