Self-reliance to achieve the Century of Asia

The importance of self-reliance in the resolution of issues facing countries of the developing countries, especially in the Asian continent was stressed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he addressed the eighth Ministerial Meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Colombo last Thursday.

His best example was the success that Sri Lanka had in defeating the LTTE, which apart from, being described as the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world, was also considered to be invincible many members of the international community, particularly from the West.

Explaining the success that Sri Lanka had in defeating terrorism, under which the country had suffered for nearly 30 years, the President said: “We believe that our defeat of terrorism could be an encouraging example, to the rest of the international community. While Sri Lanka had the political support of many friendly nations, success came mainly through our own effort. The conclusion to be drawn is perhaps, that the problems of a country can only be resolved by those who know best its ground realities, namely, by its own people.”

The members of the ACD would not have missed the allusion to the several countries and sub-regions within Asia that are undergoing great hardship, through the direct involvement of outside forces, in trying to resolve the issues in their own countries. While giving economic or military assistance to a country or society to help resolve a problem relating to the protection of its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well encouraging the building of democratic structures considered necessary by such societies could be helpful, it is now evident that the large scale entry or intrusion by foreign forces to resolve these issues can only become counter productive, and can even lead to worse crises that spill over the borders of the countries where the initial intervention is made.

This situation was best expressed by the President in his Keynote Address to the ACD when he said that: “Asia should strive to regain its independence that is challenged on many fronts and across many borders. The countries of Asia can succeed in rebuilding our continent by greater reliance of our own bonds of unity, strengths of history, and capabilities of our own people”.

Looking at the vast opportunities that are open to the countries of the Asian continent, with its long history, and the cradle of many civilizations of the past, as well as the place where the four major religions of the world - Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam began, the President sent a message of great hope for Asia in the current century.

A timely theme

Underscoring the many advantages that Asia had today, drew the attention of the ACD participants to key indicators for success, through the theme of the current ministerial meeting which is “Spirit of Asia: Global Economic Recovery and Development Prospects”. The President saw the theme as most timely because. Asia today accounts for more than 60 percent of the world’s population. With a growing middle class, it is increasingly proving to be one of the most lucrative markets in the world. Asia is the largest recipient of global FDI. Its contribution to the global GDP is close to 30 percent. It has an abundance of natural resources and the potential to be the biggest producer of renewable energy in the world. Indeed, the continent holds out great economic promise...that of new strengths and great achievements.”

It is in this context that the Keynote Address called for the new resurgence of Asia, with the concluding statement that: “ The 20th Century saw Asia regaining her freedom, due to the efforts of the earlier generation of patriots who helped our continent to get out of colonial and foreign influence. It now falls on us, to build on the achievements of our fore-fathers by working in unison to ensure in the current era, the resurgence of our continent. If we do so, history will surely record this 21st Century, as that of Asia.”

Financial institutions

With all the above favourable economic indicators Asia today has major problems of poverty and development to be addressed, with the situation to many of the countries dependent on exports for economic sustenance and growth facing hardships, through the loss of purchasing power, caused by the global financial crisis. It is a crisis that had its gestation and birth outside Asia. The lack of good regulation, and the belief in the ultimate capability of a free market economy to adequately provide for the social needs of the people, has now made the more perceptive leaders of the West to believe it led to the unbridled pursuit of profit turning into corporate greed.

It is in this situation that international financial institutions have begun to play an increasingly important role, to help the countries faced by this massive crisis overcome its worst effects, and move on to new phases of growth. Addressing these issues President Rajapaksa told the ACD: “This is a crisis largely imposed on us by those outside the Asian region. Our economies are today facing hardship due to the problems caused by others who should share the burdens of recovery. The countries of Asia, and many others, too, are today carrying the burdens caused by poor regulation and the encouraging of greed in the dominant economies of the West. It is a challenge that seeks new solutions”.

An opportunity

He emphasized the need to turn this challenge into opportunity through the combined efforts of Asia, explaining the need to expand intra-regional trade and the influence of our financial markets. Such measures will not only strengthen our competitiveness but will also help us build valuable partnerships with other regions, for the purpose of contributing to global economic well-being. This should be an area that should engage the attention of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, he said.

On the role of international financial institutions that are now more closely involved in the measures to overcome the current crisis, President Rajapaksa said: “I also want to emphasize in this regard that the understanding and cooperation of the international financial institutions would be critical. Poverty in each country has its own indications and requirements. Though there are certain similarities, there is no one remedy which could be applied across the board. This should be borne in mind by those who seek to assist us.

He did not fail to note the often duplicitous role played by these institutions when giving assistance to the developing world, with conditions attached, which are more suitable to developed economies that need short-term help, But do not serve the interests of the developing nations. President Rajapaksa observed that: “International financial institutions, that play an increasing role in our region, should be more concerned about the burdens they impose through conditions for assistance. The elimination of poverty should not be held ransom to such conditions. These institutions should recognize many disadvantages caused by subsidies implemented by the advanced economies, while preaching to the developing countries to move away from subsidies. Similarly, the importance of subsidies in helping the lesser developed countries to face up to the challenges of growth, also deserve serious and positive consideration.”

Resettlement

No discussion of Asian affairs can be complete without reference to the success that Sri Lanka has had over terrorism, Similarly, it also brings up the question of the large number of Tamil civilians, who were the victims of LTTE terror, and were being herded as human shields and hostages for the benefit of the LTTE leadership until the final defeat of these forces of terror. This has brought about the issue of the Internally Displaced Persons in the North, who have become the distant darlings of so many abroad who are not exactly dealing with the problems faced by these people, but are satisfied by hectoring Sri Lanka on how the issue should be resolved.

These forces that claim a superior knowledge on how the IDP issue should be handled have thought it fit to focus sharply on Sri Lanka, ignoring the many millions of other IDPs and refugees that are languishing in camps, with no hope of resettlement for many years to come. The issue of what is how less that 220,000 IDPs in Sri Lanka continues to make it to the headlines of news organizations and the comments from international, leaders who have made the least study of the problems faced by Sri Lanka in resettlement, to which the Government has given a firm commitment, and is working to a clear target that has been announced to the world.

President Rajapaksa made a clear statement of the post-conflict situation and the IDP issue in Sri Lanka to the ACD. He said: “The speedy resettlement of internally displaced persons once affected by terrorism is engaging our utmost attention. It is a significantly more difficult task than most would imagine. For a democratic government, the key objective is for the internally displaced to be enabled to depart from the temporary facilities where they are at present accommodated, to their homes, at the earliest possible opportunity. But resettlement has to be approached with care. Large areas where people lived or used for economic activity, such as agriculture, have been extensively mined by the terrorists. Those mines have to be removed, but de-mining takes time as it has to be done with great care and attention, leaving no margin for error.

“The approach that is being followed by us in dealing with the aftermath of terrorism draws inspiration from our 2,500 years of recorded history.

The civilization of this country is built on the bedrock of the Buddhist values of compassion and tolerance that extends to all beings. Sri Lanka respects all ethnic and religious identities. Standing as we now do in an era free of terrorism, our Government is working with the support we draw from the entire nation, for speedy rehabilitation and reconciliation,” he said.

Tamil Nadu

Although many from countries a great distance away from Sri Lanka, and with cultures that are vastly different to our own, have been making many, often rude noises about how the IDPs in the North are being treated, it was interesting to note the observations of the three party delegation of MPs from Tamil Nadu who visited Sri Lanka last weekend, on a fact-finding mission especially about the IDPs.

At the meeting with President Rajapaksa at the conclusion of their visit to the country the MPs summed up their impressions best by stating that they came to Sri Lanka with a different mindset about the conditions for IDPs here, but were returning with a more positive attitude about what was taking place. They were satisfied with the action being taken by the Government to erase the conditions of the IDPs, although pointing there were some shortcomings, especially in the distribution of food and other provisions.

They were also satisfied with the steps being taken to ease the possible harsh effects of the oncoming monsoon, about which the western IDP gurus and media all agog these days, no doubt recalling the LTTE’s monsoon offensives that were a highlight of its military operations.

What is significant is that the Tamil Nadu MPs came from a society and culture that is very close to that of the IDPs and are in a much better position to understand the conditions in our welfare centres.

They also came from a country that has its own refugee centres housing those from the North of Sri Lanka, displaced by the war in Sri Lanka, and the LTTE’s terror. Their overall assessment of the situation is therefore much more important in judging the situation of the IDPs than all the western and pro-LTTE agenda oriented advice that is given by many others.

Importantly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi has expressed satisfaction at the efforts being made by the Sri Lankan Government to address the issue of the Tamils here, especially the IDPs, and has also requested the Union Government in India to help Sri Lanka with the de-mining operations so that the re-settlement process would be speeded up.