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| Sunday, 24 April 2005 |
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Unite to ensure multilateralism - PM by Rodney Martinesz in Jakarta Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday called upon Asian and African leaders to strive to work together to ensure each other's socio-economic development and achieve a more secure and equitable world where the force of rule rather than the rule of force will prevail. Addressing Heads of States and delegates of the Asian-African Summit 2005, at the Jakarta Convention Centre the Premier also called for their unity not only in voice but also in deed for the common good of the people of both continents in the context of the world being drawn together as never before with the advent of globalisation accelerated by information, communication technology. He also stressed on the need for collectively addressing the issue of poverty alleviation in the Asian - African region and the urgency of providing the children in Asia and Africa with access to quality education which will help towards this end. He also dwelt on the need to be conscious that military expenditure in the world is around one trillion US dollars per annum while more than a billion people in the world live under one dollar per day. "Collectively we have to make practical moves towards disarmament, that is nuclear, small arms, light weapons and landmines." The Sri Lankan Prime Minister stressed on the leaders of both continents the vital need of co-operating with each other to combat terrorism adding that they should now work hard to conclude work on the draft-comprehensive convention on international terrorism. "We are here in a triumphant re-affirmation of the principles courageously adopted 50 years ago." He said they should unite to ensure that multi-lateralism prevails and that Asia and Africa get due representation in the United Nations. The Premier appealed to the Heads of States and delegates for a commitment among Asian-African nations to work together to ensure peace, security and economic and social well-being for their people. The Premier began his speech by conveying the deepest condolence of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and the people of Sri Lanka to the Indonesian people on last month's earthquake tragedy and wished the President of Indonesia strength and courage as the country strives to rebuild, reconstruct and restore the lives of those affected. He also made common cause with the Indonesian people who along with Sri Lankans suffered the worst in the recent tsunami disaster. |
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