What next after 11th NAM summit in Colombia?
What next after 11th NAM summit in Colombia?
By Rajesh Kumar
JAKARTA (JP): Colombia has formally taken over the leadership
of the 113-nation Non-Aligned Movement from Indonesia, during the
organization's 11th summit recently.
Initially, some doubts were expressed about Colombia's ability
because it not only lacks experience to lead such forums but also
because it is much embroiled in its domestic problems.
In the past three years, during Indonesia's chairmanship,
frame work has been laid for the movement to work in the post-
Cold War atmosphere. Therefore, what the movement needs most is
strongly committed leaders to perpetuate the movement's new
spirit.
Does Colombia have a leader, in its President Ernesto Samper
Pizano, to effectively guide the Movement?
Unlike President Soeharto, or any of the movement's past
leaders, very little is known about President Samper, especially
in this part of the world.
But the Colombian president showed his capability to lead the
Non-Aligned Movement when he suggested an alternative development
model that puts "people first".
In his inauguration speech after taking over the chairmanship
from President Soeharto, Samper described the model as one that
would create citizens who are more politically aware and more
economically productive.
Samper emphasized the unfinished agenda, saying that if the
movement wants to grow stronger, it must draw closer to its
peoples.
"We believe that people must be the nucleus of the movement.
We need an alternative development model that will allow us to
create a new citizens ready to tackle the challenges of the 21st
century," he said.
These words, though sounding like that of a visionary, are
very spirited and inspiring enough to sustain the momentum and
effectiveness of the movement.
Moreover, by stating that non-alignment no longer merely means
freedom to determine one's own national interests, but also the
right not to be aligned with poverty, pollution, drugs,
oppression, suffering and dictatorship, the president has given
an additional dimension and agenda to the movement and its
activities.
To lead the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a hazardous task
because NAM's statutes require full consensus on every decision.
Though the movement was unanimously able to agree to accept
Turkmenistan as its 113th member, the impasse reached during a
consultative meeting between heads of states reminds one of the
fact that only a strong commitment to non-alignment can take all
members together.
Fortunately, President Samper is aware of this when he says,
"It is thanks to Indonesia's commitment that we today receive a
movement which is more active in world affairs."
President Samper also pointed out during the summit that many
of the topics that preoccupy NAM require instruments such as the
United Nations. And therefore, he said, "It is our (NAM's)
intention to democratize the mechanism and procedures of the
United Nations."
The summit, thanks to Colombia, managed to adopt a 99-page,
345-point final document, which exhaustively covers an extensive
list of global political and economic affairs.
This was condensed in the "Call from Colombia", a document
almost similar to the "Jakarta Message" that was produced at the
end of NAM's 10th summit in the Indonesian capital in 1992.
The document states the non-aligned position on various
issues, including the need to address the economic problems of
developing countries, which make up the bulk of the movement's
113 members.
It opens with an appeal to restructure, revitalize and
democratize the United Nations. It stresses on the need for the
achievement of complete disarmament, including the elimination of
nuclear weapons. It also shows concern towards the growing
intrusion of the more powerful states and NAM's opposition to
imposing of such unilateral measures against them.
However, the biggest achievement for Colombia came when the
new chairman announced South Africa as the movement's next
leader, when Colombia's tenure ends in 1998. This announcement
broke with NAM's tradition of naming the next leader half-way
through the current leadership.
This announcement means that Colombia has assured herself that
the movement will not suffer any setback during its chairmanship.
This will, at least, serve to sustain, if not increase, the
present momentum of the NAM.
It is because of the hidden message that President Nelson
Mandela will be its next leader, which lends enough credibility
to NAM.
The author is a Visiting Fellow at Centre for Strategic &
International Studies, Jakarta.