& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

Let's rise up again to rebuild world order

Kumaratunga blasts violent international events

BSS, Dhaka
Visiting Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga last night blasted the violent events in the "international arena" saying those put to question the international systems ability to maintain order in the world.
"The recent events that have taken the world by surprise, have surely shaken our belief and faith in the ability of the international systems to prevent violence by one nation against another," she said in an apparent reference to the Iraq issue while addressing a state dinner.
President Kumaratunga added that Dhaka and Colombo adhered strongly to a world order where "all nations big or small, powerful or not so powerful are recognised as sovereign and equal partners in the arena of international politics."
"We still believe the effective use of those faculties with which man alone of all living beings is blessed with, namely our minds, hearts and our spirituality to negotiate solu
SEE PAGE 11 COL 2 FROM PAGE 1
tions, however difficult, to end disagreements that may arise between organised and sovereign states should be explored to the maximum."
President Iajuddin Ahmed hosted the dinner in honour of the Sri Lankan leader at the Bangabhaban, joined by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Chief Justice Mainur Reza Chowdhury, ministers, political secretaries to the Prime Minister, chiefs of three services, members of the Sri Lankan president's entourage and senior government officials.
Kumaratunga said both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka "believed and contributed hugely" to the international bodies such as United Nations Organisation, the Non-Aligned Movement and regional organisations such as the Commonwealth, SAARC, BIMST-EC and IOR-ARC to attain the objectives of upholding the sovereignty of nations.
"We have to now, once again, take courage and rise up again, to rebuild and strengthen the international systems and structure them to be more effective in order to ensure world peace, justice and fair play for al nations -- rich or poor, big or small. This is a pre-requisite to all economic advancement," she said.
Turning to regional context, the Sri Lankan president said South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) be taken forward to help solve the "Intra-regional" conflicts for the common betterment of the South Asian nations.
"We have to collectively formulate methods and procedures to strengthen the SAARC process and take it forward within the context of intra-regional conflict. In this context, Sri Lanka would wish to see the 12th SAARC Summit convened at an early date," she said.
Kumaratunga said both Dhaka and Colombo worked closely together to advance regional cooperation in SAARC and the "name of Bangladesh will always resound through our region, in memory of the great foresight of President Ziaur Rahman who initiated the process of SAARC."
The Sri Lankan president said poverty alleviation remained the "overarching goal of SAARC" and referred to Khaleda Zia's "Dal-Bhaat programme" towards that end, calling it a "valuable example" not only for South Asia but also for the developing world.
"Under the able leadership (of Khaleda Zia), Bangladesh has made significant strides in the fields of
empowerment of women, education, especially for girls and in rural economic development," Kumaratunga said.
On Dhaka-Colombo ties, she said both the countries are Indian Ocean States with an ancient history and civilisation, with close cultural linkages and commonalties and the two peoples had a long history of close and friendly relations.
The Sri Lankan leader also recalled Dhaka's consistent support to Colombo in the course of the last two decades on matters relating to the ethnic conflict in her country as part of Bangladesh's "keen desire to assist us in the reestablishment of peace and prosperity in Sri Lanka."
"I shall of course continue my personal commitment to the success of the peace process and attempt to guide the government in its present undertaking. We also wish to learn and draw inspiration from the experience of Bangladesh in the peaceful resolution of the insurgency problem in the Chittagong Hill Tracks region, " Kumaratunga said.
UNB adds: Earlier in the day, Kumaratunga was accorded a red carpet reception on her arrival at the Zia International Airport at around 11:20 am.
President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia received the Lankan President at the VVIP Tarmac of the airport.
Four jets of Bangladesh Air Force escorted the Sri Lankan Airlines aircraft after it entered the Bangladesh airspace. A 21-gun salute heralded the arrival of the President of the Indian Ocean Island.
A contingent drawn from the three services presented guard of honour. She took salute from a well-decorated dais and reviewed the parade. Chiefs of the three services were present.
The Sri Lankan President was introduced with members of the cabinet, diplomats and senior officials at the presentation line.
Immediately after arrival, Kumaratunga drove in a ceremonial motorcade to National Memorial at Savar and paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Entire gamut of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is likely to be discussed during the Khaleda-Kumaratunga official talks today.
Regional and international issues of common concern are also expected to come up during the talks.