Expressing Bangladesh's commitment to continue supporting regional and international efforts to fight terrorism, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday proposed a three-point programme, including formulation of a sound multipronged strategy, to combat terrorism.

"The strategy to combat terrorism should not rely on military options alone. We must also address the deep-seated political and economic problems that are at the root of terrorism," Khaleda Zia said in her intervention in the first executive session of CHOGM.

Earlier, Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the 13th summit of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at this Australian resort city in the state of Queensland.

Outlining her second suggestion, the Bangladesh Prime Minister said the fight against

terrorism should not assume the form of generalised action against any nation or people on the basis of a misperception of their religious beliefs, convictions and practices.

She underlined the need for promoting harmony among nations and peoples with different beliefs and creeds to make the fight against terrorism more effective.

Khaleda Zia categorically rejected stereotype portrayal of any religion and its followers, including Islam and Muslims, and associating them with terrorism. She said the Commonwealth with its multiethnic and multi-religious membership has a unique strength to promote harmony among different nations and peoples.

Regarding her third suggestion, the Prime Minister said the combat against terrorism should be carried forward through constant consultations on actions needed and consensus on the modalities and options available at our disposal.

Reiterating Bangladesh's com mitment to fighting against terrorism, Khaleda Zia said her country would continue to strengthen efforts of the Commonwealth and other international organisations to formulate a collective and effective response to terrorism.

Khaleda Zia expressed the confidence that the present Summit would clearly pronounce its resolve in this regard.

She also outlined the reasons for the postponement of the Summit in October, 2001 and spoke at length on UN Security Council Resolution 1373 to counter terrorism and its full implementations. In this context, she said: "We share the pain and sorrow of all those who lost their near and dear ones during the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York."

ODA issue

Turning to Overseas Development Assistance, substantial debt relief and greater market access of LDC products to rich countries, Khaleda stressed urgent actions in those areas.

She also underlined the need for international action in support of the "weakest and the poorest amongst us."

"Urgent actions are needed in three critical areas -- enhancement of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), substantial debt relief and greater market access if the world's poorest countries, especially the least developed countries (LDCs) are to be helped," she said.

Amid acclamations from other leaders attending the CHOGM, the Prime Minister said, "I urge the leaders of the Commonwealth to add their voice in support of concerted regional and global actions on all three issues."

Conveying the expectations of the LDC countries from the new round of trade negotiations within the framework of WTO, Khaleda Zia said. "A number of Commonwealth countries, have provided privileged access to our exports both bilaterally and under specific regional arrangements."

While extending thanks to such countries, she said the scope of these positive steps now need to be widened globally.

Khaleda Zia said other major markets should also provide complete duty-and quota-free access to LDC products within a specific timeframe.

She said, "We look toward the Commonwealth as an organisation to help us build our national capacities for successful participation in trade negotiations."

The Prime Minister said the postSeptember 2001 disruptions in the world economic scene have further compounded the problems of the poor. Highlighting one of the major problems currently faced by countries like Bangladesh, she said, "Our problem is due to significant shortfalls in our anticipated export earn- ings at this uncertain time."

She said much of this has been caused by the recent economic downturn or slow growth in major market economies. Stressing the need for steps to reverse the situation, she said otherwise the loss in growth and mounting hardship to the poor in LDCs would be unmanageable.

In this context, she said the ravages of poverty remain a major concern for the poor countries and added, "this issue was at the very heart of our discussions during the UN Millennium Summit ... There we resolved to wage a war on poverty," she said.

"The pledges made at the Millennium Summit should not be overshadowed by the urgency of events facing us today," Khaleda Zia said.

Governance

Underscoring the need for democratic governance as advocated by the 54-nation forum, she urged the Commonwealth countries to strengthen the forces of democracy.

"We are proud to have upheld these values in Bangladesh. We have also contributed in our own modest way to their promotion across the Commonwealth."

Khaleda said, "We have supported the preparations and conduct of elections in a number of the Commonwealth member states."

Referring to Bangladesh's modest contributions to the process of these values, she said, "We are glad that these elections have made important contributions to reinforcing democratic values and spirit all through the Commonwealth."

She said Bangladesh remains supportive of all the Commonwealth initiatives, including the work of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), to uphold the Harare Principles. Bangladesh is proud of its gains in deepening the roots of democracy in the country, she added.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister attended a dinner hosted by the Commonwealth Heads of Government for Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her status as the head of the Commonwealth.

The Prime Minister will attend the second executive session at the same venue today. She will also attend a dinner to be hosted by Prime Minister of Australia John Howard MP for the heads of delegations.