ONE cannot but observe with disquiet the developments in the Korean peninsula since the sinking of a South Korean vessel near the interKorean maritime border on 26 March. An international inquiry has pointed the finger at North Korea with evidence that appear incontrovertible. In the absence of more convincing evidence to the contrary, it is hard to negate the findings of the joint investigation group.

Not only South Korea, which lost 46 sailors in the incident, but also all those that want an aura of amity in the region, consider it an irresponsible and gravely provocative act; and for this North Korea must be held solely responsible. It deserves condemnation by all including Bangladesh. The international community needs to send out a clear message to the North that such actions amount to an 'act of war' and can not be tolerated.

We are worried to see the region cast into uncertainty. One cannot miss the direct threat in the pronouncements of the North, against what it sees as deliberate provocation from the South, that it would not hesitate to put into force practical military measures to defend its waters. It has even suggested that war could erupt at anytime. Such rhetoric, along with North Korea's plan to freeze inter-Korean relations, to totally abrogate the agreement on non-aggression with South Korea, and to completely halt inter-Korean cooperation, is a great setback to the process of peace in the region.

The South, for its part, has apparently chosen a less belligerent posture and has restricted its action to only freezing trade relations with the North and referring the matter to the UN, along with seeking financial sanctions against its neighbour.

The Korean peninsula has been a strategic flashpoint since the beginning of the Cold War, and has remained so for a long time with brief interregnums of positive moves, from both the countries, to improve bilateral ties, as we saw in the late 90s. Unfortunately, the positive atmosphere has been dealt a blow. The latest turn of events cannot but raise the concerns of those that would not like to see the region relapse to the Cold War era.

The crisis calls for a coolheaded approach to de-escalate tension and not rhetoric that helps only to vitiate the already charged atmosphere. One sees here also the importance of the role of the regional countries in using their influence to help curb belligerence and renounce provocative acts either through words or deeds.

The dangerous consequences of a conflagration in the peninsula must not be lost upon all, particularly the primary parties. Whatever may be the rationale of the North for the provocations, it would be wrong to exploit the compulsions of geopolitical constrains of others, for seemingly strategic gains, which might boomerang eventually.