The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) began its political journey in 1955, and it was led from its early beginnings by Egypt, India, and the former Yugoslavia. The political time in which the NAM began its activity was a difficult one. The theme of that time was the strategic conflict between the east, led by the erstwhile Soviet Union, and the West, led by the United States, to take exclusive control of the world's regions of influence in order to reinforce the ideological positions and strategic interests of the east and West.
Prominent and Key Role
The NAM played a prominent and key role in extending a helping hand to the national liberation movements in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
When the Third World states became liberated from colonialism, the strategic conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union increased in severity. At the same time, Africa suffered what was termed proxy wars between the east and the West, and Angola was a ferocious site for such wars. Among other reasons, these wars hampered the attempts of development and democracy in the African continent.
15th NAM Declaration
The leaders of the two-day 15th NAM Summit, held recently in Sharm El-Sheikh with the theme: "International Unity and Progress", Egypt, decided to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations while making it clear that terror should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group.
The issue of terrorism figured prominently in the Declaration which pushed for early finalisation of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism mooted by India at the United Nations. The 118-member grouping pledged to strengthen NAM solidarity in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomsoever committed, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, international law and relevant international conventions.
The Declaration of the 15th Summit stressed that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group and that further progress was required taking into account the positions and views of NAM members on issues like formulating a joint organised response of the international community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
India's Stand
The document takes on board the call made by the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to NAM nations that it was time they agreed on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
In his forthright speech, Dr. Singh made it clear that terrorists and those who aid and abet them must be brought to justice. Though he did not name Pakistan, it was clear from Dr. Singh's remarks who it was aimed at.
The Indian Prime Minister said that the terror infrastructure must be dismantled and there should be no safe havens for terrorists because they do not represent any cause, group or religion.
The Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration said the NAM nations stood together with China and the G-77 countries to press for fundamental reform of the international economic and financial systems and architecture to address its flaws which have come into spotlight in the wake of the global economic recession.
Future of NAM
This strategic conflict between the east and the West ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union and its totalitarian regime, while the United States took a position at the helm of the world in its capacity as the only pole. Afterward, debates were held on the future of the NAM.
However, international events and changes quickly renewed and consolidated the NAM's role, particularly when the United States, under George W. Bush, began a plan with the aim of dominating the world. In light of this unbridled policy by Bush, the world was severely unsettled, and a pressing need emerged to activate the NAM's role.
The draft of the final document or the Sharm El-Sheikh declaration states that the movement's leaders are getting ready to commence a new phase for the movement, in defense of the just regional and international causes with the aim of establishing peace and security and achieving economic development for all peoples. This is a noble task that Egypt will undertake during its presidency of the NAM in the next three years.
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