Asian political unity

This year representatives from four political parties from Bangladesh, namely BNP, the Awami League, the Jatiya Party and the Samyabadi Dal participated.

The conference was the brain-child of the Speaker of the Philippines parliament, Jose Valencia. It has been attended so far by a large number of Heads of State, Heads of Government and senior politicians from Asia. Notables were Presidents of the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and China; Prime Ministers of Thailand, Malaysia and Laos; former Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Bangladesh; heads of political parties; numerous ministers and a host of other politicians from all corners of the Asian continent. Some parties from Australia and a few other European countries were represented as observers. Arab countries, except for a few, were conspicuous by their absence.

From Bangladesh Awami League chief Shaikh Hasina, Secretary General of the BNP Abdul Mannan Bhuiya, former Secretary General of the Awami League Zillur Rahman and Foreign Minister Morshed Khan attended one or more of these conferences. Bangladesh participated in the last conference at a relatively low key, since the Secretary Generals of the two major political parties were unable to attend it due, obviously, to existing political turmoil at home. The BNP delegation was led by the Joint-Secretary General of the party, Minister Abdullah Al-Noman. I happened to be present in all the three conferences.

The theme of the conference was "exchange, co-operation and development". This was evidently appropriate, topical and well-chosen so much so that part of it or even the entire theme has been subject-matters of innumerable conferences and seminars all over the globe, in the developing world in particular. The difference lay in the fact that in this conference a large number of important participants came from a wide spectrum of the societies from the largest continent, representing people of different religion, ethnic origin, social and cultural background, level of economic development and, above all, political affiliation. The second characteristic of this moot was that the speakers displayed a high sense of pragmatism and were almost down to earth on their approach. The other ones, specially the first conference was marked more by expressions of lofty ideals and even a vision of establishing an Asian parliament in the style of the European parliament.

The organisers left no doubt that their noble but high ambition must give way to pragmatism so that their march to the desired goal may be slow but must be steady. The Beijing Declaration laid emphasis on the need for integration of the political goals and discerning the common elements of a community of nations of great diversity. The prime purpose was to achieve common good of a heterogeneous people of a homogeneous land.

The other objective was to provide a platform where leaders of political parties of the same country may meet without fanfare or at least the glare of publicity and, if seek to resolve their differences. There was no grandiose plan as yet to put up an Asia group against any other continental group(s), but the propensity to voice in unison on some major issues, like security, trade, investment, environment and energy, was definitely perceptible. The quest for an Asian identity matched with the increasing growth rate of Asia, more than that of other continents, brought in a measure of encouragement and some degree of hope for participants. A good deal of discussion took place about the benefits accruing out of the regional and sub-regional groups in Asia.

That ideological differences should not be a barrier to establish contacts, hold dialogues and foster cooperation among Asian political parties was embodied in the Beijing Declaration. They should also strive to promote stable development of state to state relations through positive contacts and cooperation. President Valencia of the 15-member Steering Committee of which Bangladesh became a need for removing the scourge of poverty, illiteracy and disease. He lauded the micro-credit programmes pursued by many Asian nations. President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Aroya spoke of the upcoming economic revolution of Asia and suggested government subsidies to political parties in order to reduce corruption in many countries. It may be recalled that political parties of Australia, Japan, Thailand and many countries of Europe and America enjoy these facilities.

The most ambitious Asian leader present, Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra, dwelt on the benefits of Globalisation and underlined the importance of the ACD as an economic adjunct to ICAPP, which aims mainly to promote the political objectives of the people of Asia. But none could ignore the awakening of the sleeping tiger of Asia, the host country, which is, according to political pundits, would rival the superpower before the end of the century. Almost all speakers commended the phenomenal two-digit growth of China which is worthy of emulation by others as a model of economic success. The hosts, despite characteristic humility, are not quite oblivious of that scenario. It was, therefore, no wonder that Secretary General of the CPC and President of China, Hu Jintao, and all the members of the Steering Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the host Communist Party of China were present at the main function of the conference. It was a rare display of the totality of the Chinese leadership assembled on one occasion and an unprecedented honour for the conference participants.

M.M.Rezaul Karim, a former Ambassador, is a member of BNP's Advisory Council.