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| Sunday, 24 April 2005 |
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Lessons of Bandung : People of Asia and Africa awaken by U. E. Perera "All of us, I am certain, are united by more important things than those which superficially divide us. We are united for instance, by a common detestation of colonialism in whatever form it appears.
We are united by a common detestation of racialism-And we are united by a common determination to preserve and stabilize peace in the world .... And, I beg of you do not think of colonialism only in the classic form which we of Indonesia, and our brothers in different parts of Asia and Africa, knew. Colonialism has also its modern dress, in the form of economic control, actual physical control by a small but alien community within a nation". "It is a skilful and determined enemy and it appears in many guises. It does not give up its loot easily. Wherever, whenever and however it appears, colonialism is an evil thing and one which must be eradicated from earth". These sentiments expressed by the then colourful President of Indonesia, Dr. Sukarno in his inaugural speech at the opening of the Bandung Conference held from April 18-24 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia are still valid in the present context of the world. The Bandung Conference was not the product of a single genius. The 29 African and Asian countries participated at the conference were oppressed by various colonial powers in the past and have won their political freedom recently. The summit was a statement of principle - world regions, under the constraints of imperialist or colonial powers, could indeed assert themselves on a world stage, outside the sphere of western influence. The countries which recorded their presence at the conference were: Afghanistan, Burma, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Egypt, the Gold Coast (Ghana), India, Indonesia, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, Laos, Liberia, Lebanon, Libya, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sudan, Thailand, Turkey, the Philippines, Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Ethiopia, South Vietnam and Japan. In the midst of a global ideological struggle, between Capitalism - Imperialism and Communism, the first Africa-Asia Conference helped to guide a new philosophy and a new thinking of human rights for colonized nations, one that would bring about an international culture of justice and peace. In short, the Bandung Conference, reflected the awakening of the people of Asia and Africa to find solutions for their economic and social problems, mostly due to the bondage and ties their economies had with the economic systems of the colonial powers. The Bandung Philosophy was initiated by the Asian nationalist leadership of India, Indonesia, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Burma (now Myanmar), and the Philippines. The prominent personalities who played a leading and an outstanding role for the success of this historic conference were Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India, Kwame Nkrumah, Prime Minister of the Gold Coast (Ghana), Gamel Abdel Nasser, President of Egypt, Chou En-Lai, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China, Ho Chi Minh, Prime Minister of Vietnam and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell of Harlem, United States of America. However, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, was deeply influenced in his political thinking as a result of his participation in the Congress of Oppressed Nationalities held in Brussels, Belgium in February 1927. Nehru, used this opportunity to have wide discussions with the intellectuals and freedom fighters who attended this conference and this event was undoubtedly a major pre-cursor to Bandung. As the leading representative of the Indian National Congress, he met envoys of colonial peoples, and their European and Latin American supporters, radical nationalists along with Socialists and communists. Gaining experience from this conference, Nehru, the Architect of Modern India hosted the first Asian Relations Conference, with a large gathering of scores of Asian Nations in 1947. Richard Wright-the author of 'Colour Curtain', found Nehru to be logical, quick, observant and knowing. The main aim of the Bandung Conference was to promote Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation and oppose colonialism or neo colonialism by United States or any other imperialist nation. The conference very clearly underscored the need for developing countries to loosen their economic dependence on the leading industrialized nations by providing technical assistance to one another through the exchange of experts and technical assistance for development projects, as well as the exchange of technological know-how and the establishment of regional training and research institutes. It was the general consensus of the participants that a broad based and well planned strategy and a far reaching perspective to the problems of international cooperation is the need of the hour and they found that this noble aim can be achieved in a spirit of peaceful co-existence based on the PANCHASEELA PRINCIPLES. These principles included mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in one another's domestic affairs, equality, mutually beneficial cooperation and peaceful co-existence. The delegates who attended the conference took painful exercise to discuss the final declaration and this declaration unanimously adopted at the conference, reflected the deep concern of the newly liberated countries for the future of the world and the mankind at large. The declaration included the following ten principles. (a) Respect for fundamental human rights enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations Organization; (b) Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations; (c) Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations-large and small; (d) Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country; (e) Respect for the rights of each nation to defend itself singly or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations: (f) (1) Abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve the particular interests of any of the big powers; (2) Abstention by any country from exerting pressure on other countries; (g) Refraining from acts of or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country; (h) Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means such as negotiation, conciliation, arbitration or judicial settlement as well as peaceful means of the parties, own choice, in conformity of the Charter of the United Nations; (i) Promotion of mutual interests and cooperation; (j) Respect for justice and international obligations; Thus the Architects of the Bandung Conference expressed their conviction to resolve the burning problems of mankind through dialogue and not by the use of force under any circumstances. Further, it concluded that the nations of Asia and Africa who have thrown off the yoke of imperialism should now concentrate for regional cooperation to achieve economic freedom. One of the significant achievements of the Bandung Conference was that it laid a strong foundation for the emergence of the Non-Alignment Movement in 1961. On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Bandung Conference, it is vital for the political leadership of Asia and Africa to engage in a fruitful discussion to ascertain the achievements it has made in the political field. It is vital for the peoples of Asia and Africa to plan their own future without surrendering their authority to lending and other financial institutions which have hidden agendas to mislead the emerging nations. People's Republic of China, India and Malaysia have shown the world that there is a way for economic independence without blindly following the dictates of super powers. Although certain western powers have imposed an 'economic embargo' against Cuba for the last several decades, Cuba under the able leadership of Fidel Castro has now embarked on a path of progress, mainly because of its economic strategies and the vast assistance it is receiving from People's Republic of China and other emerging countries in Latin America. The people of Asia and Africa have still not received the 'fruits' of Globalization. During the period of the Bandung Conference, some of the African Countries were still under the yoke of colonialism. However, when we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Bandung Conference, the remnants of colonialism have been fully erased from the African Continent. South Africa which waged a relentless struggle against apartheid, is now free and marching towards progress taking the reigns to its hands. Cold War has ended. However, in its place, a 'war on terror' has been imposed by one or two super powers. In this context, it is appropriate here to quote a para, from the well-written thesis- THE GLOBALIZATION OF TERROR - The Challenge of Al-Quida and the response of the International Community-ably edited by Yoram Schweitzer and Shaul Shay. "The free world currently faces an unprecedented global threat, which imperils and undermines the very foundations of state and society. The war against terror currently being waged by the Unites States can be regarded as a kind of 'THIRD WORLD WAR', which in character may differ from past wars but in its achievements will affect the level of personal security and liberty of each and every citizen on the globe, and as such renders this campaign so vitally important". Apart from this global threat there are well planned moves to undermine the authority of the United Nations Organization. There are still stumbling blocks which deter the aspirations of the Palestinian People even after signing various accords. If the new nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America get-together in the United Nations, it will be a force to be reckoned with. The first decade of the 21st Century should fulfil this obligation and then the LIGHT OF ASIA, AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA, can lead mankind under the principles of PANCHASEELA and ensure peace on the soil of every continent. |
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