News
Sunday, August 03, 2008
SAARC leaders urge joint terrorism fight
COLOMBO: South Asian leaders called for a unified fight against terrorism as a regional summit overshadowed by worsening ties between India and Pakistan opened on Saturday. The leaders of the eight-nation SAARC plan to sign four agreements, including one on legal co-operation to combat terrorism at the summit. The 15th two-day summit will also frame a declaration on food security. Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called for joint measures to strengthen regional co-operation against terrorism. He also strongly condemned the attack in Kabul on the Indian embassy. Indian premier Manmohan Singh said a united fight was needed against violence if the region were to grow. He stressed the need to jointly combat extremism and fanaticism. “The challenges of terrorism must be overcome in order for us to realise the potential of greater regional integration ... greater economic integration,” Reuters quoted Afghan President Hamid Karzai as saying. The leaders of Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan focused on the democratisation of their states during their addresses. amjad warraich/agencies
Courtesy DailyTimes