ICAPP call not to practise double standard in fighting terrorism

Strongly condemning all forms of terrorism, the 3rd International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) made a strong plea for getting at the root cause of the vice.

"Terrorism, splittism and extremism have already become plagues that do harm to human society … we strongly condemn and oppose all forms of terrorism," it said in a declaration called Beijing Declaration 2004.

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The declaration echoed the sentiment of the speakers from different political parties of Asia. Leaders of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and main opposition Awami League from Bangladesh, among others, attended the meet.

Awami League International Affairs Secretary Alhaj Syed Abul Hossain MP, addressing the first session of the conference, strongly condemned the "barbaric assassination attempt" on Awami League President and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina.

The 12-point Beijing Declaration 2004 was adopted in the concluding session of the three-day conference to an acclamation from the delegates from 35 Asian countries.

Held in the Banquet Hall of Beijing Hotel, the session was chaired by Minister of International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Wang Jiarui.

Vice Minister of the International Department of CPC and Speaker of the Committee Ma Wenpu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the ICAPP and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines De Venecia and member of the political bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Thirdrd ICAPP Liu Yunshan addressed the Conference.

The ICAPP advocated for strengthening cooperation among the sovereign countries and between regional organisations against terrorism and taking steps to eliminate the root causes of terrorism while giving full play to the role of the United Nations.

Asian political parties, large or small, old or new, should be entirely equal, respect other's independence and self-determination, choices and practices, internal and external policies established on the basis of conditions in their respective countries, and refrain from interfering in other's internal affairs, the declaration said.

The declaration maintained that ideological differences should not be a barrier to contacts and cooperation among Asian political parties.

Concerning differences and conflicts between the parties, it said Asian political parties should adopt the spirit of seeking common ground and reserving differences to act together on bilateral and multilateral plans.

They should "resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation or temporarily set them aside so that they do not affect the normal development of bilateral relations", the conference suggested.