The 16 nation Pacific Islands Forum meeting here this weekend agreed to the "Biketawa Declaration", a statement on democracy.
Here are its main points:
Forum leaders respected the "principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of another member state" but committed themselves to a number of guiding principles and courses of action:
- Commitment to good governance which is the exercise of authority (leadership) and interactions in a manner that is open, transparent, accountable, participator, consultative and decisive but fair and equitable.
- Belief in the liberty of the individual under law and equal rights for all citizens ... and the individual's inalienable right to participate by means of free and democratic political process in framing the society in which he or she lives.
- Upholding democratic process and institutions, which reflect national and local circumstances.
- Recognizing the importance and urgency of equitable economic, social and cultural development.
- Recognizing the importance of respecting and protecting indigenous rights and cultural values, traditions and customs.
- Recognizing the vulnerability of member countries to threats to their security, broadly defined, and the importance of cooperation among members in dealing with such threats when they arise.
- Recognizing the importance of averting the causes of conflict
The declaration said the forum "must constructively address difficult and sensitive issues including underlying causes of tensions and conflict (ethnicity, socio-economic disparities, and lack of good governance, land disputes and erosion of cultural values)."
It says "in future" the forum secretary general must initiate a process:
- Assessing the situation, making a judgment as to the significance of the developments and consult the forum chair and such other forum leaders as may be feasible to secure approval to initiate further action:
- Consult the national authorities concerned regarding assistance
available from the forum.
- Advise and consult with the forum foreign ministers.
The declaration says they can then undertake any of the following:
- A statement representing the views of members on the situation.
- Creation of a ministerial action group.
- A fact finding or similar mission
- Convene an eminent persons group
- Third party mediation
- Support for appropriate institutions or mechanisms that would assist a resolution
- Convene a special high level meeting
An annex to the declaration says those involved on behalf of the forum "should have credibility" and should be seen as "honest and impartial brokers" while there must be "continuity and conclusion" of the process.
"The intervention must be cost-effective" -- TARAWA (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
