Bangla to consider Iran's proposal as 'observer'

Dhaka, Mar 29: Bangladesh will consider Iran's proposal to be given ''observer status'' at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

''We're looking at Iran's proposal positively. The SAARC Council of Ministers will take the decision on it,'' Foreign Affairs Advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told mediapersons on the 14th SAARC summit to be held in New Delhi on April 3-4.

Asked if there is any pressure for not granting observer status to Iran because of Tehran-Washington nuclear row, he said in diplomacy there is the possibility of pressure tactics but ''here we don't see any reflection of that.'' ''We're favourably disposed towards it. We consider Iran as an active member in the international scene,'' Dr Chowdhury said adding that SAARC takes decision on the basis of consensus. If any member state raises objection, it will not be possible.

At the Delhi summit, Afghanistan will join the SAARC as its 8th member. Afghanistan was granted full membership of the regional forum at the 13th summit in Dhaka in 2005.

Besides, China, Japan, South Korea, US and European Union will participate in the 14th summit as Observers. The countries will be represented at the ministerial level.

Asked if SAARC will lose its South Asian character with the induction of so many observers, Dr Chowdhury said there are different schools of thought. Some say SAARC might face pressure from them but some others say SAARC is making some kind of impact on the global scene.

He said many powerful countries are being attracted to the South Asian region as it has vast economic potential with a huge market of 1.4 billion population.

Besides, SAARC member countries are making significant contributions to the international arena including the UN peacekeeping mission, he added.

Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury said the observers would not have any role in decision-making, which would be done by the eight member states.

They could only make a statement reflecting their views on the different issues.

''I think, results will be positive since SAARC is a multi-national forum,'' he said.

Explaining Bangladesh's position on the New Delhi summit, he said,'' We want to push forward the SAARC activities towards development by formulating plans to eradicate poverty, empowerment of women, education and health sectors including HIV/Bird flue.

Besides, Dhaka will focus on how to combat adverse impact of global warming in the region and propose to set up SAARC youth camp in Bangladesh for greater interaction among the youth community.

The theme of the 14th SAARC summit is connectivity, he said, adding that the summit would also finalise the Regional Food Bank and SAARC Development Fund to implement projects in poverty alleviation, agriculture, education and health sectors.

Talking about Dhaka's stand on India's proposal for transit under the theme of connectivity, Dr Chowdhury said bilateral issues should not come under the consideration of SAARC. There are set mechanisms to deal with bilateral issues.

UNI