ISLAMABAD, Nov 10: Foreign Office strategists pulled a fast one last week by announcing Pakistan’s ratification of the ‘Saarc Additional Protocol on the Convention on Suppression of Terrorism’.
The press statement announcing the ratification did not cite the date of ratification, conveying the impression that it was done on the same day. Hence, it was widely reported in the media as a fresh move in the run-up to the 13th Saarc summit in Dhaka.
Even the FO spokesperson was somewhat evasive on the question of the exact date of ratification.
However, when curiosity prompted a further inquiry into the question, it transpired that Pakistan had actually ratified the additional protocol in March, more than eight months back. Apparently at that point a decision had been taken to defer the announcement till the ‘right’ time. Subsequently it was decided to announce its ratification at the Saarc council of ministers meeting on November 11. But the perfect timing arrived for announcement just a couple of days after India decided to yet again point the accusing finger towards Pakistan. Typically without evidence India went to town about the possible involvement of Pakistani elements in the October 29 Delhi blasts. So Islamabad went ahead with its pending announcement of ratification of the additional protocol to neutralize the Indian charge on alleged cross-border terrorism by reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism.
While announcing the protocol’s ratification on November 1, the Foreign Office declared that the step “has once again demonstrated the resolve of the government of Pakistan to fight terrorism and root out this menace from Pakistan and the region”.
Although all Saarc member states except Nepal have now ratified the additional protocol, this information is surprisingly not reflected on the Saarc secretariat’s official website. At least it was not until last week. When this correspondent visited the website to check on November 1, it said: “The Secretariat awaits ratification of the Additional Protocol by all member states.”
The instrument was signed by the Saarc leaders during the organization’s 12th summit held in January 2004 in Islamabad. It supplements the Saarc Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism reached at Kathmandu on November 4, 1987.
The additional protocol cannot become operational until all member states ratify it. Nepal has still not ratified it because there is no parliament in the country at present.
HEALING TOUCH: One of the most moving and heart-warming letters of support sent to President Gen Pervez Musharraf in the aftermath of the devastating October 8 earthquake by world leaders was from Cuban President Fidel Castro.
While expressing support and solidarity, President Castro wrote to President Musharraf on October 17 that he found it hard to rest knowing that thousands of Pakistanis and Kashmiris were spending days in pain awaiting surgeries, which were difficult to organize at short notice given the scale of the catastrophe. He noted that “it hurts to think” that despite the round the clock work of 85 Cuban doctors, only 20 patients could be operated upon each day. His underlying message was that he had several more teams of doctors and supplies of life-saving drugs and surgical instruments ready to be flown to Pakistan as and when President Musharraf gave his permission.
On October 14, 85 Cuban doctors arrived; 54 specialists of the Cuban Medical Brigade left for Mansehra while the other 31 doctors stayed in Islamabad to work at the Central Military Hospital in Rawalpindi. These numbers were further supplemented within a fortnight, and some 305 Cuban doctors and para-medics are at present working to comfort the wounded. A further 200 Cuban doctors and paramedics are on their way to Islamabad.
The Cuban doctors have decided to stay throughout the winter and work in the affected areas where the weather will soon get inhospitable. Extremely touched and impressed by their spirit of compassion and commitment, Gen Musharraf called President Castro to express his deep gratitude for the valuable services being rendered by his people. During the 30-minute telephonic conversation, Castro held out an assurance to President Musharraf that his country stood with Pakistan in this hour of trial and tragedy. The entire logistic and administrative cost would be borne by Cuba.
Cuba did not even wait for Pakistan to give it the green light and dispatched more doctors than had been initially indicated. According to a Foreign Office official, these doctors are least bothered about where they are put up and are only interested in doing their best to save lives and providing help to the patients.
Cuba is the single largest contributor in terms of doctors and paramedics treating victims of Pakistan’s worst-ever quake. Its healing touch will indeed be remembered by the injured and generations to come.