COMMUNIQUE OF THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON
THE BANDUNG SPIRIT-- GENESIS AND REVITALIZATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
28-29 November 2005
Manila, Philippine
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On the initiative of the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization (AAPSO) and the Philippine Peace and Solidarity Council (PPSC), an International Meeting on "The Bandung Spirit --- Genesis and Revitalization for the 21st Century" was held on November 28 and 29, 2005, in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines.
This International Meeting was in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Bandung Conference which laid the groundwork for the organization of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and which also gave birth to the AAPSO as the popular and non-governmental face of this movement. The Meeting aimed to present a clear vision of the NAM's role in the face of the new challenges of this century.
The Meeting discussed the vitality of the continuation of the Bandung Spirit to give utmost priority to the Dasa Sila or the 10 Principles:
1. Respect for fundamental human rights and for the purposes and principles for the Charter of the United Nations.
2. Respect for the sovereignty and territories integrity of all nations.
3. Recognition of equality of all races and of the equality of all nations large and small.
4. Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country.
5. Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself, singly or collectively in conformity with the charter of the United Nations.
6. (A) Abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve the particular interests of any of the big powers.
(B) Abstention by any country from exerting pressures on other countries.
7. Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country.
8. Settlement of all international disputes, by peaceful means, such as negotiation, conciliation, arbitration of judicial settlements as well as other peaceful means of the parties' own choices, in conformity with the charter of the United Nations.
9. Promotion of Mutual interest and co-operation.
10. Respect for justice and international obligations.
It also discussed the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership formulated at the Asia-Africa Summit held last April in Jakarta, specially for mutual support among Afro-Asian countries such as building more firm political consensus and solidarity; enhancing economic cooperation and developing social, cultural and intellectual relations. In other words intensifying south-south cooperation.
It was recalled that since its organization, the NAM played a considerable role in safeguarding the interests of poor countries, in accelerating decolonization, in ending apartheid, in strengthening South-South cooperation, and in taking a unified stand in safeguarding the interests of developing countries in North-South dialogues. NAM is expected to play a more active role in the changing international situation --- to actively contribute to solving regional and global problems, and to add important efforts toward building a world of peace, tolerance, trust, mutual understanding and humanitarian support. NAM is also expected to take an active role in promoting democratic values, human rights and economic cooperation in the world.
While the Bandung Conference was held in the conditions of intense national liberation struggles for political independence, today's atmosphere is one of intense efforts for economic development. Today, despite formal political independence, economic emancipation remains a distant dream for most peoples of the South Countries. It is in the economic area therefore that a lot has to be done to ensure sound economy and social equity for the peoples.
Globalization under finance capital as it operates today benefits only the rich countries and generates social inequalities and patterns of discrimination in the South Countries. Pernicious rules of world trade organization impede the economic development and increase unemployment, the bloating of debt burdens, economic backwardness and the aggravation of social disabilities. There is therefore a need for the NAM to exert more unified efforts to ensure the betterment of South Countries in this era of globalization.
At the same time, there are common human ideals which need NAM's constant attention --- the need to defend global peace and to prevent war, particularly a war which could unleash the use of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. To halt the global arms race ; to promote international economic cooperation for the alleviation of poverty and economic backwardness, and for the social upliftment of the peoples throughout the world . Also, to protect the environment, specifically from global warming ; to control deadly epidemics ; and to promote democracy, freedom and human rights.
The Meeting stressed that the NAM is not only the concern of states, but also of the peoples themselves who are concerned with the main challenges that we face today : the issues of globalization, domination, unemployment, poverty, social injustice, the reign of oppressive and dictatorial regimes, domestic and border disputes, the proliferation of transnational crimes, and the aggravation of terrorist activities which are rooted on economic backwardness and cultural tensions. There is a need to build a common international front of resistance to the forces of oppression and reaction --- a "New Bandung" --- which should emerge from the peoples and their social movements, and which should unite all of marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, women and children, landless agricultural workers and others. Together, they can create a major and growing force of global economic, cultural and political networks for human security and dignity.
Given the present heterogeneous political orientations of NAM countries, there is a greater need for the revitalization of the NAM --- particularly for the forging of the unity and of a common stand by NAM countries on major international issues. This would need the pressure of the masses on their governments, in order to enlighten the passiveness of regimes in the face of the heightened politico-military and economic tensions. The NAM, as well as the United Nations itself in general, should not remain helpless when the sovereignty and independence of any nation is threatened.
At the same time, the NAM should improve its international image by having a program for all its member countries to eradicate all internal obstacles to development such as corruption, authoritarianism, dictatorships and cronyism.
The Meeting also pledged greater solidarity on the following issues:
1. The ending of foreign presence in Iraq and Afghanistan through greater role for the United Nations, and while ensuring that the deposed dictatorial and mediaeval regimes --- which are responsible for so much bloodshed and repression in the past, and which are presently responsible for terrorist activities targeting civilians --- would be unable to sow chaos once more in these countries;
2. The ending of the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the removal of the "apartheid wall" along the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, an end to the Israeli "town planning scheme" aimed at changing the Arab Palestinian character of Occupied East Jerusalem, and for the establishment of a Palestinian State in Palestine;
3. An end to the US blockade against Cuba ;
4. An end to the US interference in Venezuelan internal affairs and to secure the democratic process there;
5. Support for all efforts at forging fair trade for less developed countries which are forced to enter into negotiations with the World Trade Organization.
The Meeting also expressed deep concern over the present grave situation in Nepal, after the royal take-over of power last February, and extends its strong moral support and solidarity to the democratic movement of the Nepalese people.
Lastly, the participants of this International Meeting pledged greater efforts at propagating the Bandung Spirit and the issue of the NAM's revitalization, as an additional platform for the mobilization of the peoples for independence and social progress.
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