From the Archive: Commonwealth stands firm against terrorism

Commonwealth leaders from Asia and the Pacific came together to call for increased international co-operation against terrorism after a major conference in Australia was marred by a hotel bombing in February 1978.

Confidential documents released earlier this month (May 2009) reveal for the first time the behind-the-scenes discussions following the attack on the Sydney Hilton Hotel, which was at the time playing host to the inaugural Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting (CHOGRM) in Australia.

The meeting minutes show how Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser sought agreement on a final communiqué which would not only condemn the bombing - which killed two bystanders on the conference’s opening night - but would also, for the first time, establish a Commonwealth working group against terrorism.

“Co-operation between countries and mutual assistance in this area was the important question,” Mr Fraser noted at the discussion table, in front of 11 gathered presidents and prime ministers.

“Australia,” he said, “would be delighted if officials were able to reveal additional areas in which participants could co-operate to make their collective instruments against violence more effective.”

Prime Minister Morarji Desai of India agreed firm action by the Commonwealth was required, adding that too often words of condemnation by world leaders were not followed up with further recourse. “If the participants were able to suggest some course of action, that would represent a positive step,” he said.

Bangladesh’s President Ziaur Rahman, who himself fell victim to an assassination just three years later in 1981, was among those who advocated increased information sharing. “Positive actions [should] be taken to combat international violence and terrorism,” said the President.

The suggestion for a CHOGRM, a regional caucus for discussing in greater depth subjects of interest to Asia and the Pacific, was first raised by Mr Fraser at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in 1977.

During the 1978 conference, which lasted until 16 February, regional leaders agreed to offer small states special assistance to help them better represent themselves in discussions of international interest. They also discussed trade policy, disarmament, industrial development, debt, food production and rural development, among other subjects.

The working group on terrorism was just one of several to come out of the conference, including consultative groups on trade and energy and a working group on illicit drugs.

These days, the Commonwealth plays an active role in counter-terrorism through its Commonwealth Committee on Terrorism, or through providing states with legislative assistance or training for police officers and prosecutors.

The meeting minutes were released by the Commonwealth Secretariat earlier this month under the 30 year rule, which makes provision for the release of shared Commonwealth records after three decades. In total, 176 documents dating from 1978 were released.

Secretariat Links:

• Country Profile: Australia
• Sir Shridath Ramphal