NEWSLETTERS

Message from the Executive Director
Even as I write this, the UN Conference on Small Arms and Illicit Weapons has begun in New York. An issue of high concern to South Asia and towards which the Centre has played a leading role. We wish the conference success.
The Newsletter addresses an issue of emerging interest to the international community and one, which will be debated intensely around the world, `state sovereignty and military intervention'. Granted that in an interdependent and globalising world, Westphalian sovereignty has lost much of its relevance, but, what if anything has taken its place? Who is allowed to intervene and why? Who legitimises and controls it and for what?
The rest of the year promises to be a very busy one indeed for your Centre. In September the RCSS will hold in Sri Lanka, the first ever Conference of the Directors of Strategic and Security Studies Institutions in South Asia The aim is to address major issues affecting the region and to develop research proposals to address these issues. In the second part, counterparts from Southeast Asia will join the Group, again a historic first. The month after that at Singapore will be held the final conference of the first phase of the Non Traditional Security project in Asia, in collaboration with the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Singapore and the UN University, Tokyo. A somewhat modified and improved Summer Workshop following a major review of the process carried out earlier, will be held from end October in Pakistan. Finally, in December at Kathmandu will take place a South Asian conference, "SAARC in the 21st Century" followed by the annual conference of the International Research Committee.

It gives us great pleasure to see the RCSS community grow and develop a sense of comunity. This is reflected in part by the visits of alumnae from India and Pakistan to each other's countries in 2000 and 2001. A monograph on this will be published shortly. Some extracts appear in the Newsletter. The application for the Summer Workshop has been overwhelming and the largest so far. The Kodikara Awards are also in high demand. We expect to announce both awards by the first week of August.
Dipankar Banerjee

When Should External Military Intervention be Considered and Why
Dipankar Banerjee
The core issue today is that the nature of war is changing and along with it the notion of security. Security today is seen more in terms of human security including the security of people inhabiting a country rather than defence of national territory. Threat to security then arises not so much from inter-state conflict as intra-state violence severely affecting humanity sometimes with spill-over effects. The world cannot look away today from these developments. Yet, international law does not provide sufficient guide, nor are international institutions, including the UN, structured to prevent their recurrence or intervene effectively. This in essence is why the Secretary General in his Millennium speech, asked the world body to consider, "armed intervention" as an "option of last resort, but in the face of mass murder it is an option that cannot be relinquished". It is indeed a reality of the 21st Century we cannot ignore and a responsibility we must not abdicate. The challenge before us and the Commission, is to find acceptable ways to make it happen.
There are also major issues to be addressed to cover the gap between the noble goal of the Secretary General and its implementation. Practical questions of when, why, how, by whom, what for and many others, apart from the larger disquiet at the challenge it poses to the very basis of the international state system, the idea of national sovereignty. We too often forget that many liberal democratic states of today were founded on vicious intra and inter state violence in the 16th to 19th centuries, a stage that many developing countries are experiencing only today in their efforts at state formation.
Let me briefly recount three significant Indian military experiences in recent decades, which may provide some lessons on intervention.
First, was the Liberation War of Bangladesh. It is an utter misconception that this was an example of humanitarian intervention. The Indian Forces responded here specifically in self-defence against external aggression. First, soon after March 25, 1971 by the mass migration equipped forces ready at short notice, good logistics and sound planning and support back up.
• Should time and conditions permit, all efforts other than force must first be considered.
• Participation in such humanitarian intervention, if necessary, should be by trained forces but from countries without any strategic interests in the region. Let us not under estimate the fact that training for such tasks need to be of an even higher order. Use of force is easy. Restraint in the use of force, in situations of grave provocation, is more difficult.
• Only the United Nations under exceptional conditions can permit such an intervention. But, the Security Council as presently constituted and empowered is not an acceptable body to many nations in the world. This issue needs to be discussed further.
• Finally, there must be a clear exit policy.

Can intervention be prioritised? What we are considering are situations of mass murder and hence I hope they will be so rare as to preclude that necessity.What thresholds should apply for intervention? One is reminded of Bob Dylan's well known song of the Sixties, "How Many deaths will it take to know that too many people have died?" It will need deep introspection and consultation among nations. How does one define mass murder? The answer truly is "Blowing in the Wind". Situations such as the Rwandan variety would surely qualify, as perhaps Kampuchea.should have been. But then it also needs genuine arousal of global conscience, once again without national strategic interests. And perhaps more important, the CNN must also consider it suitable news.
In an article in the Foreign Affairs titled "The New Interventionism" two years ago, Michael Glennon ended with the sentence, "If power is used to do justice, law will follow". I think I reflect the views of much of Asia when I respectfully disagree with that view. Today and in the future, it is law, fairly and equitably developed that must define justice and the use of interventionary force.
* Extracts from a presentation at the Asian Round Table Consultation of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovreignty at New Delhi on June 10, 2001.
* Executive Director, Regional Centre for Strategic Studies.
Workshop on Human Insecurity and the Threat of Firearms:Perspectives from South Asia
The Small Arms Survey (SAS) in Switzerland and the RCSS have established a joint project with the primary objective of gauging real and perceived "human insecurity" among civilians affected by social violence in South Asia. This is aimed at finding answers to questions such as: What makes people afraid in situations of political unrest and armed violence? Where guns are a daily reality, how do people cope with insecurity? A serious challenge to policy makers, political analysts, and the advocacy community is how to document the range of qualitative consequences of gun-related violence on civilians.
The collaborative project draws on qualitative methodologies - specifically participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and rapid rural appraisal (RRA) - to measure "risk" and "vulnerability" in four communities affected by small arms-related violence. The participatory evaluation would ask critical questions regarding men, women and children's own (multiple) perceptions of insecurity, its manifestations and their key priorities in terms of redressing insecurity. For comparative purposes, and in order to elaborate a comprehensive regional perspective, the SAS/RCSS project will develop rapid assessments in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The studies will be published by the Survey as occasional papers and also form a vital contribution to the organisation's annual publication, the Small Arms Survey Yearbook, in 2002. The project will also perform a valuable function within the RCSS, in terms of providing a forum for new researchers from the region and critically reviewing security concepts.

The joint SAS/RCSS project finds its antecedent in a recent Human Security Network conference - held in Geneva in March 2001. At this meeting, eminent scholars, government representatives and practitioners came together to discuss the nexus between human security and human development. Two key points emerged from the meeting:
• The first area of consensus in related to the fact that state-defined notions of territorial security are being challenged, particularly in the last decade, by more human-centered and rights-based approaches to security. The intellectual framework that forms the bedrock of this particular view has been termed "human security" and was asserted in its broadestform in the 1994 UNDP Human Development Report. It has since been pared down to accommodate a more narrow perspective - capturing "violent" threats to the well being of human beings.
• A second point that has been strongly advanced by proponents of the UN system and progressive development institutions is the idea that security is a pre-condition for development and that human security and human development are mutually reinforcing. In other words, in the absence of security, development is, at best, a challenging exercise and, at worst, an intervention that may actually contribute to continued insecurity. In this regard, security sector, judicial and legal reforms have all been invoked to redress impunity. Also, human rights training, physical protection for vulnerable groups, practical disarmament and weapons collection programmes and demilitarization, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) have been posited as a new basis for human safety.As Phase 1 of the joint project, a workshop hosted by the RCSS in Colombo between June 9-14, 2001.

Following will compose the core research group for the Project
Robert Muggah, Small Arms Survey, Geneva.
Anindita Das Gupta, India, Naeem Ahmed, Pakistan, Sharif Kafi, Bangladesh and Mallika Samaranayake, Colombo.
Cross Currents _ A Pakistan-India Odyssey
Cross Currents - A Pakistan-India OdysseyBack Drop
In Feb 2000 the RCSS supported three RCSS Alumnae
from India to visit Pakistan and in February 2001 this
was followed by a return visit by eight Pakistanis to India. In each visit the participants enjoyed the hospitality of their hosts, visited a bit of the country and presented papers at research institutions followed by lively discussions with their counter parts. This experience has been edited by Adnan Rahmat and Nayana Bose in a forthcoming RCSS publication of the same name. Some extracts of this are recounted here. Those who wish to receive a copy, please let us know.
Executive DirectorWe Can Change The Future
Perhaps it all began on the silvery sands of Ahungalla, Sri Lanka. Where in the fall of 1999 a dynamic group of young Indians and Pakistanis, participants at the fortnight-long Summer Workshop organised by the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) Colombo, debated issues in sylvan surroundings. Friendships made nearly two years ago inspired visits across the most tense of borders, expanding the group to include alumnae from Pakistan and India, of the RCSS Summer Workshop held in 2000 at Godavari, Nepal.

The monograph in your hands is a labour of _ we would hesitate to say love _ just labour. It has involved dozens of frantic e-mails, lengthy editing sessions, mindless proof reading, cajoling friends into wordy contributions and at times even threats to them in the larger interest of posterity. The only spin-off being that the editors who were comparative strangers when this project began, are happily no longer so. You will find viewpoints of young scholars on an array of contemporary issues, their reflections and debates about what transpired during the visit of Pakistan by some Indians and one of India by some Pakistanis - all in a span of less than a year.

This is what makes this monograph somewhat unique. There is no dearth of publications on impressions of Indians on Pakistanis and vice versa. Except that most of such published opinion belong to an age group much older: serving and retired diplomats and military personnel, bureaucrats, journalists and academics. This is the first publication that faithfully records the thoughts, ideas and opinions of those below the age of thirty-five. These are the voices of tomorrow.
The contents of this monograph are a testimony to the success of the visits in exciting the minds of the scholars involved in some fundamental introspection. They sometimes raise uncomfortable questions and unsettling viewpoints for reasons that will be self-evident. At some places they would seem to convey that persons are linked by friendships while countries only by interests. At others the lesson bandied is that you cannot be friends upon any other terms than the terms of equality.
While most scholars mentioned in the monograph have the interest of the South Asian region as a whole at heart, the very nature of the two visits discussed herein has the focus firmly entrenched on the realm of the Indo-Pak gamut of relations.
So does poverty have a nationality? Or a nuclear bomb, a religion? Can two countries share one history? Some answers to these questions herein may surprise you, others may amuse and yet others shock. Poverty and ignorance are an explosive mix and have stalked this region for too long, breeding suspicions that have often been manipulated by vested interests. They have even led to useless wars during which parents have had to bury their children whereas it should be the other way round: children burying their parents in peacetime.

Their bilateral ties have at their core a military conflict that has affected development whose purpose is to enlarge people's choices to a decent education, good health, political freedoms and other areas of well being.
While we cannot change the past, we can change the future - that of a fifth of humankind living in this region. It is time for action that best procures the greatest happiness for the greatest number: a lasting peace.
We feel peace is the only choice because one may go wrong in many different ways but right in only one. To see what is right and not do it is want of courage and we must beware of this lest we lose the substance by grasping at the shadows.
Nayana Bose (India)Adnan Rehmat (Pakistan)

Visit to the Golden Triangle in IndiaBy Nayana Bose
This was one trip that I didn't want to go. I knew it
was going to be a mad and hectic three days (just
how mad, I was yet to discover). I also knew that the rest of their trip was going to be equally hectic. And I detest, absolutely detest travelling in groups.
Waqar the "quasi-dictator" decided that I was going. Short of being hauled out of my bedroom by my guest at 4 am on that Friday morning, (which would have been a terribly undignified beginning), I gave in.
Planning the Pakistani visit to Delhi and the "golden triangle" was challenging, given that we lead busy and separate lives. The Ahungalla group (Sumona, Sumita, Arpit, Suparna and I) managed one meeting before the Pakistanis came. Shalini sent an `urgent' message through Sumita to say she was definitely coming to Jaipur and Agra.
Fortunately, there wasn't much argument about where we should take the Pakistanis: India's golden triangle, Delhi-Jaipur-Agra was an obvious choice, given restrictions on time. We discussed the "Shatabdi" option _ it would have been an experience for our guests to board these super-fast trains but settled for hiring a mini bus, which would also take care of local transport in Jaipur and Agra.
Arpit organised the bus with a good driver, who didn't mind our many requests to "change the music, make it louder, make it softer." He drove well, too. Suparna booked the hotels in Jaipur and Agra managing to get us discounted rates. Shalini, Sonika, Arpit and I went along, on a trip that none of us would forget in a hurry for different reasons.
We managed to be fairly disciplined about leaving early and on time. Amer Fort was our first stop, magnificent as always, perched on that hill. Rajasthan takes its tourism seriously: separate entry tickets for cameras, excellent guides in historic places, an entire village (Chau ki Dhani) created to showcase Rajasthani cuisine and culture. Jaipur didn't disappoint either and it was unfortunate that the group didn't have time to shop in the colourful bazaars.
Fatehpur Sikri is a personal favourite and we just managed to enter before closing time. Which meant that we were there at sunset, watching the red bricks turn a golden halo. Much to my amusement a couple of the Pakistanis commented disparagingly on why Akbar had built such a large palace for his Hindu wife Jodha Bai, (perhaps because she bore him a son, gave him an heir) and small ones for his Muslim and Christian wives.
"It is very unfair and unjust. Why should the Hindu wife
be the chief wife?" Our guide was non-plussed. And one of the Indians, oblivious of these comments, said: "Isn't it wonderful how secular he was. All those centuries ago _ we can learn much from him." History is indeed taught "differently" in India and Pakistan.
The Taj Mahal captivated everyone _ except Waqar who after two hours, wanted to eat parathas. He was told to shut up but was genuinely puzzled: "Is no one else hungry?" Most unfortunately we missed the sunrise by a few minutes because three of the Pakistanis, all MALE, couldn't get ready on time. I've seen the sunrise before and I felt truly sorry for the rest who were ready by 5:45am. Perhaps another time.
The Agra Fort, a world heritage site, is extremely impressive and one of the best maintained. The guide, suspecting correctly that we were buying entrance tickets at the Indian rates, took me aside and asked: "Are you from Pakistan?" I could look him straight in the eye and say that I lived in New Delhi. Fortunately, he didn't ask where the others were from. At Sikandra, the langurs (monkeys) held centre stage.
We reached Delhi at 8 pm on Sunday, exhausted with three days of walking up at the crack of dawn and being on the road for hours. Our visitors had one last request: DISCO. Much to my envy, Arpit excused himself and Farooq sensibly refused to come. Shalini, her husband Vikas, and I took our guests to Float, at the Park Royal, after dinner. I have NEVER been so tired in my life. And this was just the beginning of the rest of the week.

For your Information
The RCSS is happy and proud that it's growing community of scholars and researchers, particularly of the younger generation, are doing so well. We try and provide you whatever opportunities we can and are very glad that many of you have used these to develop your careers. I can personally assure you that we will continue to ensure this in the future. Yet, our resources are limited. Here it is sad that a very few of our young friends who have succeeded in receiving grants and awards for projects have sometimes not been sincere in completing their tasks. In the interest of many other aspirants for RCSS support, I am left with no option but to take a stand on this. Those who have received money for projects will be asked to return all that they have received. In some cases we will be constrained to pursue this matter at other levels. Please remember this when you apply for an award and keep this in mind when you receive such support.
With my best wishes,
Executive Director
Colombo Declaration: South Asian Civil Society Statement onSmall Arms for the UN World Conference and Beyond
June 9, 2001

Civil society in South Asia commends governments for their willingness to begin addressing the global crisis resulting from the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Our concern is motivated by the fact that small arms proliferation in South Asia is a multifaceted phenomenon that negatively impacts upon peace, sustainable development, human rights and human security.
Underdevelopment, social and economic inequality and weak governance exacerbate the proliferation of small arms, and political, ethnic and religious conflict further intensify levels of violence.
As the vast majority of the weapons in circulation were legally produced and transferred, we call upon States to ensure that the scope and action emanating from the UN Conference tackles both the illicit and licit trade.
We call upon States to rapidly conclude international agreements on a universal regime for the marking and tracing of weapons, and for regulating and restricting the devastating activities of arms brokers and transport agents.
We call on countries, in particular those in South Asia, to respect and implement fully their obligations under existing human rights and international humanitarian law, including the provision of specific training for all security forces.
We strongly encourage governments to adopt and enforce

restrictive norms and criteria on the international and domestic transfer of weapons to non-state actors or entities.
We call upon States to introduce and enforce a clear regulatory regime ensuring the transparent collection and destruction of surplus weapons, and to develop programs necessary to support practical disarmament.
We recommend that States strengthen domestic firearms legislation and ensure its strict enforcement. We also call for the harmonization of firearms legislation among South Asian countries.
We strongly encourage States to promote a professionally and democratically accountable security sector to reduce leakage and diffusion of weapons, and judicial reforms to reduce the impunity for crimes committed with the use of small arms.
The security of the States and peoples of South Asia, and those around the world, depend upon the decisions made during the UN Conference and the willingness of governments to ensure their full implementation. To ensure this implementation, we call for an interim regional conference where governments and civil society will come together to find solutions to the humanitarian crisis presented by the availability of small arms.
Civil Society Network on Small Arms in South AsiaColombo
Regional Workshop on NonState Actors and AntiPersonnelLandmines in South Asia
Regional Centre For Strategic Studies (RCSS) held the above Workshop in collaboration with the Centre For Defence Studies, King's College, London at the Pegasus Reef Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka, from May l012, 2001.
The 3day Workshop discussed the ways and means of bringing together non governmental actors from selected countries of South Asia for a discussion to explore nonuse and proliferation of antipersonnel landmines in South Asia. The group which attended the Workshop also deliberated on the need for further expansion of the Ottawa Convention on AntiPersonnel Mines. The participants were of the opinion that there was an imperative need for better understanding of the issues relating to landmines and nonstate actors.
Two resource personnel from CDS who attended the Workshop agreed to take necessary actions to incorporate the suggestions and ideas formulated at the Workshop and feed the final outcome of the Workshop into the emerging international debate on the future of the Ottawa Convention

PARTICIPANTS

INDIA
l. Ms. Mallika Joseph
2. Mr. K.G. Kannabiran
3. Mr. Firdous Syed

PAKISTAN
4. Mr. Afrasiab Khattak
5. Mr. Faiz Muhammad
6. Mr. Rahimullah Khan Yousafzai

SRI LANKA
7. Dr. Jehan Perera 
CENTRE FOR DEFENCE STUDIES (CDS)
8. Dr. Chris Smith
9. Mr. John Mackinlay
RCSS
10. Maj. Gen (retd.) Dipankar Banerjee
11. Mr. Sugeeswara Senadhira
SECURITY STUDIES IN SOUTH ASIA: CHANGE AND CHALLENGES
Dipankar Banerjee (Ed)Published by: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi, 2000
What in today's world constitute national security? A question which often comes to the fore, but is seldom answered satisfactorily. What is it that is most important for a nation to protect and for which it needs to evolve strategies? Are state borders and frontiers the most crucial and therefore ought to be defended against all forms of external aggression and influence and at all costs? Or, are there other issues or core values, or matters that directly affect the interests of the citizens and concern their individual security in a more immediate manner, the promotion of which can often brook no delay?
There are no clear answers to these questions yet or perhaps even in the near future. But, these are questions that have to be asked and addressed collectively in South Asia. Security studies in the region need to deliberate over these issues if a viable alternative is to emerge. RCSS has constantly attempted to understand the state, the nature and potential of security studies in South Asia.
This book is a small step in developing a better understanding of the various issues involved in the emerging debate. The articles collected here represent many of the facets of this argument presented by key scholars collectively in the region.
PEOPLE TO PEOPLE CONTACT IN SOUTH ASIAAuthors: Navnita Chadha Behera, Victor Gunawardena, Shaheed Kardar, Raisul Awal Mahmood
Published by: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi, 2000.
"Good fences make good neighbours," wrote Robert Frost some sixty years ago. The trouble in South Asia is that our fences are overtly strong, and yet they do not help good neighbourliness. The need for fences is being increasingly questioned in many parts of the world today, yet ours are getting higher and stronger. Are they serving a purpose?
Some six decades after Frost's remarks the fences between nations are steadily coming down. The European Union is integrating rapidly and border check-points are disappearing. Yet, in South Asia the obstacle to movement are immense.
This has been a major concern at the RCSS. What are the reasons for stringent border controls? Why are they imposed and what purpose do they actually serve? Who gains and loses as a consequence?
What are the procedures involved and why have they come about?
This collaborative research project sponsored by the RCSS addresses these and related issues. Four distinguished experts, one each from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have separate chapters examining a particular facet reflecting their respective perspectives. Slightly different from each other, yet comprising a comprehensive whole.
For copies of the above two books please contact:
Manohar Publishers and Distributors, 4753/23, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110002, India.

RCSS Policy Studies 18:
Third Generation Indian Perceptions of the Kashmir Issue
Author: A Subramanyam Raju
Published by: RCSS, Colombo, 2001
Even after five decades, the Kashmir problem between India and Pakistan remains the major irritant in bilateral relations. The historic legacy of the past seems to be deeply rooted in the minds of the ruling elite as well as the public on either side. In this study sponsored by the RCSS, A Subramanyam Raju tries to analyse the perceptions of Indian youth on the Kashmir issue.
RCSS Policy Studies 18
Third-Generation Indian Perceptions of the
Kashmir Issue
A Subramanyam Raju
Regional Centre for Strategic Studies

RCSS Policy Studies 19:
Governance in Plural Societies and Security: An Overview
Authors: Uttam Sen and
Ayesha Siddiqa-Agha
Published by: RCSS, Colombo, 2001
As part of an Asia wide programme, RCSS with the support from Ford Foundation initiated a project on Non- Traditional Security Issues in South Asia. In this policy study, two authors from India and Pakistan analyse the concerns and issues pertaining to governance and security in both these countries, which have much in common with the other countries in South Asia.
RCSS Policy Studies 19
Governance in Plural Societies and Security:
An Overview
Uttam Sen
Ayesha Siddiqa-Agha
Regional Centre for Strategic Studies
For copies of the above two Policy Studies please contact: RCSS, 2 Elibank Road, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka.

New Publications:
Policy Studies 18, A. Subramanium Raju, Third Generation Indian Perceptions of the Kashmir Issue
Policy Studies 19, Uttam Sen & Ayesha Siddiqa-Agha, Governance in Plural Societies and Security: An Overview
Meetings/Seminars/Workshops/Conferences:
May 10-12 - Regional Workshop on Non-State Actors and Anti-Personnel Mines in South Asia, Wattala, Sri Lanka
May 21-24 - Roundtable Seminar on Conflict Prevention and Management Activities in South Asia, in collaboration with the European Centre for Conflict Prevention, London, Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka
May 26 - Lecture on Bangladesh: State of the Nation, by Dr Abdur Rob Khan, Director BIISS, Dhaka, at RCSS Colombo
June 9-13 - Workshop on Human Insecurity and the Threat of Firearms: Perspective from South Asia in collaboration with the Small Arms Survey, Geneva, Negombo, Sri LankaExecutive Director _ Dipankar Banerjee
9-11 April - Attended the ICRC International Advisory Committee Meeting at Geneva and made a presentation on "Role of Non-State Actors and their accountability to International Humanitarian Law".
19-22 April - Attended the 11th International Arms Control Conference at Sandia, Albuquerque, USA.
25-26 April - Participated at the CSIS, Washington Conference on "US Relations with South Asia".
13-16 May - Visit to Bonn and Berlin, Germany, to meet with Government officials and Parliamentarians, sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
16-18May - Participated at the Wilton Park Conference, UK, on "South Asia in the era of Globalisation" and made a presentation on "South Asia and the Wider World".
10 June - Participated at the Asia consultation of the International Commission on State Sovereignty and Military Intervention and made a presentation on "Issues in Military Intervention".
21-22 June - Attended a conference on Security Sector Reforms organised by the DFID, UK at London, and made a presentation on "Mechanics of Networking in South Asia".

RCSS ACTIVITIES
Seminar on Conflict Prevention and Management Activities in South Asia
The European Centre for Conflict Prevention (ECCP) in co-operation with the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies, Colombo, organized a Round Table Seminar in Colombo on "Conflict Prevention and Management Activities In South Asia", from 21 - 24 May, 2001.

The ECCP is an independent non-government organization, which also acts as the Secretariat of The European Platform for Conflict Prevention and Transformation. The Platform, in turn, is a network of over 120 key organizations active in the field of conflict resolution.
The Colombo seminar was part of a series of three regional seminars conducted within geographical areas where conflicts are currently raging, in collaboration with local organizations engaged in peace - making activities.
As Paul van Tongeren, Executive Director of the ECCP stated in his opening remarks, the principal objective of the seminar was to have a more effective implementation of the lessons learned elsewhere by involving local partners and local organizations in this process.

Before moving onto the specific agenda, a number of general topics, such as ` overview of non-official dialogue in South Asia', `aid and conflict', `inter-religious discourse on peace', were discussed. The main focus of the seminar was on a draft-survey on the state of conflict and peace making in South Asia, presented by a team of eminent scholars in the field. Issues that attracted lengthy and instructive discussion were: accuracy and thoroughness of the information gathered, neutrality/impartiality of the descriptions, inclusiveness of local voices etc,.
The final session was devoted to discuss policy options, future perspectives for the region, and to reflect on conflict prevention tools that have been applied in the region.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE POST OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Regional Centre for Strategic Studies, 2 Elibank Road, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka
Required from May 1, 2002, it is the top executive position for a regional think tank on strategic issues related to South Asia. The tenure is for a fixed and non-extendable term of three years. Attractive remuneration is available at expatriate scale in Sri Lanka.
The desired candidate will be a mature strategic analyst, familiar with regional and international strategic issues, well-known internationally and with extensive publications in the field. S/he will have demonstrated executive and administrative capability suitable for running such an institution. Should also have the ability and experience of raising funds to support the Centre's activities. Desired candidates should please apply with detailed CVs to the above address by November 15, 2001.

News from the RCSS Community
Congratulations
Anindita Das Gupta, of Winter Workshop 1999, awarded Asia Fellowship of 2001.
Saswati Chanda of Winter Workshop 2001 and Nausheen Wasi of Winter Workshop 2000, selected for Harvard Project for Asian Affairs (HPAIR) in Singapore in August 2001.
Sumita Kumar of Summer Workshop 1999 got married to Deba Rajan on July 29 
RCSS alumni members from Pakistan, together with their Indian counterparts at the Taj Mahal during their historic Indian visitViews expressed in materials published in rcss newsletter are of contributors, and not necessarily of the RCSS. The rcss newsletter is published quarterly. For copies, comments, contributions and
further information please write to:
Associate Director
Regional Centre for Strategic Studies, 2, Elibank Road, Colombo 5, SRI LANKA.
Tel: (94-1) 599734-5; Fax: 599993 e-mail: rcss@sri.lanka.net http://www.rcss.org
Editor: Sugeeswara Senadhira, Associate Director
Published by: Regional Centre for Strategic Studies
Printed by: Ceylon Printers Ltd. Colombo.