Kathmandu, May 4: Chairman of the National Assembly Dr Mohammad Mohsin said that in view of the ever-growing gap between the richest and the poorest countries, the moral responsibility of the former towards the latter need to be further emphasised.

Dr Mohsin made this remark while addressing the 103rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference being held in Amman, the capital of Jordan.

Besides helping heavily indebted nations with debt-relief schemes and favourable trading opportunities, the developed countries are required to fulfill their commitment by earmarking one per cent of their gnp for the development of resource-poor nations, he added.

He also stressed the fact that so long the spectre of stark poverty, illiteracy, health hazards and joblessness will continue to haunt more than half of the world’s unfortunate millions neither the project of international peace could be brightened nor the evolution of a just and democratic global order could be facilitated and sustained.

Nepal has always stood for peace and has supported the total elimination of nuclear weapons in a time bound manner, Dr Mohsin said, adding we strongly oppose cross-border terrorism of any kind and sponsored by any quarter and commit ourselves to ensuring that Nepalese soil is never misused for undermining the stability of our friendly neighbours.

Noting that Nepal’s active participation in un-sponsored peace-keeping efforts amply testify our commitment to peace, the Nepalese delegation leader reiterated that Nepal opposes dogmatism and hegemonism of any kind- whether racial, cultural, lingual or religious.

Our deep concern with regard to ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda, Burundi and East Timore testify to our moral commitments, he noted.

The brutal expulsion of more than 100,000 people of Nepalese origin by the government of Bhutan in early 90’s has deeply shocked us, said Dr Mohsin, adding these people are still languishing in camps and we want them to go back to their homeland with dignity and honour.

Stating that Nepal has been trying to resolve this crisis through bilateral dialogue, but nothing of substance has been achieved so far, he remarked that we would like to solicit the support and cooperation of the international community to help us resolve the crisis.

Member of the Nepalese delegation and mp Tek Bahadur Chokhal spoke of the need to enhance the role of the developing countries for world peace, stability and development.

Another delegate and mp Harkaman Tamang urged the ipu to carry out cultural, educational and social programmes

According to parliament secretariat, leader of delegation Dr Mohsin, members Basudev Risal, Tek Bahadur Chokhal, Harkaman Tamang, Sitanandan Raya, Gaura Koirala, Brijesh Kumar Gupta and Royal Nepalese Honorary Consul General For Jordan Yusuf H. Murad attended a reception hosted by speaker of the lower house of parliament Abullari Mazali last evening.

The third non-formal meeting of a group of the Asia pacific countries was also held at the conference venue Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by Dr Mohsin. Nepal has been elected chairman of the group for 2000.