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British Commonwealth: Dinosaur or dynamic force?
As summit opens, former British Empire seeks relevance
October 24, 1997
Web posted at: 1:21 p.m. EDT (1721 GMT)In this story:
EDINBURGH, Scotland (CNN) -- A four-day summit of the Commonwealth of Britain and its former colonies -- 54 nations in all -- opened Friday with less pageantry than in the past, a slick video, and, for the first time, a speech by Queen Elizabeth II, the symbolic leader of 1.7 billion people.
Economic cooperation was high on the agenda for the Commonwealth gathering, held once every two years. But human rights matters also will figure heavily, especially the question of what to do with Nigeria.
This is the first time in 20 years Britain has hosted a Commonwealth summit, and the first time in the queen's four-decade reign that she has addressed the opening ceremony.
"For all the diversity of its members, the Commonwealth can act globally," the queen told the delegates. "It is not a selfish organization, and self-interest has no part to play in its policies."
In his welcoming address, Prime Minister Tony Blair told the presidents and prime ministers at the futuristic International Conference Center that the summit will focus on issues designed to make the Commonwealth relevant in a competitive international economy.
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Buckingham Palace said the Commonwealth heads of government had invited the queen to speak. Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, and the queen's daughter, Princess Anne, also were participating in some of the summit events.
'Family' friction with Nigeria
There are some family tensions at the reunion.
Nigeria, suspended two years ago after it executed nine activists, including playwright Ken Saro-Wiwa, had threatened to send delegates -- uninvited. Britain said any members from Gen. Sani Abacha's military government would be barred.
Commonwealth foreign ministers have recommended no new sanctions against the African nation, news that disappointed Nigerian dissidents and human rights activists.
But British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook warned on Friday that the expulsion of Nigeria would be considered if it fails to return to democracy and observe human rights.
Another Commonwealth member, Sierra Leone, remains barred because of a military coup in May.
And outside the center, turbaned Sikhs demanding a separate state for India's Punjab demonstrated alongside Sri Lankans opposed to separatist Tamil violence and Nigerians protesting their military government.
Modern Commonwealth?
Blair is seeking to modernize the image of a Commonwealth organization that grew out of an empire.
To that end, the opening ceremony featured a video showcasing Britain's achievements in science, engineering, fashion and finance. It portrayed a country that has abandoned its imperial trappings to become a modern, vibrant economy.
Inside the conference center, a single kilted piper played, replacing the pomp and musical performances at previous conferences. Drummers then pitched in, and there was a display of free-form dancing. Actor John Thaw intoned tales, both modern and traditional, from Commonwealth countries.
In remarks prior to the conference, Blair urged Commonwealth nations -- bound together by a colonial past -- to "show our citizens how we can make (the Commonwealth) more relevant to their lives."
But is that possible?
"The Commonwealth has had consistently bad press," Ben Pimlott of Birkbeck College noted. "It was originally seen as a kind of hangover empire. People have long predicted its demise."
Instead, however, the group is flourishing. Even countries with no British imperial past, like Mozambique, have joined. Others are asking to be let in, symbolizing the Commonwealth's "dynamism, relevance (and) usefulness," Commonwealth Secretary General Memeka Anyoku said.
"The Commonwealth will confirm itself as a growing force for the sustenance and promotion of democracy and good governance," he told CNN.
From the Caribbean to Southeast Asia, the British Commonwealth is perhaps the most diverse of all global clubs. The challenge now is to make sure all those differences don't preclude any real consensus.
Correspondent Siobhan Darrow and Reuters contributed to this report.
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