Book meet comes under Pokharan cloud

NEW DELHI, June 16: India's nuclear tests have put a question mark over the 26th Congress of the International Board of Books for Young Peop...

NEW DELHI, June 16: India8217;s nuclear tests have put a question mark over the 26th Congress of the International Board of Books for Young People IBBY, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 20. Some member countries are reconsidering their participation following the post-Pokharan international condemnation.

Thirty-nine foreign delegates had registered for the congress. A non-profit organisation founded in Zurich in 1953, IBBY is an international network of people committed to bringing books and children together. Being organised in India by the Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children AWIC, the theme of the congress is quot;Peace through children8217;s booksquot;.

The first to withdraw was the Danish section of IBBY. In a letter to chairperson of the congress Manorama Jafa, chairperson of IBBY Denmark Tove Roed said, quot;In agreement with the official Danish politics, IBBY Denmark has to take strong exception to India8217;s nuclear tests and armament policy. It is the opinion of IBBY Denmark, afterthe latest events, that the discussion about peace and children8217;s literature will have to be carried on at another place 8212; in a country without nuclear tests.quot;

The letter, dated June 3, adds that if the Indian government signs the agreement that prohibits further nuclear tests, the Danish IBBY will reconsider their participation in New Delhi.

Reacting to the Danish decision, president of IBBY International Carmen Diana Dearden, said, quot;I think the theme of the congress is very timely and needed for the whole world, not just countries with nuclear arms. And what better place to discuss peace than in the midst of turmoil and controversy? I do not think that an IBBY section boycotting an IBBY congress will make the slightest difference to the government of any country, but it will make a great difference to IBBY.quot;

In another letter to Jafa dated June 6, Roed said, quot;Even the Prince of Denmark holds these views and has cancelled his trip to your country8230;We are not unaware of the elements of colonialthinking8217; in our attitude8230;But we do not wish to change our views.quot; IBBY Denmark also wrote to other member countries, asking them to reconsider their decision to participate in the congress. Other IBBY member countries have expressed concern following the decision of the Danish IBBY. German delegation members have not withdrawn their participation yet, but have not paid the registration fee.

Jafa has written to member countries emphasising that the nuclear tests should not come in the way of promoting reading. quot;The are political questions and should be left for discussion between governments. There are international forums for this and the IBBY has no provision for taking up such questions.quot;