The unfair attack on UN envoy Allan Rock
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Allan Rock, former Canadian cabinet minister and envoy to the United Nations,has been at the receiving end of a vicious ,vilification campaign in Sri Lanka.The” patriotic hawks” are attacking him in parliament and from political platforms. In typical Lankan style his effigy is being taken out in procession and burnt. One was seen hanging from a tree in front of a UN office in Colombo.
[Sri Lankan Buddhist monks protest in front of the United Nations Office in Colombo after UN ambassador Allan Rock charged the Sri Lankan security forces for rounding up children for enlistment. The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) renewed charges that government security forces were assisting the "Karuna" breakaway group to recruit boys and girls as combatants. Photo:Sanka Vidanagama/AFP
AFP via Yahoo! Canada News ]
Everybody who is somebody in the Sinhala far right love to hate him. The crimsonian national socialists and saffron clad ethno – fascists are systematically demonising him. Charging the “suddha” or white man of conspiring to harm Sri Lanka and help the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is nothing new. Erik Solheim the Norwegian special peace envoy who is now a cabinet minister was and still remains the favourite “vellaip puli” (white tiger) target.Hardliners among Sinhala expatriates are also taking pot shots at Rock now.
If Erik Solheim’s fault was trying to facilitate a peaceful negotiated settlement the daggers are drawn against Allan Rock for a different reason. The 59 year old lawyer undertook a special 10 day mission to Sri Lanka for the UN to investigate the condition of children in an armed conflict situation. Rock held a press conference prior to his departure and placed the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the LTTE breakaway Karuna faction known as Tamil Makkal Viduthalaip Puligal (TMVP) in the dock.
The UN mission’s initial findings revealed that the LTTE have not complied with their commitments to stop child recruitment and to release all children within their ranks.The mission also found that the Karuna faction, a group that broke away from the LTTE, is continuing to abduct and forcibly recruit children in government-controlled areas in eastern Sri Lanka. Furthermore the mission found disturbing but credible evidence that certain elements of the government security forces are supporting and sometimes participating in those abductions.
Allan Rock who spent ten days in Sri Lanka from November 6th to 14th stated that he will be submitting his final report to the UN security Council working group on Children and armed conflict in January next year. Rock had visited Sri Lanka in the capacity of Special Adviser to the SRSG or Special representative of the UN Secretary – General on Children and armed conflict (CAAC). In recent times the UN has been taking up the question of child soldiers very seriously. Acting on the recommendation of the SRSG strictures have been issued and even sanctions implemented against offending parties.
The issue of the LTTE conscripting minors was nothing new and it was well – known that the tigers would be criticised. It was also common knowledge that the Karuna faction was also forcibly recruiting children and that sections of the armed forces were aiding and abetting some cases. But when Allan Rock wearing the stamp of UN legitimate credibility came out openly with the charge that security forces were allegedly guilty of helping Karuna faction conscription ,the media went to town.
The LTTE was forgotten temporarily in the media frenzy focussing on the GOSL role in conscription. The excreta really collided with the oscillator.The Armed forces took umbrage over the charges being levelled against them.The Government found itself in a precarious situation and was forced to defend itself and the armed forces.
Instead of responding to the UN charges in a responsible manner and conducting an open inquiry into the allegations the GOSL sought to place the onus on Allan Rock. It wanted him to supply the evidence to conduct an inquiry. The GOSL could have utilised the opportunity unilaterally to prove its bona fides if it was really innocent. That it did not do so was by itself significant.
The Government itself gave the green light in tacitly declaring open season on Allan Rock.Defence Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told “The Morning Leader” newspaper that President Mahinda Rajapakse had initiated an inquiry through the Foreign Ministry to ascertain whether Special Advisor to the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Allan Rock exceeded his mandate by accusing the government.
“The President has instructed the Foreign Ministry to inform all relevant authorities for a strong explanation into Rock’s statement. The President has also called for an immediate inquiry into the allegations. However, such a serious statement accusing the government, was totally beyond Rock’s mandate,” Minister Rambukwella said.
Minister Rambukwella also criticised Rock by saying that if the UN official could make such a statement within hours of visiting the affected areas, then the government would willingly hand over the Raviraj investigation to the UN, rather than calling the Scotland Yard.
“If Rock is such an expert who could make these comments within hours of visiting the northeast, then he could solve the Raviraj assassination within days. We do not need the Scotland Yard then,” Rambukwella said.
As the campaign against Allan Rock gathered steam efforts were underway as usual to rake up muck against him. His Canadian political career was scrutinised. Either through ill – informed error or deliberate design Rock was depicted as an LTTE supporter. He had been a liberal party MP and minister. The Canadian Liberals were accused of being soft on the LTTE. Rock was accused of being one too. There was a mad rush to accuse Rock of having attended a controversial fund raiser dinner for the LTTE.
The facts however do not bear out the charges against Rock in this respect. The dinner in question was organised by the now defunct LTTE front the Federation of Associations of Canadian Tamils (FACT) Several Liberal party MP’s mainly from the Greater Toronto area were guests.The only two Liberal party Ministers of the time who who attended it were Paul Martin and Maria Minna. Allan Rock was nowhere near the place. There is also no record of him having ever attended a pro – tiger meeting or demonstration in Canada.In fact Rock was justice minister when Suresh Manickavasagam the alleged head of the LTTE in Canada was issued a national security certificate in 1995.
There is also no known evidence of Allan Rock having played a part in the Liberal party decision to put a proposed LTTE proscription on hold in Canada. In the aftermath of the Sep 11th 2001 attack on New Yorl twin towers there was an upsurge of anti – terrorism feelings in the West. Canada passed a harsh anti – terrorism law known as C – 36 and began banning foreign terrorist organizations on a staggered basis.
When South Asia’s turn came only five organizations (Three Sikh and Two Kashmiri) were proscribed. The LTTE was let off the hook. The reason for this was that the LTTE was engaged in a peace process with the GOSL. It was felt that an early proscription could affect the process. Canada is home to the largest Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora. Later when the Conservatives under Stephen Harper – described as being a George Bush sycophant – came to power the LTTE was banned.
Accusations are being made now that Rock was responsible for the Liberals soft – pedalling the LTTE proscription. Again the facts are contrary. Media reports of the time indicated that it was then foreign minister Bill Graham who pressed for a freeze on the proposed ban. The entire cabinet was reportedly guided by Graham on this as he was easily the most knowledgeable minister on Sri Lanka. He was also foreign minister.
In fairness to Graham the decision to put the tiger ban on hold was a sound one at that time. It must be noted however that the Liberal Government “barred” many people suspected of links to the LTTE (including Tamil MP”s) from entering Canada though the LTTE was not banned.
Interestingly enough Paul Martin as Prime Minister visited Sri Lanka after the tsunami. Bill Graham visited Sri Lanka as foreign minister. Maria Minna who lost her ministerial portfolio for reasons unconnected with Sri Lanka has also visited Sri Lanka twice in her capacity as head of the Canada – Sri Lanka Friendship committee in the House of Commons. She led a trade delegation and a Parliamentary delegation. She also visited Kilinochchi.
The very same patriotic hawks screaming out for Allan Rock’s blood were docile kittens when all these trips by these Canadian MP’s took place. I am certainly not saying that demonstrations should have been held against them. I am only pointing out the irony of demonstrations protesting Allan Rock being held now whereas those personalities made trips to Sri Lanka without any problem.
Though Rock has clean hands vis a vis the LTTE , he is being tarnished as a tiger supporter while others were exempt. This shows that the tiger stick is only a convenient device used when suited and really carries no conviction.Allan Rock is being demonised and vilified not because of any real or imaginary tiger link. His “offence” in the eyes of the patriotic hawks is that of bringing disrepute to the armed forces through his disclosures. No effort is being made to ascertain the merits or otherwise of these charges. Rock is being beaten with the tiger stick unjustly and unfairly.
Allan Rock was born in 1947 and raised in Ottawa , Canada’s capital. He practised law in Toronto for about 20 years. After entering politics he served for many years in former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s cabinet. Rock has been minister of Justice and Attorney – General, Health Minister and Minister of Industries during different periods under Chretien. When Chretien was retiring Rock too announced his candidacy in the inner – party race to replace the outgoing PM.
Allan Rock changed his mind and opted out of the race. He also decided not to contest elections again after being MP for ten years.He was then appointed as Canada’s ambassador to the UN and went to New York in early 2004.After the Conservatives took office Allan Rock tendered his resignation in February this year. He was asked by Prime Minister Harper to remain in office until June 30 th this year.
After winding up his UN career in New York , Allan Rock had reportedly decided to relocate to Windsor city bordering Detroit river instead of Ottawa or Toronto. His intention apparently is to practise law with an old friend Harvey Strosberg. Rock’s lawyer wife Debora Hanscombe has already joined Strosberg’s firm it is said. Rock is widely tipped to head the Windsor University soon.
Meanwhile he is ready, able and willing to undertake special assignments like the one he did in Sri Lanka for the UN.Rock excels at mediation and arbitration. One of his final acts as ambassador was being instrumental in negotiating a peace treaty between the Sudanese government and the main rebel group in Darfur.
During his UN stint as Canada’s envoy Rock worked extensively on human rights issues and was actively involved in the establishment of the UN Human Rights Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. Peace and Human rights have been his passion from his youth. While an undergraduate in 1970 he was host in Ottawa to John Lennon of the Beatles just after the famous Montreal “bed in”. Rock also served as Chair of the Group of Friends of the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.
It was this connection which led to his Sri Lanka assignment. The UN Special representative on children and armed conflict is Radhika Coomaraswamy a Sri Lankan national herself. It is usual procedure in the UN for an official to refrain from getting directly involved in matters concerning his or her native country. Since Sri Lanka was way up in the radar on the question of children in armed conflict a fact – finding mission had to be sent. Coomaraswamy’s choice of Rock as her special adviser on Sri Lanka was widely hailed.
I have worked with Radhika Coomaraswamy from 1985 – 1988 at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies in Colombo. From what I know of her she is professional and detached in her approach. Having delegated responsibility of the Sri Lankan mission to Allan Rock there is little chance of her having influenced or prejudiced his mind beforehand.
Likewise Allan Rock’s professional integrity too would not allow him to be swayed by anyone on this. Whatever the findings of Rock I am sure they are his own and that he would take responsibility. Incidently when Coomaraswamy was designated as special representative by Kofi Annan there were media reports of both Sinhala and Tamil hawks opposing it.
The choice of Allan Rock was duly conveyed to Colombo through the Lankan mission to the UN. There was no objection. Radhika Coomaraswamy also met President Mahinda Rajapakse when he was in New York for the General Council meeting. He was very receptive to the idea of Rock being sent on a UN mission to Sri Lanka.. In fairness to Rajapakse the Sri Lankan president did provide required access and assistance to Ambassador Rock while in Sri Lanka.
Allan Rock met Mahinda Rajapakse and told him of his findings. He also told him of his impending press conference. It is usual practice for UN representatives on such missions to hold a press conference prior to their departure. Transparency and openness is the reason. The report will be sent directly to the UN. Copies would be provided to all parties concerned in the report.
Rajapakse reportedly told Rock that action would be initiated if the charges were found to be true.Yet with the defence establishment and the ultra – right reacting harshly the President’s office too issued a convoluted press release. The UN coming out with a report indicting the Rajapakse regime of complicity in child soldier conscription is politically damning for the Government. Hence the orchestrated response to Rock.
I do not think that a man of Allan Rock’s background and stature would rush hastily into making controversial disclosures. According to informed sources in diplomatic and human rights circles the man had been preparing his brief earnestly. He had spent weeks prior to his Sri Lankan trip in meeting knowledgeable people and reading materials on the issue. He was also in possession of information gathered by reputed NGO’s and HR agencies.
Above all he directly met family members of victims and in some cases a few escaped conscripts while in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Government has asked for proof. According to informed sources Rock has incontrovertible evidence in the form of sworn affidavits numbering over fifty. By all accounts Rock may send that “evidence” to the Government after “sanitising” them. Given the tyranny of the Karuna faction and aligned security personnel. people suspected of having provided information to Rock, will certainly be victimised. So names. dates, places etc will have to be obliterated.
Furthermore other agencies and institutions too have backed up Rock’s findings. The University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) issued a special report on June 7th which has details of Karuna faction conscription and security forces complicity. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission endorsed Rock’s statement. The UNICEF has issued a statement conforming it. The Human Rights Watch too has issued a preliminary statement on child conscription which tallies with Rock. The HRW final report will be out early January.
Given the overwhelming evidence about conscriptions and state complicity there seems to be no way in which the GOSL can deny the charges. Yet there is a stubborn defiance and tendency to shoot the messenger. Allan Rock is no stranger to controversy having been the eye of many a storm as cabinet minister in Canada. It does seem unfair however for the man to be slandered so badly when he does not deserve to be attacked or does not seem to be at fault.
The media blitz about security forces being complicit in conscription of child soldiers by the Karuna faction may convey an impression that the LTTE has been ignored. That is not so. The LTTE made some pledges on child soldiers to the former UN representative Olara Otunnu. The tigers also entered into an UNICEF supervised “action plan” on children in armed conflict during the peace talks. Rock made it very clear at his press conference that the LTTE had not honoured its commitments or assurances fully.
There is every possibility that Rock would come down firmly on the LTTE for its lapses and faults. The tiger lobby is publicising Rock’s charges against the GOSL and Karuna because it helps LTTE propaganda. The situation may change when the full report comes out and the LTTE too is condemned fully.Allan Rock has placed the GGOSL, LTTE and TMVP in the dock.The fact that media focus was on GOSL – TMVP more than the LTTE is not his fault or responsibility
The final report to be submitted by Rock to the UN security council working group on Children and armed conflict will no doubt seal the lips of most critics.The GOSL, LTTE and TMVP will all be criticised. Since the Government is democratically elected and therefore more accountable the GOSL will lose face internationally. The only way out for the Government is to exit this state of denial and try effective damage control.
The important issue here is not the debate about whether the GOSL, LTTE and TMVP are guilty as charged or not. The real issue is the fate of those poor children conscripted as child soldiers and facing abductions. There is also the larger question of how children are suffering in a conflict situaton. Children face displacement, loss of life and limb, deprivation of education, lack of proper sanitation and health care, malnutrition etc in war climates. The real challenge is not to score propaganda points or shed crocodile tears but in making a determined and sincere effort to alleviate the suffering of these helpless kids.
I do not know how Allan Rock will prepare his report but I will be sorely disappointed if he restricts himself to the abduction and child soldiers issues alone. There is great need for a more comprehensive report taking into account all problems affecting children in an armed conflict situation.
All three parties the GOSL, LTTE and TMVP were told of their perceived shortcomings by Rock while in Sri Lanka. All three pledged to rectify matters. Rock himself has said that he expects remedial action on issues raised by him and that he would be keenly monitoring the responses before finalising his report in January.
This provides all three parties some space and time to prove their bona fides.Bashing Rock may seem an easy way out for an insular political and military class and their acolytes but in the final analysis this could turn counter – productive. Those who knock their heads against a rock may bleed but the rock is likely to stand firm.
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December 2nd, 2006