Britain endorses war on LTTE while emphasizing human rights and political solution
The full text of the written Ministerial Statement by the Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs on Sri Lanka, issued on 21 January 2009, follows:
The Government has long standing concerns with the promotion of peace in Sri Lanka, where the conflict has claimed at least 70,000 lives during the past 26 years. We are now at an important moment.
Since its abrogation in January 2008 of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement, the Sri Lankan government has embarked on a policy of militarily defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In recent months the government has made significant military gains, including the capture of Kilinochchi, the former administrative centre of the LTTE in the north, and the capture of remaining rebel territory in the Jaffna Peninsula. These gains make progress on a political solution even more urgent. The LTTE is a proscribed terrorist organisation with no democratic mandate to represent the Tamil people. It is responsible for a terrorist campaign that has targeted innocent civilians across all communities in Sri Lanka over the past three decades.
Thousands of lives have been lost since the renewal of open hostilities in 2006. We recognise the government of Sri Lanka’s need to root out terrorism. It also has a responsibility to safeguard the rights of all its citizens and adequately to address their political concerns. Our consistent position remains that for peace to be sustainable, an inclusive political process that takes fully into account the legitimate concerns of all Sri Lankan communities - Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim - is essential. As my Rt. Hon Friend the Prime Minister has said, we must see an end to the conflict and new drive for a lasting political solution. We continue to engage with all political parties across all communities in Sri Lanka to support progress in this direction.
We are deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka and the growing number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). My Rt. Hon Friend the Prime minister spoke about this issue with President Rajapakse when they met last September and we continue to raise our concern at senior levels. The UN estimates that 200,000-300,000 IDPs remain in the conflict area. Although there have been convoys providing basic humanitarian assistance, there are credible reports that these supplies are inadequate. The military gains by the Sri Lankan armed forces have resulted in these IDPs being squeezed into an ever-decreasing space. Further deterioration in the situation would mean acute humanitarian need and distress.
Following on from a Department for International Development (DFID) mission in September 2008, we will be sending a DFID humanitarian expert in the coming weeks to try to assess the situation and to report on the distribution of £2.5 million in humanitarian funding that we have committed to assist IDPs in northern Sri Lanka. In coordination with international organisations on the ground, we have urged all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular the need to ensure the safety of civilians, to allow their free movement and to enhance access for humanitarian agencies to facilitate the delivery of adequate supplies of humanitarian aid. Safe passage for civilians wanting to escape the hostilities should be guaranteed by all parties and safe humanitarian space provided for them. We believe that a full independent assessment of the IDPs’ humanitarian needs is essential. Such an assessment would be a powerful demonstration that everything that can be done is being done to support these vulnerable people. We will continue to press on these matters.
Recent weeks have seen a considerable number of high profile attacks on media freedom in Sri Lanka. We condemn such brazen attacks. Of particular concern was the murder on 8 January of the Chief Editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper, Lasantha Wickrematunge. The Sri Lankan authorities have a duty to take prompt action to ensure a thorough and independent investigation is carried out. Those responsible must be held to account. The lack of progress in securing convictions for such cases indicates that urgent action is needed.
There continue to be reports of abductions, disappearances and acts of violence and intimidation in Sri Lanka. Without strong mechanisms for independent human rights reporting, it is difficult to assess the true scope of the problem. We consistently call upon the government of Sri Lanka to take decisive action to tackle human rights abuses, including by taking action against those responsible for violations. Creating an environment in which people from all communities in Sri Lanka live without fear is essential to creating the conditions for a sustainable end to the conflict. The recent commitments by militias on release of child soldiers and disarmament following our lobbying are welcome steps that need to be followed through.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has written to President Rajapakse to express our concerns.
14 Comments
This is pitty that its a small island and only two languages in trouble between,then the religion comes along,more over who inheritated the Island first,is it helpful to build a good strong nation.this trouble ,not going to be disapper soon even after fall of Velu-thambi,what ever it is ,it is very extrimist country.we have seen how Mr Wijeweera,Mrs Bandaranayake,espacially JR the one who ignited the fire,as everyone knows when he was in Govt,he obtained their own portfolioes resignation letters without date,it dosent matter whether its a Minister or MP.
Even before I born I heard that Mr.Amir{the one who master behind to create the LTTE,but unfortunatley the poison he made it,he had to had it}was on sathagraga this is what I being told all its for changing the car registration numbers from English to sri in sinhala a word,but happy to have english in there even thoug it has to be make in the name of CEYLON then the numbers,is it really matter for us.
They dont have any agenda to convince the people to vote for them to have a luxcary life,can send their children to study abroad,4x4,they always there only in election time then thats it,you wont see them even if you see them you cant recoganised them.but luckly few news papers there you see their warnings,policies,there stuants one thing they all gone but still growing please leave our leader alone he cant choped them all. GOD BLESS SRI LANKA!
Dear British Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs on Sri Lanka, in your statement you have said "The LTTE is a proscribed terrorist organisation with no democratic mandate to represent the Tamil people." I totally agree with you. But at the same time, in the absence of another referendum, the last free and fair democratic referendum held in Tamil areas was 1977, and Tamils voted for sepearation or Tamil Eelam. This is the exact mandate that the LTTE is spearheading despite the objection from the International community (IC) and the Terrorist state of SL.
If you are true to your words and intentions, I challenge you to propose a free and fair referendum, under UN supervision, in the Tamil homelands to find out what the majority Tamil people want. Then the IC through the UN security council should enforce the terrorist state to implement that verdict. At that time, the world Tamils will expect the LTTE to go with that decision and spearhead that latest mandate. If not, the same world tamils who are behind the LTTE today, will not hesitate to pull the plug on LTTE. There is no need to shed blood in destroying the LTTE.
But, the question is are you sincere to your words and deeds? If yes, you will not have any issues in accepting my challenge. If not, then I believe that you want to help the terrorist state to implement its agenda after getting rid off the line of defense for Tamils, ie the LTTE. Because, once the LTTE is destroyed, and if the terrorrist state offer no solution or offers a phony solution, who is there to fight for the Tamils? From past history, it is a given that the terrorist state has no intentions in providing any fair and just solution for Tamils and it is sad the IC is willing to take chances with Tamils in SL. Tamils all over the world are currently in total shock to see the attitude of the IC.
LTTE has been killing sri lankans for three dacades. So called IC stood by them. Why... the IC (ie wealthy western counties) did not lose any of their citizens. Then came 9/11, making them feel how it is to lose a loved one to a terror group. After that...... LTTE was re-named a terror group. My point is , so many sri lankan lives could have been saved if 9/11 came 25 years earlier. terror is terror wether it shads white blood or coloured blood. Now is our chance. Lets get rid of the LTTE and any other terror eliment in SL once and for all........
I was astonished by M Fern's statement that the last fair democratic referendum was held in 1977. And it was interpreted as a mandate for a separate state and LTTE carrying out that mandate. This is complete distortion of facts. I think he assumes that since people in Jaffna voted for TULF and TULF said that they would canvass for autonomy, people wanted a separate country. Is that so? Even one of the remaining members of TULF who managed to escape the assassination drive of LTTE) said that they had Vadukkodai resolution to make a strong impact on Colombo to solve their problems but they never intended to divide the country. And how can you interpret that vote given to a democratic political party as a mandate given to a blood thirsty terrorist organization to go on a killing spree?
The biggest problem the Tamils in Sri Lanka is the LTTE menace. They never came for negotiations sincerely and must not be interpreted as guardians of Tamils. They are the main obstacle for complete implementation of a power sharing mechanism. Any government with common sense will think twice before giving wide powers to regions when a insincere organization that killed its own moderate politicians and carried out genocide of Sinhalese and Muslims exists.
Before talking about UN resolutions, give a chance to the Tamils in Northern parts and Sinhalese of the south to live together in harmony. After three decades of a civil war, they may have suspicions about each other. Give peace a chance to say that Sri Lanka is the homeland for Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims and for everyone live in the country.
What a well crafted letter: an exemplar on hypocrisy!
It is not surprising to see your statement supporting the terrorist SL governemnt. Perhaps your indirect support of state terrorism.
If you know the history - YOU (UK) created this problem. You took over three separate 'states' combined them into one, and left us with an unworkable unitary system of government! Whereas in UK you have three separate system of governance -'federal' system.
If only you had created constitutionally a federal system, how wonderfully the country of Ceylon would have flourished - perhaps you did not want it to.
Please study the history before making such statements.
It is heartening to note that Countries like Britain which have had the standing to influence change for the better in Sri Lanka, but for reasons that we have not been able to fathom, been unwilling or unable to speak the truth about the LTTE and its vile agenda are now expressing correct views.
M Fern like most commentators of his kind who have probably exchanged the wolves clothing for the more convenient sheep's attire to suit the present cicumstances,is talking fast and lose or to use another metaphor blowing hot and cold.
On the one hand he disowns the LTTE and agrees with the British administration that The LTTE is but only a Terrorist organisation that must be destroyed and in the same breath is arguing that The LTTE is the Tamils' first line of defence and must be preserved.
By the way M Fern The Sri Lankan State is not a Terrorist state it is a legitimate government elected by the people that is doing what any self respecting State would do to defend all its citizens from a violent terrorist outfit whose primary aim has been nothing but revenge, not the welfare of the Tamil people.Also please understand that the Tamil Homeland is the entirety of Sri Lanka not little pockets here and there.If you cannot accept this truth then unfortunately you will have no place in the future Sri Lankan polity.It is time for all of us to put our shoulders to the wheel and catch up on the thirty odd years we have lost killing and destroying.It is time for living and building.The real Eelam must be a prosperous and peaceful North and East that would set an example to the South in economic management and of upholding democratic traditions and a place tolerant of its minority Sinhalese and Muslim communities.It certainly should not be what Prabhakaran planned;a place of fear that the price of dissent is a bullet through the head and a posting up a lamp post to teach those who would dare to express independent views the lesson of their life.
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It is time Britain to be worried too.
Now Srilanka has a bigger Army than British army.
:-)
This is the most anti-Tamil statement made by a British govt. It is well timed, when the Tigers are weak, to deliver a psychological blow to the Tamil Diaspora. (Bush may have gone but his rhetoric lingers on!)
When the tiger appears weak, the jackals howl, signalling the vultures to descend for the kill.
Any sane person knows the decision taken by the West to proscribe LTTE was for political expedience; the war-on-terror slogan providing the exquisite cover. People in high offices who dare not use a derogatory term on a state that kills over 700 innocent children & women, in a matter of 3 weeks, having the audacity to criticise an organisation fighting for the freedom of a weak minority, as terrorists, is beyond belief indeed. The irony is, the same colonial masters who should have given independence to the minority Tamils when they left, rather than enslave them to the Singhalese, are the ones that are taking us all backwards in time. (And the anti-Tamil rhetoric still smacks of master-slave sentiment). So this is another whipping on the collective Tamil backs by our old masters, to make us realise that ethics, justice and righteousness have little to do with the way they deal with freedom struggles. We have to learn to play power politics!
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has delivered a damning indictment on the terrorist government of Sri Lanka, whose State terrorism is both overtly and covertly fully funded by the international community. He is rightly concerned of unabated State terrorism of the Sri Lankan government and sounds very troubled by it. Being a diplomat of the highest order he has made opening remarks to the effect that terrorism should be rooted out and that the LTTE does not have popular mandate. But, Secretary of State's concern for not only for the Tamils but also for all Sri Lankans is undeniably coming through in his statement. He has gone into considerable detail of the Sri Lankan government's relentless undemocratic and terrorist activities, in a manner admonishing the government. Given the nature of Secretary of State's statement which is very strong in diplomatic parlance, how is this article acquire the title: "Britain endorses war on LTTE whilst emphasising human rights and political solution." Absolutely not!
Britain Admonishes Sri Lankan State Terrorism Whilst Endorsing War Against LTTE, would have been an appropriate and nearer the Secretary State's real intention, without distorting the true meaning of his statement, delivered in diplomatic parlance, to suit Sri Lankan state terrorism. Such distortions of diplomats and politicians from around the world have had detrimental effect against the Tamil Freedom Struggle, unduly for decades.
How would the good Secretary of State say in an admonishing tone that "The successive Sri Lankan governments have not only been inefficient and a bunch of swindlers of national coffers, but also the monies given for development have been steadily stolen and used to fight a war against Tamils, without offering a political settlement. In addition, the Sinhala and Muslim communities too have been impoverished and very badly let down over the years by successive governments. Why cannot Sri Lankan government agree to share power with minorities, and if they are unable to do so let Tamils go their own way instead of continuing to kill Tamils and destroy the semblance democracy that still exists. It is indeed a mistake by the international community to continue fund Sri Lankan State terrorism which claim the life of an intrepid editor like Lasantha Wickrematunga, when in fact at least a ten more are needed to tackle State terrorism and the incessant swindlers of public funds."
I certainly do not wish to put words into the good Secretary of State's mouth. Nor, do I think he would have openly picked up on some of the issues such as swindling and inefficiency so openly, except that he would have looked into providing adequate training to politicians. But, the real point I am trying to belabour is that his anger and admonishing tone of his message to Sri Lankan government for killing Lasantha should not be lost on the government. It is important to impart the true meaning of the message to the public from such personages as the Secretary of State. Otherwise, it would be tantamount to misreporting and distortion.
Prasad, who is distorting the facts. I voted for Tamil Eelam in the 1977 election and TULF infact asked mandate for a separate country for Tamils. I hope you have misunderstood and not trying to lie here. Mr.Sangaree is a failed politician now willing to say anything for a few bugs. I was a youth at that time and believed that was the only possible solution. Frankly, I do not think the Southern polity has not matured, even now, to treat Tamils with dignity and Separae country might be the only solution for Tamils provided they survive the genocide.
Sunil, Please read my comments again. I never said LTTE must be destroyed. Eventhough, I am against violence, I believe LTTE has its place in SL. It is the last line of defense against the Terrorist state (I will explain why I say it is a terrorist state later in my post). I simply agreed with the secretary on one point. ie LTTE has no DIRECT mandate from Tamils people. My bad on the terrorism par. Even though the LTTE uses terror as a tactic, it has a liberation ideology. In addition, you have stated "By the way M Fern The Sri Lankan State is not a Terrorist state it is a legitimate government elected by the people". You are half right. The GOSL is an elected government, but it has been always a slave for Sinhala extremism and could not give a damn about the Tamils democratic aspirations and was historically strangling and terrorizing the Tamils to give up their fight for their rights, armed struggle or other wise, hence GOSL is a DEMOCRACTICALLY ELECTED TERRORIST STATE.
Your advise "It is time for all of us to put our shoulders to the wheel and catch up on the thirty odd years we have lost killing and destroying" sounds sweet, but no practical in SL. If you cannot repect my democratic aspirations and freedom, and has no problems in ruthlessly crushing any protest I might organize with the help of STATE armed forces, how the hell I am going to have the heart put the shoulders together. But, you may have a point. You are talking about a situation in which the Terrorist state succeeds in its genocide and completely over power the Tamils after the total distruction of LTTE (but in my opinion, LTTE or the Tamil rebellion will continue to live because of the inabililty of the southern polity to respect the democratic demands of the Tamils)or after chasing the LTTE to the jungles. That is not same as putting the shoulders together. That would be a situation where you will be the master and I will be the slave working for your and only for your good.
Prasad, I missed your following interesting point.
"Before talking about UN resolutions, give a chance to the Tamils in Northern parts and Sinhalese of the south to live together in harmony. After three decades of a civil war, they may have suspicions about each other"
How old are you? Less than 30? I am much older than you I lived in SL before the LTTE times. My father, a Govt servant, ran for his life many times just because he was a Tamil during the riots in the South. You may be hoping for the best, with the assumption that this time it might be different. But unfortunately the Tamils cannot take that chance and put their life in line. Tamils are like battered women who are now seeking divorce from their abusive husband after many years of bad marriage and numerous broken promises, from Banda-Chelva pact to P-TOMS maany many packs.
How exactly a "tamil homeland" is going to be craeted in Sri lanka. If that is the area demarcated (about 50% of the island)in LTTE website it cannot be more unreasonable. The irony is about 55% of tamils live outside this territory. In a ethnic melting pot like Sri lanka the concept of a homeland is a very racist and supremacist ideology. LTTE was laying foundation to this by etnic (sinhala) religious (muslim tamils) cleansing. Sri lanka is fighting for dear life. when you look at LTTE map it look like claws of death to the whole sountry.