Six former US Ambassadors write to President about Lasantha’s killing
Six former US Ambassadors to Sri Lanka have expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in the country following the murder of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.
[L to R: Ambassadors Marion Creekmore, Teresita Schaffer, Peter Burleigh and Shaun Donnelly]
The ambassadors, Marion Creekmore (1989-92), Teresita Schaffer (1992-95), A. Peter Burleigh (1995-97), Shaun Donnelly (1997-2000), Ashley Wills (2000-03) and Jeffrey Lunstead (2003-06), while accepting that the government was engaged in a necessary fight against terrorism, in a stinging letter to President Mahinda Rajapakse in their personal capacities have said that the foundations of democracy had come under assault following the killing of Wickrematunge.
[L to R: Ambassadors Ashley Wills and Jeffrey Lunstead]
Following is the full letter:
"We are all former United States Ambassadors to Sri Lanka, but we are writing in our personal capacities. Our service in Sri Lanka stretches for over 15 years, and we have seen good times and hard times in the country. We all have great respect and affection for Sri Lanka and its people. We have known you at different points in your career, and we all acknowledge your love for your country and your desire to see it at peace.
"We have all, at different times and in different ways, made it clear that we believed the goals and tactics of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were unacceptable, and that the Government of Sri Lanka was engaged in a difficult but necessary fight against terrorism. We have all supported and argued for United States assistance to Sri Lanka in that struggle.
"It is for all of these reasons that we are now so upset by developments in Sri Lanka, the most recent of which was the murder of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge. We fear that, even as Sri Lanka is enjoying military progress against the LTTE, the foundations of democracy in the country are under assault.
"The killing of Wickrematunge has prompted this letter, but there have been many previous incidents in which the rights of individuals and the media have been violated.
"Mr. President, we speak frankly because in our dealings with you we have always found you to have an open mind and to respect the truth. Some have suggested that these events have been carried out not by elements of the government, but by other forces hoping to embarrass the government.
"We do not find such arguments credible. We are familiar with your history as a defender of those whose rights were threatened by the government. We assume, therefore, that if government forces are carrying out these acts, they are acting without your permission and knowledge. We believe it is imperative that these actions stop, and that those who have carried them out be prosecuted.
"Fighting an unconventional war against a terrorist enemy is a difficult task, and the sad truth is that it almost always results in some brutal and illegal acts. This is as true of our country as it is of Sri Lanka. The important thing is that the country’s leadership not condone these acts, and that an atmosphere is set from the top that they will not be accepted, and that those who commit them will be held to account.
"We urge you to take steps to reestablish accountability and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. Investigations have been promised before but have been futile. At times government officials have not appeared diligent, as happened in the investigation of the killing of NGO workers assisted by the International Eminent Persons Group.
‘It is crucial that an investigation now not follow that same fruitless path. It must also be made clear to members of the security forces that discipline will be enforced and violators will be brought to justice. Only you can provide the leadership and clear direction that will make this happen. We have seen before the positive results that such leadership can have, for example, when the decision to issue receipts for all detained persons dramatically reduced the number of disappearances.
"Sri Lanka has gone through difficult times, but its democratic system has always persevered. Neither the LTTE nor assaults by other radical forces have been able to destroy it. It would be a tragedy if it were destroyed now, not from without, but from within.
"We intend to make this letter public after you have received it."
13 Comments
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"Sri Lanka has gone through difficult times, but its democratic system has always persevered"
Regarding the above statement, I wonder whether these people know the meaning of DEMOCRACY? Or do they have different standards of democracy for the GOVT. and another for the minorities?
Sri Lanka stopped being a democracy for more than fifty years ago!! Where were these people when innocent Tamils were slaughtered, Library burnt, prisoners were hacked to death with eyes gorged out, several Tamil journalists and elected representatives killed? Don't they know about the "white van" abductions of Tamil people, extra judicial killings of Tamil people without any attempt by the govt. to apprehend the culprits? Eviction of Tamils from Colombo and taking them forcefully (including the sick and infirm who has come to Colombo for treatment)without even allowing them to change or even to pick their belongings?
"Mr. President" Mahinda Rajapakse who has "an open mind and respect [for] the truth" will promptly investigate the matter and inform these six former US Ambassadors (who remained silent while Tamils were being democratically oppressed for around 50 or more years)
FORMER AMBASSADORS OF USA PLEASE LOOK INTO YOUR COUNTRY PROBLEM OF ECONOMY DOWNTURN.OUR LEADERS ARE THERE TO LOOK AFTER OUR INTERNAL PROBLEMS.PLEASE CONSIDER THE WAY USA BRAKING HUMAN RIGHTS REGULATIONS.SRI LANKA NOT VIOLATING HR REGULATIONS. FIGHTING AGAINST DEALIEST LTTE & ALMOST DEFEATED THEM.
Five good men and one good woman has out of what sems to be genuine regard for the plight that our country is in due to the recent tragic events, are expressing their concern for the welfare of our country.They have expressed their affection for the people and one must not doubt this.They are people who have served their terms and who have nothing to gain from us.It would bode the government well to pay attention to their views and as citizens we must demand that it does so.There are cynics who would like to think that Sri Lanka is the center of the universe and would wish to dismiss everything they do not agree with as biased and manipulative.Let us listen to good advice no matter where it's coming from.
This is very pity that these former United States Ambassadors did not capture even the BASICS of Tamil Struggle (or don't want to capture). Double standards, personal interests, strategic interests all taken scapegoating the Tamil Cause. And Sinhala Regimes had been willing sacrifice anything to limit Tamils Voices. May be this is why OBAMA called for Openess, Rule of Ethics, Stop Lobbying. The Time will tell
They try to correct some mistakes they have committed during their tenure as Diplomats in Colombo. May be a sign of New Obama policy
In Sri Lanka, the oppression on ethnic communities was there since 1815 (Sinhala - Muslim Riots).To date no government ever tried to diffuse the polarization of ethnic communities or to respect minority communities and treat as one nation (i.e. Sri Lankan )(ref: Neville Jayaweera) .On the contrary they have taken communal lines to come to power.
Sri Lankan Head of the Armed forces still holds that view.
That is the root cause of this war. Have all or any of these six Ambassadors (with all respect to them) have tried to bring to the notice of the political heads in Sri Lanka or are they not aware of the situations that brought to this level?
Even now there is no political solution.
In Sri Lanka the oppression on ethnic communities was there since 1815 (Sinhala - Muslim Riots).To date no government ever tried to diffuse the polarization of ethnic communities or to respect minority communities and treat as one nation (i.e. Sri Lankan )(ref: Neville Jayaweera) . On the contrary they have taken communal lines to come to power.Sri Lankan Head of the Armed forces does uphold such a notion even now.
That is the root cause of this war. Have all these six Ambasedorers (with all respect to them) have tried to bring to the notice of the political heads in Sri Lanka.
That is the root cause of this war. Have all these six Ambassadors (with all respect to them) have tried to bring to the notice of the political heads in Sri Lanka or are they not aware of the situations that brought to this level?
Even now there is no political solution.
What is the point in writing to a Criminal regime by former US Ambassadors? Instead, they should write to Obama and express their concerns on War Crimes not only against Tamils but also against independent Media too.
Indian leaders are too supporting Rajapakse's criminal regime.
"Some have suggested that these events have been carried out not by elements of the government, but by other forces hoping to embarrass the government.
We do not find such arguments credible. We are familiar ..."
In other words "WE KNOW YOU DID IT! But we thought you were a nice man ..."
It is very good of you to take such interest in matters affecting Sri Lanka, even after you ended your tour of duty - the six of you span some twenty years of service in Sri Lanka - bringing together considerable experience to bear on the situation. The present incumbent too is a very engaging personality who does come under a bit of criticism from time to time from the Sinhala-Buddhist extremist. Only the other day Wimal Weerawansa warned Ambassador Blake for expressing concern over the manner in which media is intimidated. There are others who wanted Ambassador Blake thrown out for insisting that Tamils should be given their political rights without waiting for the LTTE to be defeated, as he believes in any event such a move would politically defeat the LTTE. Now, as a Tamil I do not necessarily agree with the good Ambassador that the LTTE should be defeated, but at the same time I do appreciate his concern for Tamils. The Sinhala-Buddhist extremists however find him not easily moved by threats despite his friendly approachable nature. It is quite clear Ambassador Blake would openly state what he feels is right without fear and he will only leave when his bosses at the State Department wants him back. Taking the 'diplomatic baton' you have passed on to him, he has done some excellent work in bringing President Bush and his Administration's goodwill and support to all Sri Lankans. If I had not heard from him that HIV/AIDS is under control in Sri Lanka, I would not have believed it. This again I believe is part of President Bush's global effort to control the deadly disease to which he had committed substantial amount of American taxpayers funds.
It is very unfortunate, however, that the Tamil issue should be seen as a terrorist problem. This has led to the real terrorist in Sri Lanka, namely, the Sri Lankan State to literally get away with murder for a very long time. It is even more sad when you realize that such a terrorist State has been enthusiastically and substantially funded to carry out its nefarious terrorist activities against people and Tamils in particular. There has been systematic vilification that had gone one for several decades - certainly since independence, in 1948. The nature of vilification is as severe as it can get in similar situation around the world. Basically, it is fascist beliefs like Tamils do not belong to the island; Tamils are recent arrivals; Tamils should be either exterminated or sent back to India; in the event, some are left behind they should be treated as second-class citizens. This island of Sri Lanka belongs to Sinhala-Buddhists and no one else! Buddha visited this island three times and wanted the island to be preserved for his second-coming.
Why drag the name of the good Prophet into perpetuating racial prejudice, and to rob the poor amongst other things, is not entirely clear. But, then that is how charlatans make a living.
The real point is, thus far many of you may have been bound by diplomatic protocols and niceties may have prevented from being more forthright about the Tamil issue, in that in the manner in which the terrorist regimes of Sri Lanka have always dealt with and for which international support and funding have been more than forthcoming. The present political situation in which Lasantha Wickrematunge was shot - and hacked, mind you - to death in broad daylight in a busy street in the suburb of Colombo, has been a direct consequence of longstanding international support Sinhala terrorist regimes have been receiving. Not stopping at Lasantha's murder the murderer assaulted a very innocent journalist who by all accounts is a harmless person. He doen't even write anything controversial. His only crime is being an innocent journalist - an appalling state of affair. What has he done to deserve this treatment. The Sinhala politicians haven't got a clue as to what democracy means.
The LTTE is only interested in freedom for Tamils, most Tamils have no reason to trust the Sinhalese. The abrogation of February 2002 Ceasefire Agreement in January last year is the most recent example of the train of deceit employed by the government against Tamils. The LTTE has no intention of disrupting Sri Lankan democracy - the Sinhala Political Establishment does it better than anyone else. The LTTE is committed to upliftment of Tamil lives. Unlike the Sinhala terrorist governments it has no intention of in anyway harming Sinhala lives.
It was, again, good of Congressman Adam Schiff to move to honour the slain editor Lasantha Wickrematunge on the floor of the House of Representatives. The solution to Sri Lankan woes lie doing just two things correctly, and nothing else. Firstly, by settling the civil war in a two state solution, and not by funding to eliminate the LTTE and celebrating victoires by Sihala terrorist regimes. Such victory celebrations would only engender and reaffirm racism amongst those poor poverty-ridden gullible Sinhalese. On the other hand, a two state solution would provide accomodation to fissiparous tendencies of the Tamil nationalists and help dissipate the war agendas of the protaganists. Once the development agenda takes hold, it may even be possible to form an island-vision, that is not only desirable but also inevitable!
Once again thanks ever so much for your interest. Do keep us in your mind - don't forget us!
Here is an example of how the 1978 Republican Constitution leads to three-wheeler poverty. Professor Hettige unravels the subtleties for us. It is as informative as it is witty.
http://federalidea.com/fi/2009/01/post_110.html
The latter day Triple Gem - Bros Rajapakse Inc - better take notice the world indeed is watching.
These Ambassadors indeed have the good of Sri Lanka and all her people at heart. They have not forgotten us although some of them sereved here over 20 years ago. You cannot fool all
the people all the time. Hilary Clinton is in a postion of influencing the Sri Lankan issue. She knows the place and the people. She has been here. Why did
Bill Clinton refuse to include Sri Lanka in his last visit to all countries affected by the Tsunami?
Did he get a dossier on the stealing and the crooks who robbed under the Help Hambantota racket that influenced his decision to skip
Sri Lanka?
ISS