NEW DELHI — A report on Sri Lanka to be released next week by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee urges a less confrontational approach to that nation, citing strategic American interests in the region.
......
But
“
It was not a secret that certain US representatives in Sri Lanka, during the final phase of war against LTTE terrorists, threatened the president with bogus war crime charges. If President Mahinda Rajapakse ever submitted to those undiplomatic requests, it is very likely that we are living under terrorist threats even today. With the help of India, China, and Russia, we successfully defeated their further disgraceful attempts in UN that followed comprehensive defeat of LTTE terrorists. As a result of such overt attempts, a US friendly nation was turned in to a nation not very positive about US. It is very important to maintain good relations with a global power like US, for commercial benefits if not for anything else. Therefore, the proposed non-confrontational approach can be beneficial to everybody. However, it will take a long time to erase the ill memories created by such hostile acts in the most crucial hour of the recent history of Sri Lanka.
Sam (ID 10084374428694513082).
25 comments:
Sam, dear chap, I just finished reading the article on NY times and was very glad to see the change in US policy. What we need to do is cultivate relationships with both Democrat and Republican lawmakers and power brokers. I think we already have a good rapport with the Republicans. Critical need now is to build up some good long term relationships with Democrat power brokers.
Cheers!
Call to Patriots: Alternative Energy Projects in Sri Lanka
Patriots,
I am putting together several Alternative Energy Projects to be built and operated in Sri Lanka.
The first of these projects is a 10MW hybrid Wind and Solar energy power plant. I expect a minimum 18% annual rate of return, which is the typical ROR expected for the risk associated with these kinds of power projects. The minimum investment is tentatively set at $10,000.
I am inviting Patriotic Sri Lankan Expatriates to invest in this venture. If you are interested in having a stake in Sri Lanka's future growth, and would like further information, please email me at LankaPatriot@gmail.com .
Remember, however, you will have to disclose your real identity from the very outset.
Thanks!
We will get involved when our workload is diminished.Wising you'll the compliments of the season.
More Light Dawning in Washington, DC on Sri Lanka's Struggle against Terrorism
Everybody Loves a Winner!
.............
After the Sri Lankan Surge
The Wall Street Jounal, Opinion
December 3, 2009
The war-torn island starts to see the benefits of defeating terrorists militarily.
While Washington debates President Obama's Afghan surge, another country not so far away offers a glimpse of the importance, and benefits, of getting it right. No, we don't just mean Iraq. Look also to Sri Lanka.
That island nation is just starting to recover from a 26-year civil war, which the government in Colombo won in May when it crushed the last remnants of the neo-Marxist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Colombo's year-long military offensive against the Tiger terrorists was controversial abroad and costly in blood and treasure on both sides at home.
The most obvious green shoot is the presidential election due for January 26. President Mahinda Rajapaksa called the vote two years earlier than expected hoping to ride a wave of majority-Sinhalese nationalism back into office. Instead he's facing a surprise challenger in General Sarath Fonseka, the military commander who won the war.
Neither candidate is perfect by a long stretch, but the mere fact of competition could benefit ethnic minorities. With Mr. Rajapaksa and Gen. Fonseka splitting the Sinhalese vote, each candidate will need to court Tamils and Muslims.
This is creating political incentives to hasten resettlement of the upward of 250,000 Tamils displaced by fighting in the Northern Province earlier this year. Roughly half of those have already returned home from the refugee camps, according to the United Nations. The government this week finally allowed greater movement in and out of the camps for those who remain.
Meanwhile Tiger extremists no longer menace moderate Tamils, who used to face regular intimidation. Incentives are now better aligned on all sides to resolve longstanding, legitimate Tamil grievances, such as Sinhalese preferences in university places and exclusion of Tamils from the police.
Whether the January vote will be free and fair is an open question. But the country is closer to resolving its problems than at any time since the Tigers started fighting in 1983. Sri Lanka isn't exactly analogous to Afghanistan. But the island does demonstrate the benefits of defeating terrorists on the battlefield.
AT LAST! AT LAST! God Almighty Uncommon Common Sense from a US Newspaper, At LAST!
Is the TIDE TURNING?
....................
EDITORIAL: Undermining Sri Lanka
America takes the wrong side in anti-terror fight
By THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Sri Lanka is joining Israel as a country facing a war crimes investigation for effectively fighting back against terrorism. America should support the Sri Lankan government or keep its nose out of Colombo's business.
Last week, Stephen Rapp, U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues, filed a report to Congress on incidents during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka that "may constitute violations of international humanitarian law or crimes against humanity." The report focuses in particular on January to May 2009 when, after 12 years of conflict, the Sri Lankan military surrounded and destroyed the major armed formations of the Tamil Tigers and killed the terrorist group's leaders.
The report chronicles allegations of war crimes by both Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers. Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, the Vermont Democrat whose subcommittee on the State Department and foreign operations requested the report, is calling for "a full and independent investigation" so those responsible can be "held accountable."
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights joined in the call for an investigation of Sri Lanka's war, saying there are "too many questions" left unanswered. U.N. Human Rights Spokesman Rupert Colville drew a direct comparison to the Gaza Fact-Finding Mission overseen by South African Judge Richard Goldstone. Sri Lanka and Israel are both pursuing internal investigations and have rejected the idea of international involvement in the process.
The Rapp report is not comprehensive, more a list of allegations than a fully documented indictment. Most of the offenses listed are either directly attributable to the Tamil Tigers, such as forcibly recruiting children to fight for them, or the consequence of terrorist activities, such as Sri Lanka shelling hospitals being used by the Tigers as command posts.
The tone of moral equivalence in the Rapp and Goldstone reports is most objectionable. War is by its nature violent, complex and tragic. Rules exist to mitigate war's suffering but can never eliminate it. Terrorist groups like the Tamil Tigers, Hamas and al Qaeda do not consider themselves bound by the rules of war and violate them as a matter of doctrine by targeting noncombatants, using civilians as human shields, torturing and executing prisoners, and by using hospitals and religious sites as headquarters and sniper platforms.
Any war against such an enemy will impose a degree of tragedy on people who under other circumstances would be spared war's horrors. But this is part of the terrorist tool kit, and reports such as these play into their hands. By placing the terrorists' systematic offenses against human dignity on par with the unintentional or otherwise regrettable actions of the regime trying to defeat them, such reports level a moral playing field that by rights the terrorists have no right even to set foot on.
Mr. Leahy should control his zeal to pursue what he views as justice in Sri Lanka. Any objective comparison of Sri Lanka's war against the Tamil Tigers or Israel's offensive against Hamas to America's struggle against al Qaeda would cast the United States in the same light, and elevate our enemies to a status they do not deserve. It hands the enemies of freedom unearned victories even as they are being defeated.
Here is the Link to the Post by Sam Perera:
U.S. Report on Sri Lanka Urges New Approach
By LYDIA POLGREEN
Published: December 6, 2009
Politicians Abandoning the Sinking Opposition Ship Turns into a Veritable Flood!
..............
Disillusioned opposition stalwart SB joins Sri Lanka ruling party
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
December 7, 2009
Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party national organizer and opposition leader of the Central Provincial Council S.B. Dissanayake has joined the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance, the government media unit announced today.
Ha ha ha ha.
I felt that Ranalingam camp may have been responsible for the negative attitude of US towards Sri Lanka. Since they have been a none factor now and perhaps Eelamists are also benumbed, no one is driving anything against SL in DC.
However in politics, you have to be bit paranoid all the time. They may be opening up with MR while supporting SF and UNP in the background.
Sri Lanka needs private universities. We should try earn money by brining in foreign students. Also this might reduce the hold on universities by the JVP.
Councillor pushes for private universities
Here is the Full Text of the US Senate Report on Sri Lanka
Ananda,
I just read the report from start to end. This is my interpretation of the report.
After we tried to save our favorite terrorist group LTTE from annihilation using the sticks not carrots, we have lost our place in Sri Lanka. Damn, why didn't we see the importance of the see route like Chinese did? China has gained a lot in SL due to our own stupidity. China gives no strings attached loans to those little brown people called Sinhalese. BTW, that little brown man Rajapakse is very popular among Sinhalese and Fonseka has no chance. Somehow, we need to continue meddling with the internal matters of Sri Lanka. Lets throw in a few more carrots and sticks to stupid Sinhalese hoping that they will not reject our overlordship.
US Senate Recommendations
This is what we should do with our god given right to piss on little brown people's heads. How dare do the refuse our overlordshi?
RECOMMENDATIONS ON SRI LANKA
The Obama administration should:
1. Take a broader and more robust approach to Sri Lanka that
appreciates new political and economic realities in Sri Lanka and
U.S. geostrategic interests. Such an approach should be multidimensional so that U.S. policy is not driven solely by short-term humanitarian concerns but rather an integrated strategy that leverages political, economic, and security tools for more effective long-term reforms.
2. Continue support de-mining efforts in the North. De-mining will be a major factor in successful resettlement of the North.
3. Engage the United Nations (World Food Programme and other agencies) and the Sri Lankan Goverment in developing a realistic resettlement strategy for 2010 that reassesses food and nonfood needs to support returnees’ efforts at reestablishing their livelihoods.
4. Promote people-to-people reconciliation programs to build
bridges between the Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim communities. A
people-to-people approach should be linked to political reforms and
processes that support transitional justice. Funding for such programs
is available on a competitive basis under section 7065 (‘‘Reconciliation
Programs’’) of Public Law 111–8, and additional funding will be included for such purposes in the Department of State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010.
5. Expand U.S. assistance to include all areas of the country,
particularly in the south and central areas so that Sinhalese and
other groups also benefit from U.S. assistance programs and reap
some ‘‘peace dividend.’’
6. Tighten visa restrictions and revoke U.S. citizenship for any
persons who are shown to have committed war crimes in Sri Lanka, whether they acted on behalf of the LTTE or the Goverment of Sri Lanka.
7. Expand the USAID/Department of Justice police program and provide judicial advisors to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Justice in order to support critical police reforms and implementation of current law.
8. Publicly commit to reinstating Peace Corps operations in Sri
Lanka as soon as the emergency regulations are removed. Peace
Corps volunteers could focus on teaching English and information
technology training.
US Senate Recommendations (continued...)
The U.S. Congress should:
1. Authorize the U.S. military to resume training of Sri Lankan
military officials to help ensure that human rights concerns are integrated into future operations and to help build critical relationships.
The international financial institutions should:
1. Encourage all international financial institutions to systematically factor in the role of conflict, as the World Bank does through its conflict filter for Sri Lanka, to ensure that IMF and development bank financing does not inadvertently exacerbate conflict.
Specifically, World Bank staff should be commended on its development of a conflict filter for Sri Lanka, and the World Bank should expand its use in other countries.
2. Proactively review military spending as a component of its financial programs with conflict countries.
The Sri Lankan Goverment should:
1. Treat all internally displaced persons in accordance with Sri
Lankan and international standards, including by guaranteeing
their freedom of movement, providing access to war-torn areas and populations by humanitarian organizations and journalists, and accounting for persons detained in the conflict.
2. Recognize the importance of a free and fair press, for both its
own democratic traditions and for sharing accurate information
with the international community. In showing its commitment to
freedom of the press, the Goverment should welcome back journalists
that have fled the country; pardon those such as J.S. Tissainayagam who were indicted under emergency laws; cease prosecuting cases against journalists based on emergency law; and actively investigate threats, abuses and killings of journalists.
3. Take steps to repeal emergency laws that are no longer applicable
now that the war is over. This will send a strong message that Sri Lanka is ready to transition to a post-conflict environment.
4. Share its plans for resettlement and reconstruction in the North with Sri Lankan civil society and international donors, who are well-positioned to support such efforts if there is greater transparency and accountability.
5. Commence a program of reconciliation between the diverse
communities in Sri Lanka.
6. Engage in a dialogue on land tenure issues, since they affect
resettlement in the North and East.
Some view the recent report by the U.S. Senate entitled "Sri Lanka: Recharting U.S. Strategy after the War" as heralding a favourable shift by the United States towards Sri Lanka.
Having carefully read the report in its entirety, I fail to see any fundamental shift in favour of Sri Lanka. The recommedations of the report are still CRITICAL and largely PUNITIVE. The only change I see is a heightened recognition by the US Senate Foreign Relations committee of the geostrategic importance of Sri Lanka, and that the US is may "lose" Sri Lanka to non-Western countries. No REMEDIES acceptable to the people of Sri Lanka. and addressing real Sri Lankan needs are presented. To quote the report itself, it is "all stcks and no carrots."
There are a few statements recognizing that the Majority Sinhala population of Sri Lanka have been traumatized by the 30 year war, in addition to the largely self-inflicted trauma of the Tamil community, and some aid must be directed towards them, as well. There is some mild praise for the GOSL for eliminating Child Soldiers; but child soldiers were never a problem created by the GOSL, that was the LTTE's baby, to coin a pun.
There is no praise for this fellow democracy that fought and defeated a monstrous terrorist organization, and eradicated it WITHOUT ASKING FOR FOREIGN MILITARY TROOPS! There is no acknowledgement that the US and Western powers were wrong in being unfairly critical and inimical to Sri Lanka; that such terrorist organizations can, and must, be defeated militarily, as Sri Lanka demonstrated; that it is possible ONLY by ably led INDIGENOUS native forces supported adequately with the necessary materials and equipment by a government that enjoys the support of the vast majority of the people of the country.
There is no recognition that a Government waging such a WAR OF NATIONAL SURVIVAL, must necessarily curtail some freedoms .. freedom of movement and freedom of speech, to name two .. in the national interest, for the COMPELLING PRIORITY is to WIN THE WAR. There is no recognition that similar restrictions were in place in the US, and in other Western countries, when they were embroiled in World War II, and even now through the Patriot Act to confront Al-Quaida terrorism. Jailed journalist Tissanayagam is held up as an innocent hero, while we all know he was engaged in undermining the nation in support of the LTTE, just as Julius and Ethel Rosenberg undermined the US spying for the Soviets. Have they not heard of the many traitors of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars in the US who paid the ultimate price for their treachery against their country? They have still not come to grips with their own double standards, happily preaching away to others while their own feet are mired in the clay of an unwarranted war and torure in prisons in Iraq.
Look then at the list of "Recommendations" on Sri Lanka. With the sole exception of Item 5 on "expanding assistance to all communities" in Sri Lanka, it is a litany of veiled criticisms and unwarranted interference in sovereign Sri Lanka's internal matters. Look at Item 6; that is blatant threat against Gothabhaya Rajapaksa .. our hero responsible for orchestrating the defeat of the LTTE in battle, and resisting foreign rescue of the LTTE leadership in the last days of the war. If the same standards were applied to the last US Govt, President George Bush, Dick Cheney and Donal Rumsfeld would be in dfanger of being stripped of their citizenship! where would they go; The Moon perhaps on the next Space Shuttle flight?
US Senate Report
...continued 1 ....
I am sorry to say that Nilmini Gunaratne Rubin's presence on the investigative team has not resulted in a fairer deal for Sri Lanka. It is still "all sticks and no carrots."
Instead of these punitive recommendations, the report should have recognized and praised the great accomplishment of this 62-year old small functioning democracy .. one of only two in South Asia .. and friend and ally of the United States for all of those years .. that shares in large measure the same values, and fights the same foes, as the United States. The report should have recognized the fundamental Aparthied Racism undelying the Tamil Eelam Homeland concept that denies the benefit of all resources of Srii Lanka to all of its people irrespective of race, caste or creed, and its unsuitability to a multicultural Sri Lanka yearning for a national existence as ONE Nation, of ONE People sharing ONE Destiny.
The report should have recognized that terrorists hide among civilians and undermine law and order .. as the United States knows full well through its experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is suffering from to this very day. The report should have commended the Sri Lanka government for rescuing the civilians held in the grip of the terrorists as a human shield, for having housed, fed, healed, funded, protected and largely restored them to their homes, within the confines of its meager resources.
If Sri Lanka is so critical to US Interests, the report should have recommended a greatly expanded infusion of USAID, say 1 billion USD/year, to assist Sri Lanka develop the infrastructure (Electrical Power, Ports and Airports, Roads, Highways and Railroads, Hospitals, Schools and Universities, Research Centers, Communications, Advanced Green Transportation Technologies, and Industrial Manufacturing) that we need to employ our people and transform Sri Lanka into an economically vibrant democracy. Also, the report should have recommended expanded weapons and assistance to the Sri Lanka Defence Forces to secure its soil and police the maritime routes of critical importance to world commerce, without denying Sri Lanka that assistance when in dire need, as in the past.
In these ways, the United States can meaningfully assist Sri Lanka, maintain the alliance that has endured since independance, and arrest its drift elsewhere. Instead, what we see are minimal funds, for such a Rich and Powerful nation, allocated largely to addressing soft political and societal issues, largely in areas that constitute unwarranted interference in the internal affais of Sri Lanka, geared only to creating sectarian divisions, and undermining the political and national cohesion of Sri Lanka.
US Senate Report
......continued 2 ...
Sri Lanka: Recharting U.S. Strategy after the War
By Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate,
John F. Kerry, Chairman
Richard G. Lugar, Ranking Member
.......
Based on input from the following Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff members who visited Sri Lanka on a fact finding visit:
Fatema Z. Sumar, and
Nilmini Gunaratne Rubin
.................
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture in its efforts to secure a lasting peace. After almost three decades of separatist war, on May7, 2009, the terrorist Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE or Tamil Tigers) officially conceded defeat. Two days later, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared total victory after government soldiers killed the Tamil Tigers’leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, and took control of the entire country for the first time since 1983. With an estimated 70,000 casualties over the years, it was a bitter and hard-fought victory, one of the few instances in modern history in which a terrorist group had been defeated militarily. President Rajapaksa framed the victory as part of the global fight against terrorism, declaring in a May 19 speech before Parliament, ‘‘Ending terrorism in Sri Lanka means a victory for democracy in the world. Sri Lanka has now given a beginning to the ending of terrorism in the world.’’
The war in Sri Lanka may be over, but the underlying conflict still simmers. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Sri Lanka is not a post-conflict environment. While the fighting between the Government and the LTTE may have ended, the reasons for the political and social conflict (that also gave rise to youth militancy and armed clash in the 1970s and 1980s) will take time to address. Those root causes must be tackled soon and with a sense of urgency to prevent the country from backsliding. Thirty years of violence have taken a toll on the majority Sinhalese population, giving rise to a siege mentality toward the ethnic Tamil minority.
For their part, Tamil leaders have not yet made anticipated conciliatory gestures that might ease government concerns and foster a genuine dialogue. Some Tamils are wary about the long-term significance of post-war Sinhalese ‘‘triumphalism’’ and fear that they may be marginalized in the unified country of Sri Lanka. The
Tamil middle class has been devastated, many having emigrated years ago, leaving behind few mainstream leaders to represent more moderate views. The situation is particularly dire for Tamils
in the North, who are trapped between living in government-run camps and returning to homes destroyed in the war.
US SEnate REport
....continued 3 ...
Real peace will not come overnight to Sri Lanka and cannot be imposed from the outside. The country has endured decades of trauma, and a generation of politicians and laymen know little aside fromwar and conflict as the norm. It will take time for the country to make the transition to a post-conflict environment amid
ongoing political and economic challenges. The country’s economy remains fragile, requiring the International Monetary Fund to provide a $2.6 billion loan to bolster Sri Lanka’s reserves. Government officials have been under additional pressure as a result of the European Union’s deliberations to suspend special trade preferences with Sri Lanka, known as ‘‘GSP Plus,’’ unless progress is made on human rights and political freedoms.
The political environment in Sri Lanka is not as black and white as many outside observers believe. Despite ongoing allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses, the Rajapaksa Goverment has taken some positive steps to ease the humanitarian crisis in the North, develop the East, and reduce the number of child soldiers. Its recent announcement to allow increased freedom of movement in the government-run camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) starting December 1, 2009, and shut down the camps by January 31, 2010, is positive and welcome. The Government still faces many legitimate obstacles in the North—such as removing
the extensive mines left by years of warfare—where the international community can be an active partner in promoting faster resettlement.
Serious questions remain about the Sri Lankan Goverment’s ability to address pressing reconstruction and development needs for Tamils and Muslims. The Government’s prolonged application of emergency laws, lack of transparency in developing a strategy for reconstruction and resettlement, questionable conduct during the war, and clampdown on press freedom have undermined trust and the prospects for greater partnership with international donors. Though the war is over, a culture of fear and paranoia permeates society, especially for journalists, which further erodes Sri Lanka’s standing in the international community and hampers its prospects for genuine peace.
The final stages of the war captured the attention of governments around the world, particularly the United States. The Obama administration has been focusing on the humanitarian crisis in the North and pressing the Sri Lankan Government to take meaningful steps toward political reconciliation and press freedom. The United States is one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, including food aid and de-mining assistance. Yet, in Colombo, the Goverment considers the bilateral relationship with Washington to be on a downward trajectory. Most U.S. criticisms of Sri Lankan actions at the end of the war and treatment of IDPs have fallen on deaf ears, with Sri Lankan authorities dismissing the U.S. posture as ‘‘no carrots and all sticks.’’ U.S. assistance to Sri Lanka, although delivered in grants and not loans, has attracted criticism from the Rajapaksa Goverment for its emphasis on political reform. This growing rift in U.S.-Sri Lanka relations can be seen in Colombo’s realignment toward non-Western countries, who offer an alternative model of development that places greater value on security over freedoms.
US Senate Report
....continued 4 ...
Indeed, Sri Lanka’s geopolitical position has evolved considerably. As Western countries became increasingly critical of the Sri Lankan Government’s handling of the war and human rights record, the Rajapaksa leadership cultivated ties with such countries as Burma, China, Iran, and Libya. The Chinese have invested
billions of dollars in Sri Lanka through military loans, infrastructure loans, and port development, with none of the strings attached by Western nations. While the United States shares with the Indians and the Chinese a common interest in securing maritime trade routes through the Indian Ocean, the U.S. Government has invested relatively little in the economy or the security sector in Sri Lanka, instead focusing more on IDPs and civil society. As a result, Sri Lanka has grown politically and economically isolated from the
West.
This strategic drift will have consequences for U.S. interests in the region. Along with our legitimate humanitarian and political concerns, U.S. policymakers have tended to underestimate Sri Lanka’s geostrategic importance for American interests. Sri Lanka is located at the nexus of crucial maritime trading routes in the Indian Ocean connecting Europe and the Middle East to China and the rest of Asia. The United States, India, and China all share an interest in deterring terrorist activity and curbing piracy that could disrupt maritime trade. Security considerations extend beyond sea lanes to the stability of India, the world’s largest democracy. Communal tensions in Sri Lanka have the potential to undermine stability in India, particularly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, home to 60 million Tamils. All of these concerns should be part of our bilateral relationship.
The United States cannot afford to ‘‘lose’’ Sri Lanka. This does not mean changing the relationship overnight or ignoring the real concerns about Sri Lanka’s political and humanitarian record. It does mean, however, considering a new approach that increases U.S. leverage vis-a-vis Sri Lanka by expanding the number of tools at our disposal. A more multifaceted U.S. strategy would capitalize on the economic, trade, and security aspects of the relationship. This approach in turn could catalyze much-needed political reforms that will ultimately help secure longer term U.S. strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. U.S. strategy should also invest in Sinhalese parts of the country, instead of just focusing aid on the Tamil-dominated North and East.
The Obama administration is currently weighing a new strategy for relations with Sri Lanka. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has closely followed events on the ground this year, including a hearing in February and a staff trip to Sri Lanka in November. In an effort to stimulate a larger debate on U.S. policy toward Sri Lanka, the committee staff prepared this bipartisan report examining recent developments and proposing recommendations for U.S. policy towards Sri Lanka. The recommendations include a broader and more robust U.S. approach to Sri Lanka that appreciates new political and economic realities in Sri Lanka and U.S. geostrategic interests; continuation of de-mining efforts in the North; and promotion of people-to-people reconciliation programs throughout the country.
US Senate Report
....continued 5 ...
SINCE WAR ENDED ON MAY 19 - Not Included Here
STATUS OF IDPs - Not Included Here
PROGRESS ON POLITICAL RECONCILIATION - Not Included Here
AN INTIMIDATED MEDIA - Not Included Here
CHILD SOLDIERS - Not Included Here
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES - Not Included Here
RECOMMENDATIONS ON SRI LANKA
The Obama administration should:
1. Take a broader and more robust approach to Sri Lanka that appreciates new political and economic realities in Sri Lanka and U.S. geostrategic interests. Such an approach should be multidimensional so that U.S. policy is not driven solely by short-term humanitarian concerns but rather an integrated strategy that leverages political, economic, and security tools for more effective long-term reforms.
2. Continue support de-mining efforts in the North. De-mining will be a major factor in successful resettlement of the North.
3. Engage the United Nations (World Food Programme and other agencies) and the Sri Lankan Goverment in developing a realistic resettlement strategy for 2010 that reassesses food and nonfood
needs to support returnees’ efforts at reestablishing their livelihoods.
4. Promote people-to-people reconciliation programs to build bridges between the Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim communities. A people-to-people approach should be linked to political reforms and processes that support transitional justice. Funding for such programs is available on a competitive basis under section 7065 (‘‘Reconciliation Programs’’) of Public Law 111–8, and additional funding will be included for such purposes in the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010.
5. Expand U.S. assistance to include all areas of the country, particularly in the south and central areas so that Sinhalese and other groups also benefit from U.S. assistance programs and reap some ‘‘peace dividend.’’
6. Tighten visa restrictions and revoke U.S. citizenship for any persons who are shown to have committed war crimes in Sri Lanka, whether they acted on behalf of the LTTE or the
Goverment of Sri Lanka.
7. Expand the USAID/Department of Justice police program and provide judicial advisors to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Justice in order to support critical police reforms and implementation of current law.
8. Publicly commit to reinstating Peace Corps operations in Sri Lanka as soon as the emergency regulations are removed. Peace Corps volunteers could focus on teaching English and information
technology training.
US SEnate REport
....continued 6 ...
The U.S. Congress should:
1. Authorize the U.S. military to resume training of Sri Lankan military officials to help ensure that human rights concerns are integrated into future operations and to help build critical relationships.
The international financial institutions should:
1. Encourage all international financial institutions to systematically factor in the role of conflict, as the World Bank does through its conflict filter for Sri Lanka, to ensure that IMF and development bank financing does not inadvertently exacerbate conflict. Specifically, World Bank staff should be commended on its development of a conflict filter for Sri Lanka, and the World Bank should expand its use in other countries.
2. Proactively review military spending as a component of its financial programs with conflict countries.
The Sri Lankan Goverment should:
1. Treat all internally displaced persons in accordance with Sri
Lankan and international standards, including by guaranteeing their freedom of movement, providing access to war-torn areas and populations by humanitarian organizations and journalists, and accounting for persons detained in the conflict.
2. Recognize the importance of a free and fair press, for both its own democratic traditions and for sharing accurate information with the international community. In showing its commitment to freedom of the press, the Goverment should welcome back journalists that have fled the country; pardon those such as J.S. Tissainayagam who were indicted under emergency laws; cease prosecuting cases against journalists based on emergency law; and actively investigate threats, abuses and killings of journalists.
3. Take steps to repeal emergency laws that are no longer applicable now that the war is over. This will send a strong message that Sri Lanka is ready to transition to a post-conflict environment.
4. Share its plans for resettlement and reconstruction in the North with Sri Lankan civil society and international donors, who are well-positioned to support such efforts if there is greater transparency and accountability.
5. Commence a program of reconciliation between the diverse communities in Sri Lanka.
6. Engage in a dialogue on land tenure issues, since they affect resettlement in the North and East.
END
This might sound stupid however here goes:
With the potential for the JVP/UNP in collusion with Western media to discredit Sri Lankas election (a scenario I have spelt out before and have repeated below) by over blowing measly protests by the JVP is something of great concern. Clearly they are planning this and repeat an Iran on us to portray MR as an illegitimate leader. Western media has already created the impression that Gonseka has won and that his defeat means MR has "stolen" the election.
To thwart this the Government can/must organise its own protests against the West (Norwegian, UK, US embassies, BBC and UN hq) to occur immediately after results are declared and MR wins (which now is a certainty) akin to what we saw on May19th, large protests with banners regarding the Muzzamil bribery exposure, funding/backing Tamil terrorism, trying to keep the country backward and poor, start a new war etc etc, accuse them as the HR violators, election rigging and the election violence, trying to deny the people of Sri Lanka their free will. All lead by the JHU and NFF.
Such an event they might not expect because they know that MR is going to win (see Asiantribune report) and assume he will be happy with his victory (trumping all the pro-Gonseka propaganda from the West) that he will relax and not be planning a response to the pre-arranged protests between them and the JVP.
Worse, any protest no matter how peaceful (and fraudulent by design) will be used to say MR is illegitimate. It would not be surprising if Mangala/Ranil call for UN intervention to "double check" the results or do a re-poll with the UN in charge. So we need something at the ready that would be scuttle this possibility, even if there are no protests by the JVP.
We have seen how they never give up and the brutal nature of their propaganda machines (e.g. Channel 4 vid + war crimes claims, HR bs). They will say "pre-polls showed Gonseka winning, but MR won" and being the experts at manipulation they will convince the world that MR has stolen the election and is illegitimate (just like in Iran).
"Prevention protests" should happen immediately after results are announced and continue for weeks non-stop. JHU/NFF should make camp outside the embassies.
[[[[Possible Scenario:
A) Steal the election (thanks to the violence Gonseka camp has already unleashed scaring away voters in addition to extension vote rigging and fools who have swallowed his "change" and false promises).
B) Do a Mugabe on us with a false declaration just as results are coming out.
C) Discredit the election:
i) Say violence has scared people
ii) Make a big deal with his Western NGOs backers (funny that these clowns are monitoring our election) about "unfair" representation in the Media, all that crap about MR having more resources, use their own fake polls and bogus statements that Gonseka is leading in the polls to say he "should have won" etc etc.
iii) Accuse MR of election theft.
iv) Accumulation of all 3 above will be used to start protests by JVP/UNP, a couple deaths, provoking the police; looting and Western media will harp on about "violence ever since Sri Lanka's discredit/questioned elections". Even if ALL monitors declare the election free and fair, the above style protests happening will be enough for the West to basically call the elections "fraudulent". Thus we will have our Iran.
D) As a result of C, they will question MRs legitimacy as President and try and push isolation/sanctions on Sri Lanka. They want something to punish us with for defying them so bluntly with regards to the LTTE, Gonseka is providing it now and will provide it by doing the above.
E) Following D, they will "request" UN inquiry to SL, like Kenya. Knowing MR will say rightly "get lost" they will do more of E with smiles on their faces and keep pushing to get the UN, thus when that set of useless puppets are in Sri Lanka they will concoct more charges against Sri Lanka (even go close enough to imply "OMG! There is genocide happening!" –West are expert manipulators) and try and re-create the CFA style environment of 2002-06 with the UN as the guarantee this time.
]]]]]]
Post a Comment