CLASSIFIED | POLITICS | TERRORISM | OPINION | VIEWS

Statement of Sri Lanka, December 7,2007

Ira de Silva London, Ontario, Canada

December 11,2007

Mr. Koichiro Matsuura
Director General
UNESCO
7 Place de Fontenoy
75352 PARIS 07 SP
France

Dear Sir:

Re: Statement on Sri Lanka of December 7,2007

I am writing to you again as in your statement dated December 7,2007 you have neither retracted your false accusation against the Government of Sri Lanka nor had the integrity and courage to tender an apology. It is generally accepted that the hallmark of an educated person is that they are able to admit to a mistake. Your actions indicate that the "E" in UNESCO now stands not for education but evasion.

I welcome your "strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations". The problem is that you issued a press release condemning the Government of Sri Lanka for bombing a clandestine radio station which is the propaganda arm of a well known terrorist organization. You completely ignored the fact that there have been numerous instances of NATO and other western forces bombing radio stations without any condemnation by UNESCO. Why did you single out Sri Lanka for your unfounded condemnation? Was it ignorance and a manifestation of the double standards of UN organizations? Presumably you were unaware that the Voice of Tigers radio station was a "form" of terrorist activity, was a "manifestation" of terrorism committed not by whomever but by the very Tamil Tigers whose acts of terrorism you condemn on December 7. If you were in fact aware of Tamil Tiger terrorism in Sri Lanka it makes your condemnation of the government of Sri Lanka all the more reprehensible and exposes UN duplicity regarding Sri Lanka.

As I pointed out in my previous letter to you, you need to educate yourself on what is taking place in Sri Lanka BEFORE making irresponsible, biased statements as it exposes the bias and double standards of UNESCO. You recall UNESCO's commitment to the implementation of “Uniting against terrorism: recommendations for a global counter-terrorism strategy”. I would like to bring to your attention that as Director General of UNESCO you need to know who the terrorist organizations are before you can "unite against terrorism". Your condemnation of Sri Lanka for bombing a clandestine radio station broadcasting terrorist propaganda indicates that you are far from knowing the basics or that your statement of condemnation was a deliberate, calculated lie the sole purpose of which was to harass Sri Lanka and spoil her image.

It is well known to ordinary citizens of the world who do not indulge in diplomatic double speak that some of the UN staff believe that they are employed by the UN to be political activists and terrorist sympathizers. While you indicated the policy of the UN regarding terrorism you are condoning these activities by your staff which by your own admission is contrary to UN policy. When are you going to educate your staff that it is against UN policy to meddle in the internal affairs of the countries they are serving in and that their own political agendas and support of terrorists are contrary to UN policy? It is activities and statements such as yours that bring disrepute to the UN and are making it irrelevant in world opinion.

In conclusion, if you are sincere in calling for "an end to the destructive spiral of violence in Sri Lanka" you could make a start by reprimanding those on your staff who were responsible for the false accusations made against the Government of Sri Lanka. Inaction on your part will lead to Sri Lanka and many other countries being justified in calling for the withdrawal of UN political activists and terrorist sympathisers as it would greatly help these countries in their fight against terrorism.

Yours truly,

Ira de Silva
London, Ontario, Canada

On 7 December 2007, the Director-General of UNESCO met with Ambassador Chitranganee Wagiswara, Permanent Delegate of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to UNESCO, concerning UNESCO’s press release issued on the bombing of the radio station of the Tamil tigers in northern Sri Lanka, and asked the Ambassador to convey to her authorities the following two points:
1. The Director-General reaffirms his “strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes, as it constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.” He also states that “Acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations are activities aimed at the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy”. In this regard the Director-General strongly condemns the acts of terrorism committed by the Tamil Tigers. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Mr Matsuura recalls UNESCO’s commitment to the implementation of “Uniting against terrorism: recommendations for a global counter-terrorism strategy” adopted by the UN General Assembly at its 60th session.
2. Mr Matsuura joins his voice with that of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who appealed on 28 November 2007 for “an end to the destructive spiral of violence in Sri Lanka and [called] on the parties to the conflict [Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)] to return to the peace process while making every effort to ensure the protection of civilians.”
The Director-General takes note of Sri Lanka’s assurance of its commitment to a negotiated political settlement

Disclaimer: The comments contained within this website are personal reflection only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the LankaWeb. LankaWeb.com offers the contents of this website without charge, but does not necessarily endorse the views and opinions expressed within. Neither the LankaWeb nor the individual authors of any material on this Web site accept responsibility for any loss or damage, however caused (including through negligence), which you may directly or indirectly suffer arising out of your use of or reliance on information contained on or accessed through this Web site.
All views and opinions presented in this article are solely those of the surfer and do not necessarily represent those of LankaWeb.com. .

BACK TO LATEST NEWS

DISCLAIMER