The USA and International Community have no principles. They think they are the Alpha and Omega.

By Charles Perera

The USA and the International Community swear by their time-honoured principle that they will not negotiate with terrorists, and have said so on numerous occasions. The war in Iraq was started by George Bush going on this very principle. If that is a principle on which they function as Nations, then as world leaders they should stand by that principle under all circumstances. But, we know as a fact, that they stand by this principle only when it concerns themselves. They have a way of separating themselves from the rest of the world when it comes to saving their own skins, they are Nations apart.. They are the rich , they are the technologically most developed, they have most modern destructive arms, and they have a trained cadre that the leaders can use at their command as cannon fodder, but yet they are unprincipled.

They do not help other Nations of the world who need their help, for with their wealth, men, and armed power they protect themselves, their principles end where their security is assured? Beyond that they are the alpha and omega. They are the beginning and the end, the masters of the space, and the human masses subjected to all dangers, it is they who dictate terms. The America and the International Community act as the policemen of the world laying down their own laws and regulations. Their predominant principle “no negotiation with terrorists”, do not exist beyond their own zone of security.

In Iraq America has 30 000 soldiers, they will have 125000 by July this year. Some of these young men will return to their homes in coffins. The army leader salute them, burying them after colourful ceremonies, the families lament over their deaths and the episode is forgotten until the next batch of coffins arrive. All that is to perpetuate their home grown principle “ no negotiations with terrorists”. But outside their egoist comfortable security, they act as great humanists, great democrats throwing away their “principle” asunder, and how many times have we in Sri Lanka heard the solemn ritualistic pronouncement made by their Zealots: Richard O Blake, Steve Mann, and recently Blaire and Margaret Beckett, that there is no military solution for terrorism and therefore return to a negotiated settlement. What hypocrisy ? USA and the International Community, say one thing when it comes to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and another in Sri Lanka which is carrying out a military assault successfully against the terrorists ?

Their badges of respectability are Brad Adam of the Human Rights Watch, Rush Holt and the 38 US Legislators, who allow their own American youth die in Iraq and Afghanistan, without raising any questions, and dare ask Bush to send a Special envoy to protect the LTTE terrorists of Sri Lanka from the violation of their human rights by the government of Sri Lanka.
They try to show off, as great humanitarians, talking in two languages one to talk about their own security , and the other to perpetuate terrorism in small countries. The small countries they try to break up as they did in Yugoslavia, so that their responsibilities to the rest of the world is minimised, allowing them to continue their war against THEIR terrorism.

USA and the International Community will remain most unpopular in the world unless they take stock of their present modus operandi and make amends by adopting an attitude not of political dishonesty, but adopting a more acceptable principled and honest intergovernmental relationships, without discrimination against countries for their economic situation, religious beliefs, or political systems.

If the USA and the International Community accept themselves as the unchallenged leaders of the World, they could afford to be honestly compassionate, not hateful; friendly, not hostile; tolerant, not intolerant; indiscriminate, not discriminate . They can adopt a dialogue for benefit of other less fortunate Nations.They can afford to be not selfish, but beneficial. They can afford to be not aggressive but friendly.

As it is, they pronounce words of solicitude to the LTTE terrorists in Sri Lanka, but they bully Cuba not for any wrongs done by Cuba, but because they not accept their political system. The USA is rich and powerful, so why cannot USA leave Cub alone and help it to live peacefully and help to better the condition of the people in their country. That would be generosity, kindness and compassion. USA could even leave Guantenamo to Cuba as part of their territory as a good measure ! Why should USA become aggressive with Iran or North Korea ? USA can afford to speak to them and have a friendly dialogue without threat of reprisal, to dissuade them from taking any action that would be dangerous to humanity. That is real leadership, and far from the present attitude of being an International Bully.

In Sri Lanka, USA knows that the LTTE terrorist, are TERRORISTS, therefore they should let the Government of Sri Lanka adopt the same principle by which they swear when it comes to their own interest, and help the government of Sri Lanka with military help to make the military solution become a reality. Thereafter they may request Sri Lanka to prepare a power sharing political system acceptable by the Sinhala , Tamil , Muslims, Malays and others. The people of all communities in Sri Lanka have suffered under a disastrous terrorism initiated by Prabhakaran. All these communities that populate Sri Lanka- the Sinhala, the Tamil, the Muslim, the Malay and others ask for nothing more than to live in peace. Therefore USA and the International Communities, please stop being dishonest to yourselves, and stop ranting about, calling both parties to negotiate for peace, and allow the government of Sri Lanka end terrorism their way, without your interference.