Solution to Sri Lanka's conflict
is in reach, but needs politicians to put national interest first- US
Ambassador
Ambassador Blake’s
Remarks at the Seminar on "Sri Lanka: the Way Forward"
September 21, 2007 - Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
First let me express my thanks and commendation to the Fullbright Association
both for arranging this seminar on “Sri Lanka: the Way Forward”
and for putting together such a glittering panel of speakers. Let me
also thank Tissa for putting me first because whatever I have to say
will pale in comparison to the more erudite and lucid comments to follow!
Since time is short and we Americans are known for not mincing our
words, let me get right to the point on the topic at hand.
The Government of Sri Lanka has achieved some important victories in
the last several months. The expulsion of the LTTE from the East and
the recent sinking of several LTTE ships carrying arms and other provisions
mark important military successes.
But these tactical successes should not tempt the Government to re-consider
whether Sri Lanka’s conflict can be won by military means. It cannot.
While the Government must continue to defend the nation against terrorist
attacks, the way forward lies in continuing to lay the basis for a negotiated
settlement that will meet the aspirations of all of Sri Lanka’s
communities: Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese.
A key part of that equation will be for the All Parties Representative
Committee to complete its important work on a power-sharing proposal.
From all accounts the APRC has made substantial progress.
But difficult issues remain that will test whether all of Sri Lanka’s
parties can work together to arrive at a just and equitable proposal
that will receive the support of Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese. To achieve
a compromise that will lead to lasting peace will require statesmanship
from all sides and the will to put the national interest above narrow
party interests.
The governing coalition must demonstrate it represents the interests
of all Sri Lankans, not just southern Sinhalese.
The opposition UNP, which deserves much credit for the important steps
it took to advance peace in 2002-2003, should, for the sake of all Sri
Lankans, build on that record of achievement and work responsibly with
the Government to ensure a successful APRC outcome.
And we hope that all parties in the APRC will frame the final APRC
proposals in a manner that avoids the use of divisive, emotive terms
like “federalism” and “unitary.”
Let me a say a word about the stabilization and reconstruction process
in the east, which also is an important part of the way forward.
Now that conflict has subsided in the east, the Government has a significant
opportunity to stabilize and develop the east in a manner that would
demonstrate to all Sri Lankans, but particularly Tamils and Muslims,
that they have a bright future within a united Sri Lanka and that the
Government is serious about ensuring their rights and providing opportunities
equitably within a pluralistic state. In short, a successful transition
in the east can be an important confidence builder and a building block
for a future negotiation process.
Conversely, the government faces significant risks if it fails to seize
its opportunity in the east. Specifically, a failure to effect an orderly
transition from military to civilian control, a failure to consult elected
representatives of the Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese communities on the
development and other programs now being devised for the east, and a
failure to rein in paramilitaries are all likely to destabilize the
east and harden minority attitudes about prospects for negotiated settlement.
Likewise, resettlement and development plans that change the ethnic
composition of eastern districts, restrictions on access to means of
livelihood, and slow economic development will produce similar negative
effects.
In conclusion, let me emphasize that a solution to Sri Lanka’s
conflict is in reach. But it will require Sri Lanka’s government
and parties to work together to put the national interest first. The
United States, as a friend of Sri Lanka and a Co-Chair, stands ready
to assist in any way we can.
|
