The three EU Foreign Ministers from Britain, France and Austria speaking to the press after their informal briefing on Sri Lanka to eight members of the security council said, the situation inside no fire zone in Sri Lanka is appalling in its humanitarian distress. Miliband said, the European union is clear this is an issue, the Security Council should address.
The meeting was not even an informal Security Council discussion as happened earlier, it is a briefing only for those concerned. Even after the weekend 'bloodbath' as UN named it, only eight members of the Security Council participated the meeting, US Ambassador Susan Rice was present at the meeting. Russia and China were notable absentees.
Miliband speaking first to press said they discussed about the civilians in the conflict zone as well as in IDP camps adding that he said the report would be shocking to those who have not followed the conflict over the last few months. The situation inside no fire zone is appalling in its humanitarian distress, where 50,000 to 100,000 people are cramped in to an area of less than 3 sq. Km. He said "there is no question civilian lives are lost in large scale inside this."
The rise in clash over the weekend has claimed hundreds of civilian lives and he said "we also heard report from credible and serious organizations, the use of heavy artillery in 'No Fire Zone' that directly affects the civilians. He said as an upmost urgency they would be taking that with SL authorities, as this is in contrary to what they (Sri Lanka) promised.
On IDP camps he said it remains a major concern, there is enormous strain on the civilians in the IDP camps, and there is insufficient access either by humanitarian organizations or by the UN.
He said the access is vital, not only for UN and NGOs but for journalist too if there are to be proper witness to the situation that afflict the civilians in the country.
Austria's Michael Spindelegger pointed three things important, to ask Sri Lankan government to protect its people, an obligation in the frame work of UN, to ask the government to let the independent monitors in to the camps to know what is really going on inside, he described the situation of the camp from what he heard as shocking, thirdly to look to the future, what could be the political solution. He said, all have to see it will not end with a military action.
France Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner said we were in agreement with Rajapakse in providing humanitarian aid, demining, giving food, giving medicine, so what now. He lamented at the journalist "are we waiting to the end of the bumping, to the end of any life in that pocket, leave alone the suffering, i am calling you because you have to drive the international community attention to this part of the world."
When asked whether they are going to force this in to the SC agenda or remind countries they have responsibilities to protect, "We are ready to talk to our colleagues (Security council members), there is a special place right now to address them and tell them what we have seen and what we are suffering of doing nothing against," Kouchner replied showing his indignation.
Both Miliband and Kouchner visibly seen disturbed by blatant refusal of some members in taking the issue in Security Council, When asked who are the council members that opposed taking up the issue at Security Council, Miliband said, 'We can only speak for ourselves. Others can speak for themselves.'
Miliband said we are clear this is an issue, the Security Council should address, it involves major civilian loss of life and distress, it does have ramification for the region, and it involves the word of the member of UN not to use heavy weaponry in the pursuit of its goals to suppress a terrorist organization, those are fundamental issue we as European members of the council do believe belongs here."
As a rule and unless a crisis is already on the council's agenda, a majority of nine council members have to approve a new issue be put on the agenda of discussion. Some council members have opposed discussion over matters they consider domestic matters.
Before attending the meeting Miliband told the media:
"Our message is a simple one, which is that the killing must stop." "The civilians trapped in the zone, up to 50,000 to 100,000 in an area of just 3 square kilometers are the victims of what at the moment is a war without witness."
“As you know, the issue has not yet been allowed onto the formal UN Security Council agenda. That's why we'll be having a range of meetings on the side of the formal meeting on the Middle East... merits the attention of the UN at all levels. The Secretary General has already sent his rep to Sri Lanka, the lack of access for the UN and its agencies remains a major concern.”
"I believe very, very strongly that the civilian situation in the northeast of Sri Lanka merits the attention of the United Nations at all levels," he said, calling it a "civilian catastrophe."
But the Sri Lanka issue is not on the agenda of the 15-member council as some powerful members, notably China, Russia and Japan are opposed. The secretary-general not firm on any decision rather than calling the shots on LTTE, knowing very well it cannot present itself legally to UN, for that matter even Tamils have no representation unlike Sinhala dominated Sri Lanka having the advantage of being democratically elected.
Inner City Press asked France's Bernard Kouchner, whether he would use the expiration of the European Union's favourable tariff treatment for Sri Lankan textiles, the so-called GSP Plus, as a way to try to protect civilians from government bombing as took place over the weekend.
Miliband answered; saying that “Sri Lanka does not want to isolate itself from the international community. Sri Lanka depend a significant part on trade with the European Union, it want preferential trade treatment with EU, and every stage Europe responsibility are to uphold values, so the human rights aspects of the discussion are taken seriously by the European Commission at this stage.”
Kouchner spoke to French press separately, Matthew Lee from ICP said he heard Kouchner say, Devant nous, des milliers -- “right in front of us, thousands,” presumably meaning civilians, killed on or near the beaches of north east Sri Lanka.
Now Britain is with US on tying the IMF loan to the conflict, Franch's Ripert was not favourable to that idea earlier, Kouchner talked about public opinion and wanted IMF authorities to consider the situation rather than linking it to conflict, he wants other ways to address.
News analyzed and edited by Tamil National [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]
Read the statement
David MilibandLadies and Gentlemen, we have just come from a meeting where eight members of the Security Council were able to meet with UN officials and humanitarian Non-Governmental Organisations about the situation in Sri Lanka.We've discussed first of all the crisis inside the so-called No Fire Zone in the far North-East of the country and the situation in the IDP camps. The reports that we've had would be shocking to anyone who have not followed this conflict over the last few months.The situation in the so-called No Fire Zone is appalling in its humanitarian distress: it involves up to 50,000 people according to some NGO estimates, even 100,000 according to some other groups, crammed into an area of some three square kilometres, smaller than Central Park. There is no question that civilian life is being lost on a large scale.The rise in violence over the weekend has claimed hundreds of civilian lives. We have also heard reports from credible and serious organisations who chose their words carefully that there has been the use of heavy artillery into the North East of the country and affecting civilians in the so-called No Fire Zone.We are determined to follow this up with the Sri Lankan authorities as a matter of the utmost urgency since it goes directly contrary to the commitments that were made to Foreign Minister Kouchner and I when we were in Sri Lanka.In respect of the situation in the IDP camps, this remains a major concern, there is enormous strain on the civilians in the IDP camps, there is insufficient access either by humanitarian organisations or by the UN.We were also told about the continuing denial of visas and other permits for access around the country. We believe that access is absolutely vital for the UN and NGOs, but also for journalists if there is to be proper witness to the situation that afflicts the civilians in this country.It is also important to say that there is no doubt in anyone's mind that the LTTE are preventing civilians from leaving the No Fire Zone, consistent with their own murderous behaviour in the past.I think it is also important that I say, on behalf of myself and the three European colleagues on the Security Council, that we have no doubt at all that the situation, the humanitarian situation, in Sri Lanka is something that the Security Council should address and I am going to invite my two colleagues to say a few words and then we are happy to take some questions.Austrian Foreign Minister Michael SpindeleggerJust to add what David Miliband said, I think we all are shocked about the news we have heard today from the NGOs and from OCHA. I think from the Austrian point of view, we are very much concerned about the situation today and I just would like to announce three points:- first of all, I think we should ask the Government of Sri Lanka just to protect their people because it's an obligation in the framework of United Nations. They have to protect the life of the people and they have to try to get them out from the Fire Zone;- just a second point is, I think, we have to concentrate in this moment to the situation in the camps. As we have heard, this is really a shocking situation and we should ask the Government of Sri Lanka just to let in the camps independent monitors, just to find out what's going on really in these camps; and- thirdly, I think we all have to have a look to the future what could be the political solution and I think we should draw the attention also to this point of view because it will not end with military action. We have to think about the situation afterwards.French Foreign Minister Bernard KouchnerYes, we were there with David and really this is impossible to support, so what is the issue, what is the additional asset we can give to the civilian population? [He then spoke in French.] I support all what has been said by my two colleagues. [He spoke in French.]David, he said very clearly the five points and the sixth point was demining. We were ready to help the people there and to help the Sri Lankan Government and the people to demine. Access to this upper part for UN Agencies, for NGOs with projects, giving food, giving medical supplies, yes we were in agreement with the President himself but so what now?Are we waiting all of us to the end of the bombing, to the end of any life, not only suffering, but any life in this pocket, of siege pocket, I am calling you because you are our friends to drive the attention of the international community to this part of the world. Thank you very much.Q & A session.Question: What are your options now, just picking up on that question, are you going to try and force this onto the agenda of the UN Security Council and remind countries they have a responsibility to protect?Bernard Kouchner: We are ready to talk to other colleagues and there is a special place right now to address them and to tell them what we have seen and what we are suffering of doing nothing against.Question: Basically, can you explain us, what are the reasons of those who are against any Security Council actions? Who are they and what are they saying?David Miliband: I think that is something that you'll have to address to others. I think the three of us can speak for ourselves; others can speak for themselves. We are clear that this is an issue that the UN Security Council should address. It involves major civilian loss of life and distress. It does have ramifications for the region and it involves the word of a member of the United Nations not to use heavy weaponry in the pursuit of its goals to suppress a terrorist organisation. Those are fundamental issues that we, as European members of the Security Council, do believe belongs here.Question: We heard this morning from Mr Miliband about the issue of the IMF loan and whether it's a good idea to disperse that loan under current circumstances. Perhaps Minister Kouchner and His Excellency from Austria could comment on this - whether it is expedient at this moment to allow that money to go to Sri Lanka?Bernard Kouchner: Yes, we know about this problem. We know. And we want also to address the public opinion, but of course the people in charge of International Monetary Fund, to consider the situation - do we have any other way, escape way, and please Sir don't believe that we are not aware about the whole story, sad story, of the 26 years of war and the role of the LTTE, don't believe that, but we are shocked, more than shocked, we cannot support the way now in this particular place the people are suffering and dying.Question: Can we have a question please regarding the issue that (interruption) - sorry.Michael Spindelegger: Just to finish, I really would like to underline what Bernard Kouchner said. I think he is very right. It is a very sad story and we have to continue in talking with our colleagues very soon.David Miliband: let's invite our lady there to say ...Question: On the EU on Sri Lanka, there is this tarif treatment of textiles from Sri Lanka called TSP Plus which ran out in December and is supposed to be subject to some kind of a human rights investigation, do the three of you, are you aware of that? What other leverage, if you can't get a Council meeting, do you have to try to stop the killings in Sri Lanka?David Miliband: I think Sri Lanka does not want to isolate itself from the international community, the fact that Sri Lanka is dependent in part on trade with the European Union is obviously significant and the fact that it wants preferential trade treatment with the European Union is obviously significant. At every stage, Europe's responsibilities are to uphold European values as well as to advance the economic interest and that's why the human rights aspects of the discussion are being taken so seriously by the European Commissioner at this stage.
Comments (8)
Subscribe to this comment's feedsrilankan govenment is a terrorist
-
- +3
-
-
...
-
- +0
-
-
very very late in saving any at all.
Knowing that you are dealing with a third world rascals and you all waited and acting on an old UN 1948 convention which aids lot of escape roots given to the benefit of the doubt.
Don’t tell me you all have an average IQ of more than an average peasant did not know what is going to happen
Or did you do a favor to the state terrorism by complying the old UN charter to burrow time to finish off the lot’
Its high time you get your act to redefine the UN charter very carefully so that minimum in eyes of the literal world you may look as “ GOOD Boys” doing a job well done.
Now it is the time for you to gather the carcasses to a recycling plant which may generate some energy to sharpen your humbucking brains
Thank you for your concern: as at the time of writing you are very very late in saving any at all.
Philip T Christopher
-
- +0
-
-
Another Darfur is making!
-
- +0
-
-
srilankas genocide
-
- +0
-
-
Who is terrorist ?
-
- +0
-
-
Responsibility to Protect-R2P
. The report based on satellite imagery by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on April 27th confirms the heavy use of artillery and aerial bombing by the Sri Lankan government on civilian targets.
.
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has stepped up this offensive last Saturday night using banned heavy weapons on the so-called safety-zone (no-fire zone) in Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal and Vadduvaakal areas in Northeast Sri Lanka. Reliable reports indicate that there are more than 130,000 civilians in this 7 square Kilometre area. These civilians are denied of food and medical supplies and are without adequate bunkers and shelters to protect them. Since Last Saturday the death toll has risen to more than 3,200 as reported in the early hours today morning.
The makeshift hospital in this area has been attacked and even the staff had casualties with one nursing staff loosing her entire family in the attack.
The United Nations and the international community have failed to prevent this genocide of Tamils, over the last 5 months, during which time more than 10,000 civilians were killed and 20,000 wounded.
The UN should intervene immediately to stop the genocide and to provide food and medicine to the besieged Tamils in NE Sri Lanka. The United Nations should act immediately to invoke the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) to stop this genocide.
-
- +0
-
-
