Dr. Palitha Kohona quotes NAM’s “118 member strong support” against UN expert panel
Inner City Press reported on March 18th that not all members of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) supported the recent letter to UN Secretary General of the United Nations against the appointment of an Experts Panel on Sri Lanka to advise him on “accountability issues”.
However, the Inter Press News Service (IPS), in an interview with Dr. Palitha Kohona, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United Nations quotes to him have said, “the 118-strong NAM has made its point.”
According to IPS Dr. Kohona had further stated, "Sri Lanka has resisted external pressure in the management of its internal affairs and the perception of Sri Lanka being singled out for harsh treatment must be avoided."
Thalif Deen, U.N. Bureau Chief of IPS spoke to Dr. Palitha Kohona and excerpts from the interview as follows:
Q: There are unconfirmed rumours that the secretary-general is being pressured by some Western nations to take an unyielding stand against Sri Lanka. Any truth to this rumour?
A: I don't know. However, it would be strange indeed if any country were to exert pressure on the secretary-general to penalise a small developing country which had almost single-handedly crushed a ruthless terrorist organisation, and which success enjoys the widest support within the country, as clearly demonstrated by the unprecedented success of the government of President (Mahinda) Rajapaksa at a series of elections, when better documented violations of international humanitarian standards are occurring elsewhere, even as we speak.
Q: Since the relationship between the United Nations and Sri Lanka continues to deteriorate, will the government permit a proposed visit to Colombo by U.N. Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe in the near future? If not, why?
A: I do not believe that the relationship with the U.N. is deteriorating. There are continuing discussions with the organisation which is normal. This is not the first time that we have been engaged in this complex institution - and as a sovereign and equal member of the organisation, Sri Lanka will continue to play its rightful role. We understand that USG Pascoe will visit Sri Lanka in due course following the invitation issued by the president.
Q: The Western powers failed to get Sri Lanka on the Security Council agenda primarily due to opposition by China. But Beijing has caved in under Western pressure to approve three Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions on Iran, a country which has a much stronger political, economic and military relationship with China than Sri Lanka. Do you anticipate a situation when China will eventually relent to Western pressure on Sri Lanka - if not now, at least later?
A: In the light of what has been said above, it is unlikely that this matter would reach such a pass.
Q: The NAM letter implicitly accuses the secretary-general of playing politics when it says that the Non-Aligned countries "are of the conviction" that the proposal to appoint a panel of experts on the eve of parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka "could do more harm than good to the country's ongoing and relentless efforts aimed at reinforcing reconciliation and national unity." Is he?
A: Sri Lanka has always had the highest regard for the secretary-general and acknowledges the difficult task that he is performing in the service of the organisation. We are confident that he will act in a manner that will not inflame the political sensitivities in the country, especially in the lead-up to a general election (in Sri Lanka in early April).
Q: How negative is the reaction in Sri Lanka to the U.N. proposal to appoint a panel? And if permitted, could the secretary-general's decision be a precedent for similar action elsewhere?
A: The reaction within Sri Lanka to comments made by the secretary-general and his spokesman, as underlined in a statement issued by the foreign ministry, is, unfortunately, extremely negative. We also have a recently re-elected president who is enjoying unprecedented approval ratings.
All parties need to reflect on the political consequences of the course of action currently being discussed and remind ourselves of the importance of permitting Sri Lanka the space to address its internal issues without the irritant of external interference which could also be precedent-setting in a global sense. I note that an accountability mechanism has already been outlined by the Attorney General (of Sri Lanka) before the Human Rights Council.
8 Comments
NAM is virtually defunct, me dear Palitha. And more importantly India is distancing herself from the issue. Actually we must rename it as No Aim Movement rather than calling it Non Aligned Movement.
So Palitha, keep this letter of No Aim Movement in your pocket as long as you want it with you. No problems with that.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASH MR.KOHANA WHY THE HELL HE GOT THE AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP IN THE FIRST INSTANCE INSTEAD OF SEEKING CITIZENSHIP OF ONE OF THESE (BEGGERS) 118 COUNTRIES?
UN has only 193 countries and getting suport of the 118 countries is a significant achievement.This countries has the same rights as US and UK and there voices should be equaly heared.UN secretary General was appointed by its members vote and if UN secretary general ignores the voice of majority of its members there will be a question of legimatacy of holding the post.If he cant agree with the majority`s decison it is better quit from the post.War crimes charges should be brought against members of tamil diaspora who fundedkilling of innocent civilians of all three communities of srilanka including children and conscription of innocent tamil chidren and not against sri lankan leaders who brought an opputunity to all people in sri lanka in peace.Tamil diaspora worksfor the distruction for all sri lankans including tamils as their chidren and themselves are safe zone.Attempts to examine old war wounds only create hatred among different ethnic communities in sri lanka can only bring disatrous results of ruwanda,nigeria.UN was established to usher peace and threfore it is not fit to Un secretary General to reignite the ethnic strife in a country which suffered badly from a war.
NAM was a joke from day one and if it progressed in the same way it should have been hilarious right now. It is a wonder it has been having meetings from time to time, perhaps jocularly talking about how to pick the pockets of western countries in the name of development to enhance the economic prosperity of the ruling families and their cronies.
Who, other than Kohona and the likes including idiots like Mahinda Samarasinghe would hold on to such straws to survive?
Good luck to them-they are about to issue a detention order on the Secretary General of the UN! They are so much lost in their own shi...!
Dual Citizenship means dual loyalties to two countries.Sri Lanka may be the only country to have a diplomat of this calibre. The Defence Secretary too falls into this category - another 'first time achievement' for sri lanka.
Can anyone name any other country like this?
Kohona is way off track. He is part of the UN machinery as Permanent Rep., for Sri Lanka in the United Nations. He is expected to work with Secretary-General and smooth things out. Instead he is talking of NAM that is totally outdated and a non-functional body as the world knows it. The actions of Kohona is making Sri Lanka look pretty ordinary and primitive in the minds of the intelligent reader.
Diplomats must act and speak like diplomats - with poise, grace and dignity. Sadly all these ingredients are devoid of our Sri Lankan diplomats.
Do Sri Lankans have a sensitised conscience or do they call evil as good and good as evil?
Right believing results in right living.
When a man lives with an evil conscience, his mind becomes defiled to the extent of justifying injustice and cruelty to another man.
On the other hand, a convicting conscience, makes a man not to engage in injustice, cruelty, murder, bloodshed, unkindness and corruption.
The conscience of a good man is thus like a "radar". It directs his path correctly.
When a man has a reprobate mind, his "radar" of conscience does not work and he always will think and engage in evil. His heart is hardened.
Truth does not lodge in His heart.
All the Sinhalese. regardless of their religion, must test their consci,nce and put their "radar" to work, if they desire reconciliation with Tamils and peace in the island.
If one believes in God as his creator and provider, he should go to Him and ask God humbly to put the "radar" to work.
Why does the UN permit a Sri Lankan Permanent Rep or mission anyways?