"Perpetrators of this violence are not punished.
So this impunity encourages further attacks," is the catch phrase of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s accusation that Sri Lanka was using rape as a tactic of war when she addressed the UN Security Council on Wednesday September 30.
American Ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia Butenis issuing an official statement noted that the full remarks of the speech by Secretary Clinton’s shows that she made no reference to the Sri Lankan Army or to the LTTE.
During the Eelam War-4 in Sri Lanka which ended on May 18 this year with the total defeat of the separatist/terrorist Tamil Tigers or LTTE with the removal of its entire leadership there were two parties to this conflict: Government of Sri Lanka which is the ‘state player’ and the LTTE which is the ‘non-state player’.
When the United States Secretary of State on behalf of the Obama administration makes a statement at this moment that ‘Sri Lanka’ has not punished the ‘perpetrators’ when the ‘State Player’ survived to still govern the nation as a legitimate member of the United Nations with full diplomatic recognition from nearly 200-odd legitimate nations, and the ‘non-state player’ the Tamil Tigers or LTTE terrorist outfit is vanquished with its entire leadership she obviously refers to Sri Lanka armed forces as ‘perpetrators’.
The ‘state player’ which is signatory to all international covenants of the United Nations and global agreements in Geneva is obliged to adhere to the covenants it has signed.
In contrast, ‘non-state players’ have no obligations to adhere to any international covenants so that no international body could hold them responsible of violating any global covenants to which the ‘non-state player’ is not a signatory.
The ‘state player’ does have obligations to discipline and indict the ‘perpetrators’ in keeping with the international covenants. If not, consequences are serious such as cut or reduction in foreign aid, economic blockades and other penalties.
When Secretary of State Clinton talked about Sri Lanka has not brought ‘perpetrator’ to book she obviously aware that a terrorist organization which is not a signatory to any of the international covenants has no obligation to do so and that the international community to which the United States belongs has no hold on a terrorist organization to bring pressure on them to do so. Because, a terrorist organization such as Sri Lanka’s LTTE does not depend on economic or military or any other assistance/aid from the international community to carry on its terrorist/separatist campaign.
Did Clinton think that the LTTE’s terrorist operation was so clean that they would spare women, children, clergy and disabled and punish their cadre who were ‘perpetrators’ of using rape as a tactic of war?
So, obviously when President Obama’s foreign minister while making reference to Sri Lanka that perpetrators were allowed to go free is finger pointing to the ‘state player’ the Government of Sri Lanka.
The explanation Ambassador Patricia Butenis gave does not hold water.
Sri Lankan government on Thursday strongly denied Hilary Clinton’s allegations that rape had been used as a weapon in Sri Lanka’s successful war against the LTTE. Speaking to the media military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said what Clinton said was far from the truth and was absolutely no basis whatsoever even to suggest Sri Lankan forces had raped anyone during the three-year campaign.
This is what Clinton told the UN Security Council:
(Begin Quote) The resolution we passed today represents a step forward in our global efforts to end violence perpetrated against women and children in conflict zones, and it builds on two prior Security Council resolutions: Resolution 1325, which called on all parties in conflicts to respect women’s rights and increase their participation in peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction efforts; and Resolution 1820, adopted last year, which affirms the ambitions set out in 1325, and establishes a clear link between maintaining international peace and security, and preventing and responding to sexual violence used as a tactic of war to target civilians. Yet despite these actions by the United Nations Security Council, violence against women and girls in conflict-related situations has not diminished; in fact, in some cases, it has escalated.
Now, reading the headlines, one might think that the use of rape as a tactic of war only happens occasionally, or in a few places, like the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Sudan. That would be bad enough, but the reality is much worse. We’ve seen rape used as a tactic of war before in Bosnia, Burma, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere. In too many countries and in too many cases, the perpetrators of this violence are not punished, and so this impunity encourages further attacks. (End Quote)
Read the last four lines in her statement: “We’ve seen rape used as a tactic of war before in Bosnia, Burma, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere. In too many countries and in too many cases, the perpetrators of this violence are not punished, and so this impunity encourages further attacks.”
Which ‘perpetrator’ can be held responsible for ‘not punishing and encouraging further (rape) attacks”?
Who can bring such “perpetrators’ to international court?
The answer to the first question is ‘State Player’. And, the answer to the second question is the international community like the United States.
When the United States Secretary of State on behalf of the Obama administration makes a statement at this moment that ‘Sri Lanka’ has not punished the ‘perpetrators’ when the ‘State Player’ survived to still govern the nation as a legitimate member of the United Nations with full diplomatic recognition from nearly 200-odd legitimate nations, and the ‘non-state player’ the Tamil Tigers or LTTE terrorist outfit is vanquished with its entire leadership she obviously refers to Sri Lanka armed forces as ‘perpetrators’.
To give an interpretation that Clinton did not mean either the GSL or the LTTE when she made the ‘perpetrator’ reference Ambassador Patricia Butenis in her maiden statement as the US envoy to Sri Lanka is so ignorant to ignore that the host country’s literacy rate is over 90% and that Sri Lankans are capable of seeing through the ‘intentions’ of the Clinton State Department.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
Why Hillary is so sad about
Why Hillary is so sad about the armed forces of the Government of Sri Lanka comprehensively defeating the LTTE, a terrorist organization banned by the US government is a 30-million dollar question. The CIA of USA is very efficient in spying and getting all information to corner the anti-US elements. (So is FBI when it comes to fraud and corruption). Why it has failed to find the mole in their own administration who has accepted 30-million dollars from LTTE and returned it to someone when the US law requires such funds to be returned to US Treasury? There is no reason to clear her from the crime she has committed and crying foul against Sri Lanka appears to be the modus operandi to cover the crime.
This old lady Patricia
This old lady Patricia Butenis has forgotten that she already left Bangladesh. How can US rely on this type of old ladies to provide factual information?
US is losing credibility at each turn.
I am so sorry to see
I am so sorry to see America's top diplomats making such irresponsible accusations. It only shows how naive the present American government is and how unfortunate the Americans are to have such immature leaders.
First George Bush and now Obama's state secretary have become a laughing stock.
May be she is not taking the job seriously, so we should not pay too much attention to he remarks too.
I doubt if UN will take any special interest too. However LTTE terrorists will get some encouragement and support her when next election is due.
Bad luck Ms. Patricia....!
Bad luck Ms. Patricia....! You cannot swallow Mrs. Clinton's words now! Mrs. Clinton has got a wrong report and she has distributed it without understanding... actually, those rape photos released during last few days are not of SL Army, but of your own US army raping a 14 year old Iraqi girl at Abu Ghraib prison. Your “deciplined” army men have not only raped her but killed the whole family!
This is what they call as throwing stones while in glass house!!!! Anyway, we know that your government do not get "embarrassed" by these "isolated" incidents....
Go Yankees go!!!!
I thought that Americans can
I thought that Americans can use English well for communications. May be we should ask USA for an ambassador who is not mentally and linguistically challenged. Otherwise, a healthy supply of vitamins and fish oil should be able to bring her senses back until her replacement arrives.
The Daily Mirror reports that
The Daily Mirror reports that the State Dept has today issued a statement in clarification of Sec. Clinton's allegation which includes the following: Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-large for Global Women's Issues at the State Department said that "in the most recent phase of the conflict, from 2006 to 2009 ... we have not received reports that rape and sexual abuse were used as tools of war, as they clearly have in other conflict area around the world."
Is America suffering from
Is America suffering from "Forced Sex Syndrome" where they can only entertain and live with forced sex. Perhaps since President Clinton too was suffering from it, then it was natural for Hilary to think in same manner. Unfortunatly US tend to think all rest of the world is full of rapists. This is called "mirroring". We srilankans too are sexy, but not inhumane. Since State Dept has virtually taken back their own words, it is better to forgive these people.
Well the US has responded to
I find it funny to see every one jumping up and down going "take that Hillary" as if they scored a massive plus points against her.
The "response" is no different to what Prof. Alston, Hans Blix and the former US Ambassador to the US said when proven wrong/liars. They just stuck to their original message and actually enforced it, by throwing in more accusations.
Hillary has in fact been proven right by the US "clarification" for her remarks not wrong. The media and people must ridicule this as done to the first statement; furthermore the Government should raise issues with the other things they have added, written in such a manner to make them sound as though there is hard evidence when there is none. This technique enables them to remain/appear right and can insult Sri Lanka (and enforce "punishments"), if proven wrong they have an escape hatch built in to the text of the accusation. The driving force for many of these claims and subsequent root of their "truthfulness" is simple racism and racial prejudice where people like us are looked as inferior, backward and barbaric and such barbarism is the norm. This is why they can make such statements with ease and they will be accepted as fact. Imagine if someone mentioned the rape taking place in Abu Grabhib (with no evidence) none of these people would believe or accept it (and unsurprisingly they don't care either). On the other hand if the same was said about Sri Lanka (with no evidence) they would accept it as fact.
Same with the Channel 4 video. When aired it was believed automatically to be truthful. Where as when Piers Morgan a newspaper editor provided pictures of a British soldiers urinating on an Iraq prisoner it was immediately (upon release) derided as a fake, subsequently proven to be a fake as well. However that whole event was done on purpose to clear Britain of any wrong doing past or present (and future) with respect to the Iraq war. A type of false flag operation to provide an all purpose get out of jail free card for future war crimes. Abuses that have surfaced and with evidence are now ignored with statements like "remember last time with Morgan and the fake picture". Incidentally the faked footage published by Morgan was provided from a British soldier actively engaged in abusing Iraqis as later discovered. Yet the punishment given to British soldiers committing war crimes is to be freed from the Western created hell of Iraq and allowed to return home to roam around happily without any consequences -receiving full pension and retirement packages for "discharge" from service. Out of hundreds of war criminals only 1 is serving 1 year in jail.
It is no different to Vietnam, where only 1 American soldier was convicted for war crimes, did not even serve his sentence, and his regiment/unit was given bravery medals.
Congratulations to the Sri
Congratulations to the Sri Lankan government and the Foreign Ministry for having taken the high road, accepting the State Department's clarification, and putting this matter to a conclusive diplomatic rest.
The time has now come to put the misunderstandings of the past behind, re-build fences and help one-another to forge forward and prosper. Everyone, and this certainly applies to those in the web media, has a responsibility to act in a cordial manner to soothe and promote the bi-lateral relationships between the Sri Lankan government and the Obama administration. [Articles, especially by those who profess to be State Department experts, that attack individual US diplomats and officials in an accusatory and condescending tone, bordering on personal attacks, only help to further deteriorate the already strained US-Lanka relationship - an unwarranted encumbrance. Respectfully, please give consideration.]
Despite the differences between the two nations I am convinced that the American people and the US government remain steadfast in their support for their long time good friends of Sri Lanka - and they remain committed to helping their friends in any way they can to bring about a durable peace to the island.
The statement of accusation
The statement of accusation in which Sri Lanka was listed as a country that had used "rape as a weapon of war' was made by no less than the US Sec. of State while Chairing the UN Sec. Council. It is a very serious allegation made from a top level seat of perhaps the most august body to oversee the world. The clarification that has followed is greatly appreciated.
However, it does not remove Sri Lanka from the stain of the statement made at the UN which is still in the records. A complete retraction is necessary, and the name of Sri Lanka should be removed from that list so that the name of Sri Lanka is fully cleared.
This is not asked for in anger, but as a demand for justice and fairness. The Sri Lankan nation cannot permit its name being continuously sullied internationally in this way without responsibility and accountability. Sri Lanka is a small nation but it has the right for equal justice, especially at the UN.
AML
Those who can't see the woods
Those who can't see the woods for the trees will continue to insist that Goliath be brought to its knees and forced to retract. One can blow all the hot air one wants, but we all know this ain't gonna happen.
Diplomatic damage control measures were initiated by both sides with the US government submitting a clarification that vindicates the Rajapaksa administration and the latter in-turn has very appropriately responded.
At this time of strained relationships with the West and the US the priority must be to find ways and means to re-establish these valuable ties and not get hung-up on technicalities that could easily lead to a further deterioration of these. My take: use this incident to repair and further enhance the bi-lateral relationship.
By all means use the incident
By all means use the incident to repair and enhance, but do not kid ourselves into minimizing the seriousness of the charge that was brought against Sri Lanka.
And why is there such a strained relationship between Sri Lanka and the West, pray?
Did Sri Lanka do something unacceptable in eliminating the leaders of the LTTE, acknowledged as one of the world's most ruthless terror groups, for it to be persistently harassed and its image tarnished the way it has been these last several months?
Those who interpret this allegation against Sri Lanka as only some minor misunderstanding are now trying to CREATE 'hot air' out of cool discussion.
What wrong did Sri Lanka do?
What wrong did Sri Lanka do? Oh thats right, Sri Lanka refused to follow the dictates of the mighty West and did what was in the countries and peoples interest, something which sadly conflicts with the Wests interests -the benefits of which the people of this nation are reaping after 30 years of brutal Tamil violence and 50 years of Tamil extremist chauvinism and greed. "Relations" if you want to call them that, have been damaged as a result. Now the West is going out of its way to tame Sri Lanka and punish it for falling out of line using their "human rights" weapon (what an insult to the concept and the victims of such gross abuse by non-other than the West) of course Sri Lanka did not commit any and so they are simply concocting the "evidence" themselves and getting their propaganda outlets to turn them into fact. The primary thrust of this effort is not necessarily directed at Sri Lanka but at other countries in case they follows suit (the UNHRC debate in May 2009 was an eye opener to this new "concern" to the West).
Western countries are more hurt than the Tamils that the LTTE was destroyed. There are some Sinhalese who are more hurt than the West that the mighty West was defied so bluntly. It is no surprise the Europeans successfully conquered Sri Lanka and managed to find and install a class of kalu-suddhas who's loyalty is unquestionable even to this day.
When you free a mental slave, they might not know what to do with the freedom and so stick to the slavery as its a easier life -don't need to think for yourself, you're told what to do and everything is given to you. Be a good boy, do as your told and get rewards for it. Easy life!
Perhaps the more imperative
Perhaps the more imperative question is, "what wrongs are Sri Lanka doing now?" and secondly "what rights should be done to correct the wrongs?"
While the answers may be found in the basics of any religion, these can never be actualized until we get over our xenophobia of one-onother. Regrettably, in Sri Lanka the greatest human motivator, fear, has taken deep root amongst its people - more the reason why her leaders must act with bold compassion.
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