Gen Fonseka Leaves the United States without subjected to any form of questioning
Anjana Jayashan reporting from Colombo
Colombo, 04 November, (Asiantribune.com):
Asian Tribune reliably learnt that US Department of Homeland Security, for reason not publicly anounced, has decided to leave General Sarath Fonseka off their hook and allow him to leave for Sri Lanka.
This was confirmed by an announcement by Sri Lanka Government Information Department this evening that the Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka has left the United States this morning (November 04) to return to Sri Lanka.
They affirmed that he was not subjected to any questioning prior to his departure by the United States Department of Homeland Security or by any other agency of the US Government.
Following the confirmation of the departure of General Sarath Fonseka from US, Foreign Affairs Ministry noted that they appreciate the receptive and constructive attitude adopted by the US authorities, which in turn allowed General Fonseka to leave the United States without any damage to the national interest of Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defense Staff General Sarath Fonseka who was on an official visit to America, received a call from an officer of the United States Department of Homeland Security for a ‘voluntary interview’ and was told that the intention of the ‘interview’ was to discuss alleged human rights violations committed by Sri Lanka’s Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
He also immediately received a written confirmation to this effect. The DHS office in Oklahoma was arranged on the request of the General for the said Voluntary Interview, because General Fonseka maintains a house and his two daughters and the son-in-law reside there.
It took almost two days (48 long hours) for the Chief of Staff General Sarath Fonseka to inform Sri Lanka ambassador in Washington and his immediate superior - Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
By the time he informed the embassy and the defense secretary in Sri Lanka, Fonseka had already given his consent to meet the officials of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at its Oklahoma office on November 4.
On 02 November Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama pointed out that he has met Patricia Butenis, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, to convey through her the message that the Department of Homeland Security should forthwith desist from any endeavor to interview General Fonseka.
But for reason unknown, US Department of Homeland Security has decided not to press with their decision to go ahead with the voluntary interview and left the General Fonseka off their hook to leave for Colombo.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
Welcome Back!!!
Welcome Back!!!
Gen SF in USA: A storm in the tea cup?
This is what the Wikipedia web site says of the US Department of Homeland Security:
"The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a Cabinet department of the United States federal government with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the U.S. from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters.
Whereas the Department of Defense is charged with military actions abroad, the Department of Homeland Security works in the civilian sphere to protect the United States within, at, and outside its borders. Its stated goal is to prepare for, prevent, and respond to domestic emergencies, particularly terrorism.[3] On March 1, 2003, DHS absorbed the Immigration and Naturalization Service and assumed its duties. In doing so, it divided the enforcement and services functions into two separate and new agencies: Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Additionally, the border enforcement functions of the INS, the U.S. Customs Service, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service were consolidated into a new agency under DHS: U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Federal Protective Service falls under Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
Considering this information it could be assumed with reasonable accuracy that the DHS wanted to interview Gen SF regarding his application for naturalization or renewing his green card. Was it a storm in the tea cup?
It cannot be a volunteer
It cannot be a volunteer interview if it is about a citizenship interview. It is mandatory interview required by DHS.