Daya Gamage – US Bureau Asian Tribune
Washington, D.C. 02 May (Asiantribune.com): "Despite the Government of Sri Lanka’s promise to suspend combat operations, multiple accounts indicate that shelling into the conflict zone continues. We have also received reports of alarming number of civilian casualties," said Dr. Susan Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations on the Situation in Sri Lanka in the UN Security Council Consultations April 30.
She further stated, "Very credible reports also indicate that the Tamil Tigers are using civilians as human shields—and have, in some cases, shot at civilians trying to leave the conflict area. I hope we can all agree that this is utterly unacceptable. Both the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers must abide by their commitments to prevent further loss of civilian life."
Here is the full statement of Dr. Rice to the UNSC:
(Begin Statement) Under-Secretary-General Holmes, let me thank you for your briefing today—and for your efforts to address the mounting humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka. The United States is deeply concerned by the situation in Sri Lanka, where fighting between government forces and the Tamil Tigers has led to a growing and grave humanitarian crisis that has left innocent civilians pinned down and desperate. We are very concerned by the serious allegations against both parties of violations of international humanitarian law.
Despite the Government of Sri Lanka’s promise to suspend combat operations, multiple accounts indicate that shelling into the conflict zone continues. We have also received reports of alarming number of civilian casualties. Very credible reports also indicate that the Tamil Tigers are using civilians as human shields—and have, in some cases, shot at civilians trying to leave the conflict area. I hope we can all agree that this is utterly unacceptable. Both the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers must abide by their commitments to prevent further loss of civilian life. We renew our call to the Tigers to lay down their arms and allow civilians to depart, and we call on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law. On April 28, limited quantities of food were delivered to the conflict zone—the first such delivery in more than three weeks. We welcome the arrival of this sorely needed aid, but we are deeply concerned that critical medicines were not able to reach the conflict area as well.
We share Under-Secretary-General Holmes’ disappointment that the Government of Sri Lanka has not yet allowed a UN humanitarian team into the conflict zone to facilitate relief operations and the safe evacuation of civilians. We urge the Sri Lankan government to reconsider. This Council must also grapple with the sheer scope of the problem. Latest reports indicate that more than 170,000 displaced persons have registered in government-controlled camps. The Government of Sri Lanka must allow the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross access to all sites where newly arrived displaced persons are being registered or being provided shelter.
We welcome the news that some 400 displaced persons returned to their homes on April 29, and we hope that the government will keep its commitment and continue the resettlement process. The April 29 visit by Ministers Miliband and Kouchner demonstrates the international community’s deep concern with this unfolding humanitarian crisis.
We are disappointed that Swedish Foreign Minister Bildt was not able to travel with them and find it hard to understand why the Government of Sri Lanka would turn him away. Both sides have responsibilities to meet. And in the face of this worsening crisis, all of us in this chamber have responsibilities too. (End Statement)
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
Sarath It is better this
Sarath
It is better this Lady, Susan Rice who always speaks against the humanitarian operation carried out by Sri Lankan governemnt should come to Sri Lanka and cover up the shelling that she has accused of continuing in the "No fire Zone" by SL army. I'm sure Sri Lanka will be pleased to receive a lady like Susan who has a melting heart for the civilians who have been held by LTTE tigers. Perhaps there is a likelyhood that LTTE will release civilians if she ask them to do so.
US Envoy to Susan Rice
US Envoy to Susan Rice stated that she was disappointed. But we are even more disappointed that she coould not get a single civilian released after her meeting with the terrorist diaspora in Washington.
At least our soldiers got over 100,000 civilians released.
It is not clear where US stands over this matter. For more than a year they failed to support militarily against this terrorist group. Having done little or nothing, people are expressing disappointment with the GOSL.
With friends like this who needs enemies.
At least we know what Prabakaran stands for. We are not sure of the stand taken by US. All we know is that we have done nothing to damage the US interests.
West created LTTE.They gave
West created LTTE.They gave every single support to LTTE.They didn't say a word when LTTE killed so many innocent Sri Lankans in the south.Where were they at that time.Now they are very much concern about innocent civilians.Where were you when US and its so called "Friends" killed thousands and thousand if not millions innocent Iraqies and Afgans.Were you worried? No you weren't.Sri Lanka is the only country in the world, winning against terrorism.It is not innocent Tamil civilians you worry about.It is Prabakaran you worry about.When he is captured, he will tell the whole world..."How the creators of War against terror-(US,WEST) helped LTTE.Then whole world will know who is the BIGGEST TERRORIST
Sri Lankn forces will go ahead with the mission and they will accomplish the mission.Let those "DOGS" bark but the caravan moves on.
Oh no, this time an idiot
Oh no, this time an idiot lady!!!
Where was she when the US army demolishing Iraqi cities, Israel bomb on civilians in Palestine, and when US army officers sexually and physically assaulting Iraqi prisoners????
We no that it is itching to US and other western countries when a 30 year war finishing in Sri Lanka as they are going to lose one of their good firearm clients.
Why this bloody UN do not try to stop the US, Israeli and European Fire arm business Marfia????
Mind your business!
Stay away from Sri
Stay away from Sri Lanka.Don't make another Vietnam.And you know what happened to you (USA) in Vietnam
LTTE USED IRAQ PHOTOES
LTTE USED IRAQ PHOTOES LADY
Did not you know that LTTE was using some of the photoes from Iraq and Afghanistan war ? I have seen them in LTTE web site. Then the Army web site exposed this and next day the photoes in LTTE web sites were gone. These were the people killed by US army in those countries. I saw that head and the body were atleast 20 ft apart. There was a leg too. But i do not know whether the leg belonged to the same body once.
The feathers of US are gone now lady. You have to seek help of the other countries now. That is why you are begging in these UN and other organizations. I heard that US is the biggest contributor to UN Treasury. How can a beggar become a holder of such money. These guys surely should be stealing money from there too. Be careful guys. There would some other words for stealing!!!!
I admire Prabha Mallie
I admire Prabha Mallie (Younger Brother) since he knew what he was doing, although he is still doing worst things, totally wrong things, killing innocent civillians & Tamil Policicians (My Brothers & Sisters, not to mention my Tamil children!). But I totally disagree with this Lady Rice, who got her knickers in a Twist. The day will dawn soon, when she too will hide her tail in her back, like the LTTE Tigers. My only worry is after the death of so many Human Beings, whether Sinhala, Tamil, or Muslim etc. for no reason. Meeta Gamini
Mind your own businness
Mind your own businness Lady!!!
Since 30 yrs you all fellows didn't think about that tiny island is suffring from this terrible war.did'nt think about how they eat & drink this poor island.
when it's going to be finshed their civil war trying to get credits by preaching to sri lanka!
phhhhh!
This is not a surprise !
This is not a surprise ! When world's top leaders are well under the influence of LTTE, how can we expect more than this from her?
Is this the CHANGE we were
Is this the CHANGE we were led to expect from the Obama administration??
It is a crying shame that the Obama administration's appointee Amb. Susan Rice is citing unproven data and information, supplied by groups like HRW who demonstrated themselves to be clearly LTTE supporters, when it is acknowledged that the LTTE are the world's greatest liars and criminals.
The LTTE's propaganda war against Sri Lanka has been now openly joined by the Obama administration?? What a shame...there are tons of genuine criminals that they can go after, but Obama's crew are now shaming him by jumping the LTTE bandwagon. This will only tarnish Obama's name.
Telephone calls made from the NFZ by a Govt-employed doctor who, if not a LTTE supporter, is obviously coerced into doing so at gunpoint, as well as UNOSAT data that have not been tested with ground verification are NOT the evidence that can be acceptable to anyone other than the naive or those in the LTTE camp!
Madam...you better to ask
Madam...you better to ask Mr. Mahinda. He is not a liar. He is a humanitarian. Whatever he agreed to do he will do it.
I wonder where this rice
I wonder where this rice woman is getting these "credible information" & "multiple accounts", tamilnet perhaps??. The so called UN photos that show craters supposedly created by shellings are now said to be un-verifiable by experts unless inspected on ground. Many seems foxed as to why the US, UK & the west is biased towards Sri Lankan government. But to me it is very clear. Compared to a united Sri Lanka, they all favor an EELAM, its' simple as that. This has been the agenda at least after the Rajapaksha government came to power & moved away from being dependent on the west & co-chairs while getting closer to China. As the growing Chinese influence in Asia & particularly Sri Lanka flourished, the west feared that ports like Hambantota will be used by Chinese military as China looks to expand their military might in Asia. Therefore, they see EELAm as a perfect ally in the region to counter the Chinese influence & also keep India in check, perhaps even de-stabilize the growing economic giant by extending a greater EELAM into TN.
Susan Rice is critical of
Susan Rice is critical of both sides: The LTTE and the Government of Sri Lanka. Therefore, I see no reason for people to get all hot under the collar. It is clear from the news coming out of these troubled zones that it is the civilians who are bearing the brunt of the hardship and misery. The latest issue of the London 'Economist' quotes the Minister of Disaster Relief, Mahinda Samarasinghe, as admitting shortcomings in the Government's response. What more evidence is needed to realise that a tragedy is unfolding?
This latest issue of the Economist points out that according to internal UN reports it has been determined that of the 6,500 civilians killed since February [just a three-month period], over 500 were children. The Economist impartially reports that the LTTE have killed or maimed some of those who tried to escape. The Economist agrees with the view that a democratically elected government is judged by higher standards. Susan Rice's comments should also be viewed in this context.
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