America expressed concern over an "unacceptably high level of civilian casualties," in Sri Lanka

Washington, 12 May, (Asiantribune.com): America has expressed deep concern over the civilian casualties in Sri Lanka. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said "We think that there’s an unacceptably high level of civilian casualties."

He said "We’ve repeatedly urged the Tamil Tigers to lay down its arms and allow the civilians to leave the safe zone."

He added during Daily Press Briefing held yesterday, that the Government of Sri Lanka should also abide by its April 27th statement, that combat operations have concluded and that – and security forces should end the use of heavy weapons, which, of course, could cause civilian casualties.

Given below the relevant question and answers of the 11 May at the US State Department daily press briefing:

Question: Sri Lanka. The – there are about – we are told more than 400 people have been killed in the past couple of days in this no-fire zone, and I wondered what your comment is on that.

Mr. Kelly Well, we’re deeply concerned. We think that there’s an unacceptably high level of civilian casualties. We’ve repeatedly urged the Tamil Tigers to lay down its arms and allow the civilians to leave the safe zone. The Government of Sri Lanka should abide by its April 27th statement that combat operations have concluded and that – and security forces should end the use of heavy weapons, which, of course, could cause civilian casualties. … Yes.

Question: There is a meeting at the UN today or tomorrow on the Sri Lankans at the ministerial level. What does U.S. expects from that meeting?

Mr. Kelly You know, I don’t have anything on that, I’m afraid.

Question: Thank you.

Mr. Kelly We’ll see if we can get you information, though.

Question: Well, that’s actually taking place at the UN. And I’m just – I’m wondering, this morning as the Secretary was addressing the high school and middle school students at the Model UN, there was a ministerial meeting going on in New York of Security Council members.

I believe Foreign Minister Kouchner, Foreign Secretary Miliband, Foreign Minister Lavrov were all there. Can you explain to us why the Secretary did not go, why Susan Rice is representing the United States up there and – for a ministerial meeting? And if this is a harbinger of things to come, will –

Mr. Kelly A harbinger in what sense, of things to come?

Question: Well, I mean, for the UN General Assembly, will the Secretary be representing the United States at the UN, or will it be Susan Rice?

Mr. Kelly Well, the – Susan Rice does represent the United States at the United Nations. And we made the determination that she was the most suitable person for this meeting. As the Secretary said, I was in the meeting last week with Foreign Minister Lavrov. They talked about this. She explained her reasoning and he accepted it, but I wouldn’t read into it any kind of sign. We take this meeting very seriously.

Question: Okay. Well, then – so these foreign minister – well, as you mentioned, Foreign Minister Lavrov met here separately last week, Foreign Minister Kouchner is coming tonight, Secretary Miliband tomorrow. Why – if Ambassador Rice is representing the United States, why is there the need for the Secretary to meet with these foreign ministers?

Mr. Kelly This was at their request. I mean, they – Foreign Minister Kouchner is going to meet with her today. Foreign Minister Miliband is coming tomorrow. And I’ll just repeat what I said a few minutes ago. We made the determination that Ambassador Rice was the most appropriate person for the meeting in New York. Yes.

Question: What was the explanation that the Secretary gave to Foreign Minister Lavrov about that decision?

Mr. Kelly Well, I’m going to say something that I’ll probably say a lot at this podium, in that we don’t really go into the details of private diplomatic exchanges. But as I said, we just made the determination that Susan Rice was the best person.

- Asian Tribune -