Three European Ministers at war footing against Sri Lanka in a media stakeout outside the United Nations Security Council

New York, 12 May, (Asiantribune.com): In a joint press encounter held yesterday on Sri Lanka, Foreign Ministers of United Kingdom and , France and also the Federal Minister of European and International Affairs of Austria were in New York to answer questions on Sri Lanka.

David Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the UK in his opening address at the Media stakeout after being rebuffed when some UN Security Council members refused their request to discuss the fighting in Sri Lanka, said on Monday, "We are determined to follow this up with the Sri Lankan authorities as a matter of the utmost urgency since it goes directly contrary to the commitments that were made, Foreign Minister Kouchner and I when we in Sri Lanka. In respect of the situation in the IDP camps, this remains a major concern; there is enormous strain on the civilians in the IDP camps."

When journalists asked about the issue of the IMF loan , and whether it is a good idea to disburse that loan? And the second question, perhaps Minister Kouchner and from Austria could comment on this whether its expedient at this moment to allow that money to go to Sri Lanka?

In response to question about IMF loan to Sri Lanka whether it is a good idea to disburse that loan? And whether its expedient at this moment to allow that money to go to Sri Lanka? Minister Kouchner responded by saying “Yes we know about this problem, and we want also to address the public opinion but of course the people in charge of the International Monetary Fund to consider the situation, do we have any other way, escape way, and please sir, don’t believe that we are not aware about the old story, sad story of the 26 years of war, and the role of the LTTE, don’t believe that but we are shocked, more than shocked we cannot support the way now in this particular place the people are suffering and dying.”

In his opening address , David Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the UK said as follows:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ve just come from a meeting where 8 members of the Security Council were able to meet with UN officials and humanitarian Non Governmental Organizations about the situation in Sri Lanka. We discussed first of all, the crisis inside the so-called no fire zone in the far North East of the country and the situation in the IDP camps.

The reports that we’ve had would be shocking to any one who had not followed this conflict over the last few months. The situation in this so-called no fire zone is appalling in its humanitarian distress. It involves up to 50,000 people according to some NGO estimates even a 100,000 according to some other groups, crammed into an area of some 3 sq km, smaller than the central park.

There is no question that civilian life is being lost on a large scale. The rise in violence over the weekend has claimed hundreds of civilian lives. We have also heard reports from credible and serious organizations who chose their words carefully that there has been use of heavy artillery into the North East of the country and affecting civilians in the so-called no fire zone.

We are determined to follow this up with the Sri Lankan authorities as a matter of the utmost urgency since it goes directly contrary to the commitments that were made, Foreign Minister Kouchner and I when we in Sri Lanka. In respect of the situation in the IDP camps, this remains a major concern; there is enormous strain on the civilians in the IDP camps.

There is insufficient access either by humanitarian organizations or by the UN. We were also told about the continuing denial of visas and other permits for access around the country. We believe that access is absolutely vital for the UN and NGOs but also for journalists if there is to be proper witness to the situation that affect civilians in this country. It is also important to say that there is no doubt anyone’s mind the LTTE are preventing civilians from leaving the no fire zone consistent with their own murderous behavior in the past. I think it is also important that I say on behalf of myself and the 3 European colleagues on the Security Council that we have no doubt at all that the situation in the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka is something that the Security Council should address. I am going to invite my two colleagues say a few words and then perhaps we take some questions.”

David Miliband was followed by Michael Spindelegger, Federal Minister of European and International Affairs of Austria who said -

"Just we heard what David Miliband said. I think we all are shocked about the news we have heard today from the NGOs and from OCHA. I think from the Australian point of view, we are very much concerned about the situation today and I just would like to announce three points –

First of all, I think we should ask the Government of Sri Lanka just to protect their people because it is an obligation in the framework of United Nations. They have to protect the life of their people and they have to try to get them out from the no fire zone.

Just the second point is, I think we have to concentrate in this moment through the situation in the camps as we have heard this is really a shocking situation and we should ask the Government of Sri Lanka just to let in the camps independent monitors just to find out what’s going on really in these camps.

Totally I think we all have to have a look to the future what could be the political solution and I think we should draw the attention also to this point of view because it will not end its military action, we have to think about the situation afterwards.”

Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France in his address to the journalists said -

"Yes we went there with David and really this is impossible to support. So what is the issue? What is the additional ….. we can give to the civilian population … I support all what has been said by my two colleagues. David has said very clearly the 5 points, the 6th point was de-mining.

" We were ready to help the people there and to assist Sri Lankan Government and people to de-mine access to this other parts for UN agencies, for NGOs with projects giving food, giving medical supplies.. yes we were in agreement with the President himself Rajapakse, but so what now? Are we waiting all of us to the end of the bombing to the end of any life, not only suffering but any life in this pocket…. Pocket I am calling you because you are our friends to draw the attention of the international community to this part of the world.”

Question posed by journalist : Are you going to try to push this to the agenda of the UN Security Council or remind countries they have the Responsibility to Protect ?

Answer given by Bernard Kouchner: We are ready to talk to our colleagues and there is a special place right now to address them and to tell them what we have seen and what they are suffering of doing nothing against.

Question posed by journalist: Can you explain us what are the reasons of those who against any Security Council actions, who are they and what are they are saying?

Answer by David Miliband: That is something you have to address to others. I think three of us can speak for our selves, others can speak for themselves. We are clear that this is an issue that the UN Security Council should address. It involves major civilian loss of life and the stress, it does have ramifications to the region and involve the world of a member of the United Nations not to use heavy weaponry in the pursue to its goals to suppress terrorist organizations those are fundamental issues that we, as European members of the Security Council do believe belongs here.

Question posed by journalist : To Mr. Miliband , about the issue of the IMF loan , and whether it is a good idea to disburse that loan? And the second question, perhaps Minister Kouchner and from Austria could comment on this whether its expedient at this moment to allow that money to go to Sri Lanka?

Answer by Bernard Kouchner: Yes we know about this problem, and we want also to address the public opinion but of course the people in charge of the International Monetary Fund to consider the situation, do we have any other way, escape way, and please sir, don’t believe that we are not aware about the old story, sad story of the 26 years of war, and the role of the LTTE, don’t believe that but we are shocked, more than shocked we cannot support the way now in this particular place the people are suffering and dying.

Question posed by journalist: On the EU on Sri Lanka, there is this tariff treatment of……GSP+…Vienna in December and supposed to be subject to be some kind of a humanitarian rights of investigation .. Do the 3 of you, are you aware of that? What are the leverage… if you cant get the Council meeting do you have any try to stop the killings of civilians in Sri Lanka?

Answer by David Miliband: I think that Sri Lanka does not want isolated itself from the international community. The fact that Sri Lanka is dependent in part on trade with the European Union obviously significant and the fact that it want preferential trade treatment with the European Union obviously significant and at this stage, Europe’s responsibility are to uphold European value as well as to advance the economic interest. That is why the human rights aspects of the discussion are being taken so seriously by the European Commission at this stage.

- Asian Tribune -