by Zacki Jabbar
Russia, which voted against the US Resolution on ‘Accountability and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka’ at the UNHRC recently, said that the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime should now focus its attention on implementing its very own LLRC recommendations.
The Russian Ambassador in Colombo, Valadimir P Mikhaylov, told The Island in an interview, that implementing the recommendations "will bring you to the best position."
Asked if non-compliance could result in the UNHRC applying pressure, Mikhaylov said: "This is not a Security Council resolution, so I don’t think that’s possible. The Sri Lankan government understands and is also capable of conforming to international laws on its own. There is no need for external force or threats."
"A political solution needs to be found to the ethnic issue," the ambassador said.
Asked if by ‘political solution’ he meant devolution of power, Mikhaylov said: "No. That is an internal matter which you’ll have to decide on. But, whatever the model it has to be acceptable to all communities. The wounds are still very fresh. It takes time to heal. Too much pressure is not good. Rushed formulas will not be durable. It should grow from among the people."
"Devolution would differ from country to country. Some want centralised regimes while others opt for various combinations," he said. "The UK is said to have a parliamentary model, but how can you speak of democracy when there is a monarchy. They arrived at their formula of governance gradually and over the years it has become acceptable to them. So it is for each country to decide what is good for it."
Asked for his opinion on India voting against Sri Lanka, he said it was more to do with internal compulsions rather than external pressure.
