WikiLeaks: Gota Softens Tone On War Crimes

April 15, 2012

By Colombo Telegraph - 

“Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa seemed to soften his tone on calls for accountability over possible violations of international human rights. In an earlier interview with the BBC, the Defense Secretary had vigorously opposed any international investigation into possible violations. In a February 8 interview with the local Island newspaper, however, Rajapaksa said “no one would oppose a genuine investigation initiated by the international community” and that the Defense Ministry would take punitive action against any military personnel guilty of war crimes or criminal activity.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.

The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked “CONFIDENTIAL” cable from the WikiLeaks database. The cable was written on February 10 , 2010 by the Charge D’Affaires Valerie Fowler.

Placing a comment Fowler wrote “The Foreign Secretary’s clarification that Fonseka was under detention to further the investigation appears to reflect the government’s consolidation of its position on his case, making sure they do not box themselves in with any procedural complexities. His arguments about the government’s handling of the case with “complete transparency” resembled the government’s response to the EU’s report on the removal of GSP-plus preferential tariffs. In both instances, a strong statement was made that Sri Lankan laws did not allow for any misdeeds, and therefore nothing questionable could have happened.”

Below we give the relevant part of the confidential cable;