What Really Was Blake Saying?
By Namini Wijedasa -September 16, 2012
Namini Wijedasa
A top US official passed through Sri Lanka last week with a fresh dose of pressure on everything from the business environment and elections to accountability and demilitarisation.
Significantly, this is US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake’s last visit to Sri Lanka before the US presidential election. An observer of US-Sri Lanka relations commented that it was interesting to note how, even three-and-a-half years after the war ended, the US remains engaged on Sri Lanka.
“I am surprised at how, even with so many other problems around the world, a consistent level of US engagement on Sri Lanka continues,” he said, requesting anonymity. He also pointed out that there is likely to be a change in officials at Washington, regardless of whether or not President Barack Obama wins.
“Blake has been leading interactions on Sri Lanka, maintaining continuity from the time he was ambassador and throughout his tenure as assistant secretary of state,” he pointed out. “That’s a good six years. It would be interesting to see whether US interest in Sri Lanka will continue in the same form and manner regardless of the outcome of the US election.”
It is learnt that Richard Armitage, former US deputy secretary of state, was also in Sri Lanka earlier this month on a low profile visit. His business website ‘Armitage International’ states that he was here as ‘Convener of the Non-Official Group of Friends of Sri Lanka’. He led a seven-member delegation to meet with civil society organisations and political parties. Details of discussions were not available.
