"That statement by the Sri Lankan military raises the scepticism of many that the government is prepared to do its own investigation"
By Saroj Pathirana
BBC Sinhala service-2013 මාර්තු 24
The US has warned that it will be forced to “look into international mechanism” to investigate alleged war crimes if Sri Lanka government fails to conduct its own “independent and credible” inquiry.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sinhala service, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake insisted that it is now for the Sri Lanka government to prove that it is genuine in investigating allegations of serious rights violations during the last phase of the conflict with Tamil Tigers.
He was commenting after the UN Human Rights Council adopted a US-sponsored resolution that calls for an “independent, credible investigation,” into alleged violations of international law.
“We very much hope that Sri Lanka will undertake meaningful action,” Mr Blake told the BBC.
“But of course we have always said that if Sri Lanka is either unwilling or unable to do so, then the international community will be forced to look into international mechanism,” he said.
Civilian casualties
He says that the US is “disappointed” that Sri Lanka military has cleared armed forces for any civilian casualties.
“And that statement by the Sri Lankan military raises the scepticism of many that the government is prepared to do its own investigation so again I think it is really important for the government to address that scepticism head on and come out with its own independent, credible investigation,” Mr Blake told BBC Sinhala.
While one of the earlier draft resolutions, seen by the BBC, called for an “unfettered access” for the UN special procedures to Sri Lanka in specific fields, the adopted resolution only mentions “provide access” and has deleted the reference to areas of special interest.
But Mr Blake insists the adopted version is not a toned down one from the original draft.
“Obviously any access we would insist on would be unfettered access,” he said, adding that the resolution “underlines the importance of Sri Lanka now taking meaningful action on reconciliation and accountability,” to achieve “peace and prosperity” on the island nation.
While India voted with the US for the resolution, Pakistan strongly opposed.
'Agenda other than human rights'
The United States has vetoed a last minute attempt by the India to introduce a tough amendment to the resolution seeking an international mechanism, according to Hindu newspaper.
The US Assistant Secretary of State refused to elaborate on India’s role but said the US engaged with India “very closely throughout the process” and welcomed some amendments suggested by India.
Addressing the UNHRC session in Geneva, Sri Lanka’s special envoy on human rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, accused those behind the resolution of “pursuing an agenda other than human rights.”
Admitting that the US has an “important strategic interest” in the region, Mr Blake says it’s agenda on Sri Lanka is to “achieve peace, reconciliation and accountability on the island.”
“We also want to continue to build the relationship with the Sri Lankan people. We have no other agenda other than that,” he says.
Meanwhile another government minister, Dalas Alahapperuma, has accused the international community of “trying to divide Sri Lanka through the UN.” But Mr. Blake disagrees.
“Well I would say the opposite. I would say the United States and the international community are trying to reunite the country and that the way to do so again is to achieve reconciliation and to address human rights abuses that continue to take place and to move forward expeditiously on accountability. And that will help to unifying the island’s communities,” he said.
Some other analysts are of the opinion that it too early to impress upon accountability on Sri Lanka. It took more than 30 years, they say, to investigate war crimes committed in Vietnam, for example.
LTTE atrocities
Mr Blake admits that it will take a long time to investigate alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka.
“What we are seeking now, is just prove and indication from the Sri Lankan government that they are prepared to undertake a serious investigation of their own. Thus far we haven’t seen any indication of that.”
The US ambassador to Sri Lanka during the height of the war admitted that the US were aware of mounting civilian casualties, as revealed by Wikileaks, but rejected accusations that international community failed its duty to protect civilians in Sri Lanka.
“We made many public statements about our concern for civilian casualties,” Mr Blake told the BBC.
“And I must say – something many observers forget to note – we always were very balanced in our statements. We always were careful to note that the LTTE bore a great responsibility as well. Because they cynically placed heavy weapons in civilian encampments and fired those weapons in order to draw return fire from Sri Lanka military. And secondly the LTTE refused to allow freedom of movement by the IDPs. And indeed shot many of them who tried to escape. So the LTTE is also guilty of many serious violations,” he added.
The United States which has had a “long and a positive relationship with the government and the people of Sri Lanka, said Mr Blake, would like continue that relationship and “strengthen” the friendship with Sri Lanka’s people.
