Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Kremlin warns US over potential sanctions

Tuesday Mar 04, 2014

A Russian official says potential sanctions by Washington against Moscow would lead to the “crash” of the US financial system and end its global financial domination.

Kremlin economic aide Sergei Glazyev said on Tuesday that Russia will reduce its economic dependency on the United States if Washington decides to impose sanctions against Moscow over the issue of Ukraine.

“We would find a way not just to reduce our dependency on the United States to zero but to emerge from those sanctions with great benefits for ourselves,” Glazyev said, adding that Russia could stop using dollars for international transactions.

“An attempt to announce sanctions would end in a crash for the financial system of the United States, which would cause the end of the domination of the United States in the global financial system.”

The comments came a day after US President Barack Obama threatened Russia with sanctions.

If Russia continues its deployment of troops in Ukraine’s Crimea, the United States will take a “series of steps – economic, diplomatic – that will isolate Russia and will have a negative impact on Russia’s economy and its status in the world,” Obama stated.

In an interview with a US news network a day earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry also warned Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deployment of Russian troops to Crimea, saying Russia could be ousted from the G8 developed nations if it continues on present path.

Kerry also threatened that Washington could target Russia’s state-run financial institutions and freeze assets of top-ranking Russian officials involved in the Crimea crisis.

Moscow’s military deployment to Crimea comes after Russia’s parliament gave the green-light to president Putin to use military forces to protect its interests in the Black Sea territory.

MOS/HSN/HRB

Surveillance and survival
February 21, 1014

In post-war Sri Lanka, Sinhala cinema is all about triumphal cultural nationalism. What options does a Tamil film-maker have, faced with the twin threats of a surveillance state and a populist mainstream cinema from Tamil Nadu that dominates popular imagination? By SIVAMOHAN SUMATHY

“FOR the motherland” was the final call made to the audience at the close of the film Abaas the young hero—historically, the would-be Pandukabaya—holds high majestically a “sacred” sword standing atop a hill, framed dramatically by towering mountain peaks. The film relates the story of a young prince raised clandestinely by the natives of the north-central hinterland in fear of his jealous and despotic uncles. It draws upon an early instance of Sri Lankan history, a defining moment of the Sinhala identity, genealogically speaking. Pandukabaya occupies an iconic place in the nationalist imaginary, providing authenticity to memories of a glorious past and the story of the consolidation of the power of Sinhala kings.

Aba was released in September 2008, at the height of the final phase of Eelam War IV which came to a bloody and decisive close in May 2009. In September 2008, the war was intense and the war cry was everywhere, even as the death toll among combatants and civilians on both sides was rising in the north. In the rest of the country, bombs, blasts, checkpoints, assassinations and disappearances kept the populace captive to a culture and psychology of fear, suspicion, uncertainty and hopelessness, while the government on one side and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the other peddled a rhetoric of moral fortitude.

On the cultural front, Sinhala cinema, the dominant Sri Lankan film industry, had to respond to this phenomenon that had the national imaginary in a vice-like grip. The rise of the historical drama becomes significant here, from a “sociology of film” perspective; Sinhala films assumed the responsibility of bringing order into the disarray of civilian life. It has its emergence within a culture of fear and anxiety and growing chauvinist sentiments on the one hand and increasing militarist and centrist consolidation of power on the other. While the young hero Aba as Pandukabaya would defeat the evil forces in history and go on to consolidate his power in the north-central plains, the cradle of Sinhala civilisation, the film concludes with a defining moment where he is granted the authority to mobilise the marginal forces around him by divine powers.

Past present: The spoils of war

MUBARAK ALI

2014-02-23

In the ancient and medieval periods, soldiers who were recruited in the army were not paid. In Athens, it was the duty of every citizen to serve in the army without payment. The Romans also followed this tradition, but after retiring from the army, the soldiers would be granted a piece of land to take care of their livelihood.

In the subcontinent, although the sultans and the Mughal emperors had a system of fixed salaries for their soldiers, but in practice, it would not be paid for years. Under these circumstances, in case of victory, the soldiers were tempted to get their share of war booty.

They believed that they were justified in pillaging the enemy camp as well as in plundering captured cities. Generally, the treasury and valuables were reserved for the rulers and their generals. Since women were considered commodities, they were also distributed like other war booty while the most beautiful ones were reserved for the king and his nobles.

Euripides (406 BC) in his tragedy, The Trojan women describes how after Greeks won the Battle of Troy, they distributed the women of the vanquished as slaves among those who had killed their husbands, fathers and brothers in the battlefield. Post-war slavery was not limited to women of course, and Caesar (d.44 BC) after defeating the Gauls took 60,000 people as slaves to plough land, work in mines or as domestic servants.

Beyond slave labour and loot, the display of war booty also served a political purpose. The Roman emperors and generals particularly enjoyed displaying war booty to the people of Rome who would stand on either side of the triumphal avenue, applauding and admiring the victory of their army.

In this way, the Roman emperors propagated their power in order to win popular support. As a part of the propaganda, artists carved the scenes of battles in which emperors were shown looking down at the slain soldiers of the enemy as they captured war booty. These pillars were erected in the Forum where the citizens of Rome admired them and praised their rulers.

In the subcontinent, Mohammed Bin Qasim (695 –715) defeated Raja Dahar and got hold of his treasury. After the conquest of Multan, he also acquired wealth from the sun temples. This war booty was sent to Al-Hajjaj with a letter saying that whatever was spent on the conquest of Sindh was financially compensated by this booty. Mahmud of Ghazni (994-1030) also swept away wealth from the subcontinent to Ghazna. When Babar occupied Delhi after defeating Ibrahim Lodhi in the Battle of Panipat (1560), he distributed the war booty among his soldiers. His generosity was such that he sent one Shah-Rukhi (a small coin), to every citizen of Kabul.

When Nadir Shah invaded India in 1738, he took away all the accumulated treasures of the Mughal emperors. Ahmad Shah Abdali (1742-1772) followed suit and collected war booty after defeating the rulers in the subcontinent. Jang Bahader of Nepal, who supported the British in the 1857 war after defeating Awadh rebels took away 150 carts of war booty to Nepal.

In 1795, Napoleon invaded Italy and brought the antiquities of ancient Rome to Paris. After invading Egypt in 1798, he collected ancient Egyptian artifacts which are now displayed in the Louvre Museum. What he could not bring to France was captured by the British who occupied Egypt after the departure of Napoleon. This collection, including the rosetta stone, is also displayed in the British museum.

More recently, when the Americans occupied Iraq and Afghanistan, their soldiers stole antiquities from the museums of Baghdad and Kabul and sold them in black market. Throughout history, war booty played an important role by inspiring powerful military powers to invade other countries and collect plunder as a reward of their victory. It was wealth that was not acquired through hard labour and work but by slaughter and bloodshed. Once the treasury of the victor was full, they would use it to construct palaces, temples, forts and tombs and spend on the luxurious lifestyles of the ruling classes. Sometimes, the common people were given a part of it in order to gain popularity.

The vanquished countries suffered financial losses which took a long time to recover from, and sometime the losses would be irreversible. It was ironical how even the victors who brought war booty back could not sustain their power for a long time. Great empires declined and in the end they left behind dilapidated buildings and monuments as a reminder that nothing lasts forever.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Tamil Christian Clergy call for an international investigation mechanism from UNHRC

Monday, 03 March 2014

Tamil Christian clergy serving in the war ravaged North and East of Sri Lanka, wrote to the members of the UN HRC, appealing to appoint an international mechanism to look into allegations of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, during the war in Sri Lanka.

Full text of letter as follows

3rd March 2014

To: Members of UN Human Rights Council (UN HRC)

Tamil Christian Clergy from North-East Sri Lanka call for an international investigation mechanism from the UN Human Rights Council

Tamil Christian Clergy Call for an International Investigation Mechanism From UNHRC by nelvely

Implications Of Geneva Resolution Being A Political Process

By Jehan Perera -March 3, 2014

Jehan Perera

The government seeks to give an impression that it is untroubled by the impending US-sponsored resolution on it at the latest session that has just commenced at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. In his first meeting with the Foreign Correspondents Association in Sri Lanka in three years, President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have said he was not disturbed by it and that it would only be a single black mark against the country. However, other reports said he admitted feeling disturbed at being censured by the UNHRC and compared the US treatment of Sri Lanka as being similar to Cassius Clay’s “punching bag.” The Sri Lankan media which is usually respectful of the President showed him in a cartoon in a boxing ring looking flustered across from a much larger President Obama.

However, the government has not given up trying to win over countries to its side. It sent a high ranking Parliamentary delegation over to South Africa, but who appear to have returned with a request to forge a wider consensus from the national polity if they are to receive the South African government’s support for a Truth and Reconciliation process. Such a process holds the key to Sri Lanka’s ability to deal with the past issues of political violence that go beyond merely the last phase of the war. India also appears to have become a focal point of the latest governmental initiative with President Rajapaksa seeking a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when they attend a regional conference in Myanmar this week. In addition, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is reported to be visiting India for another regional dialogue at which he will meet his counterparts from India.

The importance of lobbying with supportive countries is amplified by the fact that the UNHRC process is primarily a political one in which countries vote on the basis of a variety of reasons, rather than being a judicial process where judges make rulings according to strict guidelines of law. Political processes are also incremental and do not take place with sharp breaks. The government still has the possibility of slowing down the political process. The government appears to be considering two options in responding to the US-sponsored resolution in the UN Human Rights Council that is expected to set the stage for an international investigation. One is to mobilize its friends in the UN to sponsor a counter-resolution. The other is to more fully make positive changes on the ground in a verifiable manner that could satisfy the majority within the international community. Read More

Canada declares support for international inquiry on Sri Lanka

03 March 2014
Canada has stated that it will support an international inquiry mechanism to investigate human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, at the United Nations Human Rights Council earlier today.

Speaking on the opening day of the 25^th session of the council, Lynne Yelich, the Canadian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Consular, said,

“We regret the unwillingness of the government to engage constructively on the substance of various reports or to take genuine steps for reconciliation and accountability.”

She went on to add,

“Previous internal mechanisms have regrettably remained secret, partial or unfilled."

"The continued inability to acknowledge what has occurred combined with increasing rights violations and abuses, will not only continue to damage the rule of law and democracy in this vibrant country, but will risk undermining economic gains and a return to instability.”

“In the absence of credible actions by the Government of Sri Lanka, Canada supports the call for an international inquiry mechanism.”

See the video of her address below.

Follow our Twitter account for live updates from Geneva, throughout the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council here - @TamilGuardian

Tamil politicians demand international investigation at Jaffna protest

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 March 2014, 23:36 GMT]

When Sinhala prisoners protested in Kandy, Namal Rajapaksa, the son of SL President went to the prison and ordered a report on the condition of prisoners. But, when Tamil political prisoners and prisoners of war, subjected to torture on a daily basis, stage protests, no one from the SL government cares about visiting them, said Sundaram Mahendran, the head of the Colombo based Committee on Missing Persons on Sunday when addressing the people protesting against the mysterious death of a Tamil prisoner Gopithas Visuvalingam, a British citizen who was imprisoned in Colombo since 2007. The protest was staged in the morning of the funeral day of the victim Gopithas, who is a father of two from the UK.

Tamil Politicians Demand International Investigation at Jaffna Protest by nelvely

‘Time has now clearly come for international action’ – UK

03 March 2014
The United Kingdom has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to support an independent investigation on Sri Lanka, stating that the time has come for international action.

Addressing the council on the opening day of the 25th session, British Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Hugo Swire stated,

“A year ago this council asked the High Commissioner to report on human rights situation in Sri Lanka. That report received by members of this council in recent days is unambiguous."

"The Government of Sri Lanka has failed to ensure independent and credible investigations into alleged violations and abuses committed by both parties during the conflict in Sri Lanka.”

“The majority of recommendations from successive Human Rights Council resolutions remain unimplemented. Nor has the Sri Lankan government accepted offers of technical assistance from the UN.”

“The time has now clearly come for international action, with regard to Sri Lanka. This council has a duty to act on the findings of the report we collectively commissoned and to establish the truth.”

“If we fail to do so, where does that leave us?”

"I hope the Human Rights Council can unite to support the call for an independent investigation into alleged human rights violations and abuses on both sides. This will help pave the way for lasting reconciliation.

See the video of his address below.

Swire had earlier stated in his address,

“If we let human rights abuses go unchecked and ignored we sow the seeds of future instability, conflict and humanitarian crisis... We cannot stay silent if countries fail to live up to their human rights obligations.”

He then went on to address human rights issues in Syria and Ukraine, as the first day of the session gets underway.
See the full transcript of his address here.

Follow our Twitter account for live updates from Geneva, throughout the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council here - @TamilGuardian

Pillay’s office to investigate Lanka: US draft resolution

Monday 03rd March 2014

Office of High Commissioner mandated to probe abuses by both sides
Pillay to use inputs from special rapporteurs in investigation
First draft is “alarmed at rapid rise in violence and discrimination on the basis of religion”
Calls on Govt. to release report on Weliweriya shootings
Resolution circulated by US, UK, Montenegro, Macedonia and Mauritius

By Dharisha Bastians
A first draft of the third and toughest US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council calls for an investigation into alleged abuses by both parties to the conflict to be led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Navi Pillay.
The draft resolution, which was in circulation yesterday, rules out an investigation by a Commission of Inquiry, but sets the stage for a Pillay-led probe to be supported by findings of special procedures mandate holders – or special rapporteurs.
The resolution in its initial draft has opted for the OHCHR inquiry mechanism, one of the investigative processes available to the Council to hold the Sri Lankan Government to account over mounting allegations of rights abuses.
Circulated by the US, UK, Montenegro, Macedonia and Mauritius, the resolution draft requests the office of the High Commissioner to assess progress towards accountability and reconciliation, monitor relevant national processes and to investigate alleged violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka.
The latest resolution welcomes Pillay’s recommendation in her Sri Lanka report, on the need for “an independent and credible international investigation in the absence of a credible national process with tangible results”.
The OHCHR probe offers the Sri Lankan Government the grace period of yet another year, before facing a potential North Korea style UNHRC Commission of Inquiry, analysts said.
Pillay is being called upon to present an oral update to the UNHRC at its 27th Session (in September) and a comprehensive report followed by a discussion on the present resolution at its 28th session.
The resolution also encourages the Office of the High Commissioner and relevant special procedures mandate holders to provide advice and technical assistance on implementation of the steps outlined.
The resolution has called on the Government of Sri Lanka to release the results of its investigations into violations by security forces, including the attack on unarmed protestors in Weliweriya.
In its first text, the resolution urges the Government to investigate attacks on temples, mosques and churches and take steps to prevent further attacks. “Calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to investigate and hold accountable perpetrators of attacks on places of worship, journalists, human rights defenders, members of religious minority groups and other members of civil society,” the text says.
Going into the nitty-gritty of devolution issues in the country, the draft resolution also encourages the Government to provide the Northern Provincial Council and its chief minister with “the resources and authority necessary to govern, as required, by the 13th Amendment of the Constitution”.
Intense lobbying on the language of the resolution will commence this week and continue through till it is officially tabled in late March.

‘Accountability is the only way for stability’ - EU on Sri Lanka

03 March 2014

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council earlier today, the European Union has called for accountability in Sri Lanka, stating it was the “only way for stability” on the island.

Dimitris Kourkoulas, Greece’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, addressed the Council on behalf of the EU, stating,

“Facing our past is a vital component of ensuring a stable and peaceful future.”

“In Sri Lanka, where the High Commissioner has just issued her report, it is vital that the full truth of past events is made known and accountability be pursued, for this is the only way for stability.”

He went on to add,

“The EU has after four years, restarted its dialogue with Sri Lanka. It is hopeful that this can facilitate real reform to the situation on the ground alongside accountability for past crimes.”

See the video of his address below.

Geneva, 3 March 2014 - Secretary-General’s remarks at High-Level Segment of Human Rights Council [scroll down for full English text]

C’est un plaisir et un privilège d’être avec vous aujourd’hui.

En devenant membres de ce Conseil, vous avez fait le serment d’être le fer de lance de la promotion et de la protection des droits de l’homme partout dans le monde.

Les droits de l’homme sont inhérents à la personne humaine.

Or, ces droits universels sont menacés par des atteintes à grande échelle qui entachent le paysage moral. Ils sont mis à mal par les actes indignes qui sont commis chaque jour, lesquels entament la confiance des populations dans leurs dirigeants, ainsi que leur foi en l’avenir.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

This Council is mandated to advance human rights every day and everywhere.

Geneva, 3 March 2014 - Secretary-General’s remarks at High-Level Segment of Human Rights Council [scroll do... by nelvely

Draft Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka leaked

03 March 2014

A draft resolution calling for reconciliation, accountability and respect for human rights in Sri Lanka, was leaked at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session today.

See resolution here.

Draft Human Rights Council Resolution on Sri Lanka Leaked 2014 by nelvely

Govt. to reject international probe commission; what next?

By Our Political Editor-Sunday, March 02, 2014

25th UNHRC sessions open tomorrow; hectic lobbying ahead of crucial vote; text of US-backed resolution by March 20 Angry President tells Hakeem he can quit Govt., but minister rejects charges that he betrayed the country in report to Pillay President to meet Manmohan Singh in Myanmar; Gotabaya also going to New Delhi

“If you cannot stay in the Government, you can get out,” President Mahinda Rajapaksa warned Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem at Friday’s re-scheduled meeting of ministers.

Govt. to Reject International Probe Commission; What Next by nelvely

Remarks by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the opening of the twenty-fifth session of the Human Rights Council

3 March 2014
“Today I address this High-Level Segment of the Council for the last time as High Commissioner for Human Rights. I do so acknowledging the many achievements of the Human Rights Council. The significance of this Council’s work is reflected in the fact that up to 100 Ministers will participate in this Council’s session. We are particularly honoured today by the presence of the President of Tunisia, whom I wish to warmly welcome.

Remarks by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Opening of the Twenty-fifth Session of the Human R... by nelvely

India’s Direction, Modi’s Strivings And Impact On Sri Lanka (Part l)

By S. Sivathasan -March 3, 2014

S. Sivathasan

India’s Direction

Impending Regime Change and Election

Come May and it is for sure that a new regime with adequate strength for stable governance will be in power. As certain is Modi as Prime Minister. Very seldom has an unfolding future election yielded a clear and precise result so well in advance. Congress, loitering in the seventy seat range is now an orthodoxy among forecasts. Group of eleven putting on a brave Front can’t last till even the day of count. With support surge having their effect on alliances as nominations approach, BJP going beyond 280 and NDA above 300 are the writer’s estimate now. The country needs to deliberate only on the challenges before the new government and India’s direction till 2050.

India and Manifesto 2009

Two great nations of Asia; India and China, proud of their past and conscious of their future mission are among the dominant powers of this century. India has the burden of history and continuity of her cultural traditions to temper her conduct in modern times. For good or ill she is also weighed down by her religious heritage. There are besides democratic norms imposing restraints on her political progress, economic transformation and social reorganization. When all such strands weave a complex fabric, the speed at which the developed countries have advanced and are progressing, places very great challenges on present India. The strain is still greater since rising expectations signify the spur for the future. In this situation the Bharathiya Janatha Party and Narendra Modi are being called upon to deliver, where China has advanced in resolving such issues over a period of six decades and more.

What India sees as incumbent on her part to do domestically, internationally, regionally and with specific reference to Sri Lanka were spelt out in the BJP Manifesto of 2009 – Manifesto 2014 is under preparation. They were:

“A resurgent India must get its rightful place in the comity of nations and international institutions”

“Will strengthen the India US strategic partnership”

“India has a special role to play in the Indian Ocean Region and will pursue this vigorously”

“The political, economic and human rights of Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority community must be protected by the Government in Colombo” Read More

An international investigation is long overdue

Editorial Tamil Guardian 03 March 2014
Illustration by Keera Ratna

As the armed conflict on the island of Sri Lanka drew to an end in May 2009, over 70,000 Tamils were massacred in what has since been acknowledged as gross violations of international law, with the Sri Lankan government overwhelmingly responsible for the mass slaughter.

An International Investigation is Long Overdue by nelvely

Karuna Slams PM Over Plans to Meet Rajapaksa

| MAR 02, 2014
DMK today hit out at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the Centre's "indifferent" approach toward Sri Lankan Tamils issue and came down on his reported plans to meet the island nation's President Mahinda Rajapaksa for bilateral talks at the upcoming BIMSTEC summit.

"At a time when Tamils, Tamil outfits and even India are seeking a resolution for an independent probe into war crimes in Sri Lanka, Singh is holding talks with Rajapaksa ignoring the sentiments of Tamils and Tamil Nadu," DMK Chief M Karunanidhi said writing in the party organ "Murasoli".

The DMK patriarch's remarks assumed significance against the backdrop of continuing moves by Congress to revive the poll truck with his party for the Lok Sabha elections.

The DMK, which snapped its ties with Congress on Sri Lankan Tamils issue during March last year, has been expressing openly that it might not revive electoral ties with UPA.

"I, cannot understand why the Centre and the Congress Government are doing like this," Karunanidhi said, expressing his ire over the Singh-Rajapaksa meeting at Nay Pyi Taw.

Singh is leaving for the Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw tomorrow to participate in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit being held from March 4.

Reports suggest that Singh would hold bilateral talks with Rajapaksa.

Singh stayed away from the CHOGM meet hosted by Sri Lanka in October last year apparently bowing to pressure from Tamil Nadu and pro-Tamil outfits which have been demanding an independent international probe into alleged war crimes in the neighbouring country, which the island nation government has been opposing.

Solheim Summarizes Sri Lanka In His Autobiography

By Johan Mikaelsson -March 3, 2014

Johan Mikaelsson

A handful of books published in 2013 increase the understanding of Sri Lanka. Norwegian peace broker Erik Solheim’s autobiography is highly interesting in this context. For ten years Solheim was in the middle of the quest for peace in Sri Lanka, which was shot in shreds.

Erik Solheim is a guest in the highly popular Friday evening talk show “Skavlan”, broadcasted in both Norway and Sweden. Solheim tells the story about his unexpected career shift to talk show host Fredrik Skavlan—how he hastily and less amusingly left politics when he was not given a new ministerial post when the government was reorganized early 2012.

His son eventually said something which made the recent events sink in.

– Dad, you did a great job, but they are the ones deciding.

After having violated all the usual norms in Norwegian politics and openly expressed dissatisfaction over the dismissal, Erik Solheim now seems to be in full harmony. Since January 1, 2013 he is the Chair of OECD DAC, one of 250 committees in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. OECD is an organization with 34 member countries, all democratic and industrialised. The Committee which Solheim handles work to improve the co-ordination of international aid efforts.

He laughs, makes jokes and gives quick answers to all questions. Read More