US expresses solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Lahore terror
attack
The United States is concerned over wider implications
for Sri Lanka's security, especially in the light of the terrorist
attack on the Sri Lankan national cricket team in Lahore last Tuesday
(3rd March 2009).The US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian &
Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher made this observation in response
to Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama's remark that the terror strike
in Lahore was the first occasion where Sri Lankan nationals had been
targetted abroad, although thousands of Sri Lankans have lost their
lives due to atrocities unleashed by the LTTE within the country.
This exchange of views took place when the US
Assistant Secretary telephoned Minister Bogollagama in Colombo yesterday
(6th March 2009) to express solidarity with Sri Lanka following the near
fatal attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore.
Recalling the immediate reaction to the terrorist
outrage by US President Barack Obama, Assistant Secretary Boucher
reiterated the strong opposition of the US to terrorism. The Foreign
Minister conveyed his sincere appreciation for President Obama's
forthright and spontaneous condemnation of this cowardly assault on a
sports team. Briefing his American interlocutor on the discussions he
had held with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad, including President Asif
Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah
Mehmood Qureshi, during his brief visit to Pakistan in the aftermath of
the incident, Minister Bogollagama said that he was satisfied with the
assurances given by the Pakistani leadership that no effort will be
spared to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice. Moreover,
the Pakistani leaders had offered to share complete details of their
investigation with the Sri Lankan authorities. The Foreign Minister said
that it was not possible to rule out the role of the LTTE in the terror
attack, given the high degree of sophistication of the planning and the
evidence of a nexus between terrorist groups worldwide. Assistant
Secretary Boucher offered US assistance in the investigation that is
underway, which Minister Bogollagama deeply appreciated. They agreed to
remain engaged in this regard.
The Minister categorically expressed Sri Lanka's firm
opposition to isolate Pakistan in the sporting arena or in any manner
internationally over this incident.
Responding to Assistant Secretary Boucher's concern
over the fate of the civilian population being held hostage by the LTTE
in the tiny coastal pocket in the Mullaitivu district, the Foreign
Minister urged the US to use its considerable influence on the Sri
Lankan Tamil diaspora to exert pressure on the LTTE to free the innocent
civilians, in line with similar demands on the LTTE by other quarters of
the international community. The US Assistant Secretary responded
positively to this suggestion. He further said that the US Government
was aware that the LTTE was firing at Sri Lankan security forces from
among the civilians, and hoped that the latter would exercise restraint
and not take retaliatory action. Minister Bogollagama assured him that
the security forces have always respected the sanctity of safe zones
designated by the Government, where the civilian population has been
herded into by the LTTE, and will continue to desist from directing
retaliatory fire at such areas, notwithstanding the repeated
provocations by the LTTE against them, using the hapless civilians as
human shields.
The Minister also underscored the profound concern of
the Government over the plight of the trapped civilian population who
are being forcibly held against their will and is acutely conscious of
their untold pain and hardship. Hence, he said that despite the almost
insurmountable logistical and practical difficulties, the Government
will continue to keep these people supplied with food, medicine and
other essential items. He noted that the Government had enough stocks of
goods in hand, but the main difficulty was the delivery mechanism, as
these goods had now to be sent by sea, due to land access being denied
by the LTTE. Minister Bogollagama concluded the telephone conversation
with the US Assistant Secretary by reiterating the Sri Lankan
Government's firm commitment to remain fully engaged with the
international community in addressing the humanitarian situation.
Courtesy : Ministry of Foreign Affairs -
Colombo
Related News >>
Cricket hostages, goal of terrorist coordination in Lahore?
U.S. condemns attack on SL cricket team
President condemns cowardly terrorist attack on cricketers
|
