Clinton: Stop firing into safety zone, share power with Tamils

by admin
Mar 17, 2009
In a call made to Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton 'expressed the United States' deep concern over the deteriorating conditions and increasing loss of life occurring in the Government of Sri Lanka-designated 'safe zone' in northern Sri Lanka,' and 'stated that the 'Sri Lankan Army should not fire into the civilian areas of the conflict zone,' a press release issued by the U.S. State Department said.
 
During the telephone conversation that took place on March 13, the US Secretary of State requested Rajapakse to devise a political solution to the ongoing ethnic conflict in the country.
 
“Secretary Clinton called on President Rajapakse to devise a political solution to the ongoing conflict. She urged the President to give international humanitarian relief organizations full access to the conflict area and displaced persons camps, including screening centres.” The press release further said.

”The United States believes that a durable and lasting peace will only be achieved through a political solution that addresses the legitimate aspirations of all of Sri Lanka's communities. We call on the Sri Lankan Government to put forward a proposal now to engage Tamils who do not espouse violence or terrorism, and to develop power sharing arrangements so that lasting peace and reconciliation can be achieved.”
 
According to the press release, Clinton also condemned the actions of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE who are reported to be holding civilians as human shields, and to have shot at civilians leaving LTTE areas of control.
 
Meanwhile, US State Department South Asia official, Diane Kelly, commenting on 'distorted' accounts appearing on some Sri Lanka websites, said: "there was a call, but it was not the sunny news relayed."

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