Mangala's diplomacy pays rich dividends

by Prasad Gunewardene

As dark clouds hung over the island nation in the recent weeks, as the LTTE stepped up attacks that could be described as a scenario of a shadow war, the Government of President Mahinda Rajapakse, less than ninety days in office, increased patience and proceeded with much restraint.

The soft spoken President, a moderate leader and politician, once a leading human rights defender used his experience to counter such attacks with understanding and patience. The President was aware that retaliation by troops would result in loss of life and property of innocent civilians in the once war torn areas. Instead, the President decided to use his good offices to educate the international community of the impending danger to Sri Lanka if the situation was allowed to aggravate.

President Rajapakse had faith in his new Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. When Samaraweera took up position as Foreign Minister his critics saw him as an inexperienced politician with regard to international affairs. Some of them scoffed at the appointment as Samaraweera was the youngest to be appointed to that important office.

At least during the past fifty years, the office of Foreign Minister was held by matured politicians of the calibre of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Lakshman Jayakody, A.C.S. Hameed, Tyronne Fernando, Lakshman Kadirgamar and Anura Bandaranaike. Mangala Samaraweera got the opportunity to hold that important office in his mid forties. This could even be a record since independence. The new Foreign Minister took office at a crucial time. The LTTE which gave a brief period to the new President to resume negotiations, suddenly struck fiercely exploding claymore mines. Minister Samaraweera, new to office of the Foreign Minister was left with no time to study the process. He had to move into action swiftly.

As claymore mines continued to explode in the North, Minister Samaraweera kicked off his official visits to neighbouring India, Japan, Thailand and the United States. These visits were brief and specific. He did not extend such visits to relax as some of his predecessors did when the country needed their attention. In India, he was able to convince the leaders in New Delhi of the situation in Sri Lanka.

The new Foreign Minister was able to muster the support of New Delhi to work out a formula to resume talks with the LTTE. The Indians extended support to the new leadership of President Rajapakse and worked out a state visit by the President to New Delhi. Thereafter, the young Foreign Minister took wing to meet the co-chairs and Norwegian International Affairs Minister Erik Solhiem to brief them on the new developments in the North East and the impending danger posed to the peace moves.

Foreign Minister Samaraweera's visit to the United States needs commendation. In his country, Samaraweera proved himself a good campaigner, mediator and a young leader. It was he who played a key role in bringing the JVP and the JHU together to support Rajapakse at the November polls. He led the campaign from the front. During his fifteen year stint at an opposition MP and minister, he gathered experience and weathered many storms from within and outside the party. Minister Samaraweera carried a heavy burden on his shoulders to Washington. It was a test to prove his credentials and ability as the new Foreign Minister, the office held by none other than the legendary Lakshman Kadirgamar for eleven consecutive years to be recognised as the best ever foreign minister the country ever produced so far. Kadirgamar's successor Anura Bandaranaike was there for a brief period being absent from the country most of the time.

The role of Minister Samaraweera in Washington brought relief to President Rajapakse. The young Foreign Minister was able to meet the most important Secretary of State , Condoleeza Rice during his maiden visit. His achievements certainly was bigger than what was expected from him by the President. Samaraweera not only convinced Rice but was also able to get the United States move into action during his stay. The discussions resulted fruitful with Washington agreeing to dispatch a top level team of agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI).Not stopping at that, the Foreign Minister convinced Washington of the need to send a high ranking official of the State Department to Colombo to familiarise themselves with the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka.

The visit of Nicholas Burns and the FBI to Colombo was a direct outcome of the young Foreign Minister's maiden official visit to Washington. When President Rajapakse assumed office as President, his political critics scoffed that Sri Lanka would lose international support as they identified the new President as a 'national minded' leader. These critics were of the view that only UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and his confidante, Milinda Moragoda had influence over President George W.Bush and the United States. Contrary to these beliefs, Rajapakse, a silent man with practical experience did not waste time in replying his critics. He entrusted Foreign Minister Samaraweera to educate the Diplomatic community on the policies of government. The Foreign Minister invited all Diplomats to the President's official residence and the President briefed them on how he planned to resolve the national problem to bring lasting peace.

The ground work done by Foreign Minister Samaraweera added another feather to his cap when, US Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead chose to warn the LTTE at a luncheon meeting in Colombo. Lunstead said that if the LTTE chose to abandon the search for peace, the Sri Lanka military would emerge stronger, more determined and capable. This statement was an indication that America endorsed our government policy and also our foreign policy to further improve international relations.

While the LTTE attempted to put pressure on the Government by resorting to attacks, President Rajapakse used his good office to educate the international community on the prevailing situation in his country. It yielded results with Foreign Minister Samaraweera playing a vibrant role in the international circuit to force the LTTE to enter into talks. The attempts of President Rajapakse, who is even prepared to walk that extra mile to have a one to one meeting with the LTTE leader Prabhakaran to find a durable and lasting solution to the ethnic problem, and the role played by his new Foreign Minister Samaraweera successfully changed the adamant stance of the LTTE. Norway's Erik Solhiem was able to convince the LTTE to meet the Government at talks in Geneva, neutral venue.

The opposition UNP has pledged its fullest support to resume the dialogue in Geneva. It cannot go back on this pledge giving the cross over of its MPs as a reason. The national question is more important than cross overs. Even Ranil Wickremesinghe was to invite members of the SLFP if he won the last presidential election. It had now been proved that the international community supports the foreign policy of the new President and his Government. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has proved himself as a good product within a short period of less than ninety days in that office. Samaraweera's diplomacy has certainly paid rich dividends.