Consistent policy of cooperation with UN, says Foreign Minister

COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan Government has followed a consistent policy of cooperation and open and constructive engagement with UN special procedure mechanisms on human rights, even during times of conflict and under the extraordinary threats posed by terrorism, said Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. He was speaking at a ceremony to mark the 61st anniversary of the United Nations in Colombo yesterday.

Speaking as chief guest the Minister said at the hoisting of the UN flag, during the last six decades, the United Nations has been the cornerstone for collective international action.

"It is the only organisation through which all countries, whether they be rich or poor, big or small, share an equal voice to promote social progress, improved standards of living and maintain international peace, security and freedom," the minister said.

"During the 50 years, Sri Lanka has consistently supported the United Nations as a consensus builder in many areas because of our strong conviction that multilateralism is the best approach to meet the common challenges faced by mankind", he said.

"Similarly, the United Nations too has contributed immensely towards the socio-economic development of the people of Sri Lanka. These efforts by the UN have been further strengthened by the continued commitment of the Sri Lankan Government to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals," he said.

Samaraweera said we have reasons to be optimistic as the representatives of the Government and the LTTE are due to conduct another round of talks on October 28 and 29 in Geneva.

"As President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the 61st Session of the UN General Assembly last month stated. 'As one of the oldest democracies in Asia, it is our firm conviction that the restoration of democracy, the creation of space for dissent, and the promotion of human rights in the conflict affected areas, are the essential elements of a successful and sustainable process of Peace. I hope that the international community will continue to extend to us its fullest support towards the transformation of the LTTE into a democratic civilian organisation," the Minister said.

Samaraweera said the Sri Lankan Government has followed a consistent policy of cooperation and open and constructive engagement with UN special procedure mechanisms on human rights, even during times of conflict and under the extraordinary threats posed by terrorism.

"As a part of this constructive engagement, the Government recently consulted the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights with regard to the decision taken by President Rajapaksa to invite an international independent group of eminent persons to observe the conduct of investigations and inquiries into certain alleged human rights violations by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which will soon be appointed," he said.

The Minister also extended the Governments' appreciation to all UN agencies engaged in providing humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict.

"As much as the Government welcomes humanitarian assistance, the international community too must see the conflict in its correct perspective. Let there be no romanticising of the LTTE, with whom we are now negotiating to find a lasting peace.

Sri Lanka is not a run of the mill case of conflict resolution but one of the most complex and nuanced conflicts in the world. There are no easy answers. As such, it behooves everyone involved to keep this in mind when considering our situation," he said.

He said, earlier this year, Sri Lanka presided over the First UN Review Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons. Sri Lanka also continues to chair a number of important committees in the UN including the Committee on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Their Families and the Ad Hoc Committee on Terrorism.

"Over the years, Sri Lanka has also become one of the main troop contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations. In the last two years, Sri Lanka has contributed over a thousand Troops, Military Observers and Civilian Police Officers to serve in Haiti, Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sudan, Western Shara and Timor Leste,".

President coordinator of the United Nations Miguel Bermeo said there is no higher aim for the United Nations in sri lanka than to work for sustainable peace and development.

"That is the UN's mandate here," he said.

Bermeo was making his last UN Day address here before leaving the country at the end of the month after completing his term of office.

Expressing his satisfaction that President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his address last month to the 61st General Assembly session, had re-affirmed Sri lanka's faith in the United Nations, the UN Resident Coordinator reiterated the commitment by the UN to continue to work in close cooperation and in partnership with the people and the Government of Sri Lanka in pursuit of that noble aim.