Military challenge must be countered - US envoy

Manjula FERNANDO

COLOMBO: Visiting US envoy Steven Mann said Washington was fully appreciative of the fact that the Sri Lankan Government had a difficult task in fighting terrorism while pursuing a political solution to the quarter century old conflict.

“It is a difficult task,” he told reporters at a press conference at Hotel Galadari last evening after a lengthy meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa where he was briefed on the Government’s strategy in dealing with the conflict.

The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Mann, arrived in Colombo yesterday to discuss the current developments in the peace front with the President and other leaders and participate in a training workshop for junior US diplomats, held in Colombo by the US State Department.

Admitting there was a powerful military element to fighting the war, the US envoy emphasised that the conflict needs an effective political answer involving all political parties.

“There is a military challenge to which the Government must react. Yet at the same time there is a great political element,” Mann who was also the deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Colombo from 1992 to 1994 observed.

He said peace will bring greater potential for growth, investment, trade and infrastructure development which is one of the top priorities of the Government.

“On the ground situation, looking back, Sri Lankan Forces have made some major advances. I believe that the task that stands before the Forces and the Government now is to bring about stable development and effective peaceful governance to the region.”

“We will support in every effective way,” the US envoy responded when asked if their will be an additional role for the US in the Sri Lankan peace process in the future. However, he commented there is a less direct role for the US at the moment.

Indicating the US is supportive of a political framework equal to the 2000 proposals, he said similar proposals resulting form a joint effort by political parties will help resolve the conflict for good.

He also called upon the LTTE to respect human rights and the rule of law and stop recruitment of children as combatants.

Mann said “we are concerned about the reports we have received” adding the “issue of human rights was an important part of my dialogue with the President”.

The US envoy met the Defence Secretary and was scheduled to meet Foreign Minister and Chief of Armed Forces and the Opposition Leader before his departure.