‘International cooperation needed to stop terrorism’
At the end of the Bali Democracy Forum in Nusa
Dua, Bali, from Dec. 10-11, 2008, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama spoke with Hyginus Hardoyo of The Jakarta Post on several
issues, ranging from his government’s intention to expand bilateral
relations with Indonesia, to the present situation in Sri Lanka with
regards to restoring peace and democracy.
While noting that Sri Lanka and Indonesia have signed a defense
cooperation agreement and agreed to establish a joint commission, Sri
Lanka’s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama expressed his intention to
forge closer relations with Indonesia.
Bogollagama disclosed several opportunities Sri Lanka was offering to
potential investors and big corporations that could take advantage of
the country’s position to set up industries to process abundant raw
materials such as palm oil and rubber from Indonesia.
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Minister Bogollagama |
“It can also be utilised as a springboard to Europe and the Indian
subcontinental market, under our free trade agreements with India and
Pakistan,” the minister said.
He also said Sri Lankan Airlines had proposed resuming flights to
Jakarta early next year in an effort to help improve people-to-people
association between the two countries, and added he hoped Garuda
Indonesia, the Indonesian flag carrier, would reciprocate by commencing
services to Colombo.
“Negotiations on the matter are already at the final stage,”
Bogollagama said, adding he was looking forward to the visit to Sri
Lanka by Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda for the inaugural
session early next year of a joint commission expected to enable the two
countries to formulate a constructive approach to strengthen bilateral
relations. The minister also disclosed a number of points during his
meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the sidelines of the
two-day Bali Democracy Forum.
The forum was an initiative by the Indonesian government, and brought
together high-level delegations from 32 countries across Asia. The forum
was inaugurated by Yudhoyono at a ceremony co-chaired by Australian
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, with Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah of Brunei
Darussalam and Prime Minister of Xanana Gusmao of Timor Leste also
present.
Calling the initiative to launch the forum timely, Bogollagama
briefed the Indonesian President about the latest situation in Sri
Lanka, chiefly the military operations in the North of the country to
restore peace and democracy.
The minister said terrorism constituted the biggest threat to
democracy in Sri Lanka, and outlined the Government’s efforts over the
past two years to clear the Eastern Province of the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and reinstate full democracy in the province.
The LTTE is one of the pioneers in suicide-bomb technology and is
said to be behind more than half of all suicide bombings the world over,
the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry says. Referring to efforts to engage the
LTTE in talks, Bogollagama said the negotiations were ineffectual
because of the LTTE’s inflexible stance and lack of sincerity.
“Our bitter experience in negotiating with the LTTE in the past has
convinced us that unless the capacity of the LTTE to inflict terror
attacks on innocent civilians is neutralised, no political solution the
Government formulates through the All Party Representatives Committee,
drawing upon the collective wisdom of all democratic political parties,
can be practically implemented,” the minister said in his speech at the
inaugural session of the Bali Democracy Forum.
“It is our considered view that disarming the LTTE is an essential
prerequisite to the unveiling of a political solution to address the
genuine grievances of minority communities in Sri Lanka.
“The defeat of LTTE terrorism will herald the dawn of lasting peace
and stability in Sri Lanka,” he added.
Reiterating that aside from a threatening democracy, terrorism was
also a threat to human civilization everywhere, Bogollagama called for
greater international cooperation to tackle terrorism.
The minister expressed the hope that the clearest call originating
from the Bali Democracy Forum would become a guiding light for the
people of Asia, whether living in long-established democracies or in
countries taking their first steps toward democracy. |