Military necessity to eradicate terrorism
DR T. C. RAJARATNAM
Continued from Monday, June 8
The application of the doctrine of military necessity makes use of
the principle of proportionality as a mechanism for determining the
positioning of a fulcrum between these competing poles. Using
proportionality thus gives effect to the recognition that the choice of
methods and means of conducting war or armed conflict are not unlimited.
The means and methods of conducting war operate to achieve a
particular military objective, which consequently assists in achieving a
larger political objective.
While necessity might determine the legitimacy of the armed attack,
proportionality determines the amount of force that might be used. In a
sense, necessity operates at a macro level, while international
humanitarian law operates at a micro level, though both might lie on the
same continuum given the difficulties in the transition. This difficulty
is most apparent when the principles of necessity and proportionality
have been incorporated into conventional international law, particularly
international humanitarian conventions. The development of these
conventions, and the application of these principles require some
consideration if one is to arrive at an understanding of their
application in a modern armed conflict. The distinction in the Sri Lanka
situation is that it is within our territory.
Military necessity has been described as "a basic principle of the
law of war, so basic, indeed, that without it there could be no law of
war at all." the acceptance that, while the object of warfare is to
achieve the submission of the enemy, which may require the disabling of
as many enemy combatants as possible, this should only be achieved in a
manner that does not cause any unnecessary suffering or damage. This
limitation to the means of waging war is not, however, necessarily
humanitarian in nature, and much of the early restraints were based on
economic, political, and military considerations. However, the need for
a balance between the considerations of humanity and the military
actions necessary to win a war is regarded as defining the very nature
of international humanitarian law, making military necessity a central
principle in this balance.
Military necessity admits of all direct destruction of life or limb
of armed enemies, and of other persons whose destruction is incidentally
unavoidable in the armed contests of the war; it allows of the capturing
of every armed enemy, and every enemy of importance or of peculiar
danger to the captor; it allows of all destruction of property, and
obstruction of the ways and channels of traffic, travel, or
communication, and of all withholding of sustenance or means of life
from the enemy; Men who take up arms against one another in public war
do not cease on this account to be moral beings, responsible to one
another and to God.
The 'principle of distinction' is fundamental to humanitarian law,
but its precise content varies according to the kind of conflict. In
national liberation struggles - and international armed conflicts - the
distinction is between 'civilians' and 'combatants.' Combatants have no
right to life under humanitarian law. Every individual is classified as
either a combatant or as a kind of protected person, such as a prisoner
of war (a captured combatant) or a civilian. An individual's rights
change when his classification changes. A civilian has the right not to
be targeted for attack and the right to receive some protection from
attack. If the civilian joins the armed forces, he exchanges the rights
of a civilian for the rights of a combatant. A combatant has the right
to take part in hostilities.
Every citizen owes his or her allegiance to the Constitution and to
the Head of State - the duly elected President of the Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
We look for diplomacy. But there is no diplomacy with some of those
opposed to us. We do not consider them opponents but they oppose every
conceivable move we make to develop the country. Sometimes, there is no
compromise with such people, no meeting of minds - no point of
understanding - so we would have a just choice - defeat it or be
defeated by it. This is where there was a necessity for military
intervention. We learnt that however much we strive for peace, we need a
strong defence capability where a peaceful approach fails. Whatever the
dangers of the action we take, the dangers of inaction are far greater.
Laws will have to be changed not to deny the basic liberties but to
prevent their abuse and protect the most basic liberty of all; freedom
from terror. The people are terrorized by certain vested interests in
their vile pursuits for power committing crimes and targeting a reflex
scenario as if the Government was responsible. All Tamil Political
Parties with the name "Eelam" should be banned forthwith. All Tamil
Militant Groups should be disarmed and tried for their crimes against
humanity.
We must work as a community to ensure that everyone not just a
privileged few get the collective ability to further the individual's
interests.
We are not alone in this. All round the world governments are
struggling with the same problems. We must have co-operation,
determination and consensus.
We are a community of people, whose self-interest and mutual interest
at crucial points merge and that it is through a sense of justice that
community is born and nurtured. This is the moment to bring the faiths
closer together in understanding of our common values and heritage a
source of unity and strength.
By the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more together than
we can alone. We must reach beyond our fears and our divisions to a new
time of great and common purpose. Let us trace the roots of affirmative
action. Let us determine what it is and what it isn't. Let us see where
it has worked and where it hasn't and ask ourselves what we need to do
now.
Private media freedom is running amok. The news that millions of
people in this country including foreign correspondents who convey news
overseas receive each night is determined by a handful of men
responsible only their corporate employers. The State should have
control not to permit abuse of the freedom of the Press.
We must not permit a contaminated moral environment. Let us not
negotiate out of fear, But let us never fear to negotiate.
There are individuals and groups who may be critical of the President
for political gain, but the President has always taken affirmative
action within the norms required of the President. We cannot restore
peace unless we can find some way to bring the nation close together. We
must be Patriotic. We must uphold and defend the Constitution and the
Head of State-the President. We owe allegiance to the President and the
Constitution as Citizens of Sri Lanka. We must uphold the norms of the
Constitution apprehend and prosecute those who terrorize us by their
actions and threats, then economic prosperity will follow suit. Our
destiny lies in our hands.
Nothing can stand against the argument of military necessity.
(General Dwight Eisenhower, Order of the Day, Dec. 24, 1943)
Our victory as a Nation would be when all the Tamil Militants and
their Eelam Parties and their Leaders be defeated and destroyed in the
best interests of our Nation!
In conclusion, may I cite the great General George S. Patton, Jr.,:
Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee of Thy great
goodness to restrain this immoderate weather with which we have had to
contend. Grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously harken to us as
soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance
from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our
enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. (Concluded) |