GSP plus

GSP plus has become a big issue for politicians and the media. The heated debates and diverse and often controversial media interpretations have made the whole issue a puzzle unintelligible for the layman.

It is necessary to leave aside emotions and political agendas and look at the issue afresh. That is the only way to understand the issue and react wisely.

Opposition politicians are warning of a catastrophe, hinting that the facility may be withdrawn by the European Community. Reading their statements one wonders whether they wish it to happen so that they could ride to power on the backs of those adversely affected. On the other hand, some others do not see any danger at all.

Sri Lanka received the EU's preferential tariff concession in the wake of the devastating tsunami that struck our shores in December 2004. Before that there was no GSP plus.

Now the EU has conducted an investigation of their own, a one-sided investigation and is proposing to suspend it on account of the alleged violations of certain human rights. They have given Sri Lanka time till November 6, 2009 to respond to the EU Report on the issue. This is the position at present.

One could recall that the EU wanted to come to Sri Lanka for the investigation. The Government rightly saw it as an infringement of our sovereignty and refused to accede. This is the most vital point in the whole issue. How could a sovereign state (and Sri Lanka is one) allow foreign governments or representatives of a common body of foreign governments, such as the EU, to infringe on its sovereignty? No civilised and independent nation worth its honour would allow it.

Of course, these gentlemen of the EU could cite precedents in which powerful nations intervened in the internal affairs of sovereign states and even divided them under the pretext of a non-existing R2P (Right to Protect) they assumed for themselves. The tragedy of Iraq and Kosovo are examples.

Sri Lanka has defeated a terror outfit, considered to be the most ruthless and brutal in the world and saved nearly 300, 000 hapless people from the jaws of terror. Did these champions of human rights raised their voices to stop that terror? They were deaf and dumb when an entire population was held to ransom. What moral right have they to interfere?

Economic issues and relations between nations should be settled on principles governing such matters as trade etc. Human rights is an extraneous subject. It is unjust to drag in such extraneous issues.

They pretend to be motivated by the highest humanitarian principles. Yet, in actual fact, they are using the plight of the IDPs for their narrow political ends. After all, how could the clan of Goliaths accept when a tiny little David challenges them or treat them with irreverence?

This the usual dominating spirit of the Rich Club against poor developing countries. If there is a genuine desire to assist the IDPs and they are very much concerned about human rights of these hapless men, women and children they should assist Sri Lanka, especially in the tasks of relief, rehabilitation of the IDPs and reconstruction of their villages and towns destroyed by the three decade long war.

Sri Lanka has not refused to cooperate. She understands and values its relations with the EU and its member nations. The only thing is that Sri Lanka is ready to discuss, negotiate, exchange opinions on equal terms as a sovereign nation. But it will not do so under duress, under threat or kneel down on its knees begging for the favour. Blackmail would not succeed.

Even if the outcome is the worst and the GSP plus facility is withdrawn, is it the end of the world? Certainly not. After all GSP plus was a temporary facility. It was for a limited period only. It would not go on forever.

Sri Lanka has faced worse scenarios and come out of them successfully. The Sri Lankan economy has shown resilience much more than many economies elsewhere, including some in the developed word.

The Government has assured the industry, especially garment manufacturers that it would provide alternative relief, in case the GSP plus facility is withdrawn. In a way, it would be a blessing in disguise, for it would be an impulse to improve productivity to offset the losses that may accrue.