'BBC meets its match in Sri Lankan Defence Secretary'
With its foreboding lighting effects that appear to have been plucked
straight out of Dante's dark epic Inferno-and cleverly devised one
suspects to reduce its willing, and oftentimes unsuspecting, "victims"
to submission-the BBC's HARDtalk program has attained a universal
reputation (or should that be notoriety?) for tough and bruising
interviews that border on intimidation.
Why, in its trailer for the widely popular program the BBC has fierce
animals from the wild locking horns in deadly tussles, while HARDtalk
inquisitor-in-chief Stephen Sackur looks on arms folded barely able to
disguise the smirk on his face.
Last week HARDtalk was "on the road" in Sri Lanka with the sole
purpose it seemed to derail the widely held perception that this jewel
of an island-blessed with every imaginable treasure that nature could
bestow -was finally at peace after a crippling secessionist war that
lasted for three decades and ended a year ago with the humiliating
defeat of the Tigers terrorist outfit, and at the needless cost of
countless lives.
Any independent visitor to Sri Lanka these days cannot fail to be
both surprised and exhilarated at the remarkably swift transformation
that has come about in this once war-ridden nation.
One can freely enjoy the spectacular beaches (some of the most
breathtaking of which cling to the north east coast which was at the
heart of the conflict but are now once again open for leisurely
business), savor the easily activated smiles of young and old from every
ethnic mix, admire an economy that has been rejuvenated and get a real
feel of the people's faith in a government given an overwhelming mandate
in just concluded elections to sow the dividends of peace and
prosperity.
All that, however, appeared to have been lost on the BBC and its
rabid attack dog Sackur. He seemed hell-bent on using his platform to
paint-with the aid of a handful of accommodating interviewees-a sinister
picture of the country that belied any semblance to the harmonious
reality that is post-war Sri Lanka.
To give just one glaring example. Sackur kept harking on about
alledged state sponsored media persecution even while he was traversing
the length and breadth of the island talking on camera to whoever he
cared to choose-including even a telephone chat with detained former
Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka who is the most vociferous critic
of the government.
But then came his interview with powerful Defense Secretary Gotabaya
Rajapaksa - a tough no-nonsense tolerating retired Sri Lankan Army
Colonel who (invited back in 2005 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa - his
elder brother - to Sri Lanka from the US where he was domiciled with his
family to lead the faltering war effort) is credited both at home and
abroad with having marshalled the decisive phase of the war that saw
final victory.
Now spearheading the vital task of restoring and maintaining law and
order in a country that has been on a war footing for so long, Rajapaksa
is totally driven to ensuring post- war stability in his homeland.
In a recent interview in Colombo with The Manila Times he was
passionate in his hopes and plans for his country's future.
"While it is true that the government has been able to regain control
of each and every inch of land in Sri Lanka and restore peace, we have
to keep in mind that we are emerging from a 30 year long conflict that,
apart from its local impact, had international connotations too," said
he.
Despite the military success, Rajapaksa is not given to complacency.
He explains: "Although the Tigers have been militarily defeated in Sri
Lanka, a lot of pro-separatist activity is taking place internationally,
aided and abetted by former Tigers cadres and activists among the Tamil
Diaspora. So it is imperative that we remain vigilant.
"And while the government is committed to relaxing the emergency
regulations and restoring normalcy and giving the people the full
benefits of peace, we have to take whatever steps necessary to ensure
that terrorism does not raise its ugly head in Sri Lanka ever again."
So, with a reputation as a guy who doesn't mince his words,
Rajapaksa's characteristic hard talking style made him the ideal guest
for a TV program which prides itself in being called HARDtalk.
But, alas, it turned out to be more than Sackur could handle. Every
verbal punch that he threw at Rajapaksa the combative Defense Secretary
returned with crushing effect, jolting the normally self-controlled
Sackur off balance.
Fixing Sackur with a steely glare and reminding him "that Sri Lanka
was a sovereign nation," Rajapaksa tore apart the BBC talking head's
argument that Sri Lanka should submit itself to a United Nations
brokered inquiry into accusations of atrocities allegedly committed by
both sides in the closing stages of the war.
When Sackur pulled out what he thought was his trump card and
accosted Rajapaksa with the charge leveled at him by General Fonseka
(who, incidentally, has built himself a post-military political career
out of making wild accusations against the Defense Secretary) that
during the final battle he ordered that even those people waving white
flags of surrender should be shot, the Defense Secretary's rage was
palpable.
"He is a liar," bristled Rajapaksa, "and if he continues to say that,
he should be hanged because that is treason." Sackur, unaccustomed to
hearing such hard talking on his show was visibly taken aback, "You mean
to say you would execute him?" asked Sacker his voice rising. "Yes,
that's the punishment for treason against your country," countered
Rajapaksa.
And so the interview went on, with the by now emotionally charged
Rajapaksa giving back twice as hard as he was getting from Sackur, and
making it clear to the BBC frontman that he doesn't have a monopoly on
the truth.
So much so that Sackur brought the interview - that by this stage was
turning into an absorbing mis-match - to an abrupt end.
Normally the show ends with Sackur shaking hands cordially with his
guest. And we hazard a guess his trip is clasping the hand offered by
the guest sitting across him and getting a triumphant feel of the sweaty
and clammy level he had been able to reduce the often cowering
interviewee.
But this time around, in a first-ever for this globally televised
talk show, it ended with the Sri Lankan Defense Secretary allowing
himself a hearty chuckle in the knowledge that in this particular
edition of HARDtalk it was undoubtedly game, set and match to him. And
TV viewers worldwide could attest to that!
Courtesy: The Manila Times
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