If not for preventive action by Sri Lanka:
LTTE could have destabilized region - GL
The LTTE's separatist war in Sri Lanka could easily have destabilized
the region. The fact that it did not happen is because of the preventive
actions taken by Sri Lanka during and after the war to ensure stability.
This is the regional significance of the current situation in Sri Lanka.
In a wide-ranging address on Tuesday night to a representative
gathering of journalists, diplomats and INGO and NGO officials at the
Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand in Bangkok, Minister Peiris
dwelt on the reasons why the Sri Lankan conflict did not spill over and
cause instability in region.
Prof. Peiris who is in Bangkok to attend the Asia-Middle East
Dialogue (AMED 111) as a keynote speaker, was speaking on "Sri Lanka:
the war and after", said the conflict had the potential to destabilize
the region and stressed that countries in Asia should coordinate their
policies and actions to ensure that such conflicts do not endanger
stability and therefore the economic progress of the region.
No country can deal with such a situation alone and needs regional
assistance to maintain a stable status quo, he said.
Prof Peiris pointed out that often in long standing wars as the one
against the terrorist LTTE, there is a tendency for the proliferation of
small arms and for weapons to find their way into the hands of others
not directly involved, as the Cambodian experience for example, has
shown. "We saw to it that in the case of Sri Lanka it did not happen,"
he said.
The proliferation of small arms that could lead to low intensity wars
and insurgencies is a matter of concern to sections of the international
community. Another crucial outcome was the way in which the Sri Lanka
government and its security forces ensured the security of the sea
lanes.
These sea lanes are the life lines for several countries in the
region. Unlike in some other parts of the world where pirates disrupt
shipping and are known to take hostages, the sea lanes around Sri Lanka
have been kept safe and secure for international shipping, for the
movement of goods and people.
Prof Peiris said that Sri Lanka has been vigilant about certain
aspects of LTTE operations and there is no question the LTTE will be
allowed to surface again.
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