AMBASSADOR GOONETILLEKE RESPONDS TO BOSTON GLOBE EDITORIAL

Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke in a response to an Editorial in the 22 October 2006 Boston Globe titled “Asia’s Unending War” endorses the editorial view on the need for a political solution. However, the Ambassador also points out that the editorial makes no mention of the role of the LTTE, a ruthless terrorist organization, responsible for killing many civilians and moderate Tamil leaders, who supported a political solution.

The following is the full response from Ambassador

Your Editorial refers to the need for a political solution, which Sri Lanka completely endorses. The All Party Conference summoned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to evolve consensus among democratic parties in parliament, the decision to return to Geneva this weekend to resume negotiations, and the Oct. 23 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the main constituent party of government and the main opposition party in parliament all bear witness to the government's commitment to a negotiated settlement.

However, your editorial makes no mention of the role of the LTTE, a ruthless terrorist organization responsible for killing many civilians and moderate Tamil leaders who supported a political solution. The LTTE systematically eliminates all dissension.

Sri Lanka has attempted to engage the LTTE in peace talks five times since 1985. Each time they walked away from negotiations to wage war.

Geneva talks will be an opportunity to demonstrate good faith, build confidence, and focus on substantive issues leading to a settlement. The LTTE avoided focusing on core issues consistently during the six rounds of negotiations after signing the 2002 cease-fire agreement. This time the international community needs to ensure that the LTTE stays on course and negotiates in good faith.

BERNARD GOONETILLEKE
Ambassador of Sri Lanka
Washington

Click here for the Ambassador’s response

Click here for the The Editorial in the Boston Globe of October 22, 2006