Waiting for Delhi's word: Kadirgamar

By V. S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, MAY 14. As Sri Lankan soldiers continue to battle rebels in the northern Jaffna peninsula, creating the setting for a possible Indian role in resolving the conflict, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, has said they would wait for an ``official intimation'' from the Government of India while continuing to keep the recently-commenced Norwegian initiative on board.

Mr. Kadirgamar's views, expressed in an interview to the Sunday Times, gain significance in the immediate context of a flurry of activity on the external policy front, with Sri Lanka seeking help from friendly countries in the face of advances by the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam towards Jaffna town.

Asked whether India's offer to negotiate was official as yet, Mr. Kadirgamar said, ``no, they haven't told us officially, but they have told us that Mr. Jaswant Singh did make that statement'' to a private TV channel, ``that India is prepared to negotiate a settlement, that they have never been anything other than an honest broker. They want both parties to give their consent.''

On whether Sri Lanka would accept the offer, the Foreign Minister said, ``possibly. But we must await official intimation,'' reiterating the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Lakshman Kirielle's statement in Parliament a few days ago in response to a query by the Opposition United National Party on the Government's response to the Indian offer.

Mr. Kadirgamar, asked about ``moves by a western nation to bring a resolution at the UN Security Council to discuss the Sri Lankan situation'' emphasised the sovereignty factor saying the island's conflict was an ``internal situation''.

Pointing out that ``the Chinese and the Russians will not allow the U.N. Security Council getting involved,'' he said, ``this is our internal situation. We appreciate the help of friendly countries, but we must maintain the dignity and self- respect however small a country we are, whatever difficulties we have got ourselves into. Our position is still that sovereignty is paramount.''

On the request for Indian humanitarian intervention, he said, ``by consent, a friendly Government can ask a friendly government to help. Our sovereignty is our sovereignty. A Security Council decision is not necessarily by consent. That is a decision that can be imposed on a state.''

On India's response, the Foreign Minister said, ``it is perfectly understandable that the Government of India would take time to reach decisions on the Sri Lankan question''.

Refuting the charges that his comments to the media in India had pre-empted chances of Indian assistance, he said, ``it is incredibly naive to believe that Indian policy on such a sensitive issue as the current situation in Sri Lanka can be made or unmade on a chance remark. Indian policy has to take into account complex issues of domestic and international concern to India and her interests.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : Some Punjab militants may be released: Advani
Next     : Air force strikes rebel targets