ipsnews.net,  Fri Jan 20 20:09:26 EST 2006

    UNITED NATIONS, Jan 20 (IPS) - As the four-year-old ceasefire in Sri Lanka is on the verge of crumbling, the United States has offered to strengthen its military assistance programmes and increase training for government forces if the country's rebel group resumes its separatist war in the northern and eastern provinces.
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After meeting with senior officials in Washington last week, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the objective of his trip was to keep Washington abreast of "the current status of the peace talks, where it has got stalled, and the need for it to be resumed as early as possible".

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- The Academic

I am not a person who voted for Mahinda R in the last election.
Anyway I like to say ........."Well Done Mangala........" as something has been achieved during his trip to USA.

Other trips to India by MR and Mangala did not achieve anything in favour of GOSL.

Anura B made so many trips already - does anybody know the outcome?

lankaputhra wrote:

Anura B made so many trips already - does anybody know the outcome?

Reduced baggage allowance to other passengers?

The US never gives anything for free

When Mangala  goes with a begging bowl to the UN or to Washington the donors will say "sure" heres the weapons But HERE ARE THE CONDITIONS......

I guess the US wants to open our economy up to dump their weapons and other commodities, Oh maybee we will recieve their nuclear waste..."hooray for USA"

They also have their eyes on Trinco Harbour, lets see what the LTTE will do, they are not stupid eventually they will have to negotiate themselves if US steps in.

It's funny when US say they are going to aid Sri Lnaka militarily to defeat tigers.Mighty US military can't even defeat Iraqi insurgents.Except for removing Saddam they haven't achieved anything.They have created a puppet govt who can't even protect themselves with their own military.Now they don't even know how to get out of that mess.Yeah right,They are going to help SL military to defeat well organized group like LTTE.
US has history of doing things which is benefial only to them.They will sell more weapons to SL govt while using SL to fight their war on al qaeda.No amount of military help will help to resolve the current siuation in SL.India has learned the lesson the hard way.They couldn't even handle much smaller LTTE in late 80's.After Indian troops had left so many people affected by their actions joined LTTE and made LTTE much bigger and stronger.Military actions kill innocent civilians which in turn help LTTE to recruit more and more people.US knows this.Unfortunately US has been one of the most hated countries in the world for making selfish decisions,despite the fact there are many nice people live here.US should find a way to bring both side to the negotiating table without using military threat.The whole world know even their own military wouldn't be able to acheive goals in other countries then how SL military which has lost so many bases and weapons (not to mention 60,000 deserters) in the last war to LTTE will be able to defeat LTTE.Whatever US gives to SL military would end up at LTTE's hands.It will be a long cycle of violence.US defense firms can make more money and we can destroy our country like profound genius.

Pandula wrote:

The US never gives anything for free

When Mangala  goes with a begging bowl to the UN or to Washington the donors will say "sure" heres the weapons But HERE ARE THE CONDITIONS......

I guess the US wants to open our economy up to dump their weapons and other commodities, Oh maybee we will recieve their nuclear waste..."hooray for USA"

They also have their eyes on Trinco Harbour, lets see what the LTTE will do, they are not stupid eventually they will have to negotiate themselves if US steps in.

Dear Pandula,

Yes, No one does any thing free, that is a fact.  But when some one does any good to the country one has to appreciate.

We have to prioritize things.  Make a deal even with the Mother of the . to get rid of LTTE.  That is the priority here.

For your phobia there is Green Peace, WTO, etc.

Quote:

Samaraweera said that Sri Lanka is one of the oldest functioning democracies in Asia, and enjoyed universal voting rights as early as the 1930s.

True in part.  But ask the Tamils of Indian origin if this is true and they will laugh!  It is the same democracy that oversaw three pogroms targeting Tamil civilians - the last one, in 1983, orchestrated by this democracy killed over 3000 Tamils and displaced countless more.  It’s the same democracy that practiced and continues to practice state terror against those who oppose its policies.  However, I must add that under the current shallow policies of the US government i.e. a bad and utterly undemocratic democracy (i.e. only name) is better than no democracy!  And as that unpalatable lesson the US learnt in Vietnam goes – no amount of firepower or training will stop a determined and ingenious enemy.

Quote:

True in part. But ask the Tamils of Indian origin if this is true and they will laugh! It is the same democracy that oversaw three pogroms targeting Tamil civilians - the last one, in 1983, orchestrated by this democracy killed over 3000 Tamils and displaced countless more

Hello Peter,

Thank you for your history lesson. We are aware of 83 riots. I am not aware of any Indian Tamils targeted in Kandy (I was in Kandy in 83) are you suggesting they were victimised? They are not among the displaced you are reffering to. Be careful not to muddy the waters Peter.

Quote:

Dear Pandula,

Yes, No one does any thing free, that is a fact.  But when some one does any good to the country one has to appreciate.

We have to prioritize things.  Make a deal even with the Mother of the . to get rid of LTTE.  That is the priority here.

For your phobia there is Green Peace, WTO, etc.

Dear Amarakoon,

I appreciate your subtle message.

I dont know what the urgency is for Mangala to rush with his golden begging bowl. I dont see any LTTE in south (do you?) so why do we need the devils help? If Tamil people are really suffering under LTTE dont you think they would have joined our govt troops in droves to wipe out LTTE? Funny that! I think this is a beat up and we sinhala are selling our grandchildrens inheritance to pay for murdering more people. I dont know about you but I dont see the justification in that.

Even if negotiations with Balasingham and Tamilchelvan take 20 years that would be better than returning to armed conflict

Dear Pandula,

I was referring to the comment "enjoyed universal voting rights as early as the 1930s".  Tamils of Indian origin were disenfranchised (stateless) for nearly 30 years after independence.  The pogroms targeted Sri Lankan Tamils.  Hope this clarifies things.

It is sickening to note that the SL govt. has to run to other countries to settle their internal issue.  It would have been justifiable when India supported the LTTE at one time but now, in the absence of any other government supporting the LTTE, its shameful to go around like the Foreign minister just did.  India even refused foreign aid for the tsunami work.

What weapons are the Americans gonna give thats gonna make a difference?  Do they have a magical weapon that will wipe out the LTTE at the press of a buttton? The US has roughly 130,000 troops stationed in Iraq at this moment and achieved little and loose their military personnel on a daily basis. The war in Iraq has cost the US tax payer US$235.3 billion & counting. They have had 2225 soldiers dead so far, 7625 soldiers wounded in action-not returned to combat in 72hrs.  The long term cost of their war in Iraq is expected to top $2 trillion. All this after having Saddam Hussain in prison and being tried.

It does not even make good economic sense unless you are with Dick Cheney's Halliburton Corporation who have made over US$10 billion from the war. They even built the American prison at Guantanamo Bay! America has a dumb puppet President propped up by Cheney and gang to rake in billions for their corporations. The SL government can also add to their income and in the process destroy this beautiful country completely. A few government people will also gain in the transactions.

Any return to war is only going to make LTTE stronger and get more people. Hell they can even recruit unemployed people from Tamilnadu. I think the average Sri Lankan should rise in non-violent protest against war (from Sinhalese, Tamil & Muslim communities). They will be the only loosers if they get taken in by the patriotic nonsense that most governments come up with now and then. Only a concerted movement and effort by the people can win over both the LTTE and the SL Government. The cost of living in SL is so high even after 2 years of peace. Imagine how much it will go up if war begins.  People in government are only interested in their own personal benefits and positions. This will be so unless the public rise and if not now, I wonder when the time will be.

Pandula wrote:

Quote:

Dear Pandula,

Yes, No one does any thing free, that is a fact.  But when some one does any good to the country one has to appreciate.

We have to prioritize things.  Make a deal even with the Mother of the . to get rid of LTTE.  That is the priority here.

For your phobia there is Green Peace, WTO, etc.

Dear Amarakoon,

I appreciate your subtle message.

I dont know what the urgency is for Mangala to rush with his golden begging bowl. I dont see any LTTE in south (do you?) so why do we need the devils help? If Tamil people are really suffering under LTTE dont you think they would have joined our govt troops in droves to wipe out LTTE? Funny that! I think this is a beat up and we sinhala are selling our grandchildrens inheritance to pay for murdering more people. I dont know about you but I dont see the justification in that.

Even if negotiations with Balasingham and Tamilchelvan take 20 years that would be better than returning to armed conflict

mm He got a point here. I really admire you. I think you are the best person to teach a lesson about Americans. Keep  it up..

My friends you should no something about your Mangala. He is an profound genius otherwise he would not say that LTTE is worse than Al-Qaeda. If LTTE is worse than Al-Qaeda why the heck you are keeping the peace process with LTTE??  I don’t think any country would go and talk to an organization which is worse than AL - Qaeda.  By begging America he is proving that LTTE is much stronger than SL Army. Remember one thing only these stupid politicians damage the sovereignty of the country not the LTTE.

Thooyan wrote:

My friends you should no something about your Mangala. He is an profound genius otherwise he would not say that LTTE is worse than Al-Qaeda. If LTTE is worse than Al-Qaeda why the heck you are keeping the peace process with LTTE??  I don’t think any country would go and talk to an organization which is worse than AL - Qaeda.  By begging America he is proving that LTTE is much stronger than SL Army. Remember one thing only these stupid politicians damage the sovereignty of the country not the LTTE.

Oh, what a brainer we got here. Dont you understand that GOSL-the Srilankan government want to protect Thamil people including the people like you who are brain washeds by LTTE.  It is the cry babies in abroad and corrupt human right organisation who dont care about average thamil people, who prevented successiful operations carried out by SL armed forces. the so called iNt.community and others who think LTTE has a right to kill any one who disagree with them, have been lobbying for a peaceful settlement. Mark my word, there is no peaceful settlement for this untill we all get together and wipe out these creatures for good. then the eastern tamils, colombo tamils and upcountry tamils, jafna tamils can have their own true democratic voice.

www.tulf.org
 
Norway which struts the international stage parading as a peace-maker is also one of the world's largest manufacturers and exporters of military hardware. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has revealed in its latest report that Norway is not only a leading exporter of arms but it is also raking huge profits from the arms industry which has recorded a strong growth. In five years the turnover has increased by 30 percent and the industry sells for NOK 7 billion (USD 1.05 billion) a year and employs around 5,000 people. According to figures from SIPRI, Norway is the world's biggest arms exporter in relation to its population and the 11th in the world in real terms.