Diplomacy displaced

By Darshana Abayasingha

It has been a tumultuous century for the world and its people. We have witnessed two world wars, endless civil conflicts, genocide, plague - and we saw terrorism. The world leaders converged at forums to define humanity, they designed treaties to protect them; we witnessed the election of the first black President of the United States. All this and much more would compel one to think that the global community at large would have matured; that people and governments would recognise fact and have learnt from the lessons and scars of history. Yet, the same mistakes recur; a result of individual futility or perhaps even a parade driven by personal gain.
Politics of disconcert
Some comments and so-called concerns put forth by our friends and associates in the international community leave much room to be desired. They accuse the Sri Lankan government of putting civilian life at risk in its efforts to rid the country of terrorism. The comments made by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, was one such instance that drew the ire locally and even in the US as deemed by the editorial of Sunday’s Washington Post. Let us remind that the government declared a two-day ceasefire for civilians to leave the conflict zone. Also the United Nations reported the LTTE were using civilians as human shields and had also opened fire on those fleeing for safety. It’s this premise that leaves room to wonder how or why such statements can be warranted. Clinton remarked last week, “the entire world is very disappointed,” that the government in its efforts to end 25 years of conflict, “is causing such untold suffering”. Can the heads of the world’s most well-informed nation be so misinformed?
It’s not just the matter of criticism; it’s also to do with action. For instance, the LTTE is a banned terrorist outfit in a number of countries, and this includes the UK and Canada. Yet, the LTTE propaganda machine walks free in those streets displaying various literatures and flying its flag high. It is only fair the Sri Lankan public would wonder what real interest these countries bear on the situation here, more so, how seriously do they take the issues of global terrorism. Be it peaceful protests as Police Chiefs in those respective cities like to call them, it still constitutes the promotion of the cause of a banned terrorist organisation on their soil. Then why is this process allowed to continue? As much as politicians in Tamil Nadu India like to claim that the Sri Lankan issue is not a political one, one must marvel as to how the concerns over the Palk Strait outweigh what goes on in their own backyard. It outweighs a crime rate of over 50 per cent, issues with water supply, electricity and health in the South Indian state. Whilst the balance of politics and power is crucial for the Central Indian Government, politics and diplomacy of maturity is what the world at large needs. To put into local context the words of Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in 1999: “The life of every Indian citizen under our dispensation is precious. In our fight against terrorism, we will be guided by the principle of zero tolerance”. Politics usually bring with it an agenda of power and personal gain; how one employs it for party, person and prudent policy all to gain will be a real test and display of maturity.
Terrorism discriminated
What can be confusing is that all this comes in a milieu the world community has resolved, to collectively combat the scourge of terrorism. In that light, we could ask if the Sri Lankan issue is an exception that allows everyone else to meddle with and make bold statements irrespective of realities on the ground. India and Pakistan are embroiled in their own terror issues which have today reached serious proportions, the US and Europe are still threatened by Al-Qaeda, Africa, the Middle East crisis and even the Somali pirate issue could well be deemed a terrorist threat. No one’s interfering or passing remarks on what’s going on there. What makes Sri Lanka so special some might ask? Is it simply that the LTTE has a superlative public relations arm that has penetrated deep into the hearts and structures of the international public and government? Is it that Sri Lanka is still falling short of communicating its message effectively? The government must toe a careful line with its diplomacy moves, but it must not be badgered by protestations that may be insincere or flawed. Whilst Sri Lanka’s stance could earn itself a bad name of sorts, the government must seek a sensible and consultative path from within that would help achieve its development and military objectives.
The human front
Outside the conflict zone, a lot would depend on how the government and aid agencies manage the IDPs languishing in the camps. With well over 150,000 displaced entering the Vavuniya region alone the resources there are stretched and a section of the crowd are likely to be relocated towards Mannar. With LTTE cadres looking to enter government-controlled areas with civilians, some concerns are rising with regards to reports of abuse during entry. The United Nations yesterday called on the government to separate ex-combatants from the civilian population, where rehabilitation work could commence under observation. The humanitarian situation in the North is critical and the facilities are nearing breaking point. Government, NGOs and civil-sector organisations have launched initiatives to send assistance to the humanitarian effort in the North, and this is the stage where every little bit would count. The physical healing would help heal the mental wounds that could forever scar the future if not tended to. That process of healing requires a strategy that is far more complex than the country has prepared before.