UPDATED AGAIN: 10-12-09
The Tamil point of view which never was represented in the comments are is represented in this article:
Hillary Clinton Does Not Mince Words
UPDATED!
US responds to Sri Lanka protest over Clinton remark
2009-10-05 01:25:00The United States, responding to protests from Sri Lanka over remarks by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said it had no recent evidence of women being raped while in Sri Lankan government custody.
In a letter addressed to Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama, the State Department noted that the US government and international human rights groups over the years had detailed “numerous cases of rape and sexual violence in Sri Lanka, particularly acts committed against women held in detention by the government.”
However, the letter signed by Melanne Verveer, ambassador at large for global women’s issues at the State Department said that “in the most recent phase of the conflict, from 2006 to 2009 … we have not received reports that rape and sexual abuse were used as tools of war, as they clearly have in other conflict area around the world.”
“We hope that this clarification puts the issue in its proper context,” the letter said, adding that Washington remains concerned about extrajudicial killings, disappearances and detainee abuse in Sri Lanka.
“Secretary Clinton believes that Sri Lanka must focus to the future and move forward on the promotion of peace and the protection of human rights,” the letter said.
Well, I don’t know whether that makes things all better, but where this goes on, Hillary will call it!
Ever since early February, when, just weeks into her tenure as Secretary of State, Hillary joined U.K. Foreign Minister, David Miliband in calling for a halt to human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, both Miliband and Hillary have come under attack by that government as well as by the secessionist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Clinton-Miliband joint statement of February 3, 2009 is below:
Earlier today at a meeting, Secretary Clinton and U.K. Foreign Secretary Miliband discussed their serious concern about deteriorating humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka caused by the ongoing hostilities. They affirmed their insistence on a political resolution to this longstanding conflict. The time to resume political discussions is now and we will continue to work with the Tokyo Co-Chairs, the Sri Lankan government, and the UN to facilitate such a process.
Secretary Clinton and Foreign Secretary Miliband call on both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to agree to a temporary no-fire period. Both sides need to allow civilians and wounded to leave the conflict area and to grant access for humanitarian agencies.
We welcome today’s statement by the Tokyo Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, US and EU) jointly expressing their great concern about the plight of thousands of internally displaced persons trapped by fighting in northern Sri Lanka. We join the Co-Chairs and call on the LTTE and the Government of Sri Lanka not to fire out of or into the safe zone established by the Government or in the vicinity of the PTK hospital (or any other medical structure), where more than 500 patients are receiving care and many hundreds more have sought refuge. We also call on both sides to allow food and medical assistance to reach those trapped by fighting, cooperate with the ICRC to facilitate the evacuation of urgent medical cases, and ensure the safety of aid and medical workers. The LTTE and the Government of Sri Lanka must respect the international law of armed conflict.
The picture in this Madam Secretary blog post WANTED: Clinton, for aiding terrorism, most disturbingly hammers home the level of vitriol with which the Clinton-Miliband team is viewed in Sri Lanka.
Again in early May, they spoke up together calling for an end to the conflict.
Indeed, in late May, the government forces finally did overcome the LTTE forces and a quarter century of conflict came to an end, but as in so many cases of civil conflict, the human rights issues did not cease with the ceasefire. Camps for the displaced and victims of the war are essentially holding areas where innocent civilians and combatant LTTE are intermingled. As the camps filled in late May, UNICEF called for a quick screening by the government to identify those who are true victims and had no part in the conflict so that they might receive the humanitarian aid they required.
As we all know, our indomitable Homegirl acted as President and Chair of the U.N. Security Council this past Wednesday putting forth the U.N. Resolution on Violence Against Women and Girls which was adopted with no objections. The full transcript and text is at the link above. Part of what Council President Hillary Clinton (typing that felt so good!) said is below.
Statements
Council President HILLARY CLINTON, Secretary of State of the United States, speaking in her national capacity, said: “We are here to address an issue that has received too little attention, not only in the Council but also by all Governments around the world.” That issue went to the core of protecting the safety of citizens in all countries. It also went to the responsibility under the United Nations Charter to protect the lives of all, including women. That responsibility was particularly acute in circumstances where peace was challenged.Noting that women and children were often the victims in wars for which they bore no responsibility, she said the resolution just adopted was a step towards protecting women in conflict zones. It built on resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). Violence against women and girls during conflict had not diminished, in fact, in some cases it had escalated. The use of rape as a tactic of war had been used in Bosnia, Burma, Sri Lanka and elsewhere and the perpetrators were not being punished. That impunity encouraged further attacks. In Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, which she had visited, and where thousands of cases of rape were being reported, she had met the victims. The toll on them, their family and society could not be quantified. “It shreds the fabric that weaves us together as human beings.” It also undermined economic progress.
There is nothing particularly anti-Sri Lanka in that statement as I read it. It is a simple statement of the fact in the context, as Hillary always puts such acts, of the need for the government to seek out and punish the guilty – on both sides of the conflict. It seems, however, that the government of Sri Lanka has taken exception to her remark. On my Hillary news feed today, this article popped up: Sri Lanka Protest Clinton’s Rape Remark.
Well, it seems you just cannot please everybody. The North Koreans made remarks about her which, if comically cryptic and contradictory, were meant to insult (she laughed). Last week on Larry King, Hugo Chavez was equally complimentary: “Hillary Clinton is lost. America should be concerned about that.” And now The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka continues its attacks on our Homegirl.
Hillary Clinton picks her fights and issues. Last week represented a milestone in Hillary’s career-long battle for the rights of women and girls. That men and military regimes will not necessarily agree with her positions is a no-brainer. But, like Joan of Arc or SuperWoman, she will continue her fight. If these guys despise her, we love her all the more. I don’t think the Homegirls need to worry about Hillary going on a trip to Colombo any time soon.
The Department of Homegirl Security 
Great post, except for one thing which you already know about 😉
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I do. And I thought you had done so well here: Sunday, September 20, 2009 Photo Bomb . I hope I haven’t caused a backslide! I had no choice, you see.
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Should senior politicians be resorting to smear tactics? This is what incensed Sri Lankans. As another famous US politician once said – Hilary, where’s the beef?
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Hi Paul,
This is an item that has long been on Hillary’s agenda, and this did happen in Sri Lanka. If you read the update, you will see that Ambassador Verveer has clarified the context.
Given Hillary’s long history dealing with the issue of violence against women, it is possible that she was speaking from a mental list that she has collected over the years, but that is unlikely in her case since she chooses everything she says very carefully.
The short answer is that it was a true statement, and we cannot continue to tolerate these acts going unpunished. This is an important, core issue all over the world. She was smearing no one, She was stating a fact.
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Hi still4hill
It might interest you to know that Melanne Verveer, President Obama’s ambassador at large for global womens’ affairs yesterday said that “in the most recent phase of the conflict, from 2006 to 2009 … we have not received reports that rape and sexual abuse were used as tools of war, as they clearly have in other conflict area around the world”. As a former Sri Lankan citizen, I have to say that I am deeply dsappointed by your comment. I am not saying that Sri Lankan soldiers have never raped anyone, but it has NEVER been used as a tactic of war as in Bosnia. How would you feel if I said that US soldiers raped girls as a tactic of war in Iraq? Incidentally, how many of them has the US actually prosecuted? Even so, I don’t think the US uses such dirty methods as a tactic of war. The same goes for the Sri Lankan forces that defeated terrorism with very little material help from the US.
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I forgot to add that by repeating Hilary’s comment you are simply perpetuating the myth.
Like I said, where’s the beef????
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…
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Paul,
Like you, I am a also a Sri Lankan, living abroad. It’s is an absolute nigtmare when I watch news about Sri Lanka on networks like CNN and BBC. I’ve lived most of my adult life in SL and I know how Tamils, Singhalese and other races co-exist in SL without any problem. (inccidently a lot of my friends happen to be tamils too). This time when I went down there and asked my tamil friends “how does it feel like to be in a genocide?” it made them laugh.
Tamils in Sri Lanka did go through some horrible times back in the past and the singhalese population was at fault to a great extend. But the point is, as a country it is now safe to say that we HAVE overcome those differences and it is very much evident to anyone who visits SL and have a look around rather than jumping into conclusions triggered by utter garbage fed by news networks like CNN, BBC, Channel 4 etc.
What is even more frustrating is when influenctial figures like Hillary Clinton (not to mention Miliband and other goons from Europe) make statements in favor of LTTE which is banned terrorist group in the US itself.
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This really has nothing to do with how I would feel. Having experienced the Viet Nam era when American military, not all biut some, were convicted of atrocities, I guess my answer to how I would feel is that any and all war crimes should be punished.
Ambassador Verveer’s clarification has been posted here since Sunday. And it IS a clarification, providing parameters, not a denial.
I do not believe that my Secretary of State stood blindfolded over a spinning globe with a magic marker in her hand to choose the countries she cited.
If the offenses have been addressed in recent years, good.
If supporting my Secretary of State puts me in her corner – well, that is where I live.
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still4hill,
Thanks for your conciliatory comment. I guess that’s the closest we are ever going to get to an admission that Hilary got it wrong in this instance – Sri Lankans NEVER used rape as a tactic of war.
It may surprise you to know that I have a generally favourable view of US and its citizens but unfortunately on Sri Lanka, US politicians so often get it completely wrong, and this is sometimes due to the influential Tamil migrants who lobby your politicians with baseless allegations, and even make campaign contributions to ensure that their separatist views prevail.
This time Madam, please do your homework, try googling ‘Tamils for Clinton’ and you’ll find out the truth and why your heroine is so out of touch with reality on Sri Lanka.
Greetings HVR, it’s good to know I’m not the only dissenting reader here.
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And oh, Tamils for Clinton is a fact, not a smear.
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I should know better than to insert myself in a civil conflict. Obviously, Paul, you are on a side here, and from what you say, I suppose it was not the LTTE who out up that “Wanted” poster which I found supremely disturbing.
People who are legitimate residents and citizens of the U.S. are legitimate political donors. There have been efforts to examine some of the campaign funding in our last General Election. Hillary’s funds were not questioned. She already knows that if her foot is not exactly on the mark she will be attacked. That’s just the way it is around her. It’s why I am here. To defend her from attacks.
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Still4Hill,
Sri Lankans, have absolutely no quarrel with Hillary or the USA or anybody else for that matter. We are not trying to say that your secretary of state has something against Sri Lankan either. She is simply misled by the LTTE activists who live in the US.
For Example; The singer MIA is a daughter of a very powerful LTTE activist. several months a go she went around the world doing TV interviews accusing the SL government of genocide. And she too said that SL rapes and murders innocent Tamil civilians. This probably would have led all singers and others atrtists to believe that there WAS genocide talking place in SL, because as you know celebs generally stick together when it comes matters such as genocide. And the celebs’ opinion does have a great impact on how odinary US citizens view this whole issue. But what could the SL government do about this? absolutely nothing!!
The LTTE actvists tried so hard to compare the situation in SL with that of Sudan (which is absolute ludicrous) and they did succeed with the help of people like David Miliband and Bernard Kroucher. Towards the final stages of the SL military operation The French foreign secretary even said he will go into the war zone at his own risk to talk to the LTTE when the SL gov said they couldnt guaratee his safety. (he was actually willing to meet a desperate group of terrorists who were on the verge of defeat and could easily have taken him hostage and them made demands to the government) doesnt that show how comfortable these people felt with a terrorist group which invented suicide bombers (which now kills hundreds of US troops in Irag and Afganistan). But yet they didnt succeed in this cause because they are yet to produce a single shred of evidence for all these atrocities that they claim the SL government comitted.
But the fact is, none of these facts and stories makes light of day because almost all the western news networks are very much on the side of the LTTE for reasons I can not comprehend.
So you must try to understand the frustration caused in Sri Lankan people when a powerful figure like Hillary Clinton makes a statement such as this, which furthermore supports the view of a group of terrorists. Yes she did retract some of the comments, but how much media coverage did the retraction of those comments get? So you see, the damage is already done to the image of our country.
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Still4Hill
Sri Lanka is a vibrant democracy with all shades of the spectrum represented by numerous political parties. Some leftist political parties will always try to gain political mileage on their rivals by seizing an opportunity such as this where famous western politicians appear to be on the wrong side on an issue. There is a strong anti-western current running through many leftist parties but the vast majority of the populace in my experience, are either neutral or pro-west. So what do you think will happen when western politicians attempt to obstruct the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka? Exactly! Or do I have to spell that out?
Sri Lankans probably suffered 20 years longer than it should have done due to external meddling, first by India, then by Norway, and now less seriously by politicians in UK and USA, but they won’t get their way.
On a slightly different note, I wrote to several local members of Parliament in UK appealing that they engage with the Sri Lankan government to address any percieved or real shortcomings, rather than lecture to Sri Lankans via the media. I had several responses back and one from a minister that showed how UK is now quietly helping the Sri Lankan Government sort out the mess that was left behind after the war, mainly resettlement and de-mining. I am also aware that the Sri Lankan government has requested help from the US government to process former combatants. So there are some positive moves from the West.
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To Paul (and also HVR),
This is good news, and I am glad to hear it. Thanks for all of your input here. Lots of people visit but don’t post, so your comments will help elucidate issues for many.
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still4hill
Today’s news – wealthy Sri Lankan Tamil emigre, chief Tamil Tiger funder in the US and donor to Democrats has been arrested for insider dealing. Here are some known details of his generosity towards your friends.
$26,700 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
$26,200 to the Democratic National Committee Services Corp.
$11,100 to Hillary Clinton
$10,000 to the New Jersey Democratic State Committee
$4,600 to Barack Obama
$2,000 to Charles Schumer
see http://www.businessinsider.com/raj-rajaratnam-big-democratic-booster-2009-10
Raj Rajaratnam’s house has previously been raided by the FBI.
So, here’s the proof that Hilary’s views about Sri Lanka are influenced by some very questionable inviduals!
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