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Blair`s offer to do a Solheim
Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 6:59 AM SL Time
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Sri Lanka has many friends. They are of many kinds. With some of them, she needs no enemies. Look at her `best friend` across the Palk Straits. India never misses an opportunity to call her little neighbour a close friend. She boasts of historical relations dating back to times immemorial between the two nations. Paradoxically, India won`t help her bosom pal to clear the mess she herself created. She also doesn`t want little Lanka to reach out to other friends over and above her head to procure the urgently needed military equipment. Like a good friend, she offers military assistance to her friend in trouble. But, in the same breadth, she refuses to give offensive weapons. It is like a quack putting a patient on a placebo and denying him or her access to a physician!
Now Sri Lanka has another friend offering to come all the way from the Occident to help her achieve peace. The peace maker is none other than the beleaguered British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Why has Mr. Blair woken up to Sri Lanka`s plight all of a sudden? Why didn`t he care a tinker`s damn about her conflict when he was ensconced in power and had the clout? Now that he has been rejected by his own party, his own government and his own people, what kind of contribution is he capable of making to the resolution of Sri Lanka`s problem?
Before Mr. Blair, a former US President reportedly offered his help usher in peace in this country. That offer, too, came after his retirement. President Clinton could have made a meaningful intervention to help Sri Lanka, if he had wanted to do so when he was in power. Why should world leaders wait till they are long in the tooth and become spent forces to offer their services to Sri Lanka?
Mr. Blair, to his credit, has a wealth of experience in conflict resolution due to his involvement in the Good Friday Agreement. But, Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland are, as is obvious, poles apart. The IRA has had a strong political wing, Sinn Fein, which was amenable to a negotiated settlement. Still, it may be recalled, the fledgling Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended and Direct Rule imposed over the question of decommissioning. Such was the stress the British government placed on disarming, upon which the peace deal was contingent.
Time was when even BBC, which is liberal with publicity to terrorist outfits all over the world, chose to black out IRA leaders. Prime Minister John Major was so perturbed when the US government issued Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams with visa to attend a fund raiser that he boycotted the White House for a week or so. That is how the British leaders jealously safeguard their national interest vis-à-vis terrorism. They, no doubt, act as true leaders. But, the question is why they don`t allow the leaders of other countries to do likewise?
Mr. Blair has enough and more problems on the home front. And all his trouble has resulted from the blind plunge he took into the so-called war on terror, lured by US President George W. Bush. The invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq dented his credentials as a peace maker irreparably. He couldn`t at least carry his own party with him when he wanted to go to war with Saddam Hussein. But, his rivals supported him to the hilt and their support manifestly went the wrong way. The draconian measures he adopted out of his desperation to battle terrorism at home following the London attacks, the cash for political honours scandal and the like have laid bare his true face. Today, he stands exposed for what he really is?a fallible politician who went places thanks to his stars and the imbecility of his political opponents. It is `Blair the Rejected` who is offering to help Sri Lanka with peace making.
However, he is not without ways and means of helping weaken international terrorism, which poses the biggest threat to global peace. The great wen is a den of terrorists of all hues. It is a haven for the scum of the earth distributing terrorism to the four corners of the earth. Some of those organisations have been proscribed in Britain by Mr. Blair`s government. But, they are operating openly raising as they do millions of pounds to fund terrorist wars around the world. Mr. Blair doesn`t have to exert himself to assist in peace making in any particular country. All he has to do to help achieve that end is to launch a campaign to ensure that bans on terror outfits in Britain are given full cry and screws tightened on them until they become flexible enough to negotiate with the state they strive to destroy.
It was only the other day that Mr. Blair unleashed a scathing attack on the British media, which he accused of behaving like a `feral beast, just tearing people and reputations to bits`. He called for new curbs on the media warning that increasingly sensational news coverage threatened politicians` capacity to take the right decisions for the country. His consternation is understandable, given the nasty experience he has had with the press in the recent years. But, unfortunately, he doesn`t seem to be bothered by the leniency with which successive British governments have chosen to handle terrorist organisations `behaving like feral beasts` and tearing global democracy `to bits`. If only he evinced the same interest in imposing `curbs on` terrorist groups operating on British soil, many conflicts around the world would become far less intractable overnight. That way, he can make a substantial contribution to peace making in this country as well.
As for his reported offer to assist in resolving the conflict to the neglect of what he should really be doing at home, the Sri Lanka government should say, `No, thanks!` This country doesn`t need anymore failed foreign dignitaries. The bane of Sri Lanka`peace process` is not lack of facilitators but the refusal by one party to it to abandon its separatist terror. What needs to be done is to pressure it give up violence in both word and deed, as the US reiterates every so often.
Why should Mr. Blair waste his time and energy to do a Solheim?
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vamp4
Joined: Jan 2007
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19 Jun 2007 02:33:29 GMT Report for Abuse
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Sri Lanka is trying to get rid of coughing women and find a snotty woman.
'Kahi ganee deela hotu ganee gannayanawa'
Edited By - vamp4 - 19 Jun 2007 02:34:50 GMT |
GamaRaala
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19 Jun 2007 02:38:08 GMT Report for Abuse
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MrBrown,
This is The Island's editorial.
http://www.island.lk/2007/06/19/editorial.html
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Sam007
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19 Jun 2007 11:40:44 GMT Report for Abuse
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| They want to come and help us when they are not in power is cos that is the only way that keep up with the world attention towards them. So be it Bills,Blair or Bares this is how the story goes. |
Revy
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19 Jun 2007 12:11:00 GMT Report for Abuse
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But, Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland are, as is obvious, poles apart.
Seems the only thing that are 'poles apart' are the connections between this fellows neurons, thus the lack of any logical thought...
What exactly is the difference between N. Ireland and Eelam? Both were a case of traditional homeland occupied and colonised by external agressors. Well only difference is that the British did not behave like animals in their occupied territories save for few rare occurances.
And all his trouble has resulted from the blind plunge he took into the so-called war on terror
Ahah what? I thought this was the modayabakase's excuse too??? LOL
draconian measures he adopted out of his desperation to battle terrorism at home following the London attacks
draconian measures??? WTF? I don't see muslims being disappeared in white vans by the hundreds or being evicted en mass from London, does anyone else?
Someone please help this fellow remove the California redwood from his eyes, so that he can see the speck in Tony's more clearly!
However, he is not without ways and means of helping weaken international terrorism, which poses the biggest threat to global peace.
Huh, wait I thought it was the 'so called war on terror' now its a good thing?
Wow this blighter is arguing with himself in his own editorial, is this the best the pathetic GoSL has to offer? No wonder they need to kill off all the Tamil journalists, might show idiots like this writter for the hacks they are!
All he has to do to help achieve that end is to launch a campaign to ensure that bans on terror outfits in Britain are given full cry and screws tightened on them until they become flexible enough to negotiate with the state they strive to destroy.
Well at least there is a glimmer of intelligence from this monkey, seems he understands that the terror state can never quash the Tamil people on their own, well then beg, beg and BEG some more! hahah
Edited By - Revy - 19 Jun 2007 12:17:44 GMT |
tigeress19
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19 Jun 2007 12:15:57 GMT Report for Abuse
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Article: Blair's offer to do a Solheim
Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 6:59 AM SL Time
if agreed and i hope they will agree,,,
1)It is the British who united the Tamils and the Sinhalese for the purpose of easy administration, should take the lead along with Norway to solve the civil war.
2)The solution for this ethnic conflict should contain the clause for the Tamils to decide their own political destiny.
3)In this conflict, it is the Tamils and the Tamil speaking peoples are /were paying/paid heavily .
4)Any solution should place the ltte on a par with the govt of srilanka while srilanka govt is guilty for the same crimes as the ltte and in the past india forced a solution which failed and the international community all these years played a role along with the govt of srilanka, that too failed or did not produce any tangible results.
5)Majority Tamils are choosing the ltte for the purpose of making one voice against the govt of srilanka while the other Tamil groups like EPDP , karuna faction and many others are seen as supportive of the govt of srilanka not working for the tamil cause.
6)The peace mediators should accept that we minorities cannot trust the sinhala people in general as they have changed the constitution time to time to suit them with the advantage of majoritarianism, therefore we seek a solid solution that will prevent the past experiences and there is no southern political parties ever worked for the welfare of the tamils.
7)The Tamils in the north and east should be able to control their own safety, economy , resources and foreign relations without the interferences of the southerners.
8)In return the ltte should accept to uphold the values of secularism ,pluralism and democracy once the final solution is reached.
9) UN forces must be deployed along the Tamils sinhala borders to work as a deterrent to chase out the anti-peace elements .
10)The final solution should be underwritten by the international community.
Edited By - tigeress19 - 19 Jun 2007 12:42:30 GMT |
nirupam
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19 Jun 2007 14:41:30 GMT Report for Abuse
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It is a well-informed and balanced editorial but with normal prejudice.
Before Mr. Blair, a former US President reportedly offered his help usher in peace in this country. That offer, too, came after his retirement. President Clinton
Tony Blair is naturally a good man but misdirected by extremist president Bush. If not for Bush, Blair would have been one of the best Prime Ministers.
Look at what Blair did on Bush's request.
1. Supported and involved in Iraq and Afghanistan invasion.
2.Proscribed LTTE
3. Supported Israel even when she bombed civilians in Lebanon and Gaza.
What Blair did on his own initiative
1. Intervention in Yugoslavia to stop ethnic cleansing of Bosnia and Kosovo and that resulted in confedaration and near independence respectively
2. Reinstallation of democratic rule in Sierra Leone.
3. Sought US mediation/facilitation and treated both IRA and Unionists ae equal parties to bring about the Good Friday Agreement that enabled both factions share power.
On Blair's initiative Bush produced a road-map for peace in Middle East but due to latter's disinterest and Israel's stubborness is abandoned.
Blair loosened the 'screws' that were tightened on IRA by Margaret Thatcher who was targetted at Brighton bombing by IRA. He made Irish(Republicans and Unionists) live in peace instead of killing one another.
He was the one who proscribed LTTE and set the domino effect which gave a blank cheque to Rajapakse Govt to violate CFA and go for an all out war n Tamils. He is well placed to facilitate a peace negotiation and possibly a peace deal.
He wasn't rejected by the Labour Party. He won 3 electoral victories with landslides - first PM in the Labour Party who did it and ruled for 10 years unimpeded.
He made mistakes only because of the influence of president Bush. Blair did a lot at home on education, health, anti-social behaviour and after 10 years is stepping down to give an expected chance to Gordon Brown.
Edited By - nirupam - 19 Jun 2007 17:58:28 GMT |
alwaysalion
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19 Jun 2007 17:07:57 GMT Report for Abuse
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Everybody wants to be nominated for the PEACE PRIZE.
What they started in the middle east is still in a mess!
Don't give them VISAS to SL. |
Vishnu
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20 Jun 2007 01:20:17 GMT Report for Abuse
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It seems that Sri Lanka has become a play thing for retired political figures overseas. What we might do is, like it has been done with cricket coaches, to call applications from various countries for a negotiator. A commission may be set up to select the most appropriate person. The contract must be termed, say, for five years.
NB: In the mean time, it is the responsibility of both LTTE and GoSL to make sure that the conflict doesn't end before the tenure of the negotiator. |
Roshan2007
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20 Jun 2007 13:38:16 GMT Report for Abuse
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Sri Lanka is trying to get rid of coughing women and find a snotty woman.
'Kahi ganee deela hotu ganee gannayanawa'
Sungoat & SL Prez are like husband and wife. There is no way they will let another 'kehi ganee' or 'hotu ganee' in between them.
If anyone comes in between she is going to got it left and right.
Solheim got the full dose from VP & MR.
Clinton realised it when he came for Tsunami support.
Is it Blair next? |
justman
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21 Jun 2007 09:56:33 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Mr Blair is very much needed in UK,to solve the problem of shortage of affordable housing,tackle severe shortage of low skilled labor in the farms,hospitality and health sector as expanding into Eastern Europe has made the Eastern Europeans shun the low skilled jobs to higher skilled job,thus making the non white youth less appealing for employers,making them even redundant in many cases.Government in UK has not thought of many negative factors in allowing in un controllable amount in,This has a severe strain on the social services and police as the crime rate has gone up,vagrancy of these homeless people have gone up.Out of office,he could use is talents to solve this and bring good relations that has been lost with his country with the old Commonwealth partners,as UK's trade and cultural relations in the past depended.Sri Lanka could look after her own affairs. |
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