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Sri Lankan military bars foreign media from polls
Thursday, 8 May 2008 - 9:23 PM SL Time
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VALAICHCHENAI, Sri Lanka - (AP) Sri Lanka`s military barred foreign journalists Thursday from covering weekend elections in the east that are seen as a test of confidence in the government, which seized the region from Tamil Tiger rebels last year.
Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando said any foreigner not registered as an election observer cannot be in Eastern province during the polls.
An Associated Press reporter and a photographer were stopped at a checkpoint and were asked to go back.
Fernando said the barring of journalists and other foreigners during the elections was for their own protection.
``It could be dangerous. If something happens and a foreigner gets injured it will create problems,`` Fernando said.
Saturday`s first-ever elections for the Eastern Provincial Council are seen as a referendum on the government`s performance since it drove the rebels from their strongholds in the province last year.
Opposition parties accuse the government of forming an alliance with a group of former rebels accused of killings, abductions and recruiting child soldiers. They say the group has terrorized opposing candidates and voters.
The government says the group`s members carry guns only to protect themselves from the Tamil Tigers, from which they broke away.
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BitterTruth
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 8 May 2008 14:31:49 GMT Report for Abuse
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Rajapaksha Junta is following the Myanmar Military Junta's way.
Edited By - BitterTruth - 8 May 2008 14:34:03 GMT |
bakamoona
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 8 May 2008 14:57:28 GMT Report for Abuse
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Tnet says this decision was later reversed.
BTW- LNP silent for too long-why? :))
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SatanKaBacha
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 8 May 2008 14:58:09 GMT Report for Abuse
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It could be dangerous. If something happens and a foreigner gets injured it will create problems, Fernando said.
The hidden agenda here is to take the registered foreign journalists on a 'guided tour' while the rigging of ballot boxes goes unabated..! |
Sintamus
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 8 May 2008 15:05:34 GMT Report for Abuse
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(AP) Sri Lanka's military barred foreign journalists
Of course, the military does not want any witness to the rigging of elections except the friends of democrat Musharaf who has been democraticising Pakistan for the last 9 years by dismissing and expelling the elected Prime Ministers and judges.
Apart from rigging, the government does not want anybody taking pictures of Pillaiyan using guns to request the voters to cast their votes.
Another problem would be, when the govt controlled media and racist supporters write about the 'free and fair' elections no foreign media should contradict them.
This election is an attempt to force the Muslims and Tamils to sign the warrant of their surrendering their independence which is done using guns and no one with independent views should be around. This will be seen to legitimise the hegemony of the Sinhala racist leader Mahinda Rajapakse over the minorities under the failed 13th Amendment.
Edited By - Sintamus - 8 May 2008 15:31:23 GMT |
andyprem
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 8 May 2008 15:13:47 GMT Report for Abuse
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Aney paw .
Lots of crocodile tears flowing .
Cry me a river . |
alwaysalion
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 8 May 2008 15:14:04 GMT Report for Abuse
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Sri Lankan military bars foreign media from polls
But WHY!
It could be dangerous. If something happens and a foreigner gets injured it will create problems,
They know these conditions and I guess it is alright them.
Are we hiding something here ??????? |
tigeress19
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8 May 2008 15:19:24 GMT Report for Abuse
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Article: Sri Lankan military bars foreign media from polls
Thursday, 8 May 2008 - 9:23 PM SL Time
where do the elecSHUNN monitors come from ??
Iran, Pakistan and China?? |
tigeress19
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8 May 2008 15:23:09 GMT Report for Abuse
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Every one looks so worried here today,, :((
wonder hwat happened!
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bakamoona
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8 May 2008 15:25:33 GMT Report for Abuse
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Andy
No Gons yet-he's gone Scratchy Singh's I guess. :))
I really want him to see WRH's post :))
The news item (thread) is obsolete .
TNET reports this decision was revered later!
Thats why not too many people here it seems.
Anud must be doing the maithree bhavana ! :))
WRH might take long break
Looks like its going to be another rathuloonu session :))
Or who knows? Jaffna may have been over-run :(((
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