|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 28 July 2002 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
PM wins backing for peace, economic recovery : US support in anti-terror war From Aziz Haniffa in Washington United States' President George Bush's personal backing for the Sri Lankan peace process and Washington's firm commitment to Sri Lanka's counter-terrorism preparedness as part of the US' global anti-terror campaign are the key gains achieved by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit to the US capital last week, diplomats here conclude. The series of meetings the Prime Minister and his delegation also held with World Bank and International Monetary Fund officials were an important boost for the country's economic recovery effort. The US President's personal concern for the success of the UNF Government's peace initiative was echoed by other senior US officials who met Mr. Wickremesinghe and discussed various aspects of collaboration in Sri Lanka's endeavours for peace and economic development. Premier Wickremesinghe's meeting with President Bush was the highpoint of the US visit and the occasion was an opportunity for the US President to understand the complexities of the Sri Lankan situation and for the Prime Minister to win the US President's personal endorsement of the peace initiative. The US President is understood to have appreciated the Sri Lankan Government's "courageous" step in concluding a ceasefire agreement and launching the current peace process. Washington's commitment to the peace process will go a long way in ensuring global support for the whole process of rehabilitation, economic recovery and the negotiation of a political settlement in the long term, diplomats pointed out. On his visit to Washington from July 20 to 25th, the Premier was accompanied by Economic Reform, Science and Technology Minister Milinda Moragoda, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Bradman Weerakoon and other senior officials. Mrs. Maithree Wickremesinghe also accompanied the Prime Minister on the tour. In addition to a meeting with the US President, the Premier also met with Secretary of State Colin Powell, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice, US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and briefed the Committee on International Relations of the US House of Representatives as well as the Committee on Foreign Relations of the US Senate. In the presence of the Prime Minister, a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed by Minister Moragoda and Trade Representative Zoellick. The Prime Minister also held talks with World Bank President James Wolfensohn and IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler. The Premier addressed a gathering of scholars and analysts at the prestigious Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars and attended a roundtable interaction hosted by the Heritage Foundation. The Prime Minister and Mrs. Wickremesinghe also met members of the Sri Lankan community in Washington. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
