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| Sunday, 29 May 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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US supports Sri Lanka's territorial integrity, sovereignty - President Bush US President George Bush reiterated the United States commitment and support to Sri Lanka's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The peace process, which the U.S. supports, should respect that unity and sovereignty, he said. No political objectives can justify the use of terror against innocent civilians, declared Bush at the formal ceremony where Sri Lanka's newly appointed Ambassador to the US Bernard A.B. Goonetilleke presented his credentials at the White House on Thursday 26th May. The solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka can only be achieved through a negotiated settlement, and the United States urges all parties in Sri Lanka to reengage with the peace process and reach a final settlement, he added. He also said, "Sri Lanka over the years has achieved commendable success in quality of life despite terrorism and the challenges of development and that if peace is achieved, Sri Lanka has the potential to end poverty and expand economic opportunity... Completing the task of economic reform has the potential to turn Sri Lanka into a regional trade hub, one that could transform Sri Lanka and provide for all Sri Lankans a secure and prosperous future". Reminding the United States support and assistance to Sri Lanka in its rehabilitation and reconstruction endeavours since last December tsunami onslaught, President Bush said, Sri Lanka has only begun the long road of recovery from decades of warfare and terrorism when it was struck by the tsunami of December 26, 2004. Americans are a caring people, and all Americans were touched by this tragedy. The United States has joined the international community in a commitment to help rebuild after this disaster. |
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