UK Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox MP sees:

Historic opportunity

Ananth PALAKIDNAR

Conservative Parliamentarian and shadow Defence Secretary of the United Kingdom, Dr. Liam Fox who is on a three day visit to Sri Lanka said that “It now appears likely that Government forces will militarily defeat the LTTE.

This will bring an historic opportunity for reconstruction and reconciliation which will require political and economic commitment of the whole nation,” at a press conference at Hilton yesterday.

During his visit to the island on an invitation by the Government he has held discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several ministers with regard to the current situation in the North and on evacuating the innocent civilians from the war torn areas.

“As the conflict with the LTTE moves to a seemingly inevitable conclusion the most urgent concern is for the safety of civilians trapped in the conflict. It is essential that every effort is made to evacuate innocent civilians who might otherwise be used as a human shield.

“In my discussion with President it was reassuring to hear about coordination with the international community to help achieve this and the offers from other nations to help evacuation.

“But while the military can win wars it is politics and economics which will be required to win peace.

“A creative and constructive political initiative will be needed with a massive investment in reconstruction and resettlement with particular attention to the development of necessary infrastructure,” Dr. Liam Fox added.

Commenting on creating a healthy political environment in the North he said the Tamil National Alliance would have an important contribution to make.

“This will be important not only for the perceived legitimacy of the elections but also for the TNA and its ability to shape the future,” he further added. Insisting on the necessity to establish a new and independent Sri Lanka Fund Dr. Fox said that it would help in diverting the flow of funds which has supported LTTE military activity, into reconstruction.

He also added that he was willing to help in establishing such a project which would make the international community to ensure that any financial aid they give would result in material benefits rather than weapons of war.