Political decisions in war and crisis situations

by Sarath WIJESINGHE

War is an armed conflict between two or more non congruous communities aimed at recognising a subsequently designated geopolitical desired result.

Carl von Clausewitz described it as intercourse carried on with other means; war in general terms is between sections of civilians in a crisis. A crisis situation arises when the country enters into a dangerous social economic environment.

Whatever the definitions of war may be suppression of terrorism is recognized as the duty of any elected government under international law and all norms of international conventions and comes within the ambit of the principles of the "Just War". According to Aristotle a just war should have a command, with legal authority and should be conducted with the right intentions for a just cause. The West has equated the ruthless suppression of terror in the aftermath of 9/11 as "Just".

Civil war is a war between or among fractions of the civil society and proxy war is a war using third parties. Ours was mainly terrorist activities of a misguided segment of citizens in our society, leading to the destruction of public property and creating large and small-scale killing fields.

Successive governments and leaders in Sri Lanka attempted to win the war that destroyed property, lives and the good name of the country for thirty years unsuccessfully, until President Mahinda Rajapaksa completely wiped out terrorists and terrorism with the proper Political leadership, appointing committed and able officers to the Forces and providing them with everything required for victory.

War and political leadership

Winning any war depends on the political leadership and the strategy provided to the Forces which includes the Army, Navy and Air Force and supporting forces such as the Police Civil Defence Force and Volunteer Forces, without which no war could be won amids current world trends. There are no direct examples of any major wars being won in the recent past, apart from World War One and Two, which led to billions of civilian deaths and displacements. The wars of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan have been complete failures for the United States of America. The classic and ideal example of winning a war in the recent past is the amazing and historic victory achieved within three years, over the LTTE after thirty years of fighting, which engulfed Sri Lanka and the South Asian region and also threatening world peace. It is with a sigh of relief that all world citizens watched the conduct of the Commander-in-Chief Mahinda Rajapaksa who directed the three Forces, while meeting the resistance of Western governments and NGOs, who had been misguided by the strong adverse propaganda carried out by the LTTE network which is ailing today.

The world is aware of the steps taken by the Sri Lankan Forces and the political leadership provided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa despite the lukewarm and the discouraging attitude of the Opposition which often ridiculed the forces and the political leadership, aligning themselves with the NGOs and the misguided West. The President as Commander-in-Chief gave ample manpower and ammunition in addition to boosting the morale and confidence that the war will not be abandoned, as in the past.

The Strategy of a Commander-in-Chief, his/her vision and charisma are vital components for a victory. The citizens patiently waited, without an iota of protest about the economic and social hardships, during the suppression of terrorism until the end and are today blessed with a peaceful and normal life.

There was no peace during the last thirty years and the lives of all citizens were in danger due to the imminent threat of terrorism. Then who is responsible for these achievements and who should be credited for this great victory?

Certainly, it cannot go to one individual or group. It is the collective effort of all of us, made out of sheer necessity, to which President Rajapaksa gave clear guidance, strategy and leadership needed for the victory. The three Forces, Police and Civil Defence backed by a number of volunteers were in the forefront and were encouraged and assisted by citizens and politicians who love the nation and who are loved by the people in this beautiful and proud nation.

Sigiri frescos and leadership

Sigiriya, one of the world heritage sites, was built on the rock by King Kassapa (AD 477-495) and it is one of the most popular and admired archaeological and artistic monuments in the world. The paintings (frescos) are reminders of the Ajantha caves in India and are world class. Kassappa's name has gone down in history as the architect and brain behind the great monument, the help of a large number utilising of artistes and sculpture who implemented the vision and thinking of Kassapa who provided them with all required facilities. World Wars One and Two provide classic examples of political leadership and also of victories achieved alongside the destruction of nations and billions of civilian deaths and displacement which led to the formation of the United Nations in place of the then League of Nations. One could quote numerous examples from history on political leadership and vision on war, politics and governance. No agricultural instrument is of use without competent farmer with a vision. Therefore, what matters in a war is the political vision and leadership of the Commander-in-Chief.

History is made

President Rajapaksa's name is already etched as the Commander-in-Chief who led the war on terror and wiped out the terror regime completely, using his skills in foreign relations, political manoeuvrings and leadership qualities. He has come before the people seeking a second term and the Opposition is today desperately looking for a candidate to field to face to the President.

The former Army Commander will be the joint candidate of the UNP and JVP who are politically and traditionally arch enemies. The UNP is alleged to have killed over eighty thousand youth, mostly JVP members and supporters, during the ruthless suppression of the eighties and wiping out the JVP including its leader Rohana Wijeweera, who they still venerate. The JVP too is alleged to have killed thousands of civilians including Buddhist monks and destabilised and terrorised the nation until it was brutally suppressed.

Despite the dead silence of the former Commander of the Army on entering the arena of dirty politics after being a soldier for over forty years, the Opposition leader has put forward ten demands should the opportunity be given to the forme to contest the elections as the presidential candidate. The main demand is the abolition of the Executive presidency without which Mahinda Rajapaksa could not have made the crucial appointment of the Army Commander and other important appointments including judicial appointments.

Other demands are, giving important portfolios to TNA and JVP, members' speedy resettlement of IDPs, establishment of Commissions and doing away with the cross-over provisions from the Constitution. Apart from these demands, there is no political or economic agenda except the demand that the Leader of the Opposition be made Prime Minister of a caretaker government should he be elected.

Main complaints

The main complaints of the former Army Commander are more personal than professional or political. He says "I would not be exaggerating to state that I was instrumental in leading the Army to this historic victory, of course with Your Excellency's political support which helped materialise this heroic action - with my vision and command". He further states "by alerting the Government of India once again on October 15, unnecessarily placing the Indian troops on high alert"- which was flatly refused by India. Blowing one's own trumpet is not expected of the great soldier whose actions were amply commended by the Commander-in-Chief by deeds and words. The appointment of the next Army Commander is the prerogative of the President and not the outgoing Army Commander.

The UNP, JVP and Mangala Samaraweera's group is desperately looking for a candidate to contest the Presidential Elections as none of the party leaders have the competency or charisma to contest. They are trying to use the former Army Commander.

President Rajapaksa has now started the war to grow more food, settle the IDPs and develop the road network, agriculture and other projects.

What is needed today is a clear mandate at the Presidential election and two thirds majority in the Parliament to make the necessary constitutional changes and bring down the number of ministers, the cost of living, and to lead the people towards a crime-free nation with prosperity and freedom. The Opposition Leader's ten conditions and the JVP's failure to register a new party to accommodate the new candidate will have demoralising effects on the unholy alliance made between of completely different ideologies.

(The writer is a Senior Solicitor in England and Wales and an Attorney-at-Law in Sri Lanka)