Diplomacy and sovereign equality

by Sarath WIJESINGHE

Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states. This usually refers to international diplomacy. Apart from recently codified International Instruments such as the Charter of the United Nations (24.10.1945), ILO (1919), Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( 10.12.1948), Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and many other codified instruments and unwritten conventions and practices on which the current diplomatic relations among the world family are conducted, friendship of sovereign nations depend on mutual friendship, respect among nations and leaders in the modern world and economic order in the most selfish and self-centred world governed by the inherent law of the fittest and powerful. Let us be frank, realistic and practical. It is not always the world family is fair and reasonable as it too consists of human beings.

It is amazing that Sri Lanka being a small easily accessible, vulnerable and beautiful island rich in culture and wealth stood so close to Giant India for thousands of years independently without being bullied or conquered. King Asoka having conquered the entire Indian subcontinent did not think of conquering this beautiful “Pearl of Indian Ocean”- Instead he sent his most precious son and daughter on a diplomatic mission to King Devanampiyatissa, the unseen but close friend to propagate Buddhism from which he has achieved peace and peace of mind after killing thousands and destruction of states for power. This is proof that “Diplomacy” is not something alien to us and we have been practising it in our long history.

We are ever proud of. Our friendship with kings, world leaders and traders in the Middle East and run back to deep history. Our kings not only tolerated these traders but allowed the practice their religion and settle down. We have had close diplomatic relations with the rest of the world. We were an independent Sovereign nation until British in 1815 cheated our misguided chieftains in the “Hill” and forcibly and cunningly took control of our nation with false promises. They broke the promises immediately. They killed freedom fighters in bulk and destroyed our culture and religions. It took 450 years for us to be liberated and be a sovereign nation again. It is time for them to apologise to our nation even at this late stage. Australians who too have originated from British were more honourable to apologise to aborigines, the real owners of Australia who were hunted as animals. We being Buddhists and Hindus practising non-violence without hatred extend “Maitri” or loving kindness to those misguided people and try to understand them. Same applies to the family of nations.

Fittest in the world family is still in the accumulation of power and wealth using whatever means available.

Bloody war

Life is not always smooth and rosy. Countries which have gone through turbulent periods enjoy freedom better. In the family of nations too the leaders have to be careful and patient during turbulent periods. There are rough patches in anybody’s life which is common to nations in the world family.

Time has come for us to be careful and act with care in the interest of the nation. We went through a “Bloody War” of thirty years of smell of blood and destruction and “Hell” which President Rajapaksa has successfully won, eradicated and freed the nation to the surprise and amazement of the world family tired of terror and terrorism in their soil which has destabilized the peace and peaceful living in most developed and developing countries. Our good friends India, China, USSR, Middle East, Africa, OAS orbit genuinely helped us during our turbulent and decisive crisis. It was a sorry state that the West - the UK, EU and the USA with an inert attitude watched us with caution demanding application of humanitarian laws during the battle which they themselves did not adhere to in Iraq and Afghanistan- in our own door steps!!, when the world was watching in disbelief, President Rajapaksa with his inborn diplomacy and deep rooted love and affection to the nation eradicated the terror regime which has engulfed the nation for thirty years, in a short span of three years!!! He promised the people an Undivided Country, Equal Sovereignty, Equality before Law, Protection of individual and collective Human Rights, a nation with no discrimination and equality for all, development of the individual and the nation to be self-sufficient and proud of being a Sri Lankan.

These are the aspirations of the peoples of Sri Lanka but not necessarily the aspirations of some members of the West, and Tamils who do not demand a separate state or self determination. Some blocks of the world family are misguided for various selfish and self-centred motives and intentions and have become pawns of LTTE frontline organisations. The ordinary Tamil loves to be with Sinhalese. Forty per cent of Tamils live with Sinhalese and feel safe. In the year 2005 President Rajapaksa was entrusted with a minority government of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga which he patched and modified to be a power base using his charm and local diplomacy to attract the opponents who still stick to him. Subsequently people have given President Rajapaksa an overwhelming mandate every where - Local Authorities, Provincial Councils, Presidential Elections and all other elections. He managed diplomatic relations based on ‘Mahinda Chintana’ and Non-Alignment policy adopting a “Unique Foreign Policy” unique to him and his and personality with the help of the able Foreign Minister who has followed him as a shadow.

Now there is a crisis we are bound to get over sooner or later. USA has openly declared that they cannot afford to lose Sri Lanka and Obama has spoken of our long relations and friendship. True the United Kingdom in 1815 cunningly conquered us with their fire power, naval power, mainly owing to our disunity.

They fought hard long years to conquer us with no success until our own side let us down, which are lessons for our current diplomatic crisis with the West; we are bound to get over soon.

To the credit of the “Great Britain” as a consequence of domination we are following their mode of Governance, Language, Education, Commercial law, Road Network Modern Diplomacy Cricket and many other areas for which this writer is grateful for, while there are different views on this issue.

English no longer belongs to England - it is a world language used in, education and computer work. We are at times better cricketers than the original cricketers! It is no exaggeration to say that we are better diplomats than those in West and the UK. Based on our conduct on international affairs as much as cricket we play as good or better than of the Englishman.

Global Tamil Forum

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband’s address at London conference of Global Tamil Forum which is an LTTE front organisation is highly unwarranted, unwanted and out of context and outside the purview of all norms of Diplomacy.

There was no need for him to take this undiplomatic decision to take part and address the meeting of the LTTE front organisation which has annoyed Sri Lanka and strained our friendship, except to get more votes for the upcoming general election in which Labour stands no chances of victory at all. In many electorates Tamil Diaspora is substantial and at times and is the decisive vote when the public is not keen in voting.

Tamil Diaspora is aggressive vociferous and active with LTTE front organisations attempting to regroup. He has requested President Rajapaksa to use the new mandate for self determination of Tamils and national reconciliation. Robert Blake the controversial Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia wants Sri Lankan government to ensure national reconciliation and give punishment for war crimes that may have been committed and the violation of law and order, human rights. Whether war crimes have ever been committed is a moot issue as it is only based on a statement by the retired Army Commander Sarath Fonseka who is being questioned and interrogated.

David Miliband is a son of a Jewish immigrant whose father is a Polish Marxist Ralph Miliband. He is extremely ambitious and unpopular among colleagues as a ruthless and self-centred politician who has reached high at a young age. According to political analysts he has been a controversial politician and an schemer. His attacks on Israel are not liked by the rich Jew population in the UK and the USA.

He reemphasized that a peaceful solution is the only way to usher in lasting solution to Sri Lankan conflict. Not a single good word for President Rajapaksa on the service rendered to the world and world peace by eradicating LTTE which has been a threat to world peace and stability of the West.

Robert Blake wants Sarath Fonseka to be tried in a civil court. These are clear violations of Vienna Convention but we have to be patient and try to get over the crisis through diplomacy and our close friends who are ever prepared to help us. In the modern world in which borders are being disintegrated due to IT, Global, Economic and political developments, one cannot live in isolation and no country is small in the world family. In the new world order the five world powers namely USA, UK, France, China, and Germany are no longer the actual power bases. Japan is economically powerful and India is emerging as a future world power. USA is economically wounded.

Integration

Freedom is enjoyed by the ordinary man in the East and the North. Over 500,000 people have visited Jaffna for the last one month and the number is growing with the agriculture and economic boom. Investments are pouring in. Sri Lanka was rated first among 31 best tourist destinations. Stock market is flourishing. People who fled the country in fear of terror are coming back. Not a single incident occurred after the eradicating of terror. Elections were held for local authorities and general elections will elect the representatives.

There is economic and political integration - a genuine and a practical unification of the peoples with no ethnic difference. What self-determination Mr Miliband is talking about when Colombo is dominated by Tamils and Muslims with no protest or vengeance of Sinhalese. Sri Lanka is a safe haven for any ethnic group- anywhere in Sri Lanka.

This writer has spent most of his professional life in the UK and Europe and states with confidence the human right mechanism in Sri Lanka with the Human Right Commission, Human Right Jurisdiction in the Supreme Court, Powerful NGO’s is far superior to any mechanism in the West including the United Kingdom.

President Rajapaksa’s next priorities are to (1) Control Bribery and Corruption (2) Rapid Development- At the moment 5 harbours, Airport and the excellent road network as good as in the UK is on track (3) Equal rights to all as a solution to the so called ethnic unrest which was sparked by vested interests for which a solution will be on offer with constitutional arrangements after winning the elections with a 2/3rd majority to bring about constitutional changes (4) Enhance diplomatic relations with the foreign policy unique to him while mending patches and fences with the West, the USA and the UK and (5) Due process, Independence of Judiciary and protection preservation and enhancement of individual and collective human rights.

We have no option but to get over the difficult time with flying colours.

Gorden Brown was prompt in initiation to fight the war on terror and still the UK is subjected to threats. It is true to say that today the wish and will of the average UK citizen is not the thinking of Gorden Brown or Miliband. They are far above politicians. UK tourists are growing and they love Sri Lanka for her beauty, hospitality and development. The coming general election will prove this theory and the reality is that Brown, Miliband and some others feel threatened in view of the general election to be held soon after the Presidential Election victory.

Therefore our issue will be temporary and in the next visit of President Rajapaksa to the EU, the UK and the USA will change the entire fabric of the international arena with his charm, goodwill and diplomacy.

It is time they should understand President Rajapaksa as his non negotiable are really non negotiable - this will not change or vary at any cost - Love to the Nation, Unitary State, Equality to all and respect to all human beings equally with no favour or division on the country on ethnic grounds, Honourable peace and opportunities for all.

Equality before nations and Equal treatment to all nations. Mooting constructive changes in the UN system while mooting the non-alignment and a unique Foreign policy based on his personality and Mahinda Chintana.

The writer is Senior Solicitor Senior Attorney-at-Law and former Chairman Consumer Affairs Authority
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