23 June 2009
State Department’s Gregg Sullivan Discusses Sri Lanka, Maldives
CO.NX webchat transcript, June 23
Gregg Sullivan, director of press and public diplomacy for the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, answered questions in a June 23 CO.NX webchat on Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript
CO.NX Chat: Sri Lanka and the Maldives Q&A
Guest: Gregg Sullivan
Date: June 23, 2009
Time: 9 a.m. EDT (13:00 GMT)
Gregg Sullivan: Good morning everyone or maybe I should say good afternoon and good evening. Thanks for joining this webchat. I'm delighted by the interest and will do my best to answer as many questions as possible.
Question (Muheed Jeeran): Hello, would it possible to confirm me about my present in this forum?
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Muheed, welcome! We're glad you are online with us today.
Question: [Deepa de Alwis]: How does the U.S. plan to recognize large number of local Sri Lankan individuals and groups that are providing relief to the IDPs dispite the fact that most of them are Sinhala and the IDPs are Tamil?
Answer [Gregg Sullivan]: There were a lot of questions about humanitarian assistance, so let me start with an overview of US efforts in that regard: First, I want to underscore that our highest priorities in Sri Lanka right now are addressing the humanitarian needs of the displaced population, facilitating their prompt return to their homes, helping the Government of Sri Lanka heal the wounds of the conflict, and working toward building a democratic, prosperous, tolerant and united Sri Lanka. The Secretary has spoken with President Rajapaksa about the critical need to meet the humanitarian needs of the 280,000 displaced civilians in northern Sri Lanka, ensure that they’re treated according to international standards, and has offered our assistance in this regard. We’ve spoken to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and pledged our support for full international community access to the Northern region, as the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights has requested, and have consulted regularly with other in the international community about what needs to be done. In 2009, the U.S. has provided nearly $26 million in assistance for the humanitarian crisis in northern Sri Lanka. This includes $14.4 million in food aid, $176 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), $3.07 million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), $6 million in non-food aid, like water, sanitation, health, and shelter, and $600,000 in humanitarian demining assistance. This is on top of the $37 million in humanitarian assistant we provided to Sri Lanka in 2008.What concern us and others trying to ease the humanitarian situation is that access has been limited to the north. Access to the areas where displaced civilians are screened, registered, sheltered, or held has been inconsistent. Our aid is reaching the intended population, but not without obstacles. The most severe restrictions to access following the immediate end of hostilities last month have eased and conditions appear to be improving, but even today, there are impediments and inconsistencies that frustrate the full operations of the U.N., and ICRC, and NGOs we’re funding to provide assistance to the camps. Donors and their NGO implementing partners need full and unimpeded access, including protection activities. We’re urging the Sri Lankan Government to change the management of the camps from military to civilian, to ensure that all former combatants are identified and separated from the civilians, and that child soldiers are properly cared for and rehabilitated. We also want to see freedom of movement restored and “no-risk civilians” given permission to leave the camps to return to their homes in safety and dignity.
Comment [Richard]: Good morning Mr. Sullivan.
Comment [Muheed Jeeran]: Hello Gregg
Q: [Rashid Ebrahim]: Do you think more countries should adopt Sri Lankas policy of war towards The LTTE & is it a concern of the US state department that countries facing similar problems will look to this conflict & adopt similar strategies?
A [Gregg Sullivan]: I see a couple of questions regarding terrorism and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and I want to be clear about the U.S. view of that group. The U.S has designated the LTTE as a foreign terrorist organization since 1997 and that designation remains in effect because of their consistent use of methods that both deliberately and indirectly target civilians. Under that designation, we’ve restricted their funding operations, their travel, and their organization activities through various laws and seizure of assets. A recent five-year review was conducted a few months ago in March 2009, and the decision was taken to continue listing them as a terrorist entity with all the restrictions on their activities. We have long condemned their use of terrorist tactics, including assassination, kidnappings, suicide bombings, and intimidation of the local population. Nor, do we recognize the Provisional Transnational Government Government of Tamil Eelam. We do not take issue with the Sri Lankan Government’s view of the LTTE as a terrorist entity or their efforts to counter their terrorist activity. What has caused concern for us is the impact on the civilian community in the conduct of these operations and the humanitarian and human rights issues that have taken place. Despite the activities of the LTTE, there is an essential element that needs to be addressed if Sri Lanka is going to meet its aspirations as a stable, tolerant, unified, and democratic nation: engagement with the Tamil community. There needs to be a distinction made between the LTTE and the legitimate civilian Tamil community.
Comment [vino]: hi
Comment [aras]: hi
Comment [sally samer]: I am in faculty of pharmacy Cairo University
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome! If you are just joining us, please feel free to introduce yourself.
Q: [rashad]: even if they stopped the war by killing the LTTE leader I don’t think that the war will stop or ends do u thinks
A [Gregg Sullivan]: Rashad asks a couple of very good questions about the Tamil community and whether the conflict will really end, and I think he gets at the heart of something that’s very important to the U.S.: promoting reconciliation between the Sinhala and Tamil community. One of our paramount goals is to convince the Sri Lankan Government that it is in their own interest to reach out to Tamils and promote political reconciliation. This will not be easy as many are resistant to the idea of reconciliation, but we and others in the international community have been underscoring how essential this is to Sri Lanka’s long-term stability and prosperity. Reconstruction in the north will be an important step towards peace, and northern Tamils should be allowed to participate in Sri Lanka’s economic development in ways it’s previously been closed to them. The Sri Lankan Government needs to demonstrate a commitment to human rights, reign in the paramilitary groups that have targeting Tamils and others, allow peaceful civilian organizations to operate effectively, and allow Tamils and other minorities free and full participation in national political and economic life. As a first step, we’ve been urging the Sri Lankan Government to fully implement the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan constitution, which provides for the devolution of political and fiscal authority to local and regional governments. In minority-dominated areas, this will empower civilian leaders and give them a stake in the political and economic life of the nation. Some steps have been taken to implement the 13th Amendment, but more needs to be done. We’ve spoken to the Indian Government, the United Nations, and others about how we can coordinate this effort to convince the Sri Lankan Government of the importance of these steps, and that ultimately, respect for the rights of Tamils and other minorities in political, cultural, and social life is vital to long-term peace.
Comment [Basem]: Basem Samir, faculty of arts - English department
Gregg Sullivan: Sabah al-kheer, Sally from Cairo University. I started by diplomatic career in Cairo 17 years ago. I don't get back there as often as I should.
Comment [Ronnie]: waz up
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Greetings Ronnie.
Comment [Ihab I Alsmadi]: Has a nice beaches!
Q: [Thivanka]: why is America purposely delaying the IMF loan?
A [Gregg Sullivan: Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are currently in the process of negotiating a Stand-by Arrangement. As we said in late May, we’re taking a fresh look at the Stand-by Arrangement, and believe the end of the conflict presents a new opportunity to seek reconciliation and build a tolerant and democratic Sri Lanka. We are not threatening to block the loan and we will carefully assess any program in light of the conditions in Sri Lanka at the time. The Department of Treasury is in the lead for the U.S. Government on IMF issues and we will coordinate closely with them as the Sri Lankan Government-IMF negotiations proceed.
Comment [Ronnie]: I am Ronnie from Ghana
Comment [Easwaran]: Easwaran, Sri Lankan journalist here
Comment [Ihab I Alsmadi]: I'm Ihab, from jordan
Co.NX Moderator (Catherine): Hi Easwaran and Ihab! Thanks for joining us
Comment [mr.stan]: I am nayem.4m bangladesh
Q [Muheed Jeeran]: I am Muheed Jeeran and a Sri Lankan. Currently residing in Sri Lanka. I am a prominent UK conservative party activist and a big player of the Conservative Party campaign team for London Mayoral election 2008. Can I put the question?
Q: [Easwaran]: What should the LTTE do to be recognised now that the war is over and now that they say they are willing to enter democracy?
A [Gregg Sullivan]: Good question Easwaran. Well, we have welcomed the reports that the LTTE has renounced violence and will now pursue its objectives through peaceful means. That's a positive step, but there's quite a ways to go before the LTTE can be considered a reliabe entity. Towards the end of the conflict, their efforts to keep civilians in the war zone, block their departure from war-ravaged areas and their firing from civilian areas put civilians at risk. They're going to have to demonstrate clearly that the tactics they've used for the last 30 years really are in the past. Aside from the passage of time and a clear record of constructive engagement, I'm not sure I have any other advice for how the LTTE shows a different face to the world. But, the case of Libya illustrates how a nation or organization can change its terrorist path and chart a new course. All I can say is we'll be watching for clear signs of such a change.
Comment [Easwaran]: Daily Mirror newspaper www.dailymirror.lk
Q: [SalTheCat]: It should state 'Why has the US still NOT made indictments against US Citizens and top Sri Lanka military officers for war crimes, in spite of the overwhelming evidence for such?
A [Gregg Sullivan]: Our energies are currently focused on the way forward: in addressing the humanitarian needs of the displaced population, facilitating their prompt return to their homes, helping the Government of Sri Lanka heal the wounds of the conflict, and working toward building a democratic, prosperous, tolerant and united Sri Lanka. The US takes seriously all allegations of war crimes and we think it essential that the international community have more information on what happened in the northern areas.. We expect the Sri Lankan government to hold accountable those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law. For there to be successful political reconciliation, Sri Lankans need to know that any wrong-doing during the conflict will be appropriately addressed, and that crimes cannot be committed with impunity. A lasting peace in Sri Lanka depends on Sinhalese, Tamils and all other Sri Lankans working together to achieve a representative government that safeguards and promotes the rights of all Sri Lankans. But we need to know the facts of what transpired. We continue to urge the Government of Sri Lanka to grant the international community full access to the Northern region, as the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights has requested, so all can know the facts of what happened, to ensure respect for human rights, and that on-going humanitarian needs are being met.
Q: [Nicole]: How does the U.S plan on helping the Maldives survive global warming flooding?
A [Gregg Sullivan]: Let's switch gears a moment and take some of these questions about Maldives. Nicole, thanks for your question. We are working with USAID to increase support for adaptation in developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable developing countries, and certainly the Maldives falls in that category. The Administration’s FY 2010 State and AID Budget Request includes $232 million for Adaptation, base funding plus $200M increase. This significant, new $200 million funding request will launch a major program for developing countries most vulnerable to effects of climate change (flooding, fresh water scarcity, food shortages, and population displacement from coastal zones) and includes $50 million in adaptation funding to the UN Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund. In addition to this $200 million, Treasury is requesting $80 million for FY 2010 from its Climate Investment Funds request to support this adaptation initiative by contributing to the World Bank’s Pilot Program on Climate Resilience (PPCR). These funds are grant-based (not loans). I understand that Maldives serves on the Board of the PPCR. We will certainly push for assistance for Maldives given their pro-active position on global warming and climate change.
Comment [Ihab I Alsmadi]: Positive thinking, It Can be
Comment [Ihab I Alsmadi]: Without guns
Comment [Ihab I Alsmadi]: meet people an help 'em
Q: [Aminath Rasheeda]: The Maldives have gone through a dramatic change and we have a home grown democracy in our country. We are in a transition. We need the democratic process to take its roots and ensure that we have the full support from the global community, particulalry from countries such as the US. My question is, what will be (if any) a change in your foriegn policy towards the Maldives in the Obama administration? Maldives have announced its climate change mitigation strategy, going carbon neutral in 10 years. What is the US governments response to this? I understand Obama's goal is to cut emissions by 17% of 2005 levels. Can we have have a collarboration on our collective goal to combat against climate change? How can we work together to bring green technology into our country?
A [Gregg Sullivan]: We strongly support other nations taking action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. We understand that different countries will have different levels of capacity to do so. We are very much interested in exploring ways in which we might assist the Maldives to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while providing economic benefit, including through cooperative projects to promote green technologies. I’m not aware of any projects on this currently underway or in development, but this is an area we can explore further, particularly by engaging USAID and US DOE colleagues who work on these issues. I’ll certainly pass this along to our folks here who work on climate change and use every opportunity to remind them of Maldives target for 2020.
Comment [Ihab I Alsmadi]: Sri Lankian people are not bad
Comment [Ihab I Alsmadi]: they want peace
Q: [sarah]: what should we do steps or what kind of visa ll be available
A [Gregg Sullivan]: Sarah, I have to confess that it's been a while since I did visa and immigration work, but I'll be happy to take your information and see if someone can give you some good advice about visa qualifications.
Q: [Mike]: It is reported that the #3 leader of Al Quaeda is Maldivian, and Al Quaeda and the Taliban are recruiting aggressively in The Republic of Maldives. What is the U.S. doing to help Maldives prevent extremism from taking hold of its citizens?
A [Gregg Sullivan]: Thanks for the questions on Maldives, Mike. As you probably know, we do not have formal diplomatic representation in Maldives and no Embassy there. But, our previous Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher traveled there regularly to raise our diplomatic engagement. Ambassador Bob Blake has taken over as Assistant Secretary and I expect he will continue and expand that engagement. I’d also note that as Director of Public Diplomacy, I’m looking at ways right now to enhance our “virtual presence” in Maldives through new technologies. We recognize that Maldives will face challenges - as we all do - in countering extremism and the international drug trade and we want to be as supportive in those efforts as possible. Overall, I’d say we’re impressed with the steady transition to political pluralism that is taking place in Maldives, and how improving political participation can actively counter both the allure of extremist ideologies and the activities of the drug trade. Clearly, transparency in government activities and the direct involvement of its citizens can advance both efforts. We were impressed by Maldives first multi-party elections last year, and equally encouraged by the parliamentary elections that took place in May. Clearly some challenges remain, and we’d like to see the Maldivian Government appoint qualified members to independent institutions, such as the Human Rights Commission, the Elections Commission, the Judiciary. This can help Maldives consolidate its democratic transition and provide the necessary tools to counter extremism and the international drug trade.
Q: [steven]: Why is US & UN keeping quite on the issue of genocide in Sri Lanka!
A [Gregg Sullivan]: It’s true that there have been horrific reports of numerous civilian casualties, both killed and wounded. Ultimately, we believe that both sides bear responsibility for what happened in the final days of the conflict. Only an independent inquiry can ascertain the facts, which is why we support full access to the Northern region as the U.N. high Commissioner of Human Rights has requested..
Q: [Muheed Jeeran]: The war is ended now. US are not showing any enthusiasm to provide help to build the Sri Lanka. Is there are any human rights abuse in the war zone, you can work with government to investigate them and punished them. But it is not a good sign to punish the public of Sri Lanka at the moment. You have to start work on rebuild the Sri Lanka. How can you guarantee that IMF is not blocking by US.
A [Gregg Sullivan]: Muheed, I'd say that we are, indeed, very eager to help Sri Lanka rebuild after the end of the 30+ year conflict and we're doing what we can now. We've provided over $63 million in humanitarian assistance over the past 18 months and we're prepared to do more. One problem we face, though, is that access to the displaced civilian population is still limited. Relief efforts cannot always reach the population because of government restrictions. In addition, Sri Lanka has long been plagued by paramilitary groups and the LTTE who targeted both relief workers and the recipients of relief assistance. We're looking to the Sri Lankan Government to provide free and unfettered access to the north where reconstruction and relief need to take place. We expect the Sri Lankan Government will look to us and the international community for large-scale reconstruction assistance. The size of what we can contribute will be dependent on how well the Sri Lankan Government provides access to the north, succeeds in getting displaced people back to their homes safely, and allows civilian NGOs to operate effectively. Basically, as the Sri Lankan government facilitates the entry of humanitarian and reconstruction relief, we cna others in the international community can do more.
Comment [Easwaran]: Just wondering till what time will this chat continue?
Co.NX Moderator (Catherine): the chat will last until the end of the hour
Comment [Easwaran]: oh cool that gives me time to file a story for the paper
Q: [Euphrates]: Do you think this war in Sri Lanka has lessons for other places?
A [Gregg Sullivan]: Euphrates, thanks for the thoughtful question. I think the real lessons can be in how the Sri Lankan Government goes forward now that the conflict is over. This is a real opportunity to get Sri Lanka back to its status in the 1980s as one of the "Asian Tigers" with vigorous economic growth. If the Sri Lankan Government moves forward with policies that embrace the civilian Tamil community, bring the Tamils into the reconstruction process, empower responsible Tamil leaders through implementation of the 13th Amendment, and foster a new political and economic integration of the Sinhala and minority communities, it can be an example for all other countries that have suffered ethnic conflict. We want to help that process and hope it can get moving in the direction soon.
CO.NX Moderator (Tim): For those of you asking about obtaining visas to the U.S....here is the link. http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/visa_services.html
Q: [Easwaran]: Could Mr. Sullivan respond to allegations the US is also guilty of war crimes so pointing fingers at Sri Lanka is unfair?
A [Gregg Sullivan]: Easwaran, you're right that there have been incidents committed by U.S. individuals in Iraq and elsewhere that we're not proud of. But, I would underscore that those were the actions of individuals and the outcry those actions have caused back here in the U.S. illustrate just how repugnant we, the American people find them. I won't claim we're perfect, but as a society, we want to help other nations, and we're repulsed by actions that debase, injure, or humiliate other people. It's not what we want our society to reflect. The President's speech in Cairo is a perfect example of how we as a people have realized how we've been misperceived - in part as a result of the actions that do not represent us as a people. We're going to do better, and we want to work with other nations to make sure things like torture, humiliation, and the subjugation of other peoples become things of the past.
Q: [Richard]: What are the biggest obstacles to a lasting peace in Sri Lanka?
A [Gregg Sullivan]: Richard - this seems a good asnwer to wrap up with. The biggest obstacle is the ability of Sinhala and Tamils to find a way to work together towards producing a stable, unified, prosperous, and democratic Sri Lanka. There have been many abuses committed on both sides and it will take extraordinary leadership to move past the feelings of hatred to forge something better. But, there is an opportunity to do that with the end of armed conflict. The Tamil community needs to illustrate that the terrorist methods of the LTTE will not define its role towards the Sinhala community. Responsible Tamil leaders need to come forward to engage with the Sri Lankan Government constructively. On the Sri Lankan Government side, they need to create the conditions that allow responsible Tamil leadership to emerge, give them real power and opportunity to represent the Tamil interests and prevent a return to violence and extremism. It sounds simple, but clearly it's not. But we and others in the international community will be here with assistance and support and a keen focus on achieving that unified, democratic Sri Lanka.
Gregg Sullivan: Well, once again, I really enjoyed the webchat. So many good questions, you all made my job easy! Thanks to all of you for your time and interest and I hope to chat with all of you again in the future. Next time, I promise a picture or video if I can get my office clean enough to appear on camera. :)
Co.NX Moderator (Catherine): (10:04) Thanks for joining us! If you have more comments, please log on to our facebook page http://co-nx.state.gov
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