UNSG's Panel Rpt Called Improper by Yashushi Akashi,Japan's Snr For Policy Advisor

Akashi said that any inquiry into the last days of the war should be conducted locally through recognized individuals of good judgement. “The LLRC is such a body. Therefore we should ask anyone who has representations to direct them to the LLRC.” The global community should also await the findings of the local committee and not try to jump the gun by creating various issues in international fora, he said. Akashi also said that the LTTE was a ruthless terrorist organization and should not be equated in status to a sovereign state such as Sri Lanka. Such an equation is not only unjustified but would pose a threat to the global fight against terrorism. He also said that the LTTE sabotaged the Tokyo meeting of which Japan and the United States were to be co-chairs.

“They again sabotaged the Geneva meeting when the government of Sri Lanka had already sent its delegates.”

He said that time and time again, the international community had provided opportunities for the LTTE to enter the negotiation process.

“But every one of those opportunities were deliberately rejected by the LTTE which took most unhelpful attitudes. All those countries that took part in the process of assisting in bringing peace to Sri Lanka, were confronted by the policy of non co-operation and sabotage by the LTTE which ensured the failure of all such attempts,” Akashi said.

Therefore, he said no tears should be shed for the LTTE.

Referring to the advisory report of Darusman and others to the Secretary General, he said that having painstakingly read this report together with the report of the International Crisis Group, it became clear that pages of the NGO report have been reproduced as original writings of the Commissioners.

Therefore professional study of the report submitted to the Secretary General when compared with the documents of relevant INGOs would show that there was much copying and passing off of other peoples writings as the views of the Commissioners.

Finally, Akashi said that the global community should help Sri Lanka to look to the future. There was much reconstruction work to be done, particularly in the North and East. Japan should contribute to this process in spite of the difficulty that she herself is undergoing as a result of the recent earthquake and tsunami. He also commended the Sri Lanka Ambassador in Japan for boldly visiting the affected areas and providing food and drink to the victims. The Ambassador had fed them with rice and curry and given them tea. This gesture was greatly appreciated. He also said that the work of the rescue team sent by Sri Lanka was outstanding and was the best of rescue organisations that went into the devastated areas. Due to mass media publicity, the Sri Lanka Ambassador Wasantha Karannagoda is now a national hero in Japan, Akashi said.

These meetings were attended also by Yasao Fukuda former Prime Minister of Japan, Fugita Chairman of the Sri Lanka-Japan and Japan-Sri Lanka Committee, Senior Minister of International Monetary Co-operation Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Sri Lanka Ambassador Wasantha Karannagoda. This meeting was adjudged a great success. At last year’s meeting 30 Japanese entrepreneurs participated. This year however, the number of businessmen from Japan rose to 132, showing their interest in investing in Sri Lanka.