Whether or not to vote in favour of the U.S.-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva this week has put the UPA government in a fix. The government should take a decision on the basis of what is good or bad for the country's foreign policy, rather than give in to pressure from political parties such as the DMK, which look for political mileage. It is a bitter truth that the Sri Lankan government adopted inhuman methods to end the war with the LTTE, killing and forcefully displacing Tamil civilians. But, then, were not the rebels given all options to make peace with the government?
The U.S. wants to police Sri Lanka and is seeking India's endorsement. India failed in the Maldives. It must take a prudent decision on Sri Lanka without pandering to coalition compulsions.
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This refers to the articles “Resolution necessary as symbolic first step” and “Colombo needs to change, Geneva or no Geneva” (March 21). Army action means crushing the enemy mercilessly. The brutality may vary in degrees, depending upon the resistance put forth by the ‘enemy.' In the case of Sri Lanka, the ‘enemy' was tough and extremely skilled in the business of killing. Among all countries, the record of the U.S., self-proclaimed champion of human rights the world over, is the worst.India should abstain from voting on the resolution.
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Faridabad
President Mahinda Rajapaka has missed a golden opportunity to bring about reconciliation in the island nation. He has created more divisions among various communities by increasing the militarisation of the north and eastern provinces. If he does not change his attitude, he may make his country vulnerable to the politics of international players.
D. Davidson,
Tiruchi
It is undeniable that the Tamils in Sri Lanka faced grave injustice, both at the hands of the government and the LTTE. When the war ended in 2009, one hoped to see a solution with Sri Lanka accepting the 13th amendment as the basis. However, all hopes were belied when the government once again took a majoritarian “winner takes all” stand. Secession is no solution but status quo is not an answer to the aspirations of the Tamils either.
Siddhartha Fuller,
Delhi