UN chief in Sri Lanka And the result?

UN chief in S Lanka civilian plea

Thousands of civilians have been fleeing the conflict zone

Visiting top UN humanitarian official John Holmes has urged Sri Lanka's army and the Tamil Tigers to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties.

After meeting Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Mr Holmes said both sides should allow civilians to leave the conflict zone freely.

The government says the Tigers are using human shields, but the rebels say civilians are seeking their protection.

Tens of thousands are believed trapped in the north-east conflict zone.

A key issue on Mr Holmes's agenda is the plight of about 30,000 civilians who have already fled to government-run camps - and the tens of thousands more who may try to join them.

'Wrong side'

The UN last week accused the Tamil Tigers of shooting civilians who were trying to flee. The government has also levelled the accusation.

The rebels deny the charges, saying civilians want their protection and that the army is continuing to attack civilians with artillery fire.

John Holmes is expected to travel to civilian camps in the north-east

John Holmes meets Secretary Defence

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr John Holmes, met Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Defence ministry this afternoon, 19 February.

Resident Humanitarian Coordinator Sri Lanka Neil Buhne, Special Assistant to Under Secretary General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Shanya Harris, Desk officer NY Masaki Watabe and Head of Office Sri Lanka Zola Dowell were also present at the meeting with Secretary Defence.

Mr John Holmes arrived at Sri Lanka earlier today (19 Feb) as President Mahinda Rajapaksa has requested the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to arrange a visit to Sri Lanka by one of his representatives with a view to familiarize himself with the initiatives undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka to address the humanitarian needs of civilians and IDPs held hostage by the LTTE in the North of Sri Lanka.

UN envoy tours Sri Lanka IDP centres

February 20, 2009  03:17 pm

John Holmes, the UN’s senior humanitarian official, has visited government-run welfare centres in Sri Lanka for the tens of thousands of people fleeing the fighting in the country’s northeast.

Holmes urged the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger fighters to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties, ahead of his visit on Friday. About 30,000 ethnic Tamils are currently in government-run welfare centres south of Sri Lanka’s war zone. Tens of thousands of others are expected to join them in coming weeks, the government says.

Al Jazeera’s David Hawkins, reporting from the northern Vavuniya district, said the camps for Sri Lanka’s displaced appeared to meet international standards.

“Holmes is here to see whether or not the food and the shelter are adequate ... and it seems to me that they are,” he said.

“But there’s another question, as to whether or not people have freedom of movement.”

The Sri Lankan government has been criticised for limiting free movement of the displaced people, preventing them from leaving the camps. Officials, however, say it’s a largely bureacuratic issue, promising they will be allowed to leave the camps once they have received government identification cards.

H.E. Mr. Vitaly I. Churkin, Ambassador of Russian Federation

Q: What is Russia 's position on Sri Lanka situation in Security Council?

A: This is an internal conflict that has been there for sometime and it is coming to an end now. It is not on the agenda of the Security Council. Therefore, today's briefing we think is one time affair and it will not go beyond that. There is no proposal for it to be put on the agenda.

  H.E. Mr. Le Luong Minh , Ambassador of Viet Nam

It is a legitimate Government fighting a terrorist group.

  H.E. Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Ambassador of Austria

The Security Force activity in Sri Lanka is against terrorist organization conducted by an elected Government. However, international humanitarian law must be respected by both sides. The Sri Lanka delegation briefed the Council Members at a meeting held at the Mission of Japan in New York where Mr. Akashi too provided information and it outlined action being taken regarding humanitarian matters.

  H.E. Sir John Sawers., Ambassador of UK

LTTE is a terrorist organization proscribed by many countries including the UK . They are cornered and under pressure and the solution to the current situation is the LTTE laying down arms and allowing civilians to freely move and for political process begin.

We have received an interesting briefing from Sir John Holmes. The IDP situation in transit camps are not as concerning as once feared. The problem is those trapped by the LTTE. UN Secretary General and his team can continue to remain engaged in this humanitarian situation and assist the process. The United Kingdom was in favour of receiving a briefing on Sri Lanka humanitarian aspect but the UK has a clear position that Sri Lanka is not on the agenda of the Security Council and it is not that kind of situation and the briefing was therefore received informally under other matters.

  H.E. Mr. Yukio Takasu, Ambassador of Japan and President of the Security Council

Sri Lanka is not on the Security Council agenda and there was no decision on the discussion or on that matter. The occasion was to get a briefing and there was no other formal decision. There are serious concerns about the plight of the IDPs and those that are trapped by the LTTE

Once has to understand the nature of the conflict and it is clear that the Government is combating a group of people, the LTTE who are described as terrorist organization by many countries and banned as such.

It was acknowledged that Government of Sri Lanka is taking a lot of precautions to minimize casualties. However, there are reports of great deal of suffering and casualties. It is well known that LTTE is firing from behind civilians and it is hoped that the Government will continue to exercise maximum restrain.

A strong focus should be on Tamil Tigers as they are not allowing civilians to go to safety, freely in Government controlled areas. There were reports that the LTTE has attacked and killed their own people trying to free themselves and go to government areas including a report about child suicide bombers being sent. They are also putting obstacles in the way of supplies and evacuations. Tigers should lay down arms to bring this conflict to an end.

SG and USG can remain engaged with the Government and cooperation offered by the Government is appreciated. LTTE military actions in the safe zone should stop. The Government has given assurances that 80 percent of the IDPs will go back within the shortest possible time and that strategy of the Government makes sense.

Difficult to compare Sri Lanka with other situations e.g. Dafur situation in Sudan is a case of threat to international peace and security. Sri Lanka is clearly not such a situation and members recognized that and Sri Lanka is not on the agenda. And we appreciate Government's openness in providing information.