US CALL FOR URGENT POLITICAL SOLUTION!!! ACCESS TO INTL ORG TO DETENTION CAMPS!!!

Blake clarifies US policy



US Ambassador Robert Blake, clarifying the US policy on Sri Lanka, said his government did not advocate the Sri Lankan government negotiating with the LTTE.
In response to a Daily Mirror news item appearing yesterday Mr. Blake said the United States did not advocate the Government of Sri Lanka negotiating with the LTTE.

He said National Security Council Spokesman Mike Hammer had articulated in his interview with the Daily Mirror the longstanding policy of the United States that it firmly believed the only way to a lasting peace is for the Government of Sri Lanka to seek a political solution by reaching a power sharing arrangement whereby the aspirations of Tamils and other minorities were protected within a united Sri Lanka

He also said the United States was deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis that was unfolding in the North and that to avoid further escalation of the

humanitarian crisis, the most important priority was for the LTTE to allow civilians to leave the war zone in the North in accordance with international humanitarian law.

“We, the other Co-Chair countries, and India have called on the LTTE to lay down arms and renounce violence. The United States also urges both sides to show restraint and not fire into or from the safe zone, even if provoked. Doing so will only worsen the already grave situation facing the civilians,” he said.

He said the US furthermore called on the Government of Sri Lanka to continue to allow the international organizations, diplomatic missions, and other humanitarian organizations access to the camps housing those who have been internally displaced.
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