USA: GOSL(MR/GR(US CITIZEN)/BR/CR) SHOULD ALLOW UN+AID AGENCIES NOW....!!!

US urged SL to allow aid agencies access to conflict zone

US urged SL to allow aid agencies access to conflict zone
Friday, 22 May 2009 03:37 administrator

The United States on Thursday urged Sri Lanka to allow international aid organizations and the UN immediate access to former conflict area, to assess the needs and welfare of the injured in the area, and full and unhindered access to the IDP camps.
"We urge the government to allow the ICRC, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the UN immediate access to former conflict area – to the former conflict area, to assess the needs and welfare of the injured in the area, and full and unhindered access to the IDP camps," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters on Thursday.
He said that Secretary of State spoke to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday about his trip to Sri Lanka, and offered full U.S. cooperation to the UN and international efforts to address the humanitarian needs of the Sri Lankan people.

The U.S. also participated in a Tokyo Co-Chairs phone call on May 19 with Norway, Japan, the European Union Commission, and the Czech Republic, holding the EU presidency.

"Our Embassy continues to meet on an ongoing basis with senior officials of the Sri Lankan Government to reinforce these messages," Kelly said.

He further said that the end of the conflict presents a new opportunity to seek reconciliation and build a democratic and tolerant Sri Lanka. And expressed US believe that Sri Lankan Government must win the peace by focusing on power-sharing arrangements with the Tamil and other minorities.

Commenting on the humanitarian situation "The best solution is for these internally displaced persons to voluntarily return to their homes in safety and dignity as soon as possible," he said.

A reporter asked Kelly: Mr. Kelly, if you don’t mind, please. Hundred thousand of them still dying of food, medicine, and basic necessities, and I don’t think still the Sri Lankan Government is hearing the cries of the people and from international community. What is the reaction from the Sri Lankan Government as far as the Secretary is concerned?

Kelly responded saying "well, you know, I agree with you. It’s a dire situation. And I think this is why the UN Secretary General is going there to again reinforce to the Sri Lankan Government that they need to provide complete and unhindered access both to the conflict zone and to these IDP camps."

Kelly said unlike Pakistan, in the case of Sri Lanka, US believe the best way to address the humanitarian assistance is through the international community, through with the UN in the lead.

News edited by Tamil National .....editor@tamilnational.com

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