NZ sits on fence on SL war crimes

15 November 2013 10:55 pm - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

New Zealand Foreign minister Murray McCully returned from the Tamil-led north of Sri Lanka last night and indicated he believes New Zealand should not support an independent investigation into war crimes.

Shortly after his return to Colombo, McCully signed a dairy co-operation agreement with his counterpart Professor GL Peiris, worth about $2 million.

Earlier in the day, he laid the foundation stone for a milk chilling plant at Mullaitivu, the scene of one of the civil war's bloodiest battles, in January 2009.

Last night, he also launched an All Blacks supporters club with President Mahinda Rajapaksa's son Namal, captain of the national side and an MP.

As world leaders converged on Colombo for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting this weekend, there is growing momentum for an international inquiry into alleged atrocities carried out in the final months of the 26-year conflict, which ended four years ago. The New Zealand government is yet to back calls for an inquiry.

McCully rejected a suggestion it is a deliberately soft stance to protect burgeoning dairy trade with the island nation.

"No, it's not. And I don't think that our stance is soft by comparison. We sit pretty much in the middle of the spectrum," he insisted.

McCully returned from his fact-finding mission full of praise for government investment in infrastructure, such as roads, housing and small farms. He also believes elections, held in September, were progress.

"The good news is that clearly four years after the fighting there is a more settled environment in which people can go about building their lives and there is plenty of evidence of that happening," he said.

But he said there is a "significant" lack of trust between Tamils and central government, which will hamper devolution.

And he said there are concerns about the number of soldiers that have remained in the area. " I think there is a concern about how long lasting it might be."

He stood by New Zealand's decision not to boycott the summit, like leaders from Canada, Mauritius and India.

"I'm not endorsing the government's reconciliation efforts, I've pretty much done the opposite ... the view expressed by the human rights groups that more should be done, and more quickly, is pretty hard to argue with," he said.

"We've tended to put more emphasis on the rebuilding process because we think that it can materially effect people who are there in reasonably different circumstances but that doesn't diminish the need for us to ensure that there is an ... accountability process."

McCully denied he was offered a sanitised glimpse of northern communities. "We went where we wanted to go not where the government told us to go."

He said it was a fact of life that if New Zealand was to help people in the north, it would have to work with the government.

Key is due to meet with President Rajapaksa tomorrow and has pledged to raise Sri Lanka's human rights record. He will spend much of the weekend lobbying for a seat on the UN Security Council.

British Prime Minister David Cameron also undertook a tour of the north yesterday.(Fairfax NZ News)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 7

Roshan WR Saturday, 16 November 2013 03:20 AM

Very wise report. The common man in the north is happy with the progress made. Its only those who supported LTTE is smarting. The govt must continue to work for national reconciliation. It's also the responsibility of every Sinhalese and Tamil to contribute as well. Acts of kindness will heal, we are committed, to doing something rather than hate talking.

nicky karunarathna Saturday, 16 November 2013 03:44 AM

Problem here is no one talk about the truth and the absolute truth and the nothing but the truth. They are talking tongue in cheek. So what is absolute truth? No bombs, no killings and no one die on their day to day business. Beautiful Tamil children taking their school books and going schools and universities shedding their Tamil tiger fatigue uniform and AK47. So can't they talk that? After 30 years, there is democratically elected Tamil chief minister and his provincial members are elected rather than suffering under jackboot of most barbaric inhuman blood thirsty terrorist leader who went on killing spree. Isn't it? So what else world want to know about democracy and human rights?

Scott Mora Saturday, 16 November 2013 06:23 AM

Well said brother.

Sriyani Saturday, 16 November 2013 07:31 AM

Absolutely true!

Lanka Hero Saturday, 16 November 2013 07:36 AM

Yes, what you said was the fact of the truth

Jegan Saturday, 16 November 2013 08:45 AM

Don't assume they are happy. Did you see the Northern PC election results?

Raj Saturday, 16 November 2013 10:57 AM

because he wants to sell his milk

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

NZ sits on fence on SL war crimes

Comments - 7

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

New Visa procedure implemented

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

Sajith avoids reception hosted for Iranian President

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings