Pascoe visit further delayed

10 May 2010 10:48 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Jamila Najmuddin

The government has further delayed a trip by UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe to Sri Lanka after the UN sought permission to facilitate a visit by Pascoe in May to discuss the developments in the country, Daily Mirror online learns.

The United Nations had sought permission from the Sri Lankan government to facilitate a visit by Pascoe mid this month afterwhich UN Chief Ban Ki Moon was expected to appoint his Panel of Experts to advise him on accountability issues related to Sri Lanka.

However Daily Mirror online learns that the Sri Lankan government had not replied in favour due to which fresh dates were proposed by the UN in June. However the government is yet to reply to the fresh dates citing that both parties (UN and government) had to discuss a convenient date.

The UN last week insisted that there was no delay in the appointment of the expert panel after rumours that such a panel was not on the cards anymore surfaced and strongly maintained that it’s Chief Ban Ki Moon would finalise the expert team soon.

Ban Ki Moon’s Spokesperson, Martin Nesirky responding to questions by the Inner City Press in New York last week said, “There is no delay. The Secretary-General is pushing ahead with putting together the panel of experts that we’ve talked about a number of times, here and elsewhere. Not only the panel, but the terms of reference; that is being actively worked on. There is no delay,” Nesirky insisted.

In a clear move to avoid the UN Chief from appointing the expert panel, President Mahinda Rajapakse said last week that he will appoint a Commission to inquire if any internationally accepted conventions were violated during the war and the circumstances that may have led to such violations and identify any persons or groups responsible for such acts.

The Presidential secretariat said this inquiry stemmed from the President’s overriding interest in the need for restorative justice for the Sri Lankan people. The Commission’s findings will seek to take the Sri Lankan nation towards the common goals of a multi-ethnic polity, in a spirit of cooperation, partnership and friendship, learning the lessons from recent history to ensure that there would be no recurrence of such a tragic conflict in the future. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 9

Monday, 10 May 2010 11:21 AM

UN ban ki moon should help Sri lanka for development,The Sri lankan government defeated the terrorist. after one years now they want bring the panel ,so stupied idea......

Monday, 10 May 2010 11:49 AM

Could this nice gentleman from the UN first visit the US military base in Guantanamo Bay and assess the situation there first.

Monday, 10 May 2010 11:51 AM

does it make any difference, who inquired in to this matter? On the other hand there have been lots of commissions appointed by the SL Executive and the findings were not of any interest and no actions taken or the commissions were withdrawn without any plausible reasons!

Monday, 10 May 2010 12:05 PM

Looking at the past like this wont take us to a good future, the UN should support us to develop other areas without harping on the past provided out govt in sincerely trying to avoid similar hapenings

Monday, 10 May 2010 12:21 PM

Moon will never make it. India is there to protect.

Monday, 10 May 2010 12:37 PM

If there is nothing to hide, then why is the government so scared? This is what happens when there is no accountability or transparency.

Monday, 10 May 2010 01:08 PM

For what reason is the Government scared of the indeependant panel from the UN. Is there anything to hide?

Tuesday, 11 May 2010 05:20 AM

Why do you all need post mortum. Let us develop our country for all our people sinlhala ,tamil, muslims. Why America wanted to kill Bin Laden, What happened to Sadam. Do you all want same thing to happen in SL and to SL president. the past is past. now we have peace in our country even if you find something now we cannot give back their lives. But we need life for our future genration of all ethnic communitiy.

Tuesday, 11 May 2010 05:46 AM

Why is'nt Moon concerned of U.S.Actions in Afgan,Pakistan Borders etc etc......... Is UN lopsided ? S.L Must not bend down at any cost for un-reasonable actions by any International organization as majority of Lankans wants to live in Peace with dignity and not in peace without dignity. Moon's actions definitely hurt the dignity of Lankans who are non terrorists or non sympathizers of terrorists

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Pascoe visit further delayed

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