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Clinton’s visit: A sigh of relief from SL

21 July 2011 11:50 pm - 9     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Chennai visit by the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jeyaram were not as fiery as feared by the Sri Lankan government, a top External Affairs Ministry official said yesterday.

He said the ministry had been alert to any negative fallout from Ms. Clinton’s meeting with Ms. Jayalalithaa and had expected a stronger statement than what was made by Ms. Clinton.

“It is not as bad as we expected,” the official added.

He said the news that a meeting had been arranged between Ms. Clinton and Ms. Jayalalithaa had been earlier denied by the Indian External Affairs Ministry.

The official said from what had transpired between the two it appeared that the US was pushing India to take on a greater leadership role in the region and the lukewarm remarks on Sri Lanka also indicated US being aware of the close links between India and Sri Lanka.

The official said no official comment could be made on Ms. Clinton’s visit to Tamil Nadu as the Sri Lankan government did not wish to comment on India-US relations as it was auxiliary to the direct ties between Sri Lanka, India and US.

He said a final assessment on the absence of a powerful outcome from the meeting was testament to US’s lack of dominance in the region. Ms. Clinton who voiced concern on Wednesday over the plight of the internally displaced people in Sri Lanka told Ms. Jayalalithaa that the US was looking at innovative and creative ideas on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue

(Dianne Silva)

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  Comments - 9

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  • Sam Friday, 22 July 2011 02:47 AM

    I thought the meeting was between Hiliary Clinton and Jayalalithaa Jeyaram. Was External Affairs Ministry official eavesdropping on the conversation between the two

    Sujee Perera Friday, 22 July 2011 03:04 AM

    Looks like Clinton is wise not to accept any LTTE monies. She rejected the LTTE money given to her campaign for the presidency.

    Bandu de Silvva Friday, 22 July 2011 03:14 AM

    Clinton should offer her advice on "innovative action" on rehabilitating IDPs to SL Govt. and not to Jayalalitha.
    It is true that there were no surprises in talks between the two ladies in Chennai. But one should take note that Clinton was seen commenting on SL's internal issue of devolution when she recommended the Indian model at a public meeting. Critics in Washington observe that she likes Town Hall speeches from the one delivered at Congo University, New Delhi in 2009 to the recent one in Chennai to cover up for her non performance in foreign policy. She shd. study a little more of Indian and SLn history to understand the difference and also American history -how long and arduous the course towards federation was. What one sees in the US today is a long way from the original federation model but a centralised Presidential rule.

    citizen Friday, 22 July 2011 03:11 AM

    govt shouldnt comment like this.....this is illan kema.....

    malkanthi Friday, 22 July 2011 04:31 AM

    Should never have discussions with extremists, and get poisoned.

    raju Friday, 22 July 2011 04:41 AM

    US economy down so Clinton going around the world begging for business.....So she goes on praising the Indians in every meeting

    Javi Friday, 22 July 2011 05:50 AM

    US move beyond India on Sri Lanka

    enlightened Friday, 22 July 2011 07:24 AM

    Sigh of relief.... So Sri Lanka was afraid of the outcome of meeting. Why fear when there is no blood your hand? The words itself tells the guilty of Sri Lanka

    AJ-DXB Friday, 22 July 2011 10:11 AM

    YOU CAN EXPECT HER VOICE WHEN WHE REACHES WHITE HOUSE


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