Brown at conference ‘unethical’

 By Kshanika Argent

 

 British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s presence at the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) conference in London is an ‘unethical’ act of a government that preaches democracy, Government Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwela told Daily Mirror online.

Mr. Rambukwela stated, “If the GTF is affiliated with the LTTE, then we regret that a nation such Britain would preach democracy while attending a forum that preaches terrorism. Would they speak at a forum that is sympathetic or supportive towards the Al Qaeda? Al Qaeda is a banned terrorist organization, just like the LTTE was banned by Britain. What is the difference between these two organizations? We see a different stance on two terrorist organizations, a different treatment and that is the sad part.”

Brown’s attendance added to the controversy created by his Foreign Secretary David Miliband who had also attended the same event which was held at the British parliamentary complex on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Miliband addressed the gathering and had called upon the Sri Lankan government to make ‘constitutional changes’ aimed at power sharing.

Mr. Rambukwela went on to state that Sri Lanka has made a formal protest over the Foreign Secretary Miliband and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s decision to attend and address gathering.