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Canada wants Lanka, LTTE to ‘build’ on Geneva II
By: TC Parliamentary Corres.
Courtesy: House of Commons (Canada) - November 3, 2006
Making a special statement at the Canadian House of Commons on November 3rd, Mr. Deepak Obhrai, MP for Calgary East, who functions as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Calgary East, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, Canada remains concerned with the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka which has recently suffered some of the worst violence in years. We commend the parties for attending peace talks in Geneva this past weekend. We urge the parties to build on this opportunity and to commit to a further round of talks soon.
Canada calls on the LTTE to renounce terrorism and violence. It must demonstrate that it is willing to make compromises necessary for a political solution within a united Sri Lanka.
We also call on the democratically elected government of Sri Lanka to continue its efforts to resolve the current impasse and create the conditions for talks to continue. This includes addressing the credible allegations of serious human rights abuses directed against its security forces.
Canada continues to believe there can be no military solution to this lengthy conflict. We urge the parties to work toward a negotiated settlement which satisfies the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans.
Published: Nov 08, 2006 4:17:57 GMT
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Comments [ 25 ]:
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Saraavn from UK on Nov 09, 2006 17:57:55 GMT
Little knowledge can be dangerous! Twisting the little knowledge can be even more dangerous!!
I wonder if Mr. Obhrai has heard about the Veddahs (the aboriginal people of Lanka). If not, he would do well to inform himself,at least from the internet.
In a worst case scenario, if what has happened to the Tamils of Sri Lanka over the past 50 years continues, they are next on the list for obliteration after the Veddahs in the 21st century under the guise of "democrazy"(aka majoritarian rule=majoritarian race and religious rule).
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Ravi from Netherlands on Nov 09, 2006 15:54:51 GMT
Sorry Mr.Obhrai you still don't know the real story in Srilanka. Because of the LTTE, there are still Tamils in Srilanka. If the LTTE wasn't there, the Srilankan government would have wiped out all the Tamils in Srilanka systematically.
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P.S..Duleepkumar from Sri Lanka on Nov 09, 2006 7:02:10 GMT
I have read Mr Obhrai's fatuous statement on our conflict.Such statements have been heard ad nauseam
by us from day one.They are invariably based on the palpably false assumption that the LTTE is a Terrorist organisation. They are no doubt a Militant organisation which like Statist Military bodies use terrorist methods as a tactic.But to state organisations with all their superior force of men and materials Terrorist tactics are an admission of frustration and failiure.Thus the US army in Vietnam.The LTTE can defend set positions in battle and have demonstrated that there need not be any recourse to Terrorism on a level playing field. though the Act of war itself is a gigantic exercise in terror
unless regulated by civilised(How Ironic)norms as per the Geneva Convention and the concomittant rules of engagement.Let MR OBHRAI ponder this
apoththegm.The Terrorist is a man with a bomb in his hand but no aeroplane.
Who has the aeroplane? The State!the terrorist then looks for a delivery system.Enter the Suicide Bomber.
The sooner the International community ceases to be deluded about the true nature of the LTTE and faces the reality the sooner will the present pious hopes of talks take on a meaningful character.
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Banu from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 23:29:33 GMT
This MP Mr.Obhrai should make a visit to the suffering tamils in srilanka and find for himself the real truth and speak the truth without any distortions. The tamils are suffering under the sinhala governments for the past six decades. Two and a half decade of tiger prescence has not changed the killing style of the dominant government forces though kept under check because of the fear of tigers attacks in retaliation. The srilankan state supported by Canada and EU and US and other IC is a terrorist buddhist hegeminic state and the world will come to know this soon and it will be too late when they relise their mistaken support they give to the GOSL in it's attrocities against the tamil nation.
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Poniah from USA on Nov 08, 2006 22:56:58 GMT
This MP's comments, in my opinion, is an extension of the West’s immoral approach towards oppressed people worldwide. By putting their selfish interests forward these politicians on steroids have made the world a dangerous place.
In this regard Norway's role in promoting these so called co-chairs is scandalous. Nearly all of them except Japan has banned the LTTE. How on earth these co-chairs could persuade the Tamil side to listen to their one-sided rubbish.
Like the Jews the time has come for us to stand up tall and craft our own destiny. If you hear such statements fight them. Tell them to get off!. We do not have to listen to the preachings from these minions any longer.
Just 6 years ago these very same minions were running around harping about China’s 'GRAVE' human rights violations (Tibet, Tiananmen square massacre etc). The moment they saw the economic benefits they started asking what human rights?.
My Jewish friend (who's father fought for Israel) told me about his childhood and the suffering he saw. Jews only believed in their fellow countty men. Former PM Sharon a couple of years ago reiterated the same point in his holocaust memorial address.
Message from politicians like these should empower all of us to do more to free ourselves from the Srilankan Terrorist Regime’s grip. We are on our own. Only we can save our people. Only we can deliver salvation to our long suffering Tamil brothers and sisters.
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Jon from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 22:24:57 GMT
Look at what has happened to the Bush administration in the mid term election. I think the same is about to happen to the Harper government if they don't treat people on the merit of their own situation, but broad brush and alienate people based on ignorant self serving views of a few people in the Govt. It's time to move away from the old Bush adminstration rhetoric of "democratically elected Government" vs "terrorist group" and start saying no matter who it is, a life is a life and even if it's a democratically elected Govt, no one has the right to annihilate another group of people. It's time to look at the cost of their blunder in proscribing one side and not doing anything about the atrocities of the other. I don’t condone violence from anyone (the Govt or the LTTE), but it's high time everyone realizes that there is a reason why people support freedom fighters and, stand up for the rights of the poor, the less fortunate and the oppressed.
No one, even if it's a democratically elected Govt of a country, should have the right to abuse their minorities as Sri Lanka does its own Citizens with such impunity. It's time to start expressing our dissatisfaction with the lack of attention of the Canadian Govt when it comes to the Eelam Tamil issue. There are 300,000 Tamils in Canada. We should have some say, don’t we?. Come on everyone, let's just flood your MP's offices with phone calls, emails, visits, etc. It doesn't matter if it's north, east, west or south of Sri Lanka where the atrocities are taking place. If the donor countries don't keep propping up this murderous Govt with aid, they have to start looking for a solution to the ethnic question along something other than war and complete annihilation of the Tamils . In addition to boycotting SL products, let's start boycotting any mainstream media, political party and or products in the countries that encourage this bias against the Tamils. After all, we contribute very positively to the economy of these nations as well
I can't believe this latest carnage in Eastern Sri Lanka today. Oh God, where does this stop. I pray for His Peace and Comfort in the midst of such devastation, ain and sadness. Only He can help. I urge all peace loving organizations (churches, NGOs, etc) and individuals to start expressing their dissatisfaction with the way these innocent are treated. Let’s spread the word. Talk to everyone you get a chance to about these atrocities, the least we can do for these neglected people.
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Siva from Australia on Nov 08, 2006 21:59:26 GMT
Mr Deepak Obhrai the democratically elected government of Sri Lanka has killed 100 more civilians including infants. Please don't forget to congratulate them. Keep up the good work and sell more arms to SL. What do you care?
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prakash from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 21:34:08 GMT
120,00 Sri lankan Brave Army couldn't defeat 4,000 LTTE over 20 years. Sri Lankan Government need help.
But they don't need help on dropping bombs on Civilians.
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Kathiravan from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 17:32:49 GMT
Thank you, Mr. Deepak Obhrai. The democratically elected government of Sri Lanka just killed another 50 innocent people and injured another 150. That's includes 6 infants killed and another 35 children injured. As long you stay silence on the so called democratically elected governments, they will continuously kill innocent civilians with impunity. That's not my Canada. This is not Kenya, wake up and stand up as a Canadian and send a strong message to the terrorist state of Sri Lanka
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Sayon Anselm from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 17:14:02 GMT
This is a letter send to The President of Mackenzie Institute on the 12th. Sept. 2006. Reference to your article" Let Lying Tiger Sleep" of 31st.Aug. 05 in the Asian Tribune. I am sorry to say that you are talking through the hat. It is you who have a two-faced approach and not Ottawa.If you apply the approach of Ottawa which is balanced you will agree with Ottawa. Your other faced approach of the article is due the result of your immerging your wisdom into the sap from the breadfruit from the Breadfruit Rebulic (SRI Lanka). I have the antidote to pump out that sap completely. The venom you pured into the world is almost dried up now. Recent example is Gaza. The public is questioning if the Israelis could move out of Gaza after occupying it for 38 years by there freewill they can also leave the rest of Palestine. If you are up to date with the current affaires you would not have published the above said article. Commenting on the rest of your article when two fighters are in the ring each wants to win. Only an impartial referee will give the right verdict. Your Institute should be renamed as the Prophylactic Institute for Organised Violence and Political Instability and explore towards equality and justice in this great beautiful and wonderful world where we all have only one life to live. Hope to open a dialogue with you. Copy to The Rt, Hon Prime Minister of Canada. I hope to hear.....
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jon from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 16:22:41 GMT
What a load of bull crap lip service from this country's so called administrators. As though this guy has a clue of what is really going on with the Eelam Tamils. He is no different to the ignorant one sided minister who banned the Tigers while not doing anything about the state terrorism of the so called democratically elected government. That probably contributed to the carnage that’s currently going on in Sri Lanka and history would hold this country at least partially responsible for all that innocent blood. It seems like, the world approves the majority in any country inflicting anything on the minority since all that's needed for a government to be elected "democratically" is for the majority to elect one!!. What a load of hypocrisy and ignorance!!.
World leaders, please say something at least half intelligent, with understanding of the real situation, or, don't say anything at all, which would probably prevent you from looking really what you are, ignorant and not so intelligent (to put it mildly).
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Malatavan from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 16:00:04 GMT
Statements read by MPs like Deepak are of no use regardless of the content. No
tangible outcome will ever come out of these meaningless statements. It is also worthwhile to note at this point that it was this very MP, just a few years back, read a similar statement in the Parliament stating that the Tamil National Leader should be categorized as a "war criminal".
The core of the Canadian Conservative party is anti-immigrant, period. The mere fact that for 300,000 of us Tamil Canadians LTTE is so dear is enough for these racial bunch to hate the LTTE. It is the ultra christian fundamentalist right wing ideology that shapes the policies of the conservative party. They use token colour folk like Deepak only to create an illusion that they are tolerant. Very much like the folk that worked with the British colonizers in India during the colonial times, some colour folk like Deepak work with the Conservative party (for their personal gains), without paying much attention to the inherently racial attitude of the party. A good example of the Conservative contempt of the colour folk is the Mahar Arar Case. Even after the clear public enquery verdict on the case, the conservative PrimeMinister is yet to extend a formal appology to this torutured Canadian. Such deep rooted is their contempt for the colour folk.
It is extremely sad that in canada there are a bunch of Tamil volunteers working very closely with the Conservative party, albeit in good intentions, and it is these volunteers that try to promote within the community
the meaningless statements such as this one from Deepak. Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against these volunteers and in fact I do agree that we must work with all parties. But, my issue is in promoting meaningless statements such as this one and inadvertently misleading some of the unsuspecting Tamils.
It is extremely important that we Tamil Canadians make each and every one of these politicians realize how political savvy we are and that we cannot be fooled by MPs like Deepak.
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Sumith from canada on Nov 08, 2006 15:40:55 GMT
Hey tamil brothers. This is not a civil war or ethnic conflicts any more. This is war between two nations. Sri Lanka and Tamil Eelam. Mr.Obhrai has to understand that. I was watching news on CTV when they banned LTTE and the minister of public security was saying that LTTE exorted money from tamils. He was also saying that these tamils left the country when the war broke out in 1983. But what the intellectual minister forgot to mention is why these tamils had to fled. He also forgot to mention the black july. He also forgot to mention the attorcities of GoSL/SLA (torture/rapes/massacre)since 1956. He also forgot to mention how tamils were treated by the sinhala goverment. Well there is one thing the tamils can do to teach a lesson to the canada conservative goverment. The next election no tamil should vote for the conservative and we should inform every single tamil canadian citizen about this. then not only conservative but liberal too will learn a lesson from the tamils. My last hope is that LTTE lunch an all out attach after november 27th. We the tamils have to support them in any/all way we can. Who cares about internation community oppinions. We should't be in the list with Rwanda, Sudan, Ethiopia or Somalia. We should be in the list with Vietnam, Cuba, East Tamor, Montenogro. Tamils let's stand for freedom.
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Jeeva from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 14:41:14 GMT
Mr. Obhrai is asking Tamils to compromise!!! Compromise on what? Didn't the Tamils say they would be ok with the federal system? But the Government of Sri-Lanka is not willing to even recognize the Tamils as a nation. I think instead of repeating the outdated statements, Mr.Obhrai should be honest and ask the Sri-Lankan government to be serious about the peace talk. Even today 100 Tamil civilians have been killed. What is the response from Canada? Unlike other western countries, Canada does not have a strategic interest in Sri-Lanka, so they could do lot more to bring peace and justice to the Tamil people than just releasing outdated statements.
Jeeva
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envee from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 14:31:36 GMT
Please Mr Obhrai study the Tamil problem before you make stupid statements.
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Rajan from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 11:59:46 GMT
Thank you Mr. Deepak Obhrai for raising your voice in the Parliment.
I wonder you know the full story of the current situation in Sri Lanka.
How do you expect the Sri Lankan government to resolve the ethenic issue when they could not keep even the small request from the Tamil nation.
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Saravan from UK on Nov 08, 2006 10:32:04 GMT
Pity, Mr. Deepak Obhrai has not taken the trouble to inform himself on the background history of the ethnic and religious nature of teh conflict in SL for over 50 years. Picking up a few pieces from here and there cannot and will not give the full picture of the issues involved.
Is a democratically elected party by one ethnic and religious group holding sway over minorities and committing violations of fundamental rights and freedoms and committing HR vioalations necessarily democratic?
Has he not heard about state terrorism and its manifestations, which he has conveniently referred to as HR violations?
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Sanjay Kumaran from UK on Nov 08, 2006 7:55:23 GMT
Canda can do more than just few soundbites by just MPs. Tamils in Canada and western nations Should change their race as Tamil instead of Sri Lankan or Indian in census reports and every form they fill, like Jewish people, like French people where ever they live they get equal opportunity and they can legally challenged any racism against them. If the tamils had eneterd as a distinct tamil race, any countries including Canada can't enact or implement any racist policy against us such as the unfortunate Canadian law preventing us for helping the our elam tamils. I urge the tamils in the world to fill any form with tamil as our our origin and race rather than Sri Lankan or Indian to get equal treatment from these countries asap.
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Veera Sri from Australia on Nov 08, 2006 6:16:10 GMT
Mr. Deepak Obhrai, what the people especially the Tamils in Jaffna, Sri Lanka wants is not words, but deeds. Asking Colombo to go by the Geneva II will only go on the deaf ears. All know that very well, including you. You calling Sri Lanka as a democratically elected country and calling LTTE as a terrorist organisation is all outdated statements. The democratically elected Sri Lankan government is committing more murders every day as against any terrorist organisation in the world. The Sri Lankan government is putting 600,000 people into stavation. It is worrying to see no one mentions about that in his or her speech. Saddam is given death sentence for crimes against humanity. In the north and east every day 6 people are being abducted and killed by the government, the worst of the crime against humanity. What is the sentence for the Sri Lankan government people? Who will arrest this situation of daily murder by the government? Appointing commissions by one hand and carrying out murders by the other hand is not the answer. The international community should raid the Sri lankan barbarians and arrest the situation straightaway. That is the only way out there.
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Vel Velauthapillai from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 6:15:53 GMT
I have sent the following email to Hon. Deepak Obhrai on Nov 7, 2006.
Dear Hon. Deepak Obhrai:
I appreciate that you concerned with the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka and raised that issue in House of Commons on November 3rd.
However, I would like to mention some of my concerns. I believe Tory's government should take part of the responsibility for this current situation in Srilanka. In April, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day bypassed debate in Parliament and decided in Cabinet to list the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a proscribed organization in Canada. He actually implemented a plan proclaimed through his website for years. With no sanctions imposed against Sri Lanka, the ban has only strengthened Sri Lanka's hand to subject more civilians to state terrorism, to try gaining more territory, and to impose an economic blockade to starve and kill the Tamil people.
Since 2002 to 2005, Srilanka was relatively peaceful, and after the Canada and EU ban, Sinhala government started to increase the extra judicial killings and offensives against Tamils. Sinhala dominated Srilankan government take the Canada and EU ban on LTTE as a free license to kill Tamils. The SLMM very clearly stated that Srilankan government violated the CFA. It is crystal clear that Srilankan government is state terrorist because it bomb schools, hospitals, and other civilian places. Srilankan government uses its military and paramilitary to kill Tamils.
Moreover, Srilankan state rejected all the previously reached agreements, and failed to implement none of the agreements including P-TOM that is for Tsunami rehabilitation. Now, Srilankan government restrict free movement of Tamils and confine them in open prison. In this case, what kind of concessions do you expect from Tamils? Is that federal system too much to ask?
You called the Srilankan government as democratically elected. What about TNA (Tamil National Alliance) that was democratically elected by Tamils and holds more than 90% seats from North and East part of Srilanka? Tamils democratically passed a mandate in 1977 that state "Tamil Eelam" a separate state for Tamils is the only possible solution.
The root cause of the problem is that Sinhala nation have been taught to hate Tamils, and the Sinhala dominated government will never implement anything if that helps to Tamils. The last 55 years of history have enough evidence to prove this. Instead of blaming Tamil tigers or Tamils for everything, please pressure the Srilankan government to withdraw its deadly military machine from Tamil homeland, and allow Tamils to live freely.
Please try to understand the depth of the Tamil struggle, and don't try to view it as a terrorist problem and apply "war on terrorism" solution. "Sinhala state terrorism" is the root cause of the problem, and still it is a problem.
Sincerely,
Vel Velaluthapillai B.Eng.
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RT from Australia on Nov 08, 2006 5:49:24 GMT
Can CTC educate this man on the Tamil struggle? By saying LTTE that should compromise, is this man expecting Tamils to continue to live under a racist and genocidal GoSL? Get real! He is just repeating sentences from Bush's and his stooges speech. LTTE didn't introduce terrorism to SL, it was there from the time that county gained independence. There is nothing LTTE or Tamils can do here, GoSL is demonstrating his demonic intents and world should take note of it and ACT!!!! that is the message he should get.
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prakash from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 5:43:11 GMT
Thank you Mr Deepak, for concern about srilankan minority Tamils, who have been discriminated by srilankan government since 1956.
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Vel Velauthapillai from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 5:30:55 GMT
This is another regular statement that praise the state terrorists and blame the freedom fighters. Tamils should not need to welcome this kind of blind statements. Tamils should request the western government to apply pressure on Sinhala state terrorist and call the Sinhala politicians to implement the already reached agreements.
Sinhala state terrorists very clearly violate the CFA and continue to attack Tamils. These western governments think Sinhala state continue to resolve the ethnic problem. It simply means Canada approve Srilankan state terrorists. There is no even single word that condemn atrocities committed by Sinhala military thugs.
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Poniah from USA on Nov 08, 2006 5:29:11 GMT
"Canada calls on the LTTE to renounce terrorism and violence. It must demonstrate that it is willing to make compromises necessary for a political solution within a united Sri Lanka"
Canada has no right to tell LTTE what to do. Since they have blocked off all official channels with the LTTE and have taken sides in this conflict by banning LTTE, their lectures/press releases/breast beatings/chest thumpings do not matter to us Tamils.
It seems the Tamil issue is too 'foreign' for this MP. Tamils DO NOT HAVE to consider the aspirations of other Sri Lankans. Tamils and their representatives are there to safeguard and protect the Tamil national interest. Tamils were never accepted as part of the Sri Lankan unitary framework. Therefore we have the right to reject the concept of "unitary suffering" and look for solutions which would provide security, territorial integrity, pluralism, democratic principles, social justice and other goodies you canadians enjoy!!!
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Chelliah from Canada on Nov 08, 2006 4:35:15 GMT
Tank you v.much Mr Deepak Obhrai,for making a ststement on Sri Lanka's Human Rights violations.It would have been better if Canada press Sri Lanka to open the A9 Road.It would have paved path to distribute food and link to the main stream thus would have provided a chance to have the next round of talks.
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