'An unquestioned right', says Colombo

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, JULY 7. Sri Lanka today said New Delhi's stand on last week's air raids in Jaffna peninsula was ``unrealistic and unacceptable'' but described the U.S. concern at the same event as ``principled and realistic''.

A Foreign Ministry release, describing itself as a ``response to requests for comments'' on statements by ``two foreign Governments'' on the aerial bombings, did not directly name either India or the U.S. and made only a roundabout, though obvious references, to the two countries.

``What one Government said is unrealistic and unacceptable. While expressing `great disappointment at these developments', that Government made no reference to our Government's assertion that the bombings were a pre-emptive strike in self-defence...'' the release said.

New Delhi had expressed ``great disappointment'' at events in Sri Lanka after the air raids last Saturday, and said there was ``no alternative to peace''.

The timing of the bombardment, a week before the minority People's Alliance ruling coalition was to face Parliament on a vote to extend Emergency regulations in the country, gave rise to the interpretation that it was a politically motivated act by a beleaguered Government.

But, Sri Lanka said it was acting purely in national interest, to prevent a massive assault being planned by the LTTE in Jaffna peninsula.

Today's statement declared that it was the ``unquestioned right'' of any sovereign state to defend its territorial integrity and made a point of mentioning that it was a right India had ``often'' exercised.

The U.S. had expressed ``concern'' at the air raids and cautioned that ``violence begets violence'' but Sri Lanka appears to have not found that advice half as objectionable because it included a line that about respect for ``the right of any nation to defend its territorial integrity'' and called on the Government and the LTTE to begin negotiations. ``That approach is principled and realistic,'' the Ministry said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Next     : No move to oust Musharraf: PPP