Canadian
Statement
submitted
by the Hon. David Kilgour, Secretary of
State (Asia-Pacific)
at the “Sri Lanka: Reconstruction and
Development Seminar”
U.S. State
Department, Washington, D.C.
April 14,
2003
Canada wishes to extend our gratitude to
the Government of the United States for
organising this important gathering in support
of the Sri Lankan peace process. The large
number of governments and organisations
here today is a testament to the importance
the international community attaches to
the successful conclusion of the process.
We also wish to re-iterate our commendation
to the Government of Norway for their perseverance
in assisting the Government of Sri Lanka
and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
in their efforts to find a permanent peace.
Today’s
seminar serves as an important impetus to
the preparations which are currently underway
around the globe for the Tokyo Conference
on Reconstruction and Development in Sri
Lanka scheduled for June. The Canadian government
recognises that peace and economic growth
are inextricably linked, and that meetings,
such as these, are indispensable elements
of the overall peace process.
Canada looks
forward to participating in the June 2003
Tokyo Reconstruction Conference. As we prepare
for this event, the Canadian government
will be looking for continued progress in
the peace talks, including tangible progress
on the agreements already secured in earlier
rounds, most notably those regarding human
rights, and the parties’ commitment
to pursuing a political resolution within
a federal framework.
Canada strongly
supports the efforts currently underway
to peacefully resolve the conflict in Sri
Lanka. We recognise that the issues to be
resolved are complex, and commend both the
Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam for their commitment
to stay the course, despite the difficulties
which have arisen, and the magnitude of
the differences to be bridged.
Canada is encouraged that both sides have
agreed to seek a lasting peace agreement
within a federal system. We believe that
some form of federal system of governance,
suitably tailored to Sri Lanka’s unique
circumstances, offers the most realistic
framework for a permanent solution to the
conflict. Canada re-confirms our commitment
to providing the parties with technical
advice on matters respecting federal options,
so long as the parties continue to desire,
and make use of, such assistance.
Canada regrets
that within Sri Lanka anti-personnel landmines
continue to pose a serious threat to civilian
and military personnel alike, as well as
hinder the return of displaced persons,
the delivery of humanitarian assistance,
and the implementation of more long-term
reconstruction and development initiatives.
To address these challenges, we call upon
the parties to pledge a firm commitment
to the principles of the Ottawa Convention.
Canada urges
both parties to redouble their efforts in
the weeks and months ahead to move towards
finding a permanent political resolution
to their differences, ever mindful of the
need for compromise, if the peace process
is to succeed. We look forward to learning
from the parties their plans for achieving
this objective, as well as their plans for
operationalising, as an integral part of
the current process, their commitment to
human rights, good governance, and democratic
pluralism.
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