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[June 6, 2005 - 10.00 GMT] The US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice on Friday June 3, said the US government was supportive of Sri Lanka’s efforts to evolve a Joint Mechanism (JM) with the LTTE to handle post-tsunami rehabilitation in the north and east, according to a Foreign Ministry communiqué. Dr. Rice made these observations when Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar met with the Secretary of State at the US State Department, marking the first meeting with Dr. Rice since she assumed duties as US Secretary of State. Dr. Rice said the US government remained committed to assist Sri Lanka as it recovers from the effects of tsunami and noted that the US was “comfortable with the progress” made by Sri Lanka in this regard and satisfied that “the reconstruction funds were being spent in an equitable manner”, the release said. Minister Kadirgamar arrived in Washington after participating in the 25th anniversary celebrations of CNN in Atlanta, during which he was a member of a panel that discussed “Tsunami- six months later”. The FM and the Secretary of State reviewed bi-lateral relations and issues of mutual interest. Minister Kadirgamar briefed Dr. Rice of the efforts made by President Kumaratunga to evolve a consensus on the operation of a Joint Mechanism for the specific purpose of dealing with the immediate humanitarian situation at hand, according to the communiqué. The FM emphasized that while the JM was not part of the peace process, the Government was conscious that its successful implementation could serve as a confidence building measure between the Government and the LTTE. He noted that there were several sections of the Sri Lankan polity that were opposed to it. Besides the JVP and the JHU, concerns had been expressed by the Muslim community as well as several democratic Tamil groups and said the President was currently engaged in a process of consultation, but that the time will come when the process of consultation will have to end and for the leadership to lead. Kadirgamar further noted that unfortunate recent acts of the LTTE were not helping in the process of generating confidence among the groups, which had reservations in this regard. The continued acts of violence, recruitment of child soldiers, procurement of weapons and the construction of an airfield and acquisition of air capability by the LTTE were matters of serious concern. The Minister also emphasized that despite its limitations, Sri Lanka had enjoyed a democratic tradition for along time and that it was important that to work together the LTTE must also act in a manner that was respectful of this tradition. Dr. Rice said the US
remained strongly committed to ensuring that these principles were adhered
to, and the framework evolved should be one that brings democracy to the
entire country. She said the US government took serious note of the LTTE’s
acquisition of air capability. She also accepted an invitation by Kadirgamar
to visit Sri Lanka at an early date.
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