UN splits on lanka issue - march2009

UN splits on lankan issue – march 2009


A move spearheaded by Austria, Mexico & Costa Rica – and backed by the united states – to bring the issue of civilian killings in the war torn wanni district of sri lanka before the united nation’s security council is being strenuously warded off by at least seven countries led by china and Russia.

The 15-member UN Security Council remains divided over a proposal to hold on “informal” briefing” on the humanitarian situation of the sri lanka.

“we need to have a broad consensus for such a briefing.” A western diplomatic told. We don’t have such a consensus. But we are continuing with our discussions” he said.


At least seven countries – china, Russia, Japan, turkey, Uganda, Libya – have expressed the view that the current situation of Sri Lanka does not warrant a briefing in the Security Council. Two of these countries, china and Russia, are veto wielding members of the council and can reject any such proposal.

China is vehemently opposing any discussion in the Security Council on the issue of civilians trapped in the fighting between government security forces and the LTTE arguing that it is “purely an internal manner”.

The Sri Lankan mission at the UN has been instructed by the Colombo foreign office to meet ambassadors of Security Council member states explain the ground situation.


But Austria, Mexico and Costa Rica , all non-permanent security council members, have requested the meeting for march 26 under the heading