By Dr.T.C.Rajaratnam*
(February 09, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Peace and development remain the objectives of our era. Economic globalization is developing in depth, and science and technology are advancing by leaps and bounds. These developments have brought about new opportunities for all countries to develop their economies and improve the living standard of their people. The world is not yet a tranquil place. Terrorism continues to threaten the world despite global efforts to eliminate it.
We must take effective measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the developing nations and work towards a new international political and economic order that is fair and rational. In this connection, the international community. First, it is imperative to promote democracy in international relations. To respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all countries and resolve international conflicts through peaceful means is one of the major principles enshrined in The Charter of the United Nations. The affairs of each and every country should be left to its own people to decide. Global challenges should be tackled through international cooperation and coordination. All countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, should respect, consult and help one another. The developing countries should have full access to international affairs and enjoy equal decision-making power as their developed counterparts. All countries should foster a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation and fully respect the diversity of world civilizations, and should seek consensus through dialogue, cooperation through consultation and development through exchanges.
“India, the US, Japan and the UK, are among the countries that have unambiguously acknowledged the success Sri Lanka has achieved against the LTTE terrorists, in a relatively short time with hardly any collateral damage."___________________
It is imperative to work towards stability and development of the developing nations. World peace hinges on stability of the developing nations, and global prosperity rests on growth of the developing nations. Complicated as they are, many of the issues today may have their roots found in development. Development should be the top priority of governments of all developing nations in their efforts to govern and build up their countries. It is imperative to ensure a full play of the UN's important role in international affairs. As the most important inter-governmental organisation in the world today, which represents the fundamental interests of all member countries and the aspirations of all peoples in the world, the United Nations has a lot to do and accomplish under the new situation. Therefore, it is our common responsibility and is in everyone's vital interests to strengthen its role, safeguard its authority, increase its efficiency and promote its reform. To pursue unilateralism in international relations, abandon efforts for political solution and resort at will to the use or threat of force contravenes The Charter of the United Nations and goes against the historical trends. The fight against terrorism, a shared mission of the international community, should be fought with the United Nations playing the leading role. It is imperative to safeguard the solidarity of the developing nations. The developing nations are a big family. They cover vast land areas and abundant resources. They are an important force to safeguard peace and promote development. History tells us that solidarity means strength, progress and success. Peace, cooperation, development and progress are what the entire international community is hoping and striving for. The developing nations must continue to work closely together in the spirit of solidarity and cooperation and raise their voice and strengthen their position in international affairs if they are to secure their fundamental interests.
A Minister for Foreign Affairs or Foreign Minister is a Cabinet Minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign nation. The ministry for foreign affairs is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government (Prime minister or President); it is often granted to the Deputy Prime Minister in coalition governments. In some nations, the Foreign Minister is referred to as the Minister for External Affairs.
A Foreign Minister's powers can vary from government to government. In a classic parliamentary system, a Foreign Minister can potentially exert significant influence in forming foreign policy but when the government is dominated by a strong Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister may be limited to playing a more marginal or subsidiary role in determining policy. Similarly, the political powers invested in the Foreign Minister are often more limited in presidential governments with a strong executive. Since the end of World War II, it has been common for both the Foreign minister and Defense Minister to be part of an inner cabinet (commonly known as a National Security Council) in order to coordinate defence and diplomatic policy. Although the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries saw many heads of government assume the Foreign Ministry, this practice has since become uncommon in most developed nations.
Along with their political roles, Foreign Ministers are also traditionally responsible for many diplomatic duties, such as hosting foreign world leaders and going on state visits to other countries. The Foreign Minister is generally the well-travelled member of any cabinet.
In the United Kingdom, the Foreign Minister (who is also responsible for Britain's Overseas Territories) is called the 'Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs' (or 'Foreign Secretary' for short). Before 1968, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs only handled relations with foreign, i.e. non-Commonwealth, countries: relations with Commonwealth countries and colonies were handled by the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs. For the same reason, in Commonwealth countries other than the United Kingdom, the ministers responsible for handling relations with both Commonwealth and Non-commonwealth Counties were formerly usually designated ministers for 'External Affairs'.
In the United States, the foreign minister is called the 'Secretary of State', and occupies the oldest cabinet post in the nation. Other common titles may include Minister of Foreign Relations. In many Spanish-Speaking Latin American countries, the foreign minister is called canciller (= chancellor).
Rohitha Bogollagama has been acknowledged both in Sri Lanka and overseas as the most dynamic charismatic, talented, eloquent Minister of Foreign Affairs in the history of Sri Lanka. He has been acknowledged as one of the best Minister of Foreign Affairs in the world. Rohitha Bogollagama, possessed with a dynamic personality is a kind gentleman with a humane disposition, polite and well mannered. He has been a strong supporter of President Mahinda Rajapakse both overseas and in Sri Lanka. Coupled with his rare combination of talents in advocacy, internal and international politics, he stands tall in the Cabinet and has been a loyal friend the President . Rohitha Bogollagama stands tall literally too - handsome and has a charming personality. He is admired for his unique style and choice of words which is very carefully and cleverly monitored by him before he utters them. Due to this charisma, Minister Bogollagama has often been an envy to other legislators around him which unfairly caught the attention of some sectors of the media. He is never disturbed by criticism as he is confident of himself, the President is confident of him and most of all the Nation has implicit trust in him, To add to his credibility the international community has acknowledged him as the most efficient and effective Minister of Foreign Affairs that Sri Lanka has ever had and that he is a diplomat himself. But clarity and professionalism is what Rohitha Bogollagama demands. He is meticulous in his work and expects total work performance from those within his purview. Rohitha Bogollagama has been a Member of Parliament since 2000. He is a member of Several Parliamentary Committees. I have heard the dynamic speeches made by Rohitha Bogollagama in Parliament. He has the finesse, class and eloquence to convey the message to the listener.
Born on 6th August 1954 in Kurunegala, Rohitha Bogollagama was educated at Ananda College and the Sri Lanka Law College. He was enrolled as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in 1976. He had held several Cabinet Portfolios as Minister of Industries (2001to 2004), Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion(2004-2005) Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (2005-2007) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007 to date)
As the legitimate representative of the Government overseas, he has engaged in defending the Government of Sri Lanka and convinced the international community of the present situation in the country which is in the best interests of the Nation.
Recently, Rohitha Bogollagama addressed the members of the European Parliament. Minister Bogollagama stressed on the present Military Operations and political settlement. He stated that the military efforts in the North of Sri Lanka now reaching its final phase. The military success against the Terrorists is a result of the clear sighted strategy embarked upon by President Mahinda Rajapakse in August 2006, which while seeking to address the political issues relating to the current conflict through negotiations, sought to defeat the terrorism militarily.
He stressed that Many Governments including those of EU member countries, international organizations and INGOs are involved in post-conflict development work in the East, but the EU is a noticeable absentee. The fearless outspoken Rohitha Bogollagama stated “I urge that this be corrected, and that the EU joins in the development efforts, because it is crucial that economic development take place to strengthen the restoration of democracy.
Whilst the GOSL believes that the ultimate solution to the present conflict is political,
defeating the terrorists militarily will create an environment where a political solution can be
implemented. While the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) is presently continuing
its dialogue on evolving a comprehensive solution and is informally engaging with the UNP,
defeating the terrorists militarily has provides the opportunity for the government to seek a
serious and meaningful dialogue with a number of moderate Tamil politicians, devoid of their
being under pressure from the LTTE, which would help in finding a mutually acceptable
political settlement. President Rajapaksa is committed to move as quickly as possible to
implement the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, which followed the India-Sri
Lanka Agreement of 1987 and even to explore the possibility of going further than the
existing provisions.”
“India, the US, Japan and the UK, are among the countries that have unambiguously
acknowledged the success Sri Lanka has achieved against the LTTE terrorists, in a relatively
short time with hardly any collateral damage. Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee
who visited Sri Lanka only yesterday is on record as having stated on the eve of the visit "We
are for the fight against terrorists and all sorts of terrorism. Therefore, we have no sympathy
for any terrorist activity indulged in by any organization, particularly LTTE (which) is a
banned organization in India," and India’s Foreign Secretary who met me last week re-
iterated India’s request for extradition of LTTE leader Prabhakaran, who is convicted for the
assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The United States in a
statement issued in the aftermath of the fall of Killonochchi on 6 January noted that it “does
not advocate that the Government of Sri Lanka negotiate with the LTTE”. Japanese special
peace envoy Yasushi Akashi who also met with me in Colombo last Friday also expressed
satisfaction that terrorism was being eliminated. The British government has also recognized
the government of Sri Lanka’s need to root out terrorism and British Foreign Secretary David
Miliband is on record stating “The LTTE is a proscribed terrorist organization with no
democratic mandate to represent the Tamil people. It is responsible for a terrorist campaign
that has targeted innocent civilians across all communities in Sri Lanka over the past three
decades”. In my discussions here in Brussels I have asked that the EU add its voice to
demand that the LTTE “let the people go”.
“Even as GOSL continues its military operations to defeat LTTE terrorism, it is acutely
conscious of the need to cause minimal discomfort to the civilian population of this area. It is
due to this reason that when launching the present operations in mid- 2008, the Ministry of
Defence took swift measures to establish a “Safe Corridor” so that civilians in uncleared
areas can escape to safe ground…..”,
“The GoSL, having ensured food security during the past two and a half years, is fully
committed to provide safety and relief assistance to the IDPs irrespective of any challenges
that may occur in the years to come. It is a fallacy that there are no independent bodies operating in the Wanni. The ICRC continues to remain in the operational areas to facilitate humanitarian assistance, while UN agencies, the WFP and INGOs accompany relief convoys.”
Rohitha Bogollagama also stressed on the GSP+. He stated that “EU, has emerged as the number one market for Sri Lanka’s exports. In 2007, the total value of Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU reached an all time high of US $ 2,876.8 million, which accounts for 37.4% of the total exports of Sri Lanka, registering a 21% increase over 2006. The recent surge in Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU is mainly attributed to the tariff concessions enjoyed under the GSP + arrangement that became effective from mid 2005. Exports under the GSP+ scheme has provided direct and indirect employment to well over 1 million people and several aspects of socio-economic development in Sri Lanka has benefited from the EU GSP+ scheme. Sri Lanka can be considered a model among developing countries with regard to its ethical trading practices. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in Asia, where use of child labour has been banned through national legislation and where Marks and Spencer, the global apparel giant, opened its first ever world green apparel factory in April 2008, in recognition of our environment friendly policies. Sri Lanka welcomes the European Commission decision to give 16 developing countries including Sri Lanka the GSP+ facility, for a period of three years i.e. from 01 January 2009 to end 2011. Sri Lanka has always extended cooperation to the UN and ILO convention treaty monitoring bodies relevant to the GSP+ process and also through its continuous interaction with the European institutions. The Government of Sri Lanka has effectively implemented the three conventions highlighted by the EC and is willing to engage and continue a dialogue with the EU in this respect. We have nothing to hide and will provide any clarifications needed on issues of concern to the EC authorities.”
Since the concept of Foreign Policy is a broad area, the writer will endeavour to stress on other salient points of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Policy in days to come.
[Dr.T.C.Rajaratnam LL.B(SL)., LL.M(Lond)., Ph.D(Lond)., was the Co-ordinating Secretary to the Chief Government Whip of Parliament, Late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle; The Member in charge of the English Media of the Media Observation Unit founded by Late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle for the Presidential Election Campaign of President Mahinda Rajapakse in 2005; Candidate for the Colombo District for SLFP-PA in the 1994 Parliamentary General Elections; Author; Former Lecturer in Laws, Member of the World Lawyers & Poets Society ; International Legal Consultant; CEO of the Chambers of Academic & Professional Studies] E mail: tcrajaratnam@gmail.com
-Sri Lanka Guardian
 Peace and development remain the objectives...){kind=link}
Post a Comment