The Role of a Foreign Minister

"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."
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By Dr.Levins T.C.Rajaratnam*

(August 06, 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.

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 organization 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
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,itisacutelyconscious 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.”

The Grund Norm of the Victory at War -The Activism of Rohitha Bogollagama – Convincing the International Community

Everywhere there were sounds of victory, celebrations, cheering and congratulatory messages from one end to another. Everyone acknowledged our Leader His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapakse which was very important, the Army that too was important, the Defence Secretary that too was very important and others who deserve recognition, but in the confusion one more important figure was forgotten. That person is Rohitha Bogollagama who fought with the International Community justifying the position of Sri Lanka as an independent country with the right to protect its territorial integrity and paved way for Sri Lanka to be victorious. It was the President who handpicked him to be the Foreign Minister as he was confident that Minister Bogollagama would fulfill his obligations and complete the task entrusted to him.

Rohitha Bogollagama had to convince the International community from interfering lest we would not have been able to proceed with the was against terrorism. It was no easy task. His skills of advocacy was put to task together with the strength and determination of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapakse. So, President Mahinda Rajapakse, Hon.Basil Rajapakse M.P., Snr Advisor to the President, the dynamic Defence Secretary Mr.Gotabaya Rajapakse and Rohitha Bogollagama are the front liners to the Victory.

I have watched over a couple of months, with awe, the unique style of Minister Bogollagama’s positive activism with sharp and carefully chosen words that hit back diplomatically the members of the international community thus enabling the Army to go ahead with their assertive, offensive and defensive action which led to the victory over the terrorists.

Minister Bogollagama has great humility and dignity but his stature and words expressed by him invites respect.

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.

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.

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.

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 organization 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.

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);

I the good fortune of meeting his spouse Mdme.Deepthi Bogollagama who is well conversant in local and international politics. I at once realized that the proverb “Behind every successful man there is a woman”. She has the charm of Royalty and elegance of diplomacy, a Lawyer by profession, absolutely analytical in her speech and I wonder why she was not yet in Parliament.

The Necessity of Diplomacy in crises

With the war against terrorism our nation has been more patriotic than ever before. As how the world look at us owing to the accusations made against us by vested interests has become futile. We have overcome the difficulties and convinced the world that we were justified in doing what we had to do.

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. First, it is imperative to promote democracy in international relations. To respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all countries and resolve internal conflicts. 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 co-ordination.

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, co-operation through consultation and development through exchanges. This is the time to be diplomatic with other Nations and the United Nations without losing grip of the ground situation and antagonizing others. A cool mind and a cool disposition is important for diplomatic victory.

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 organization 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.

History tells us that solidarity means strength, progress and success. Peace, co-operation, 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 co-operation and raise their voice and strengthen their position in international affairs if they are to secure their fundamental interests.

One of the magnificent achievements of the UN has been the transformation that has taken place in global opinion on the relationship that should obtain between the governing and the governed, between the government and the citizen. It was on the basis of the moral authority of the General Assembly’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the determined endeavors of the Commission on Human Rights, that this transformation was achieved. The dignity of the individual has now, largely as a result of United Nations leadership in the field of human rights, been placed, as it should be, amongst the primary priorities of national and international attention.

The Universal Declaration on Human Rights is not limited in scope to ensuring the observance of human rights by Governments alone. The Declaration has a far wider purpose: the observance of human rights by all governmental and non-governmental alike. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration, which requires that everyone has the right to life; and the provisions of article 30 of the Declaration prescribes that: “Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein”. An act of terrorism by a non-governmental entity against civilians is surely a violation of the human rights of its victims and, surely, a crime against humanity as well.

We know the horrific consequences of terrorism: the horror; the thousands of unsuspecting innocent lives lost or maimed, the thousands of families then left to grieve; the countless personal tragedies that terrorism leaves. The horrors of Terrorism has devastated the country and have cast a heavy burden on successive Governments and the Nation including all of us and on humanity as a whole. There are also the larger disruptions of national stability and order as well: of the economy and the customary ways of life.

We remember the bombing of the Central Bank, the adjacent Buildings, the Temple of the Tooth Relic and other Temples, the buses and trains in Sri Lanka where numerous people of all communities were killed, injured, the numerous innocent civilians who were killed and each of us would have a story to tell about the injuries sustained or the deaths of our loved ones. The assassination of President Premadasa, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Presidential Candidate Gamini Dissanayake, Cabinet Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Dr.Neelan Tiruchelvam and Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar are some of the many victims.

The Terrorism of the eleventh of September, in the USA gave rise to a “coming-together” of the people, in the finest traditions of humanity. On the twelfth of September, the Security Council and the General Assembly convened to express: their collective condolences; an unqualified condemnation of the terrorism: a determination that those responsible should not go unpunished; and firm concurrence that terrorism threatened the foundations of human society and order and would need to be, and must be, globally removed.

We have to revive and resuscitate the morale of the people affected by the war, and their relatives all over. So, instead of talking about the unfortunate dead let us help the livings who are dying in the IDP camps. Let us get together and support them. The Government is doing everything possible to help them. Let us hope that such a deep sense of the “togetherness” of all of humanity will continue to be pervasive.

Lakshman Kadirgamar is remembered to have said “A criminal organization – whether involved in rebellion against a State or not – must depend for its sustenance outside the law. For its massive operations and massive weaponry, massive collections of funds are continually required. As funds available for criminal activities within a State, especially a developing State, are Inevitably small, and the monitoring of their collection and disbursement relatively simple, fund collection for such activities is carried out abroad – through international criminal networks, of course – and also, as in all criminal enterprises, through knowing or unknowing front organizations or other entities that now proliferate in many forms, in many countries – often in the guise, sadly, of charitable groups or groups ostensibly concerned with human rights, ethnic cultural or social matters….. The many disparate forces for international terrorism do not come together in one monolithic whole. They are variously interconnected in numerous ways and their international networks are extensive. They are mutually supportive and communicate through the global underworld of crime when special missions are afoot. If international terrorism is to be ever removed from our midst, we must begin with the recognition that international terrorism is a form of global criminality. We must not let ourselves be deceived by the artfully crafted cloaks of false pretensions. It is the method of terrorism as in the murder of innocent civilians and the defiance of the sanctity of life – that defines terrorism.”

We should therefore not be surprised that allegations of civilian casualty in the present times generates from certain corporate interests involved in international terrorism and their complex trade beneficiaries.

Over thirty years or more we have not been able to solve this problem. We require a balance between the need to achieve a military victory and the needs of humanity. In this sense, necessity has been viewed as a limitation to unbridled barbarity. The application of the doctrine of military necessity makes use of the principle of proportionality as a mechanism for determining the positioning of a fulcrum between these competing poles. Using proportionality thus gives effect to the recognition that the choice of methods and means of conducting war or armed conflict are not unlimited.

The means and methods of conducting war operate to achieve a particular military objective, which consequently assists in achieving a larger political objective.

Military necessity admits of all direct destruction of life or limb of armed enemies, and of other persons whose destruction is incidentally unavoidable in the armed contests of the war; it allows of the capturing of every armed enemy, and every enemy of importance or of peculiar danger to the captor; it allows of all destruction of property, and obstruction of the ways and channels of traffic, travel, or communication, and of all withholding of sustenance or means of life from the enemy;

The ‘principle of distinction’ is fundamental to humanitarian law, but its precise content varies according to the kind of conflict. In national liberation struggles – and international armed conflicts – the distinction is between ‘civilians’ and ‘combatants.’ Combatants have no right to life under humanitarian law. Every individual is classified as either a combatant or as a kind of protected person, such as a prisoner of war (a captured combatant) or a civilian. An individual’s rights change when his classification changes. A civilian has the right not to be targeted for attack and the right to receive some protection from attack. If the civilian joins the armed militants, he exchanges the rights of a civilian for the rights of a combatant. A combatant has the right to take part in hostilities.

We look for diplomacy. But there is no diplomacy with some of those opposed to us. We do not consider them opponents but they oppose every conceivable move we make to develop the country. Sometimes, there is no compromise with such people, no meeting of minds – no point of understanding – so we would have a just choice -defeat it or be defeated by it. This is where there was a necessity for military intervention. We learnt that however much we strive for peace, we need a strong defence capability where a peaceful approach fails. Whatever the dangers of the action we take, the dangers of inaction are far greater. Let us not negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate. We cannot restore peace unless we can find some way to bring the nation close together. We must be Patriotic. We must uphold and defend the Constitution and the Head of State-the President. We owe allegiance to the President and the Constitution as Citizens of Sri Lanka. We must uphold the norms of the Constitution apprehend and prosecute those who terrorize us by their actions and threats, then economic prosperity will follow suit. Our destiny lies in our hands.

*The Writer is the Chief Editor of Sri Lanka Patriot(www.srilankapatriot.org)

-Sri Lanka Guardian