Fools Barge In Where Angels Fear to Tread

President Rajapaksa’s visited South Africa, to pay his last respects to Mandela, but it is also an attempt to further strengthened the SA initiative.

Courtesy: Sri Lanka Guardian

(COLOMBO, Sri Lanka Guardian) - Suren Surendiran was elated when the South African officials announced the list of international delegations present at the funeral of Nelson Mandela, that included Global Tamil Forum (GTF) "as represented", but he failed to mention whom it was representing. GTF held talks with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and has been “officially invited” to “represent Tamils” at the funeral of former South African President Nelson Mandela. GTF Director and spokesperson Suren Surendran held talks with Obed Bopela, Deputy Minister in the Presidency. He is also Chairman of ANC’s International Relations Division. Suren also signed the official book of condolence during Mandela’s funeral.

Mr. Bopela was a member of President Jacob Zuma’s entourage for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo last month. He was present when Mr. Zuma held talks with both President Mahinda Rajapaksa and TNA leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan. Mr. Surendran took part at the final funeral ceremonies on 12 December at the Waterkloof Air Force base in Pretoria. Thereafter, the body was flown to Mandela’s home town of Qunu for the private funeral.

Shamindra Ferdinando, a Sinhalese journalist, said that GTF was representing the "Tamil Diaspora community of Sri Lankan origin in ongoing tripartite talks, involving the governments of South Africa and Sri Lanka to pave the way for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to address accountability issues. It is widely believed to be the most influential Diaspora grouping with close connections to British political parties as well as the ruling African National Congress (ANC)." She didn't indicate who appointed GTF to represent the Tamil Diaspora.

According to Shamindra well informed sources had told The Island that some of those involved in the South African led initiative were of the opinion a decision on a TRC was necessary before the next session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva in March, 2014. She didn't explain the need for TRC or the urgency for a decision. This is nothing but an attempt to save Rajapaksa from the noose.

President Rajapaksa’s visited South Africa, to pay his last respects to Mandela, but it is also an attempt to further strengthened the SA initiative. Sources pointed out that New Delhi based SA High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Geoff Doidge on 12 December declared his country’s readiness to play a spearheading role here at a commemorative event held at Sri Jayewardenepura parliament complex in memory of Mandela. The event drew senior representatives from all political parties, including the TNA.

All these stories about Suren and statements from other sources looks murky and suspicious. Only Suren can clear the air. He has right to attend the funeral of Nelson Mandela, a great man who saved his country the horrors Sri Lanka faced after independence in February 1948. He made sure for every citizen in his country, independence was meaningful. At the same time he did nothing for the Tamils in Sri Lanka in their hour of misery

On 29 May 2009 in a resolution (A/HRC/S-11/L. 1/Rev. 2) adopted by a roll-call, South Africa voted with 28 others (including India) in UNHRC in favour, of Sri Lanka. The resolution praised Sri Lanka for ending terrorism and commended the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to address the urgent needs of the Internally Displaced Persons. It welcomed the continued commitment of Sri Lanka to the promotion and protection of all human rights and encouraged it to continue to uphold its human rights obligations and the norms of international human rights law. Navi Pillay, a proud South African by her own confession, has stated that none of those statements made in the resolution was found on the ground in Sri Lanka.

GTF blundered in 2010 when it made a solo dive to South Africa (to the exclusion of TGTE) to negotiate with TNA and the host country to find a solution to the ethnic problem That that time TRC was recommended. Of course, nothing came out of it, as Rajapaksa was confident he could reshape Sri Lanka without TRC. Now as the UNHRC March 2014 is nearing, TRC is the best bet.

GTF also visited of all persons, Sonia Gandhi. No one to date knows what transpired. What is the need for all these desperate moves? GTF has to understand no determined revolution is lost in one battle. I suppose he will never visit Sonia again, as she herself is heading towards Mullivaaikkal.

Suren has to understand, at this point of time, matters are moving in favour of the Tamils. Why rock the cradle now making desperate solo dives. If GTF cannot do any good for the Tamils, at least have the curtesy not to obstruct the untiring effort made by others, Navi Pillay will be amused with TRC, nor the the British Tamils, who are working tirelessly with British Prime Minister, David Cameron.

TNA is the elected representative of the Eelam Tamils. As it is they are not making any headway in their administration in the NPC. The people are suffering. A permanent solution to the Tamil problem in Sri Lanka has to be found. That cannot be done with half-bake solo dives, that create the impression of representing the Tamils.

The other party that can claim to represent the Tamils in the Diaspora is TGTE. At least it is elected parliamentary body and is led by sensible, responsible leaders. The third force is Tamil force that represents the Tamils is Tamil Nadu, especially the students. Anybody else, claiming to represent the Tamils, is extremely naive indeed.

GTF has been engaged in this type of operation for sometime. To illustrate the point I attach the article below written in 2012 by the Sri Lanka Guardian. It explain what is South Africa's motive. It is all about money and trade, all at the expense of Tamils. The links at the end of the article shows you the extent business played in this dirty game. Please read it for your info.

GTF, South Africa and UNHRC Resolution?

[Thursday, 25 October 2012 12:11] Featured, News

Written By Sri Lanka Guardian on October 25, 2012 | 8:26 AM

We can cite other examples. The point of this is that South Africa is a friend of the Sri Lankan government in Colombo, not of the Tamils. GTF has developed a friendly relationship with South Africa, and this worries us. It seems to us that Sri Lanka is using South Africa to help Colombo improve its image around the world by appearing to talk to diaspoara organizations, and that GTF might be falling into a trap.

( October 25, 2012, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Recently a South African representative spoke to Tamil American groups. He asked that they support negotiations with the Sri Lankan government. (The groups declined, and said that TNA should do the negotiating). He also asked that Tamils in the diaspora go easy on the Sri Lankan government, which we understand to mean no demonstrations, no pushing war crimes matters, and especially not making any noise about the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka.

South Africa has developed strong business ties with Sri Lanka, and South Africa has shown that it is willing to carry water for Sri Lankan government campaigns. Besides asking the diaspora to back off from anything that embarrasses Sri Lanka, South Africa pressured Botswana not to support US sponsored resolution in the UNHRC in March 2012. Botswanas UN ambassador had promised to sponsor the US resolution when we met with him in February 2012; under South African pressure, Botswana abstained from voting on the resolution. In 2009, when the EU introduced a UNHRC resolution denouncing Sri Lankan atrocities in the civil war, South Africa voted for a resolution congratulating Colombo on their victory. We have evidence that agents of South Africa and Vietnam went to Muliyavaikal and helped the government of Sri Lanka to destroy war crimes evidence in Muliyavaikal.

We can cite other examples. The point of this is that South Africa is a friend of the Sri Lankan government in Colombo, not of the Tamils. GTF has developed a friendly relationship with South Africa, and this worries us. It seems to us that Sri Lanka is using South Africa to help Colombo improve its image around the world by appearing to talk to diaspoara organizations, and that GTF might be falling into a trap. We think that Sri Lanka and their South African helpers are trying to nullify the UNHRC resolution, which may call for an international commission of inquiry. This international inquiry has been the main goal of many Tamils for years, and we fear that GTF may be inadvertently helping to kill it.

Here are some outside sources telling more about the GOSL/South Africa alliance:

This is the joint South African / Sri Lankan statement on March 5, 2012 during the UNHRC session. Points to note:

1) Even though it was only days before the UNHRC Sri Lanka Resolution; there was NO mention of that Resolution or of the UNHRC.

2) GL Peiris also met with the South African President. (Diplomatic Protocol is to meet at the same level). Only when they are close, do they meet above Protocol. (Ex: GL might meet with Hillary Clinton, but never meets Obama.)

3) The joint statement emphasizes Truth & Reconciliation and NOT accountability.

4) This joint statement, endorses Sri Lanka’s position dealing with the issue domestically, without any international involvement.

Link: http://www.dfa.gov.za/docs/2012/sril0307.html

ANC business delegation visits Sri Lanka

Link: http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2001/pix/PrintPage.asp?REF=/2012/09/16/new40.asp

Sri Lanka to promote trade in Africa : Visit of Sri Lankan Business Delegation to South Africa

Link: http://www.srilanka.co.za/news2.html

GL Pieris seems to have a very close connection to Mr. Roelf Meyer

Link: http://www.srilanka.co.za/news1.html

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