NEITHER Australia nor the international community believed the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka could be solved by the creation of an independent Tamil state, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said yesterday.
In an interview with ABC Television Minister Smith said the safety and protection of civilians must be the absolute priority for all sides engaged in fighting in northern Sri Lanka
He said Australia would commit an additional $4.5 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians caught up in the conflict in northern Sri Lanka. This assistance will provide urgent support including medical supplies, shelter, water and sanitation, he said.
"It's all aimed at trying to relieve the terrible humanitarian situation we find in Sri Lanka," he said.
"We have seen in recent days and weeks a very large number of displaced people and the assistance is aimed at trying to alleviate their burden," he said.
The aid will be delivered through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ($1.5 million), the International Organization for Migration ($1.5 million), International Committee of the Red Cross ($1.0 million) and RED R Australia, an Australian NGO which supports UNICEF in the delivery of water, sanitation, and shelter ($0.5 million).
The $4.5 million package is in addition to the $9 million in humanitarian support and food aid Australia has allocated to Sri Lanka since December last year. Australia has consistently made clear its deep concern about the humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka and agrees with the Secretary General that the UN humanitarian team in Sri Lanka should be given full access to the conflict zone to assess the full extent of the civilian situation in the area.
Mr. Smith said he had spoken at length to his British counterpart David Miliband over the weekend.
"We want to see the Tamil Tigers lay down their arms," he said.
It had been clear for months the Sri Lankan Government was winning the war.
"But it needs more than a military solution to give the Sri Lankan people the chance of a long-term enduring peace," Mr. Smith said.
Australia continued to urge the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers to cease hostilities and seek a political settlement.
(Courtesy: Daily Mirror)
