By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

An academic, economist, author and politician, Dr. Subramanian Swamy is the President of the Janata Party of India and takes strong opposition to what he terms as the ‘leaning politics of Tamil Nadu.’In an exclusive interview with Ceylon Today, the Harvard scholar and former Indian Cabinet Minister who has lately taken up the cause of regional security, insisted Sri Lanka would come out of the Geneva sessions unscathed, exposing pro-Tiger lobbyists and the Western bias to the world and be able to stand out as a country that had withstood international pressure and tackle terrorism on its own terms.

Dr.Subramanian Swamy meeting President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa-pic courtesy of: facebook.com/Swamy.39

Excerpts:

Q: The United States has tabled a resolution against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). There is strong belief that India would vote in favour of the resolution. What is your view?

A: I am not in a position to predict India’s response though I am in a better position to predict the outcome of the resolution.

Sri Lanka will be supported by many nations and it will be to the detriment of India’s relationship with her island neighbour if India supports the resolution.

India did vote in favour of the first resolution and this could be India’s choice, this time too. Continuously alienating one’s neighbour is bad for regional cordiality and not worth the risk, simply because the centre is in Tamil Nadu’s stranglehold. India should not forget that Sri Lanka is in this predicament, having taken strong steps to curb terrorism within its shores from which India directly benefited and will continue to benefit. Our backyard is now safe, thanks to your troops.

Q: How can Sri Lanka garner that much of support when the international community tends to view the island as a transgressor of human rights?

A: That is how certain countries perceive Sri Lanka – not all. Just like India being unqualified to berate others on their human rights records and excesses, the US and many others too don’t have the moral right.

We should respect human rights, but these European yardsticks are unnecessary and unacceptable. On the other hand, countries should be brave enough to question the US of its own human rights record. What is happening in Kashmir, and India too should answer some questions.

There are certain countries which fanned the flames of terror in your country and they may continue to use the ‘human rights’ label to fan the flames of separatism and terror. Sri Lanka should watch against such sinister moves.

Q: Your closeness to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and your approach to the war here are well known. Are you at this moment, lobbying on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government?

A: I am not on some lobbying assignment, if that’s what you are asking me. I don’t do any lobbying for countries or people the way lobby groups operate in places like the US, paid to lobby for a position. I speak the truth, the way I see it.

The Sri Lankan President is a man of great courage and I admire him. His approach to the war benefits more than any other, my own country. His actions have been to my benefit, as an Indian who is concerned about regional security.

Q: However, you recently did lobby with the United States to go easy on Sri Lanka and propped bilateral talks to strengthen Sri Lanka’s human rights record?

A: That I did, yes. I met Robert O. Blake, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia and told him what I thought of the US move. I cautioned the US that the resolution should not be seen as a victory of the divisive forces close to the LTTE, indirectly helping the movement’s revival which would be to everyone’s detriment.

I also said it is imprudent to call for internationally appointed bodies to probe HR violations when a democratically elected government is in office. It is ridiculous.

Q: Is there a possibility of economic sanctions being imposed on Sri Lanka in the near future?

A; I don’t think so. Sri Lanka is a rapidly progressing democratic nation. Despite the war, you have conducted elections on time and there is civil administration restored in the former war zones. There is normalcy.

There are many things that are linked to the imposition of economic embargoes. In any case, it is extreme action by the UN and we do know how the UN treats different countries, based on its own bias and at the behest of those enjoying veto powers.

Sri Lanka has not slid to such depths which merit extreme action such as economic embargoes. This must be the dubious propaganda claims of countries and organizations that want to see Sri Lanka penalized for defeating the LTTE, which if allowed, would have been a global menace and threatened the security of the SAARC region.

Q: What makes you so confident about Sri Lanka receiving sufficient backing in Geneva, as opposed to the last time. What has changed?

A: When your country was continuously condemned as a violator of human rights, it was just after the war. Feelings run high at such times. The majority of the Tamils may have felt the government crushed not militancy but the entire community.

Four years later, you can see how the island has progressed, leaving the ugly scars of the war, behind.

The former war zones are being developed, new industries are coming in and there is investment. By ending the military engagements, you have defeated terrorism and secured millions of lives. Just four years after the war, this level of post-war recovery is a matter for celebration. The international community cannot be blind to that reality.

Q: Nevertheless, there is every possibility that India would vote against Sri Lanka and will be in line with the US.

A: Of course that can happen. It depends on how much prudence India possesses and how futuristic India wants to be. India should also not push Sri Lanka towards ‘strange friends,’ seeking support.

The decision to vote in favour of the resolution came last time as appeasement for a vocal actress who is running the affairs of an important state like Tamil Nadu. The crocodile tears shed by Tamil Nadu politicians are not shed for the Tamil people of Sri Lanka or elsewhere.

They are shed for their political survival. A number of times, the Centre had acted in an unacceptable manner, siding with Tamil Nadu for coalition politics. Such decisions are clouded because they are politically motivated and go against our country.

Q: You mentioned an international probe into violations? How keen is the US to push this position?

A: It is not a question of the US being keen but about the rest of the world not being keen on it. Such a probe would be intrusive and a violation of sovereignty. But, there is China and Russia – friends of Sri Lanka – who will veto such a move. I hope India will not disgrace itself.

Delhi should act with a measure of prudence and caution. It should also take a realistic view of the ground situation and become more involved with Sri Lanka and extend a friendly arm for it to develop itself.

Q: The war had ended but there is no political solution in sight to the question that caused ethnic violence. Do you feel the Rajapaksa Administration is doing enough?

A: I am aware that some processes are in place. These processes also tend to take time.

Sri Lanka should implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and devolve power. India should support
such a move. While the LTTE had to be defeated in the interest of many, the
Tamils of the LTTE is not the defeat of the Tamil people.The government must act in this regard.
COURTESY:CEYLON TODAY