Handy Work of Tamil Tigers
http://www.spur.asn.au/LTTE_Atrocities_20070528_Ratmalana_Bomb.htm
http://www.spur.asn.au/LTTE_Atrocities_20060615_Kebithigollewa_Massacre.htm
http://www.spur.asn.au/chronology_of_suicide_bomb_attacks_by_Tamil_Tigers_in_sri_Lanka.htm
http://www.spur.asn.au/After_signing_the_so-called_JM.htm
"???-?????" <kvjohan@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:18a64837-53e6-440f-a66d-639898456cb6@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> US concerned over Lanka's 'anti US axis'
>
> By Mendaka Abeysekera in New York
> The United States has clearly indicated that it has serious concerns
> over Sri Lankan Government's growing ties and diplomatic relations
> with anti-US axis, with countries like China, Iran and Russia.
>
> It is learnt that the US State Department has already displayed its
> displeasure over Sri Lanka's bilateral relation****p with President
> Mahmud Ahmadinejad's administration.
>
> Despite, the Iranian President's scheduled state visit to Sri Lanka in
> April, the US State Department conveyed its displeasure to Colombo
> through diplomatic channels.
>
> The high ranking Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry officials in Colombo
> downplayed the im****tance of Sri Lanka's close ties with Iran as
> traditional bilateral diplomatic relations between two independent
> countries.
>
> "We learn that the US State Department is totally satisfied with Sri
> Lankan Government's diplomatic response," diplomatic sources said.
>
> During his state visit, President Ahmadinejad is expected to visit the
> water power plant project in Uma Oya and other projects developed with
> the help of Iranian grants.
>
> During President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to Tehran in November 2007,
> the Iranian Government agreed to grant a US$ 1.6 billion line of
> credit, primarily to help Sri Lanka buy Iranian oil.
>
> Iranian line of credit is the biggest single foreign grant, which Sri
> Lanka has received during the last few years.
> Rajapaksa discussed regional and international issues including
> Palestine and the expansion of bilateral ties between Tehran and
> Colombo, during his trip.
>
> He also met with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
> Seyyed Ali Khamenei and some high-ranking officials.
> China and Russia are Sri Lanka's main arm suppliers.
>
> According to Jane's Defence News, Sri Lanka has already advanced talks
> with Russia over the procurement of five new MiG-29 fighter aircraft.
>
> Last year, Chinese Government's assistance has grown to nearly US$1
> billion, eclipsing Sri Lanka's long-time biggest donor, Japan.
>
> Last week, The New York Times, discussed the new development with Sri
> Lanka's Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona. He admitted that Sri Lanka's
> 'traditional donors' namely, the United States, Canada and the
> European Union, had "receded into a very distant corner," to be
> replaced by countries in the East. Foreign Secretary Kohona gave three
> reasons: The new donors are neighbours; they are rich; and they
> conduct themselves differently. "Asians don't go around teaching each
> other how to behave," he said. "There are ways we deal with each other
> -- perhaps a quiet chat, but not wagging the finger."
>
> In January, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriation Act
> 2008, which was passed by the US Congress, banned the supply of
> military equipment and services to Sri Lanka.
>
> According to this Act, before any military supplies are made to Sri
> Lanka, the Secretary of State should certify that Colombo has improved
> its human rights record in certain specific areas.
>
> ****
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