Ceasefire, dialogue imperative for recovery- Bill Clinton

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 December 2006, 13:09 GMT]
While noting that all must "recognize that peace is critical to any recovery process," Bill Clinton former President of the US, said in an op-ed column in the Tuesday edition of the Washington Post, that "tragically the tsunami has not had a similar impact on reconciliation in Sri Lanka, where the recovery will continue to be hampered until the parties resume a serious dialogue and reestablish ceasefire."

He added: "I hope they will choose to work for peace; all of Sri Lanka, especially the tsunami victims will continue to suffer until they do."

He praised Aceh, where he said, long-conflicted groups put aside entrenched differences and created an environment conducive to reconstruction.

Clinton also said in the article: "I have just completed my third and final trip to affected region as the UN Secretary general's special envoy for tsunami recovery. In India, Thailand and Indonesia, I saw once again the resilience of the human spirit and the determination to build a better tomorrow."

Observers had earlier pointed out that Clinton avoided visiting Sri Lanka to express his displeasure in Colombo's handling of tsunami recovery, especially derailing the P-TOMS.

External Links:

WP:

Recovering from Tragedy - Bill Clinton