* Obama urges Tamil Tigers to lay down arms and allow civilians to leave
May 14, Colombo: The U.S. President, Barack Obama on Wednesday warning that without urgent action, the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka could turn into a catastrophe, urged the Tamil Tigers to lay down their arms and let civilians go.
"Their forced recruitment of civilians and their use of civilians as human shields is deplorable. These tactics will only serve to alienate all those who carry them out," Obama said in a statement released to the press.
Obama also urged the Sri Lankan government to halt the fighting and to take several steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
"First, the government should stop the indiscriminate shelling that has taken hundreds of innocent lives, including several hospitals, and the government should live up to its commitment to not use heavy weapons in the conflict zone," he urged.
Secondly, he said, the government should give United Nations humanitarian teams access to the civilians who are trapped between the warring parties so that they can receive the immediate assistance necessary to save lives.
President Obama also urged the Sri Lankan government to allow the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross access to the nearly 190,000 displaced people at the welfare centers to receive the help they need.
Obama said the United States stands ready to work with the international community to support the people of Sri Lanka in this time of suffering.
"I don't believe that we can delay. Now is the time for all of us to work together to avert further humanitarian suffering," he commented.
Looking ahead Obama said Sri Lanka must seek a peace that is secure and lasting, and grounded in respect for all of its citizens.
"More civilian casualties and inadequate care for those caught in resettlement camps will only make it more difficult to achieve the peace that the people of Sri Lanka deserve," he warned.
SOURCE
May 14, Colombo: The U.S. President, Barack Obama on Wednesday warning that without urgent action, the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka could turn into a catastrophe, urged the Tamil Tigers to lay down their arms and let civilians go.
"Their forced recruitment of civilians and their use of civilians as human shields is deplorable. These tactics will only serve to alienate all those who carry them out," Obama said in a statement released to the press.
Obama also urged the Sri Lankan government to halt the fighting and to take several steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
"First, the government should stop the indiscriminate shelling that has taken hundreds of innocent lives, including several hospitals, and the government should live up to its commitment to not use heavy weapons in the conflict zone," he urged.
Secondly, he said, the government should give United Nations humanitarian teams access to the civilians who are trapped between the warring parties so that they can receive the immediate assistance necessary to save lives.
President Obama also urged the Sri Lankan government to allow the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross access to the nearly 190,000 displaced people at the welfare centers to receive the help they need.
Obama said the United States stands ready to work with the international community to support the people of Sri Lanka in this time of suffering.
"I don't believe that we can delay. Now is the time for all of us to work together to avert further humanitarian suffering," he commented.
Looking ahead Obama said Sri Lanka must seek a peace that is secure and lasting, and grounded in respect for all of its citizens.
"More civilian casualties and inadequate care for those caught in resettlement camps will only make it more difficult to achieve the peace that the people of Sri Lanka deserve," he warned.
SOURCE
