Transcript of Deputy Assistant Secretary Atul

Keshap's interview with Dharisha Bastians

June 20, 2014
Journalist: Lets go over why you are here and what issues you are raising.
DAS Keshap: Sure. As part of my o! "m responsi!le for #.S. foreign relations with South
Asia$ including Sri Lan%a$ so " was here in &anuary with Assistant Secretary 'isha Biswal.
And$ its !een a few months$ so we felt it would !e a useful moment to come !ac% and tal% to
government officials$ civil society activists$ people who are in the %now a!out where things are
going right now. (e tal%ed to some religious leaders as well. And ust get a sense of the
situation in Sri Lan%a and what impact that has on #.S. foreign policy and on decisions we
ma%e going forward.
" had a very good set of meetings) " met with *oreign +inister ,.L. -eiris. " met with Defense
Secretary ,ota!haya .aapa%sa. " met T'A leader Sampanthan. " met with Basil .aapa%sa$
Lalith (eeratunga$ Sain /aas and "m trying to thin% who else. (ho am " forgetting0
Embassy official: The !usiness community meeting.
ecutives. So ust a very good sort of sampling of whats going on$ various opinions.
But$ " thin% the main purpose of my visit was to see$ you %now$ how much progress Sri Lan%a
is ma%ing as a society$ a government people society$ path towards national reconciliation$ and
putting a definitive end to the conflict and forging a society that is reconciled$ peaceful$
democratic$ prosperous$ inclusive$ and firmly dedicated to human rights for all$ irrespective of
religious identity$ ethnic identity$ region$ or anything else.
" thin% the #.S.$ and " shared this in my meetings$ the #.S. has a very !right and am!itious
vision of the future of Sri Lan%a$ of a Sri Lan%a connected to Southeast Asia$ to South Asia$ to
the +iddle 1ast. A Sri Lan%a that serves as an economic !ridge !etween all those various
regions. A Sri Lan%a where all people live e2ually and freely without fear of any intimidation
or violence. A Sri Lan%a with ro!ust democratic institutions. A Sri Lan%a where investment is
flowing in and connectivity$ economic connectivity is generating ro!ust ,D- growth. A Sri
Lan%a a!ove all things that is at peace$ that is reconciled$ that has had a reconciliation process
that addresses the war and the time after the war and that really consolidates a lasting peace
going forward that is !asically !uilt on the foundation of ro!ust democratic principles and
respect for human rights.
Journalist: So some of the issues li%e human rights reconciliation$ given the !ac%drop of the
resolution$ the #' investigation$ these are difficult issues. So are the meetings cordial0 (hat
%ind of response do you get when you raise issues li%e human rights0
DAS Keshap: 3f course the meetings are cordial. " had e4cellent meetings all around town.
But there are some issues that are 2uite trou!ling and " did address them in my meetings. There
were the riots the other day !etween Buddhists and +uslims down south in which a few people
were %illed. There was the Buddhist mon% that was found very !adly !eaten up ust the day "
arrived. There had !een the ongoing incidents against houses of worship$ particularly 5hristian
and +uslim houses of worship. There has !een$ as you well %now$ the continuing concern of
the #nited States a!out the amount of space availa!le to civil society and to ournalists and for
free association and freedom of speech. There have !een concerns a!out the ongoing process
of reconciliation and devolution in the north including conditions in the north that have !een
highlighted !y urists such as 6asmin Soo%a who has studied the pattern of se4ual harassment
and violence against men and women in the north.
So$ these things came up !ecause they are " thin% impediments to the achievement of that very
ro!ust vision that the #nited States has for Sri Lan%a. " raised them as a friend. " say as a
friend and on !ehalf of a country sincerely desirous of seeing Sri Lan%a achieve that vision$
you %now$ and " wanted to get a sense of what government is doing to address that.
3f course the government has said that its ta%ing steps to ensure that the perpetrators of this
violence that too% place the other day will !e trac%ed down$ !ut " thin% its important for
government to do those things and to ensure that there is accounta!ility and that people cannot
act with impunity$ especially when using violence$ such e4treme violence.
So$ follow up is of course essential in all of these areas. The tone the government sets is of
vital importance. And the follow through of government institutions in ensuring impartial
ustice for all$ rule of law$ accounta!ility for any agents of the security forces that may have
engaged in any human rights a!uses.
" stress that these are very very important for !olstering the confidence in people$ particularly
those that are minorities$ whether religious or ethnic minorities .
Journalist: (ith regard to the riots$ the #.S. has repeatedly has raised the issues of religious
freedom and attac%s against minorities$ and " thin% on almost every occasion the government
has !een sort of underplayed. Do you sense that in your discussions after the riots$ do you
thin% the attitude has changed0
DAS Keshap: (e condemned the riots !oth in a statement here and in a statement in
(ashington. And " would note that the #' 7uman .ights 5ouncil .esolution that passed in
+arch also had a mention a!out the deteriorating climate of religious freedom in Sri Lan%a.
3ur view in America is that our diversity gives us our strength. And that the very da88ling
diversity of the American people is something to !e cherished and appreciated. And that while
we have the demographics that indicate there is a maority of people that are adherents to
5hristianity$ it doesnt mean that one religion or one set of !eliefs should !e a!ove all the
others. Diversity is our strength and e2uality is our strength and it ma%es our country more
coherent$ it ma%es it more strong$ it ma%es it more sta!le$ and " !elieve it ma%es it more
prosperous.
So when it comes to treatment of religious minorities$ there have !een indications for several
months of an increase in intimidation and violence against particularly mos2ues and churches$
and it was noted in the 7uman .ights 5ouncil report. And " !elieve that one of 99 " mean
Americans always !elieve that one of our !edroc% freedoms is freedom of religion$ right0 "t
was one of the things that resulted in the founding of the #nited States. So ensuring freedom of
religion is something we care very deeply a!out. So " militate for it in all of my meetings.
Journalist: Do you thin%$ what is the reaction0 "s the reaction of the government something
positive or 99
DAS Keshap: " would say$ " dont want to put words in the mouth of the government. Thats
their o! to characteri8e their positions. But " would say that " definitely raised our concerns
and " urged that the government ta%e immediate steps to ensure that the perpetrators of this %ind
of violence$ including those who engage in hate speech that is inciting toward active threat of
!odily harm against people$ !e held to account and !e punished or put in the court system and
made to !e held accounta!le for what theyre doing. This %ind of thing is very dangerous.
Journalist: (ith regard to the #' pro!e$ it must come up in the discussions. (here do you
see it in terms of cooperation from the government0
DAS Keshap: Loo%. 6ou %now how the #nited States voted. There were :; countries in total
that voted in favor of the resolution. 5ountries that !elieve passionately in a democratic$
peaceful$ reconciled Sri Lan%a. A Sri Lan%a that can really !uild a strong !asis of future
prosperity and democracy and respect for human rights.
(e did tal% a!out the resolution and " noted with dismay the vote in the parliament a!out the
parliamentarians urging the government not to e4tend cooperation to the #' investigation.
+y view is that the 3ffice of the 7igh 5ommissioner is not only going to through their
investigation in order to enhance Sri Lan%ans own understanding and insight into what
happened$ and it will !e complementary to the investigations and insight that Sri Lan%a has
already underta%en. But that the #'$ especially the 3ffice of the 7igh 5ommissioner$ can also
offer considera!le technical e4pertise and assistance to the government of Sri Lan%a. The
3757. has long e4perience in dealing with post9conflict scenarios$ in wor%ing on very tric%y
issues of reconciliation$ of ensuring minority rights within a larger democratic whole. And "
!elieve if Sri Lan%a engages in a constructive manner with the 3757. that it can actually !e
of great !enefit to Sri Lan%a.
.ight now the countries that sort of categorically refused to cooperate with similar such
investigations are countries li%e 'orth Korea and "ran and Syria$ and so " would ust say does
Sri Lan%a want to !e seen in that company0 "s that consistent with Sri Lan%as vision of where
it sees itself in world affairs0 "s it consistent with the vision that Sri Lan%as people have of
themselves in world affairs to !e seen in that %ind of company0
Better in my opinion$ respectfully$ for Sri Lan%a to engage colla!oratively and cooperatively
and use the report and the process as the !asis for a good way forward$ a positive way forward$
that can meaningfully advance the cause of national reconciliation and accounta!ility.
Journalist: 'on9cooperation$ do you thin% it would have conse2uences for the government
ne4t year0
DAS Keshap: (ell have to loo% at that ne4t year. " cant say today what e4actly the
conse2uences would !e. But " can say that it is distur!ing to me that a country with a long
democratic tradition is currently in a very select company with 'orth Korea and Syria and "ran
and other notorious human rights violators in ust categorically refusing to wor% with the
3757. investigation.
So " would appeal to the people of Sri Lan%a that they should loo% again at this and loo% at this
as an effort !y the international community through the #' and the auspices of the #' to wor%
in a colla!orative and friendly way with the government and people of Sri Lan%a to get a sense
of what happened and put that into a !asis of understanding that can meaningfully advance the
cause$ again$ of national reconciliation and accounta!ility that then in turn creates the !asis for
a very !right future for all Sri Lan%ans.
Journalist: 7ow do you address that with the Sri Lan%an government if it has repeatedly or 99
(hat does the #.S. government do if the Sri Lan%an government repeatedly denies that it has
engaged in these violations and it will not<0
DAS Keshap: (e have a difference of opinion.
Journalist: (hat does that mean internationally0
DAS Keshap: (ell$ it means that there will !e continued attention !y countries that sincerely
wish only the !est for Sri Lan%a and for the people of Sri Lan%a to continue as friends$ to
engage with this government$ to point out that there are issues that we feel need to !e
addressed.
"n order for this country to secure the !lessings of peace and secure the !lessings of this post9
conflict phase$ there needs to !e a meaningful process of national reconciliation to include a
meaningful discussion a!out events that happened during the war on !oth sides$ !y !oth parties
to the conflict. And some process of accounta!ility that can create the conditions not only for
reconciliation which is truly important after such a terri!le conflict$ !ut also create the
necessary conditions for the political understandings that will heal the wounds and really put
the country irrevoca!ly on the path towards peace$ prosperity$ greater democracy and greatly
reduces if not eliminates the chances of a return to war.
Journalist: Do you thin% that for three years this accounta!ility narrative has !een$ the #.S.
has pushed for accounta!ility in Sri Lan%a0 Do you thin% that this emphasis on the war crimes
issues and human rights issues that it ma%es diplomatic engagement pro!lematic and also tends
to polari8e opinion here0 " mean positions held a!out America.
DAS Keshap: To !e very candid$ " thin% theres a tremendous amount of spin out there that
says that the #nited States is only focused on accounta!ility and if you loo% at the resolution
te4t it says that we care a!out accounta!ility of course$ !ut we care a!out national
reconciliation$ we care a!out human rights$ we care a!out respect for religious minorities$ we
care a!out meaningful devolution of powers to ensure that a true federal compact can !e forged
to really cement the peace and put the country on a good trac%.
So there are some who say all we care a!out is accounta!ility. " would say we have a much
!roader and much more positive and am!itious vision of Sri Lan%a.
" feel that we have sometimes$ in some cases$ more faith in what Sri Lan%a can achieve that
some people here in 5olom!o might articulate. There is such a !roader and more complete
picture of what weve !een advocating for through the 3757.$ the 7unan .ights 5ouncil
.esolution$ and also in our !ilateral engagement. So accounta!ility is one element of a !roader
political process that heals the wounds of the war and sets this country on a path towards
greater sta!ility$ greater prosperity$ and greater democracy.
Journalist: (e see that in the !roader issues there has !een a lot of emphasis on democracy
and even " thin% State Department report mentioned corruption$ nepotism$ things li%e that. And
the Sri Lan%an state construes this %ind of tal% as intrusive. (hy is the #.S. concerned a!out
democracy and corruption and nepotism0 "ts not as if the #.S. doesnt engage with
undemocratic regimes.
DAS Keshap: 'o$ we engage all over the world. (ere a glo!al power. (e tal% to every!ody
including some countries were not terri!ly pleased with. But the point of !eing a glo!al power
is you engage all over the world. (e have tal%s with the "ranians going on on a regular !asis
these days.
Loo%$ Americas foreign policy is !ased and rooted in American values$ and we have a conceit$
whether you thin% rightly or wrongly$ that our values are good values. Theyre positive values
and they have contri!uted to the prosperity and freedom of the American people. And we
!elieve thats whats fran%ly wor%ed for us is also very li%ely going to wor% for a lot of other
countries around the world.
"f you loo% at countries that we feel have ta%en to heart values of freedom$ li!erty$ e2ual
opportunity$ the fundamental freedoms of speech and assem!ly and religion and so on and so
forth$ these countries have done very well.
Loo% at the large multi9ethnic$ multi9religious societies that cherish their diversity$ cherish their
freedoms$ and !uild a !right future for their countries. " count the #nited States as first among
them. But there are so many others. Theres "ndia right ne4t door that is reali8ing the strength
in its very da88ling diversity$ right0 And its the civili8ational value of !eing true to these
values$ democratic values.
So when we tal% a!out corruption$ nepotism$ things li%e that$ our point is that !y esta!lishing
clean and transparent systems of government$ !y ensuring the supervision and oversight of the
people over government$ !y ensuring ro!ust democratic processes$ that those are the !est
vehicles for ensuring the prosperity and the happiness of all the people of the country. That it
doesnt serve ust a few$ it serves the entire population.
So we ta%e license to tal% a!out these things !ecause they form a fundamental element of our
values and we do tal% a!out it with other countries. (ere an open society. (e certainly invite
criticism of ourselves. And if you read the editorial pages here theres plenty of criticism of the
#nited States. And we ta%e it. 3%ay$ people have a right. (e dont worry a!out it. (e dont
o!sess a!out it. "n fact " thin% were pretty good a!out ta%ing constructive criticism.
Journalist: *ive years down the line after the end of the war$ does the #.S. still !elieve that
Sri Lan%a is on human rights interested in true reconciliation0
DAS Keshap: Thats a 2uestion for the Sri Lan%an people to answer. Thats a 2uestion for the
Sri Lan%an government to answer. Thats a 2uestion for Sri Lan%as political leadership to
answer. All " can say is the #.S. !elieves in a very !right future for this country and it !elieves
that Sri Lan%a has the potential in terms of human capital$ in terms of resources$ in terms of
geographic location$ in terms of having secured peace after a very !rutal civil war. "t has all of
the ingredients to create a !right future of a country with a ,D- three$ four$ five times what it is
today in ust the ne4t ;= or >= years. A country connected to the entire world. A country that is
not the su!ect of #' 7uman .ights 5ouncil .esolutions !ecause it has perfected its
democracy and perfected its respect for human rights. A country that has created a meaningful
formula for devolution of power and federalism$ to ensure coherence among the various
regions. A country that is reconciled$ peaceful$ and prosperous. So again$ " cant answer that
2uestion !ecause its really not for the #.S. to say. "ts for Sri Lan%ans to say. Do they have
that vision0 Do they share the vision that the #nited States has for Sri Lan%a0
Journalist: But do the increasingly harsher #' .esolutions indicate that theres a loss of
patience0
DAS Keshap: "ts !een five years since the war ended and " havent seen any meaningful
discussion or movement along the lines of a meaningful negotiation of the very tric%y political
issues related to federalism. .ight0 *ive years after the war ended there hasnt !een any
meaningful movement toward any %ind of accounta!ility. *ive years after the war ended "m
sorry to say that there seems to have !een deterioration in the respect for human rights in this
country in the north$ in the south$ all around. These things do give pause.
Journalist: "ts nice to meet you.
DAS Keshap: /ery nice to meet you. Than% you so much for your time.