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Style sees biggest US-SL joint military exercise "It is not only the Sri Lankan security forces who benefit from such exercises. Even the US military benefits from such sessions," said Lt. Col Richard S. Girven the Defence and Army Attache of the US Embassy in Colombo who was involved in co-ordinating the joint military exercise on behalf of the US government. Describing the latest training session as one of the biggest of nine such sessions conducted between the two countries, he said these military exercises inevitably created the impression that the presence of US personnel was always in the interest of the US. But on the contrary he said the Sri Lankan forces too were able to improve their military skills and capabilities due to such training sessions. He said such training sessions helped both countries to swap experiences as well as gain experiences. "We benefit from training in Sri Lanka by training under different circumstances, with people with different experiences," Lt. Col Girven. said. Describing the different experiences between the two countries he said US personnel who come here gain experience about how to fight a guerilla war, while Sri Lankan forces gain experience in the use of sophisticated weapons. He also said the two countries exchange experiences not only in military matters but also in humanitarian areas such as rescue missions. "In the event of a coalition force involving more than one country, whether it is being involved in a peace keeping mission, humanitarian effort or military operation it is always beneficial if all those involved had worked together. Otherwise there is a lot of time taken to understand each other, their languages and the use of equipment. Therefore these military training programmes are important," Lt. Col Girven said. The training exercise included beach operations, heli-borne landing, exiting into the water and re-entering helicopters. The joint operations between the two countries so far have trained more than 1000 Sri Lankan security personnel.
Earlier at his meeting with the U.S. President, Ambassador Subasinghe thanked President Bush for the steadfast support given to Sri Lanka, as the country was striving to resolve its problems through peaceful means. The President assured the Ambassador that the United States would continue to support Sri Lanka as a friend. In formal statements that were exchanged, President Bush, noting that "sadly, both of our countries have experienced terrorism first-hand", said "The United States appreciates Sri Lanka's encouraging stance on the war against terror and its supportive posture in the current crisis on Iraq." "America will continue to count on your support in the days ahead," the President said. We publish below the full text of the speeches made by Ambassador Devinda Subasinghe and President George Bush at the credential presentation ceremony at Whie House this week. Mr. President, I bring to you Mr. President and to the people of the United States of America warm personal greetings and good wishes of my President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and those of the people of Sri Lanka. I also have the honour to hand over the Letter of Recall of my predecessor. Although formal diplomatic relations between our two countries was established only in 1948, contacts between the peoples of the United States of America and Sri Lanka are nearly 200 years old. While New England missionaries, merchants and other individual Americans left their mark on Sri Lanka in the 19th century, consular and commercial relations between the United States and the then British Colony have prospered since the turn of that century. With Sri Lanka regaining Independence in 1948, our relationship has been placed on a more enduring footing. The people to people interaction between the two countries, each proud of their respective histories as representative democracies has evolved through the years, expanding on the basis of many common values. Following the liberalization of Sri Lanka's economy in the late 1970s, trade and investment links between the two countries have gradually increased and strengthened to their present status. The United States continues to be the major trading partner of Sri Lanka accounting for 41% of Sri Lanka's total exports. Foreign direct investment from America has steadily increased. Ninety American companies operate in Sri Lanka with an estimated investment of US$ 500 million. For decades Sri Lanka has been a recipient of development assistance from the United States. Educational and training opportunities for Sri Lankans in the United States has considerably contributed to the growth and development of my country. In more recent years, our two countries have also developed a beneficial relationship in military and security cooperation. The United States faces some of the same security challenges that countries such as Sri Lanka face. No event in recent times brought home this truism, as did the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. on September 11, 2001. Having experienced acts of terror over the past two decades, we in Sri Lanka, grieved with the people of the United States at the loss of innocent lives of nationals of many states, belonging to many faiths. In Sri Lanka we have sought to convert our grief and sympathy into resolve on two fronts. Internationally, we continue to support the global fight against international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In this context, Sri Lanka has consolidated its partnership with the United States and the international community to winning the war against terrorism and in meeting emerging transnational challenges. Nationally, the government of Sri Lanka has sought to transfer the solution of the ethnic conflict and related issues from the battle field to the negotiating table, with the facilitation of the Norwegian Government. The steadfast support extended by the United States government in this endeavour is deeply appreciated. The on-going Peace Process has clearly demonstrated that despite difficulties that may arise from time to time, the process has been placed on an irreversible path. It is particularly noteworthy that in less than three round of negotiations, the parties agreed to explore a political solution to Sri Lanka's long standing ethnic problem based on a federal structure within a united, democratic and multi-ethnic Sri Lanka. The focus at present is on the humanitarian aspects of the conflict situation. Following the recent "peace support meeting" held in Oslo, the international community has pledged to contribute to a fund for the rehabilitation of the North and East, administered by the World Bank. We are confident that the United States Government which has already contributed to this process would continue to do so significantly. Sri Lanka, in seeking to resolve what was until recently considered an intractable problem by negotiation rather than by force, provides a potential model of conflict resolution. The overall economic development strategy as envisioned and articulated under the title "Regaining Sri Lanka" focuses on the clear link between establishing a lasting peace and creating market conditions conducive to economic growth and entreprenurship in order to regain and maintain economic opportunities lost as a result of continuing conflict. This program of economic reform includes modernization and improving productivity through the development of human resources, information communication technology and free trade. I shall endeavour during my tenure of office to build upon the vast fund of goodwill and understanding which exists between our two countries and to further develop our longstanding relationship, so as to promote the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka to regain peace and prosperity for the people of Sri Lanka. The Reply by
U.S. President George W. Bush to the remarks of Mr. Subasinghe The United States has been following the peace process in your country with great interest. We are living in trying times, but Sri Lanka stands out as an island of optimism in this troubled world. Sadly, both of our countries have experienced terrorism first-hand. The United States appreciates Sri Lanka's encouraging stance on the war against terror and its supportive posture in the current crisis on Iraq. America will continue to count on your support in the days ahead. We both know it takes courage and determination to fight a war. As the peace process in Sri Lanka reaches a stage where difficult issues have to be addressed and real compromises have to be made, it becomes clear that it takes no less courage and no less determination to pursue peace. Let me assure you that the United States wholeheartedly supports Sri Lanka's efforts to transform violence and bloodshed into peace. Your country faces difficult challenges ahead. Reconstruction and reintegration after 20 years of civil war will not be accomplished easily or without cost. Sri Lanka has a history of democracy and a resiliency in its economy that will lend strength to your endeavours. In addition, Sri Lanka has the goodwill of the international community. The United States is increasing its economic assistance in support of the peace process, and is encouraging other nations to do the same. Sri Lanka has enormous economic potential, which has been impeded by war. Now, with peace on the horizon, with bold economic reforms being put in place, and with a literate society and an educated workforce, Sri Lanka stands on the threshold of prosperity. I welcome you
to Washington as Sri Lanka's Ambassador, and I am confident your
tenure in Washington will be marked by increasing ties between our
two countries in trade and commerce as well as in human and cultural
exchanges. |
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