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Terrorists using human shields accountable for consequences - Israel
New Israeli Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alon Ushpiz on Tuesday evening said that those who took refuge behind civilians during confrontations should be held accountable for their actions.
Ushpiz said that Israel would do everything possible to protect civilians.
"Well defend ourselves and while defending our interests, well do our utmost to maintain moral standards, though it is a difficult task," Israeli Defence Services officer turned diplomat told The Island in an exclusive interview.
Ushpiz, who is in his early 40s, was speaking after presenting his credentials to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees the previous day.
Responding to a query, Ushpiz said: "We believe in taking maximum possible measures to protect civilians, whatever the circumstances. This is a very central part of our security policy and philosophy. We truly believe in avoiding situations, which can be detrimental to civilians. But, the issue is those fighting us take shelter behind innocent civilians."
The LTTE rump is on a campaign to press crimes charges against Sri Lanka. One of the major allegations is that thousands of Tamil civilians died in what Sri Lanka has dubbed the largest rescue operation of hostages in the post World War II era.
Ambassador Ushpiz emphasised that the Israeli government wouldnt accept foreign jurisdiction under any circumstances.
Asked whether Israel was having talks with the UK regarding attempts by interested parties to obtain arrest warrants for Israeli political and military leaders visiting that country, the Israeli Ambassador declined to comment on bilateral talks in line with their policy.
"But the issue itself is a source of serious concern to us. It is unacceptable to us that Israeli leaders who dedicated their lives to the protection and defence of our people are subject to something we perceive as unfair.
I think our friends around the world understand the situation. It is not a one state phenomenon. We arent the only target. Law suits have been filed by other countries," the ambassador said.
When The Island raised the issue with the British High Commission in Colombo following an attempt by the LTTE to obtain an arrest warrant targeting Maj. Gen. Chagi Gallage, when he accompanied President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his abortive visit to London last December, the BHC acknowledged that the UK was in the process of introducing the required legal amendments to prevent interested parties from exploiting the British law.
Now that the war was over Sri Lanka was set for rapid economic growth, the Israeli envoy said reiterating his countrys pledge to work with the government of Sri Lanka.
Pointing at the scene at Galle Face from the Taj, where he was staying, a smiling Ambassador said: On Monday we had dinner at the Galle Face Hotel over there. After that we took a stroll and it is heartwarming to see dozens of people, families with kids around 10.30 p.m. going at their leisure on the beach playing football and cricket and there is a very nice breeze coming from the sea for which, by the way, I very much envy you and then I start thinking four or five years ago that was probably almost an inconceivable dream that ordinary Sri Lankan decent citizens just pick up their families and go to the beach.
That is probably for me one of the best manifestations or the expressions of the change in Sri Lanka. It is really heartwarming to see that people can just wake up in the afternoon, finish his work, finish their business and take the family to have some fun on the beach."
Commenting on diplomatic relations, the Israeli envoy said: "Israel and Sri Lanka have been good friends through difficult times. And we are very much determined to be even better friends in times of peace and prosperity.
The difference on the streets on the way from the Bandaranaike International airport to Colombo is evidence of post-war development. The ongoing construction of a new highway is evidence of peace. Sri Lankas economic figures are relatively good compared to most countries. Sri Lankans went through horrible horrors and deserve the fruits of peace."
The Ambassador said that he had had the opportunity to meet several ministers, including Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa, Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Foreign Employment Minister, Dilan Perera. He said he was also scheduled to meet Science and Technology Minister, Pavitra Vanniarachchi.
The Israeli envoy said that they had discussed how the two countries could enhance cooperation in areas important to them. He said that Israel could assist Sri Lankan in many fields, including agriculture, water management and IT. "We hope to host different ministers from Sri Lanka at exhibitions to promote water technology and agriculture, which will be held in Israel between Nov. 2011 and May 2012. There is scope for a tourism boom.
At the moment, on an annual basis, between 6,000 and 7,000 Israelis visit Sri Lanka. Sri Lankas beaches have a good reputation for wave surfing and your underwater world has a very good reputation for scuba diving. These sports are very popular in Israel. So, we are interested in pushing forward charter flights and we hope this would substantially increase the number of Israelis coming here. Obviously, once youll have more Israelis, more Sri Lankans will visit Israel, not to mention the economic dimension."
Commenting on criticism of Sri Lankas on accountability issues, the Israeli official said: "You have a very competent leadership. I am sure your leaders, your elected decision makers will be able to take right decisions to lead this country to the place it deserves. However, once again, we are very much aware of the suffering the Sri Lankan nation has gone through."
The Island
New Israeli Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alon Ushpiz on Tuesday evening said that those who took refuge behind civilians during confrontations should be held accountable for their actions.
Ushpiz said that Israel would do everything possible to protect civilians.
"Well defend ourselves and while defending our interests, well do our utmost to maintain moral standards, though it is a difficult task," Israeli Defence Services officer turned diplomat told The Island in an exclusive interview.
Ushpiz, who is in his early 40s, was speaking after presenting his credentials to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees the previous day.
Responding to a query, Ushpiz said: "We believe in taking maximum possible measures to protect civilians, whatever the circumstances. This is a very central part of our security policy and philosophy. We truly believe in avoiding situations, which can be detrimental to civilians. But, the issue is those fighting us take shelter behind innocent civilians."
The LTTE rump is on a campaign to press crimes charges against Sri Lanka. One of the major allegations is that thousands of Tamil civilians died in what Sri Lanka has dubbed the largest rescue operation of hostages in the post World War II era.
Ambassador Ushpiz emphasised that the Israeli government wouldnt accept foreign jurisdiction under any circumstances.
Asked whether Israel was having talks with the UK regarding attempts by interested parties to obtain arrest warrants for Israeli political and military leaders visiting that country, the Israeli Ambassador declined to comment on bilateral talks in line with their policy.
"But the issue itself is a source of serious concern to us. It is unacceptable to us that Israeli leaders who dedicated their lives to the protection and defence of our people are subject to something we perceive as unfair.
I think our friends around the world understand the situation. It is not a one state phenomenon. We arent the only target. Law suits have been filed by other countries," the ambassador said.
When The Island raised the issue with the British High Commission in Colombo following an attempt by the LTTE to obtain an arrest warrant targeting Maj. Gen. Chagi Gallage, when he accompanied President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his abortive visit to London last December, the BHC acknowledged that the UK was in the process of introducing the required legal amendments to prevent interested parties from exploiting the British law.
Now that the war was over Sri Lanka was set for rapid economic growth, the Israeli envoy said reiterating his countrys pledge to work with the government of Sri Lanka.
Pointing at the scene at Galle Face from the Taj, where he was staying, a smiling Ambassador said: On Monday we had dinner at the Galle Face Hotel over there. After that we took a stroll and it is heartwarming to see dozens of people, families with kids around 10.30 p.m. going at their leisure on the beach playing football and cricket and there is a very nice breeze coming from the sea for which, by the way, I very much envy you and then I start thinking four or five years ago that was probably almost an inconceivable dream that ordinary Sri Lankan decent citizens just pick up their families and go to the beach.
That is probably for me one of the best manifestations or the expressions of the change in Sri Lanka. It is really heartwarming to see that people can just wake up in the afternoon, finish his work, finish their business and take the family to have some fun on the beach."
Commenting on diplomatic relations, the Israeli envoy said: "Israel and Sri Lanka have been good friends through difficult times. And we are very much determined to be even better friends in times of peace and prosperity.
The difference on the streets on the way from the Bandaranaike International airport to Colombo is evidence of post-war development. The ongoing construction of a new highway is evidence of peace. Sri Lankas economic figures are relatively good compared to most countries. Sri Lankans went through horrible horrors and deserve the fruits of peace."
The Ambassador said that he had had the opportunity to meet several ministers, including Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa, Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Foreign Employment Minister, Dilan Perera. He said he was also scheduled to meet Science and Technology Minister, Pavitra Vanniarachchi.
The Israeli envoy said that they had discussed how the two countries could enhance cooperation in areas important to them. He said that Israel could assist Sri Lankan in many fields, including agriculture, water management and IT. "We hope to host different ministers from Sri Lanka at exhibitions to promote water technology and agriculture, which will be held in Israel between Nov. 2011 and May 2012. There is scope for a tourism boom.
At the moment, on an annual basis, between 6,000 and 7,000 Israelis visit Sri Lanka. Sri Lankas beaches have a good reputation for wave surfing and your underwater world has a very good reputation for scuba diving. These sports are very popular in Israel. So, we are interested in pushing forward charter flights and we hope this would substantially increase the number of Israelis coming here. Obviously, once youll have more Israelis, more Sri Lankans will visit Israel, not to mention the economic dimension."
Commenting on criticism of Sri Lankas on accountability issues, the Israeli official said: "You have a very competent leadership. I am sure your leaders, your elected decision makers will be able to take right decisions to lead this country to the place it deserves. However, once again, we are very much aware of the suffering the Sri Lankan nation has gone through."
The Island
