Kouchner in Sri Lanka

The French Foreign Minister according to an Island Report of 23.4.09 has suggested a foreign coastal intervention to render assistance to the persons fleeing form the clutches of the LTTE. This could well be a last minute effort to save Prabhakaran from facing consequences for 30 years of terrorist activity. The report further states that Kouchner is seeking British assistance. It is well known that Prabhakaran is trapped and in a few days would be apprehended. At present, Prabhakaran can be saved only by a naval exercise and probably this is uppermost in the mind of the French Minister Kouchner.

It is interesting to dwell into Kouchners background in Sri Lanka. He was in Sri Lanka as an so-called ' Eminent Person' to observe the proceedings at the Presidential Commission. While holding this position, charged into a chamber of a Magistrate in the Eastern Province and demanded to read the proceedings in a case record. This was a matter outside his powers especially to intimidate judicial officers. Thereupon he went on to examine the case records which was a not function entrusted to him. It has drawn critical comment from some of the Commissioners for usurping power.

Counsel who appeared for the Army, Mr Gomin Dayasri who immediately on appearance noted the prejudices the Eminent Persons had against the armed forces. He was extremely critical of their conduct and the Eminent Persons soon withdrew from the proceedings after the appearance of Mr Gomin Dayasri. Before they left they criticised the Commissioners and later revised their opinion to display their inconsistency.

Mr Kouchners loyalty to the LTTE had surfaced prior to the recent incident.