G8 Foreign Ministers: Sri Lanka, "Deep Concern for Civilians, The Clash Must Stop"
25/04/2009
The G8 member countries' foreign ministers have issued a joint statement voicing their "deep concern" over the deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka and forcefully condemning the "use of civilians as human shields". In their statement, the G8 ministers also issue a strong appeal "to all the sides involved, to take whatever measures are necessary to prevent further casualties among the civilian population" in Sri Lanka, where a bloody conflict is currently under way between the government and the Tamil Tigers.
The statement says that "a UN estimate puts the number of civilian casualties in the theatre of conflict at several thousand". The ministers expressed their deep concern "over reports of injured civilians who are unable to seek shelter", and they concluded their appeal by voicing firm support for the United Nations' decision to "dispatch a humanitarian team to the security zone", and by stating that "the time has come for the clash to stop".
"We are not entering into the substance of a domestic conflict, but we cannot remain indifferent to the prospect of a further humanitarian disaster", Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said, replying to journalists' questions on the issue. Frattini added: "It was important for the G8 to ensure that its appeal was heard".
Statement by G8 Foreign Ministers on Sri Lanka
(pdf file format)
