Denials by INGOS and local NGOs ’sponsored’ by them in numerous ways are to be expected, and are noted.

This writer has analysed the full spectrum of activities and campaigns MSF is engaged in, and has listened to first hand information provided by people familiar with the Sudanese, Somalian and Ethiopian governments. On the basis of such information, the writer maintains that some MSF ‘volunteers’ in the field pass on information to their embassies and other interventionist arms of the UN.

Your fear about physical retribution is unfounded. The idea in attracting the attention of Sri Lankans to such operations is not done with a view to incite any physical retribution but to increase awareness of the neocolonialism of the INGO movement. Kouchner’s own words quoted in the original article shows the agenda.

Mr. Ajit Randeniya

Subject: Misinformation mention of MSF in your web publication

Sir,

The medical humanitarian organisation Médecins sans Frontières would like to correct serious misunderstandings and fallacious information, which have arisen following the publication of your article “Kouchner has no moral compass”, on October 5th

MSF refutes in the strongest terms the accusation that it ‘gathers battle ground intelligence’. As its core, the purpose of MSF’s humanitarian action is to deliver emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from health care. MSF has adopted and is constantly respecting the strictest principles of impartiality among those we treat (responding only to need); neutrality between opposing sides in a conflict, and independence from political powers. MSF is recognized as a neutral and independent organisation and thus able to carry out essential medical work in conflict situations across the globe.

MSF teams on the ground work in full transparency with belligerents and authorities.

We have no privileges, no diplomatic status and only the efficiency of our medical activities can make us accepted and welcomed in the many countries where we are working. MSF is independent from any government’s agenda and funds.
MSF’s funds are mostly from private donors. In 2008, the private income represented 86,9% of the total income of the all MSF movement.

We want to restate that such misleading information regarding MSF as those presented in your paper can have very serious impact on the security of our teams intervening all over the world and reiterate that our major concern is, and has always be, to provide care and relief to the populations living in crisis.

Yours Sincerely

Orkhan Nasibov, Médecins Sans Frontières France
Hugues Robert-Nicoud, Médecins Sans Frontières Holland

Mr. Ajit Randeniya

Subject: Misinformation mention of MSF in your web publication

Sir,

The medical humanitarian organisation Médecins sans Frontières would like to correct serious misunderstandings and fallacious information, which have arisen following the publication of your article “Kouchner has no moral compass”, on October 5th

MSF refutes in the strongest terms the accusation that it ‘gathers battle ground intelligence’. As its core, the purpose of MSF’s humanitarian action is to deliver emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from health care. MSF has adopted and is constantly respecting the strictest principles of impartiality among those we treat (responding only to need); neutrality between opposing sides in a conflict, and independence from political powers. MSF is recognized as a neutral and independent organisation and thus able to carry out essential medical work in conflict situations across the globe.

MSF teams on the ground work in full transparency with belligerents and authorities.

We have no privileges, no diplomatic status and only the efficiency of our medical activities can make us accepted and welcomed in the many countries where we are working. MSF is independent from any government’s agenda and funds.
MSF’s funds are mostly from private donors. In 2008, the private income represented 86,9% of the total income of the all MSF movement.

We want to restate that such misleading information regarding MSF as those presented in your paper can have very serious impact on the security of our teams intervening all over the world and reiterate that our major concern is, and has always be, to provide care and relief to the populations living in crisis.

Yours Sincerely

Hugues Robert-Nicoud Orkhan Nasibov
Head of the Sri Lanka Mission Head of the Sri Lanka Mission
Médecins Sans Frontières Holland Médecins Sans Frontières France