AFP’S INVOLMENT IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS – RESPONSE TO BRUCE HAIGH
Posted on July 20th, 2012
Dr Anura WeereratneƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ BarristerƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ &ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Solicitor, Canberra
I refer to the article in todayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ July 20, 2012- Canberra Times,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ AFP should not be involved in foreign policy affairs – The Sri Lankan high commissioner should be recalled immediately-
by Bruce Haigh -: http://www.Canberra.com.au/national/letters/war-crimes-allegations-and-the-sri-lankan-high-commissioner-20120719-22d7f.html#ixzz217EAQcqp
The Federal Government can use any of its Agencies including the AFP (Australian Federal Police) to ascertain any matters at any time.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is quite reprehensible on the part ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mr Haigh to cast aspersions on the integrity of the AFP. HaighƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s article had a number of inaccuracies.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The UN has not accepted that the Sri Lankan Government was guilty of war crimes.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It was a UN nominated panel who made a report based on unsubstantiated complaints of war crimes.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Haigh who claims to be a retired diplomat (certainly not of Ambassadorial or Deputy rank)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ should have knownƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ better than to make allegationsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that a report made by a few technocrats which was never acceptedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ leave alone by the UN or by any organisation.
There was never a civil war in Sri Lanka as claimed by Haigh.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It was a military operation to rid the country of the worldƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s most heinous terror group – the Tamil Tigers whose leader was reputed to have been labelled as worse than Pol Pot.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is a complete misrepresentation for Haigh to make baseless allegations against the Sri Lankan security forces of abuse of women and children.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Writer challenges Haigh if he can get confirmation from the Australian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka on these his false and mischievous allegations. Haigh seems to take umbrage about the AFPƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s measures to stop illegal migration.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Surely all Australians should laud of whatever steps are adopted to stop the curse of hundreds of people attempting to illegally enter our shores on the bogey of repression in Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Dear Mr Haigh, please put your country Australia first rather than bat for a defunct terror group.
Dr Anura WeereratneƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ BarristerƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ &ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Solicitor, CanberraƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Author of the analysis of the Australian Freedom of Information Law.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Retired Department Secretary of Industries and Scientific Affairs and Fisheries in Sri Lanka
July 20th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
This so called third class diplomat is a known LTTE tiger terrorist supporter and most probably in the tiger pay roll.These Australians who are paid to discredit the government of Sri Lanka are blind to the fact that most indigenous Australians live below the poverty line and have no human rights compared to the ungrateful Tamils in Sri Lanka and all over the world.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Bruce Haig is a child sex abuser. He should arrested immediately. Sri lankan governement should take action against thi monster, who is now accusing innocent parties in order to hid his crimes.
July 21st, 2012 at 6:04 am
Bruce Haigh, like John Dowd, the President of the Australian branch of the International Commission of Jurists, has been relentless in accusing the SL government of discrimination and wrong doing against the Tamils. There is little doubt he will continue in the same fashion. Those who are familiar with his anti Sri Lankan government attitudes will however know to suitably disregard this, his latest illogical outburst.
Unfortunately not everyone is familiar with Haigh’s anti Sri Lankan government ‘credentials’ and many are likely to be taken in by his comments, especially when he is described as a former diplomat who served in Sri Lanka. And that is hardly surprising. For not everyone is necessarily sufficiently discerning or questioning when he reads something that looks credible, on the face of it. After all, I see that even the author of this article has seen fit to say “It was a UN nominated panel who made a report”. It was NOT a UN nominated panel at all. It was a panel nominated by the Secretary General – NOT the UN – and there is a world of a difference in that!
July 22nd, 2012 at 5:40 am
Bruce Haigh’s comments should not be taken seriously. If you have read his previous articles, you would know his mission is to attack SriLanka in a manner favourable to LTTE Tamil Australians. He has no shame or fear and he will continue to say and do what is beneficial for himself and his friends, diregarding all norms of joiurnalistic ethics. I wish the Australian authorities will investigate people like Bruce Haigh and the Greens Party politicians who passionately support the Tamil Tiger view. I can only guess why!