{"id":71283,"date":"2017-11-02T15:05:15","date_gmt":"2017-11-02T22:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=71283"},"modified":"2017-11-02T15:05:15","modified_gmt":"2017-11-02T22:05:15","slug":"cianediri-in-sri-lanka-now-targeting-local-government-political-parties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2017\/11\/02\/cianediri-in-sri-lanka-now-targeting-local-government-political-parties\/","title":{"rendered":"CIA\/NED\/IRI in Sri Lanka Now targeting local government, political parties"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

\u00a0by\u00a0 Hassina Leelarathna\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
CIA\/NED\/IRI in Sri Lanka
\n<\/span><\/div>\n
Now targeting local government, political parties<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\u00a0 When it comes to US foreign policy, there’s no difference between the Democrats and Republicans: both believe in American Exceptionalism and, consequently,\u00a0 both parties believe that the United States is \u00a0predestined and entitled to be the dominant leader on the world stage, \u00a0which these days is achieved via the soft-power tactic of promoting democracy promotion and good governance.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
And just for that purpose both parties have an international arm, both supposedly non partisan\u201d but led by prominent members of each party:\u00a0 the International Republican Institute (led by Republican Senator John McCain) and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (led by former Democratic Sec. of State Madeleine Albright).\u00a0 Both are funded by the National Endowment of Democracy (NED), the current day CIA created in 1983 as an NGO because the Agency’s covert activities were becoming an embarrassment.\u00a0 “We should not have to do this kind of work covertly,” Carl Gershman who was NED president was quoted as saying in 1986.\u00a0 “It would be terrible for democratic groups around the world to be seen as subsidized by the CIA.”\u00a0 Regardless of what it calls itself, NED is funded by the US government to promote its foreign policy agenda and, in turn, funds the IRI and the NDI (and a host of local NGOs in Sri Lanka) so they could go boldly forth where the CIA went before.\u00a0 Only less surreptitiously.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Which brings us to Mr. Steve Cimas, IRI’s country director in Sri Lanka.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
The IRI has been operating in Sri Lanka for over ten years, with a handsome annual budget of $300,000 \u2013 separate from the large sums the NED has been pouring into local NGOs (over $2 million in 2016).<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Since transferring from Burma in February of this year, Mr. Cimas has been quite ubiquitous.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In a posting in mid-June on democracynow.org, the IRI’s “blog about advancing democracy worldwide,” Cimas writes that with the indefinite delay of elections, local bodies in Sri Lanka are operating under the supervision of civil servants led by an appointed commissioner and notes: “..as the caretakers of local government, these commissioners and civil servants must fulfill two fundamental functions: ensure that citizens receive basic services and fill the gap that has been left by the lack of elected local representatives.”\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Apparently, the IRI has now joined the “caretakers of local government.” \u00a0 The “ability to adapt to the situation on the ground is one of IRI\u2019s greatest strengths,” asserts Cimas after relating how he stepped in to work with government officials of Hambantota, Akkaraipattu, and Jaffna municipalities to\u00a0 \u2026assess current external communications strategies and to identify communication techniques, including the use of social media, that can increase citizen awareness and participation in the councils\u2019 work. \u00a0During the seminars, the councils were able to develop action plans that outlined how they could build upon their communications strategies to enhance citizen engagement.”<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\u00a0In addition to the skills-building seminars, IRI supported an inter-local government study tour, bringing Hambantota Municipal Council members to the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council to identify approaches to improve revenue generation, says Cimas.<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
As indicated in the tweet of August 21, he also seems to have access to and\/or is meddling with electoral registers.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Who or what gives Mr.Cimas such authority?\u00a0 What is the legal standing of the IRI and its officials in Sri Lanka since it doesn’t show up as a registered NGO on the National Secretariat of NGOs online registry?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
(Mr. Cimas has not responded to my email raising these questions.)\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A little online digging shows the IRI listed as a partner\/ funder of the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities (FSLGA), an NGO which also receives funding from the US government (USAID) as well as the British and Canadian governments.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
FSLGA is comprised of The National Chapter of Mayors, United Urban Councils Association and All Island Pradeshiya Sabha Chairmen\u2019s Association.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
That’s a lot of local government officials to whom the IRI is getting open and unfettered access, without accountability or the need for transparency.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Imagine the reaction of US politicians, American media, and the general should officials of Russian or other foreign government-funded NGOs become advisors or partners of their elected officials, with no regulatory oversight.\u00a0 (Continued below).<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
No, that’s beyond imagination since at every level of government in the U.S. there’s legislation such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) or local ordinances governing the activities of lobbyists.\u00a0\u00a0 These laws require registration of foreign entities, reporting of activities such as meetings with elected officials, and disclosure of monetary and other contributions to candidates and officeholders.\u200b\u200b<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Then again, no need to imagine.\u00a0 The boiling outrage (even calls for President Trump’s impeachment) over allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential give us a pretty good idea.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
And speaking of Russian meddling, here’s more of the IRI’s chutzpah, revealed in \u00a0Cima\u2019s tweets:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
“Imagine the reaction of US politicians, American media, and the general public should Russian or other foreign government-funded NGOs become advisors or partners of their elected officials, with no regulatory oversight.”<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u200b\u200b<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Does Mr. Cimas, paid employee of NED, modern day CIA, have access to Sri Lanka’s electoral register?\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Steve Cima 20\/08\/2017 08:52<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
This week @IRIglobal is traveling to North Central Province #SriLanka to work with political party members @NEDemocracy #IRIAsia<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
http:\/\/pic.twitter.com\/CT1EfuBIuT<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Among the IRI’s “democracy promotion” tactics is conducting workshops for\u00a0 “political parties and candidates to strengthen their skills and prepare them for elections. IRI workshops help parties and candidates develop more effective platforms, campaigns, political messages and internal communications plans.” (IRI statement).<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Considering the dysfunctional state of the political system in the US marked by ongoing polarization, gridlock, and stalemate resulting from the political messages\u201d of the two major parties, the credibility of any American organization trying to tell the rest of the world how to manage political parties and run elections would be questionable.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
That\u2019s if the IRI is taken at face value.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
While the IRI claims to fund and train political parties across the spectrum, it has a history of supporting favored political leaders and favored political parties, which could lead to either regime change or regime maintenance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
No less an authority than President Bush said as much when he paid homage to the organization as a powerhouse of American foreign policy muscling its way into every corner of the earth.\u00a0 In a speech at a dinner hosted by the IRI in Washington in 2005, Mr. Bush thanked the group for being at the forefront of democratic change in more than a hundred countries.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Praising the IRI for training the next generation of leaders\u201d and strengthening political parties. Mr. Bush said the world had become safer and freer and more peaceful because of the International Republican Institute.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Further, said Mr. Bush, apparently quite giddy over the successes of the IRI:\u00a0 You’ve monitored elections, and you’re helping to build civil societies. You’ve made an enormous difference in the lives of millions across the world. I hope that makes you feel good\u2026. These are incredibly exciting times. \u2026 In the last 18 months, we have witnessed revolutions of Rose, Orange, Purple, Tulip, and Cedar. And these are just the beginnings. Across the Caucasus and central Asia, hope is stirring at the prospect of change, and change will come. Across the broader Middle East, we are seeing the rise of a new generation whose hearts burn for freedom, and they will have it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Several countries are left out of that list of color revolutions\u201d that resulted from the political clinics\u201d run by NED\/IRI\/NDI, including Haiti (ousting Aristide who was elected democratically twice), Venezuela (in 2002, briefly ousting Chavez for 2 days before his supporters took to the streets and him reinstalled), Ukraine, Myanmar (on and off Saffron Revolution\u201d), Iran (Green Revolution).<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Former Texas congressman Ron Paul (Libertarian) once observed that\u00a0 NED is nothing more than a costly program that takes the US taxpayer funds to promote favored politicians and political parties abroad.\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0The US\u2019s history of openly supporting the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) in Cambodia since 2002 is another example of that policy.\u00a0 In August 2017, the Cambodian government shut down the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and ordered its foreign staff to leave the country while also alleging that the NED and IRI had planned to help the opposition party topple Mr Hun Sen\u2019s government.\u00a0 Whatever the validity of these claims, there is sufficient evidence of a symbiotic relationship between the IRI and the Sam Rainsy Party.\u00a0 Sen. McCain has praised\u00a0 Rainsy as a genuine hero for the entire world\u201d while the \u00a0SRP bestowed its Freedom Award on Senator Mitch McConnell, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. In February 2002, McConnell published an article in the Boston Globe calling for the US to shift its Cambodia policy from a non-partisan approach to pro-active support of \u00a0SRP Party in the 2003 elections.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The identity of Washington\u2019s favored party in Sri Lanka is no secret.\u00a0 The US has a long history of interfering in elections to help the United National Party (UNP):\u00a0 1956, 1960 (two elections), 1965, 2005, 2010, and, most recently and very successfully, 2015 when it helped install its favored political leader Ranil Wickremasinghe in power.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Given the US\u2019s cozy relationship with Mr. Wickremasinghe and the UNP and, conversely, its ill-concealed opposition to Mahinda Rajapaksa, the IRI\u2019s claim of being non- partisan\u201d would be quite laughable.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
After over a decade of trying, the US has its most favored Sri Lankan political leader back at Temple Trees and the island is clearly an American “client state.”<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u200b<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The IRI should make no pretense that it is busy-bodying in Sri Lanka to provide assistance to opposition political parties and leaders that might undo that feat. [End]<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
More on the National Endowment of Democracy<\/strong><\/u><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
“NED would have the world believe that it\u2019s only teaching the ABCs of democracy and elections to people who don\u2019t know them, but in virtually all the countries named above, in whose electoral process NED intervened, there had already been free and fair elections held. The problem, from NED\u2019s point of view, is that the elections had been won by political parties not on NED\u2019s favorites list.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The Endowment maintains that it\u2019s engaged in opposition building\u201d and encouraging pluralism\u201d. We support people who otherwise do not have a voice in their political system,\u201d said Louisa Coan, a NED program officer.\u00a0\u00a0But NED hasn\u2019t provided aid to foster progressive or leftist opposition in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, or Eastern Europe \u2013 or, for that matter, in the United States \u2013 even though these groups are hard pressed for funds and to make themselves heard. Cuban dissident groups and media are heavily supported however.” – From William Blum’s<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The Trojan Horse: National Endowment for Democracy.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
The Coup Connection (Mother Jones magazine, click to read)
\n<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
How an organization financed by the U.S. government has been promoting the overthrow of elected leaders abroad.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
Related articles on US & Sri Lanka:<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
\u200b<\/div>\n
Is Trump really scrubbing Democracy Promotion?<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u200b<\/u>The US interfered in 4 elections in Sri Lanka to help the UNP, says American professor<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
USAID urgently called for $3.4 million to support UNP in 2015 <\/a><\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0by\u00a0 Hassina Leelarathna\u00a0 CIA\/NED\/IRI in Sri Lanka Now targeting local government, political parties \u00a0 When it comes to US foreign policy, there’s no difference between the Democrats and Republicans: both believe in American Exceptionalism and, consequently,\u00a0 both parties believe that the United States is \u00a0predestined and entitled to be the dominant leader on the world […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-forum","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71283\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}