{"id":98965,"date":"2020-02-15T00:31:03","date_gmt":"2020-02-15T06:31:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=98965"},"modified":"2020-02-13T21:23:57","modified_gmt":"2020-02-14T04:23:57","slug":"sri-lanka-as-us-military-logistics-hub-combining-sofa-acsa-mcc-peace-corps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2020\/02\/15\/sri-lanka-as-us-military-logistics-hub-combining-sofa-acsa-mcc-peace-corps\/","title":{"rendered":"Sri Lanka as US military logistics hub combining SOFA-ACSA-MCC &amp; Peace Corps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MCC is one of the 3 pillars of US National\nSecurity Strategy initially rolled out in 2002 (Defense, Development &amp;\nDiplomacy) ACSA and SOFA are clear US strategic military arrangements while MCC\nfalls into category of US national security strategy \u2018development\u2019 pillar. &nbsp;US national security strategy\u2019s 3 pillars\naligns to Dept of State &amp; USAID Joint Strategic Plan 2018-022. The 4<sup>th<\/sup>\npillar of the NSS (Advance American Influence\u201d) stresses the importance of\ncollaboration with partners and focusing investments where the U.S. Government can\nhave the most impact (this is envisaged via privatizing State land for\ncommercial purposes with US companies and transnational companies operating the\neconomic corridor). By virtue of MCC Board having member of USAID \u2013 the MCC-USAID\nconnection is also clear. With US Secretary of State &amp; Congress aligned to\nMCC-ACSA-SOFA the connections of the 3 cannot be ignored either. Some are na\u00efve\nenough to demand to be shown in black &amp; white how the 3 are connected! While\nthe 4-member Committee only subjecting their review to the clauses of MCC\nAgreement, the GoSL cannot afford to ignore the geopolitical objectives of the\nUS aligned to its national security strategy, indo-pacific strategy and overall\nobjective to contain China as well as grab resources in Asia Pacific for US\n&amp; Allies. We are foolish not to connect the dots &amp; ignore the future\ndangers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It is not a US military base that US intends to set up in Sri Lanka but a US military logistics hub (\u2018lily-pad concept)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screen-Shot-2020-02-14-at-7.51.56-AM-1024x138.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-98966\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2017 Congress passed the Reinforcing Education\nAccountability in Development (READ) Act, (Division A, Public Law 115-56). US\nagencies part of this ACT are U. S. Agency for International Development\n(USAID), Department of State, Department of the Treasury, Department of Labor,\nDepartment of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, <strong>Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium\nChallenge Corporation (MCC),<\/strong> National Security Advisor, and Director of the\nPeace Corps. These agencies will work with partner countries, other donors,\nmultilateral organizations, the private sector, non-government organizations\n(NGOs), and <strong>faith-based institutions<\/strong>\naround the world. The READ document features 3 players operating in Sri Lanka \u2013\nUS State Dept, MCC &amp; US Peace Corps. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/1865\/USG-Education-Strategy_FY2019-2023_Final_Web.pdf\">https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/1865\/USG-Education-Strategy_FY2019-2023_Final_Web.pdf<\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How US\nis influencing Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>LAW ENFORCEMENT: <\/strong>US training &amp;\nassisting Sri Lankan officials in counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism<\/li><li><strong>JUDICIARY: <\/strong>USAID assisting rule\nof law &amp; improve management of legal system &amp; policy formulation in\npartnership with Sri Lanka Bar Association &amp; US Legal Aid Commission<\/li><li><strong>TREASURY: <\/strong>US Treasury assisting\nfiscal &amp; debt challenges<\/li><li><strong>AGRICULTURE: <\/strong>US has given $21m to\nincrease dairy sector<\/li><li><strong>EDUCATION: <\/strong>US Peace Corps to\nteach \u2018AMERICAN\u2019 English<\/li><li><strong>MEDIA: <\/strong>US embassy Colombo\ntraining journalists on access to information, types of stories covered and\nimproving English<\/li><li><strong>PARLIAMENT\/MPs: <\/strong>2016, collaboration\nbetween Sri Lanka Parliament &amp; US House Democracy Partnership training MPs\nand Parliament staff<\/li><li><strong>LOCAL GOVERNMENT: <\/strong>USAID training local\ngovernment institutes in Eastern Province &amp; reintegration and stabilization\nin North &amp; East<\/li><li><strong>GENERAL PUBLIC<\/strong>: USAIDtraining democratic governance, women\nand minorities<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018\nspecifically calls for expanding cooperation with democratic partners in South\nAsia, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>US\ninfluence increasing since 2015 Regime Change<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>2018 &#8211; US \u2018brilliantly succeeded\u2019 in deploying US\nIndo-Pacific Command within days of Easter Sunday attack on pretext of\nassisting Sri Lanka fight ISIS.<\/li><li>Aug 2018 USS Anchorage and a unit of US Marines visited\nTrinco port.<\/li><li>Dec 2018 \u2013 US set up \u2018logistics hub\u2019 to \u2018receive support,\nsupplies &amp; services\u2019 for US Navy ships operating in the Indian Ocean. <\/li><li><strong>Jan 2019 \u2013 US Navy\u2019s 7<sup>th<\/sup> Fleet for 2<sup>nd<\/sup>\ntime carried out \u2018temporary cargo transfer\u2019 using Bandaranaiake International Commercial\nAirport to move supplies to US aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis located in\nTrinco (Colombo-Trinco connecting by air) US Military craft did not come under\nSri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority but was landing on Sri Lankan soil &amp;\nover Sri Lankan airspace &amp; were levies paid or waivered \u2013 if an accident\/crime\nhappened who would adjudicate?<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>23 Jan 2019 US Embassy Colombo <\/strong>&#8220;The United\nStates Navy is doing a cargo transfer operation at Sri Lanka\u2019s main\ninternational airport under a plan to use the island\u2019s location to make it a\nMILITARY LOGISTICS HUB&#8221;<\/li><li>Jan2019 Commenting on the cargo transfer operation \u2013 7<sup>th<\/sup>\nFleet\u2019s Logistics Readiness Cell Chief Lt. Austin Gage says &#8220;We are\ngenerating standard operating procedures to optimize our supply chain to be\nmore agile and mobile and utilize strategic locations in the Indian\nOcean.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/li><li>USS John C. Stennis Leverages Logistics Hub in Sri Lanka \u2013\n(US Navy website) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/submit\/display.asp?story_id=108052\">https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/submit\/display.asp?story_id=108052<\/a>\nSeptember 2019 Taking advantage of a growing naval partnership with Sri Lanka,\nthe Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) established a\nlogistics hub in Sri Lanka to receive support, supplies and services at sea\u201d <\/li><li>Dec 2019 \u2013 USS John C Stennis visits Trinco Port as part\nof Pentagon\u2019s plans to establish a logistics hub for US Navy. A Mass\nCommunication Specialist on board USS John C. Stennis in a dispatch to the US\nNavy official web portal wrote: The primary purpose of the operation is to\nprovide mission-critical supplies and services to U.S. Navy ships transiting\nthrough and operating in the Indian Ocean. The secondary purpose is to\ndemonstrate the U.S. Navy\u2019s ability to establish a temporary logistic hum ashore\nwhere no enduring U.S. Navy logistic footprint exists.\u201d<\/li><li>The primary purpose of the operation is to provide\nmission-critical supplies and services to U.S. Navy ships transiting through\nand operating in the Indian Ocean,\u201d said Lt. Bryan Ortiz, John C. Stennis\u2019 stock\ncontrol division officer. The secondary purpose is to demonstrate the U.S.\nNavy\u2019s ability to establish a temporary logistics hub ashore where no enduring\nU.S. Navy logistics footprint exists.\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SOFA allows US personnel rights &amp; privilege in a host\ncountry <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Status of Forces Agreement includes access to\nfacilities free of charge, right to own and operate telecommunication systems\nand use of radio spectrum, waiver of claims for damages and losses including\ndeath, disputes to be settled by consultation and not through any national or\ninternational court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SOFA establishes the rights and privileges of\nUS personnel present in a country in support of the larger security\narrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Draft text of SOFA leaked via Sunday Times. Provisions\nin the SOFA include, the wearing of uniforms, taxes and fees, carrying of\nweapons, use of radio frequencies, licences, and customs regulations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Washington was \u2018pushing hard\u2019 to sign SOFA which\nPentagon traditionally demanded as pre-requisite to establishing military bases\nin foreign countries (M K Bhadrakumar Jul2019)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailynewsteller.blogspot.com\/2019\/07\/what-is-sri-lanka-and-usa-sofa-agreement.html\">https:\/\/dailynewsteller.blogspot.com\/2019\/07\/what-is-sri-lanka-and-usa-sofa-agreement.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ACSA allows US logistics &amp; supplies usage in a host\ncountry <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement\n(ACSA), the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and Millennium Challenge Compact\n(MCC) are agreements integral to US national security and self-defense\nstrategies<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ACSA provides for joint military cooperation\nbetween Sri Lanka and the US and includes logistic support, supplies, services\nand the use of airports and ports during \u201eunforeseen circumstances\u201f. ACSAs also allows visiting military forces to receive\nlogistic support in the form of supplies; petroleum; transportation; base\noperations support; use of repair and maintenance facilities; and access to\nairfields and ports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2007 ACSA required renewal but <strong>the 2017 ACSA signed by Ranil Govt &amp;\ncontents not disclosed to the Public or Parliament does not require renewal<\/strong>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This would be the <strong>FIRST TIME foreign US\/Allied troops would be permitted to freely\nroam the country in uniform, carrying weapons and communications equipment<\/strong>.\nNote IPKF was confined ONLY to war torn areas of North\/East. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sri Lanka has no authority to take any legal\naction against US troops in Sri Lanka for any crime or abuse committed by them.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>While China\u2019s presence in Sri Lanka and\nHambantota Port, the US ACSA and SOFA are purely military for servicing US\npersonnel (uniformed and civil) as well as contractors. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>US PEACE CORPS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peacecorps.gov\/news\/library\/peace-corps-and-sri-lankan-ministry-education-sign-memorandum-understanding\/\">https:\/\/www.peacecorps.gov\/news\/library\/peace-corps-and-sri-lankan-ministry-education-sign-memorandum-understanding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/18-226-Sri-Lanka-Cultural-Exchg-Peace-Corps.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2vNWXdZPzc6-7sxbtmhzxTx7gIynMsS72-Y3sLh6q1RHP50J42keBxFW4\">https:\/\/www.state.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/18-226-Sri-Lanka-Cultural-Exchg-Peace-Corps.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2vNWXdZPzc6-7sxbtmhzxTx7gIynMsS72-Y3sLh6q1RHP50J42keBxFW4<\/a>\n(please read the exemptions and immunities given to the Peace Corps and what is\nSri Lanka getting in return? Americanized English and \u2018American values\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Article 1 (4) The Government of Sri Lanka shall bear such share of the costs of the Peace Corps program incurred in Sri Lanka\u201d HOW MUCH ?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screen-Shot-2020-02-14-at-9.43.10-AM-1024x688.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-98967\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screen-Shot-2020-02-14-at-9.43.34-AM-1024x400.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-98968\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MCC: AID as part of US National Security Strategy <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ACSA Sri Lanka was signed on August 4, 2017<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MCC is a US Government entity. Its Board is\nheaded by the US Secretary of State and includes Secretary of the Treasury,\nUSAID, US Trade Representative and private sector officials. MCC Grants are\nfunded by US Congress.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><\/strong>The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is\nrequesting $800 million for fiscal year (FY) 2019, to support compacts in\nTunisia, Burkina Faso, and Sri Lanka\u2026\u2026\u2026 This request will advance U.S. values\nand interests overseas\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sri Lanka\u2019s compact will focus on\nmodernizing the country\u2019s transportation and land management sectors. <strong>These interventions<\/strong> are aimed at\nreducing transport bottlenecks and congestion in the Western Province and\nbetween the Western Province and other regions; and <strong>optimizing the use of state lands for commercial purposes<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-wordpress wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-millennium-challenge-corporation\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.mcc.gov\/resources\/story\/story-cbj-fy2019-executive-summary\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We have explained that the Indo-Pacific Strategy is the\nname we give to US policy. It describes what we Americans strive to do to\nprotect and advance a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific Region,\u201d US\nAmbassador Randy Berry to Nepal on MCC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tkpo.st\/2niJVdW\">https:\/\/tkpo.st\/2niJVdW<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Acting Deputy\nAssistant Secretary of State for South Asia David J Ranz<\/strong>, said that the<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mcanp.org\/\"> Millennium Challenge Corporation(MCC)<\/a> <\/strong>where the US has\nput $500 million in grant to Nepal <strong>is\npart of the Indo-Pacific Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2JCCLuk\">http:\/\/bit.ly\/2JCCLuk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MCC part of US National Security Strategy &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/25261924?seq=1\">https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/25261924?seq=1<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Foreign Aid component is a key component of a\ncomprehensive US national security strategy and every bit important as\ninvestment in military power (Is the Millennium Challenge Corporation\nOverstating Its Impact by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Foreign\nAffairs. Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Republican lawmakers (<a href=\"http:\/\/budget.house.gov\/uploadedfiles\/fy15_blueprint.pdf\">Paul Ryan\u2019s FY2015 budget<\/a>) and, more recently, by <a href=\"http:\/\/solutions.heritage.org\/foreign-affairs\/foreign-assistance\/?_ga=1.144563573.1118715712.1480479531\">the Heritage Foundation<\/a>\u2014calls for scaling back or phasing out\nthe US Agency for International Development (USAID) and elevating the\nMillennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) as the lead foreign assistance agency. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cgdev.org\/blog\/should-trump-administration-cut-usaid-expand-mcc\">https:\/\/www.cgdev.org\/blog\/should-trump-administration-cut-usaid-expand-mcc<\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heritage.org\/global-politics\/report\/foreign-aid-congress-should-shift-usaid-funds-the-millennium-challenge\">https:\/\/www.heritage.org\/global-politics\/report\/foreign-aid-congress-should-shift-usaid-funds-the-millennium-challenge<\/a>\n(Congress should shift USAID funds to MCC proposal by Heritage Foundation)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ACSA signing was mooted by Prasad Kariyawasam\nwho unknown to all was employed by the US federal government backed Agency for\nInternational Development (USAID) but working inside Sri Lanka\u2019s Parliament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>M K Bhadrakumar says that US interference is \u2018destabilizing\u2019\nSri Lanka and that it is happening only because of \u2018India\u2019s passivity bordering\nacquiescence\u2019 \u2013 it is unfortunate that India is going to be held accountable by\nAsia for destabilizing entire Asian continent.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WHAT IF family member end up working for MCC-PEACE CORPS in Sri Lanka &amp; all are entitled to IMMUNITIES and TAX EXEMPTIONS? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shenali D Waduge<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MCC is one of the 3 pillars of US National Security Strategy initially rolled out in 2002 (Defense, Development &amp; Diplomacy) ACSA and SOFA are clear US strategic military arrangements while MCC falls into category of US national security strategy \u2018development\u2019 pillar. &nbsp;US national security strategy\u2019s 3 pillars aligns to Dept of State &amp; USAID [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1498,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-shenali-waduge"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98965","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\/1498"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98965"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98965\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}