How Sri Lanka defeated the LTTE - Page 7

Bob's World · 07-15-2012

Like most militant arms of an active insurgency, it is probably true to say that the LTTE did not represent the majority of the Tamil populace.

Equally true, I suspect, that the major reasons that led Tamils to join the LTTE and to fight the government were largely shared throughout the populace, and that those reasons are stronger now than ever before. Just because a group does not represent the populace does not means its reasons for fighting are not widely shared.

The government has imposed an artificial state of stability through force of arms, and now sustains it in the same manner. The government of Sri Lanka waged counterinsurgent or counter guerrilla operations, not COIN. A defeated insurgent organization is in no way a resolved insurgency - regardless of what our history books say.

My advice to the government of Sri Lanka is to reconcile with the Tamil populace and to work to fully integrate them into the nation with the same equity, respect and justice offered to all. And to ensure that the entire Sri Lanken populace perceives they possess trusted, certain and legal means to shape their governance. Once they work to do this they will be conducting COIN. States that do this enjoy a true stability, states that do not are either unstable or artificially stable.

What is the role for the US military in engaging with states in any of these three forms of stability? Well first, don't follow US military Stability doctrine, as that is simply about imposing a system of artificial stability. Stability is not a "phase" or an "operation", it is in truth the ultimate goal. Once we gain a clear sense of that fact, then we can tailor our approaches so as to help someone else in their efforts to attain natural stability, but in large part it isn't a mission demanding a great deal of US military activity. Military forces are not very good at creating natural stability (though are necessary to protect such stabile societiies from those internal and external parties who would seek to destroy the systems and trust that make such stability possible)

The path to true stability is not all that difficult, the problem is that so many governments pointedly refuse to take it. Such governments (and many of these are ones we are supporting vigorously in our little war on terrorism) simply prefer the status quo and accept the associated friction and violence as a cost of holding onto what they have.

davidbfpo · 07-15-2012

In a bizarre twist and undoubtedly some Sri Lankan "spin" here:

Quote:

Former Tamil Tiger snipers have been selected to represent Sri Lanka in shooting sports at national level. They are among 16 picked at a talent-spotting camp held for ex-fighters last month. Others will represent Sri Lanka in swimming, athletics and cricket.

Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18831958

Bill Moore · 07-16-2012

Bob,

It is hard to tell based on media bias, but the government is reaching out to the Tamils to resolve the underlying issues. Whether they're successful or not is yet to be seen. Understandably they're frustrated with illegitimate reporting and spin, and while that doesn't excuse disappearing reporters, it does point out that the media is in capable of professional, non-bias reporting, and simply continues to beat up the government. Some of it deserved, some of it not so much. The government also needs to maintain legitimacy with the Singhalese, and the racial divide and hatred after decades of war will not make easy for the government to come up with solutions that are acceptable to all.

Dave, saw that report earlier, it is a small step in the right direction. If Tamils accept a Sri Lankan identity and the Singhalese accept the Tamils as equal citizens, then a lasting peace may be obtainable. Sports may be a viable venue to provide that identity.

davidbfpo · 11-13-2012

A BBC report on an issue that appears to have been swept off the agenda:

Quote:

The United Nations failed in its mandate to protect civilians in the last months of Sri Lanka's bloody civil war, a leaked draft of a highly critical internal UN report says. "Events in Sri Lanka mark a grave failure of the UN," it concludes. The government and Tamil rebels are accused of war crimes in the brutal conflict which ended in May 2009.

Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20308610

Interesting tactic by the Sri Lankan state:

Quote:

It also points to the Sri Lankan government's "stratagem of intimidation", including "control of visas to sanction staff critical of the state". The result was a UN system dominated by "a culture of trade-offs" - UN staff chose not to speak out against the government in an effort to try to improve humanitarian access.

Certainly not unique.

Ray · 11-13-2012

Any idea of what the so called 'leaked' UN report on the Sri Lankan 'victory' is all about?

I was listening to the BBC World but since I joined at the end I could not get the essence.

Any links to this UN report?

davidbfpo · 11-13-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Any idea of what the so called 'leaked' UN report on the Sri Lankan 'victory' is all about?..... Any links to this UN report?

Ray,

My reading is that the official UN report has yet to be published, partly as the Secretary-General has to read it.

07-15-2012	#121
Bob's World Council Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 2,421	Like most militant arms of an active insurgency, it is probably true to say that the LTTE did not represent the majority of the Tamil populace. Equally true, I suspect, that the major reasons that led Tamils to join the LTTE and to fight the government were largely shared throughout the populace, and that those reasons are stronger now than ever before. Just because a group does not represent the populace does not means its reasons for fighting are not widely shared. The government has imposed an artificial state of stability through force of arms, and now sustains it in the same manner. The government of Sri Lanka waged counterinsurgent or counter guerrilla operations, not COIN. A defeated insurgent organization is in no way a resolved insurgency - regardless of what our history books say. My advice to the government of Sri Lanka is to reconcile with the Tamil populace and to work to fully integrate them into the nation with the same equity, respect and justice offered to all. And to ensure that the entire Sri Lanken populace perceives they possess trusted, certain and legal means to shape their governance. Once they work to do this they will be conducting COIN. States that do this enjoy a true stability, states that do not are either unstable or artificially stable. What is the role for the US military in engaging with states in any of these three forms of stability? Well first, don't follow US military Stability doctrine, as that is simply about imposing a system of artificial stability. Stability is not a "phase" or an "operation", it is in truth the ultimate goal. Once we gain a clear sense of that fact, then we can tailor our approaches so as to help someone else in their efforts to attain natural stability, but in large part it isn't a mission demanding a great deal of US military activity. Military forces are not very good at creating natural stability (though are necessary to protect such stabile societiies from those internal and external parties who would seek to destroy the systems and trust that make such stability possible) The path to true stability is not all that difficult, the problem is that so many governments pointedly refuse to take it. Such governments (and many of these are ones we are supporting vigorously in our little war on terrorism) simply prefer the status quo and accept the associated friction and violence as a cost of holding onto what they have. __________________ Robert C. Jones Intellectus Supra Scientia "The modern COIN mindset is when one arrogantly goes to some foreign land and attempts to make those who live there a lesser version of one's self. The FID mindset is when one humbly goes to some foreign land and seeks first to understand, and then to help in some small way for those who live there to be the best version of their own self." Colonel Robert C. Jones, US Army Special Forces (Retired) Last edited by Bob's World; 07-15-2012 at 06:45 PM.

11-13-2012	#125
Ray Council Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Calcutta, India Posts: 936	Any idea of what the so called 'leaked' UN report on the Sri Lankan 'victory' is all about? I was listening to the BBC World but since I joined at the end I could not get the essence. Any links to this UN report? Last edited by Ray; 11-13-2012 at 06:58 PM.

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07-16-2012	#123
Bill Moore Council Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,833	Bob, It is hard to tell based on media bias, but the government is reaching out to the Tamils to resolve the underlying issues. Whether they're successful or not is yet to be seen. Understandably they're frustrated with illegitimate reporting and spin, and while that doesn't excuse disappearing reporters, it does point out that the media is in capable of professional, non-bias reporting, and simply continues to beat up the government. Some of it deserved, some of it not so much. The government also needs to maintain legitimacy with the Singhalese, and the racial divide and hatred after decades of war will not make easy for the government to come up with solutions that are acceptable to all. Dave, saw that report earlier, it is a small step in the right direction. If Tamils accept a Sri Lankan identity and the Singhalese accept the Tamils as equal citizens, then a lasting peace may be obtainable. Sports may be a viable venue to provide that identity.