By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/imfsri1chomsky072309.html
UNITED NATIONS, July 23 -- During the UN's July 23 debate on Responsibility to Protect, Inner City Press asked Noam Chomsky if he thought the concept of R to P applied to or had been implemented in Sri Lanka this year. No, Chomsky said, calling what happened an "atrocity."
He said the Western powers just didn't have enough interest, although something "could have been done." He analogized it to Rwanda, both the genocide in 1994 and the lead-up, including with "structural adjustment," in the 1970s. Video here, from 22:35.
Later on July 23, Inner City Press asked outgoing UK Minister Mark Malloch Brown about Sri Lanka's pending application for an International Monetary Fund loan, which as reported is set for decision by the IMF board on Friday. Malloch Brown said, "Friday... there is a discussion at the IMF."
Inner City Press asked, will anyone speak? I don't know, said Malloch Brown. Since he would know if the UK planned to speak, approval seems immanent. Never again?
Chomsky went on, regarding the UK, to say that former prime minister Tony Blair may have been involved in Israel's deal with British Gas for natural gas off the coast of the Gaza Strip. It's reminiscent of Sri Lanka's move to redeliniate its sea claims, and the little reported finding of oil and gas off the coast of North Sri Lanka. Does that as some say explain the military assault? Time will tell.
