Private letter: UN Resident Coordinator (Neil Buhne) to GOSL discusses 1000s of casualties
Item
Title
Private letter: UN Resident Coordinator (Neil Buhne) to GOSL discusses 1000s of casualties
Description
In a private letter to the Sri Lankan government the on 7 February 2009 the UN Resident Coordinator (Neil Buhne) the report described that the letter stated:
“the United Nations in Sri Lanka estimates that the minimum figure of civilians killed and injured inside the Wanni pocket between 20 January and 5 February is 3700, and of this total, more than one thousand civilians have died.” The letter continued saying that “There is a high probability that fire from both LTTE and Government positions has led to these civilian casualties”, although it also noted this was “despite the best efforts” of the Government … The letter noted that the UN had “raised our concerns” with the Government, and it emphasised “the grave responsibility the LTTE has for this terrible situation.” …. Some UN staff in Colombo expressed to the UNCT leadership their dismay that the UN was placing primary emphasis on LTTE responsibility when the facts suggested otherwise, and urged a more public stance. (from Petrie Report)
“the United Nations in Sri Lanka estimates that the minimum figure of civilians killed and injured inside the Wanni pocket between 20 January and 5 February is 3700, and of this total, more than one thousand civilians have died.” The letter continued saying that “There is a high probability that fire from both LTTE and Government positions has led to these civilian casualties”, although it also noted this was “despite the best efforts” of the Government … The letter noted that the UN had “raised our concerns” with the Government, and it emphasised “the grave responsibility the LTTE has for this terrible situation.” …. Some UN staff in Colombo expressed to the UNCT leadership their dismay that the UN was placing primary emphasis on LTTE responsibility when the facts suggested otherwise, and urged a more public stance. (from Petrie Report)
Date
7 February 2009