News - Thursday 08, October 1998
News - Thursday 08, October 1998
A Congressional Caucus comprising members of the US House of Representatives, both from the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, was launched on Monday at a ceremony held in the Rayburn Building at Capitol Hill in Washington. Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who is currently on a three day official visit to Washington D.C. was associated with the inauguration ceremony along with the Chairman of the Caucus Representative Frank Pallone, the US Congress Members who belonged to the Caucus, Congressional Aides, State Department Officials, several former US Ambassadors to Sri Lanka, representatives of Sri Lankan American organisations from various parts of the USA and the staff of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington.
The 'Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka' chaired by Rep. Pallone (New Jersey/Democrat), has as its founding members Rep. Connie Morella (Maryland/Republican), Rep. John Doolittle (California/Republican), Rep. Donald Payne (New Jersy/Democrat), Rep William Pascrell (New Jersey/Democrat), Rep Robert Menendez (New Jersey/Democrat), Rep. James Moran (Virginia/Democrat), Rep. Earl Hilliard (Alabama/Democrat), Rep. William Jefferson (Louisiana/Democrat), Rep Bill Luther (Minnesota/Democrat).
The Caucus has been established in terms of the regulations governing Congressional Member Organisations and has been registered and confirmed by the Committee on House Oversight. Congressional Caucuses serve as interest groups in Congress in favour of a country. Sri Lanka is among the few countries that have such a Caucus in the US Congress. In addition to furthering understanding between the US and the respective country, Congressional Caucuses promote the country's interests on issues concerning political developments, trade and investment and cultural relations. It also seeks to enhance the interests of Sri Lankans in the US and Americans in Sri Lanka.
The establishment of the 'Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka', is seen as the culmination of considerable strengthening of a Sri Lanka support base in the US Congress. In recent years there have been several resolutions on Sri Lanka passed with bi-partisan support in the US House of Representatives. These include a resolution in September 1995 commending the Government of Sri Lanka for the peace process and condemning terrorist action, which was a pre-cursor to the listing of the LTTE as a 'terrorist' organisation by the United States. Earlier this year, the House also moved a congratulatory resolution on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony Mr. Kadirgamar observed that this event is a notable landmark in the history of the relations between the United States of America and Sri Lanka.
He said it was a happy augury that it occurs in the golden jubilee year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Mr. Kadirgamar who observed the interest in Sri Lanka of the members of the Congress had reached high dimensions in recent years, said recent visits to Sri Lanka by Senator Charles Robb, Senator Richard Shelby and Congressmen Scot Klug and the interest showed in Sri Lanka particularly by Representative Benjamin Gilman, Representative Lee Hamilton and Representative Howard Berman was greatly appreciated. The Minister acknowledged the help that the American Government had given Sri Lanka through the initiatives taken in the House of Representatives and the Senate in Sri Lanka's struggle against terrorism.
He noted that the declaration of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation last year by the US Government very much on the initiative of the Congress, had gone a long way towards helping Sri lanka fight this deadly menace.
The Minister who briefly outlined the efforts being made by the Sri Lanka Government to restore peace in the island pointed out several areas where the Caucus could work to enhance mutual relations between the US and Sri Lanka. He requested Congressman Pallone and his colleagues to commend Sri Lanka to the American People as a country of great promise and said Sri Lanka though a small country is a friendly country and has great respect and affection for the Congress and the people of the United States.
Mr. Kadirgamar also acknowledged the considerable goodwill that is being bestowed on Sri Lanka by distinguished Americans who have served assignments in the country. He paid special tribute to the Sri Lankan Americans who have been interacting with the US Congress and Administration and the private sector for the benefit of their country of birth and said the Caucus launched was a result of their untiring efforts to achieve specific targets.
The Minister observed that the Lanka community in America is a responsible, hardworking, successful and honourable community in the US.
The Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka Representative Frank Pallone in his address emphasised that the Sri Lanka Caucus comprised both Democrats as well as Republicans and was therefore bipartisan in character.
He said the core group which founded this Caucus were now in the process of encouraging other members of the House of Representatives to join it.
He asked that members of the Sri Lanka community in the US also approach their local Congressmen and encourage them to join the Caucus. He said the Caucus will seek to make members of the Congress more aware as to why the US should have better relations with Sri Lanka and need to invest in Sri Lanka, as well as keep them informed about political issues.
Representative Pallone said the Caucus would envision having forums relating to Sri Lanka on a regular basis and when votes come up on the House floor that are of interest to Sri Lanka or to the community they will get involved in that as well. Associated in the event were Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the US Dr. Warnasena Rasaputram, US Assistant Secretary of State (South Asian Affairs Bureau) Ambassador Karl Inderfurth, former US Ambassadors to Sri Lanka and members of Sri Lanka organisations in the USA.
The full text of Mr. Kadirgamar at the launch of the Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka.
"It gives me very great pleasure indeed to be associated today with the launching of the Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka. This event is a notable landmark in the history of relations between the United States of America and Sri Lanka. It is a happy augury that this event has occurred in the Golden Jubilee year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and Sri Lanka.
The establishment of a Caucus on Sri Lanka that is as I understand it a Sri Lanka friendship group in the Congress of the United States of America, comprising distinguished members of the House of Representatives, both from the Democratic party and the Republican party, is the culmination of an evolving relationship between the United States Congress and Sri Lanka.
The process of formulating the Sri Lanka Caucus was completed only a few days ago when the Committee on House Oversight received the registration information required by the regulations governing Congressional Member Organisations as passed by the Committee on House Oversight in February 1995, and confirmed the registration of the Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka. Representative Frank Pallone as Chairman of the Caucus has addressed letters to all members of the House of Representatives informing them of the establishment of the Caucus and inviting the Honourable Representatives to become members of it. It is expected that many Representatives will respond positively to this invitation. It may be noted that the Congress has just a handful of country based Caucuses. Therefore the creation of the Sri Lanka Caucus is a remarkable development.
The interest in Sri Lanka of the Honourable Members of the Congress has reached high dimensions in recent years. We welcomed Senator Charles Robb, Senator Richard Shelby and Congressman Scot Klug in Sri Lanka during the last few months. Representative Benjamin Gilman and Representative Lee Hamilton, Chairman and Ranking Democratic Member of the Committee on International Relations as well as Representative Doug Beruter and Representative Howard Berman, Chairman and Ranking Democratic Member of Sub Committee on Asia and the Pacific, have been closely associated with all developments concerning Sri Lanka in the House of Representatives.
In September 1995 Congress commended the Government of Sri Lanka on the initiation of its peace process. This resolution was moved by Representative Doug Bereuter, co-sponsored by Rep Howard Berman and Rep Albert Wynn and crafted by Rep Lee Hamilton. It was unanimously passed with bipartisan support in the House.
On the occasion of Sri Lanka's 50 years of independence in February this year the House moved a congratulatory resolution and approved it unanimously with bipartisan support. Statements were made by Representative Doug Bereuter introducing the resolution and Representative Bill Luther, Representative Eni Faleomavaega, Representative Benjamin Gilman, Representative Frank Pallone and Representative Howard Berman.
In the forming of the Sri Lanka Caucus Representative Frank Pallone as the Chairman of the Caucus played an active role. I am delighted that the Honourable Congressman was present to hear me say that.
Representative Connie Morella, Representative John Doolittle, Representative Donald Payne, Representative William Pascrell, Representative Robert Menendez, Representative Earl Hilliard, Representative William Jefferson, Representative Bill Luther joined in the initial formalities.
It is a privilege to welcome the members of the United States Department of State who are present here this evening. The Honourable Rick Inderfurth and the officials of the South Asian Affairs Bureau Ambassador Inderfurth visited Sri Lanka twice, once with former Ambassador Bill Richardson and once on his own. I can say that we count him as a friend of Sri Lanka. I had the pleasure today of meeting with Acting Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, earlier in the afternoon.
I am greatly encouraged, Ladies and Gentlemen, by the rapid improvement of US-Sri Lanka bilateral relations. The spontaneous support and cooperation extended by staff members and legislative Aides of the Congress have assisted in many ways to strengthen and enhance our links with Congress. A visit to Sri Lanka by a three member delegation of Aides early this year comprising Mr. Robert Hathaway, Mr. Michael Ennis and Mr. Richard Kessler was very welcome. I had the pleasure of meeting them when they were in Colombo.
The staff members of Congress have been interacting closely with the Sri Lanka Embassy. Members of the Congressional Legislative Association headed by Mr. Nelson Garcia have been invited by the Ambassador for briefings on many occasions. The Congressional Black Associates had a meeting with our Ambassador and the Embassy staff for the first time ever just last week. Staff member Tustall Wilson and Vice President of the Association Ms Chuck Garfield were instrumental in arranging it.
I acknowledge with pleasure the friendship and support of Mr. Paul Berkowitz, Mr. Enere Levi, Mr. Jonathan Katz, Mr. Robert Dechine, Mr. John Willis, Ms. Kate Dickens, Ms. Anne Jacob, Ms. Cathy Kulkarni and many others. I thank them all warmly. Mr. Kapil Sharma, former legislative Aide was associated with us in many ways. We thank him and wish him well in his new assignment. Staff members, if I may be permitted to say so in the presence of Congressmen, are the key people in the Congressional offices. So I am told. In fact some Congressmen have told me that. Their understanding and support for Sri Lanka have been invaluable.
The presence of the American friends of Sri Lanka on this occasion is a reflection of the considerable goodwill bestowed on our country by distinguished Americans who had served assignments in our country. Ambassador Terresita Schaffer has, together with Ambassador Howard Schaffer, always been a pillar of support to us. I thank Teresita for being present this evening. Ambassador Christopher Van Hollen, Ambassador John Rigg also former US Ambassadors to Sri Lanka, have remained interested in developments in Sri Lanka long after their retirement. Former Ambassador James Spain chose Sri Lanka as his home after retirement. I see him from time to time. I make a point of inviting him to many of my receptions and dinners. Their goodwill is greatly appreciated. I thank them one and all.
The Sri Lankan Americans present this evening are only a few of those spread across the USA. They have been very effective in serving the country of their residence and contributing to its economic progress. The Sri Lankan community in America, I have it on good authority, is a responsible, hardworking, successful and honourable community in this country. among the Sri Lankans are professionals of high standing - doctors, engineers, academics, successful businessmen who are also keen to help their motherland. They have been interacting with the US Congress and Administration and the private sector for the benefit of their country of birth. The Caucus that is launched today is a result of their untiring efforts to achieve specific targets. I wish to acknowledge warmly the work done by many of these Sri Lankans. I refer to the Sri Lankan group in New Jersey, and especially, if I may say so, Mrs. Anoma Akmeemana and Dr. Hemal Wijeratne, friends of Sri Lanka in Washington DC, Professors Stanley and Vidya Samarasinghe, Dr. Henry Wagage, Ms. Grisilda Pitigala, Miss Pradeepa Lenora, Mrs. Kumudini Wickremasinghe in California, the Sri Lanka Group in Minnesota, among many others. I thank all of them very much indeed. It is heartening to us, back home, to know that they are active and concerned about Sri Lanka and that they are working so well with the Congress of the United States of America.
Ladies and Gentleman, congressman Pallone, there are many areas in which this Caucus can work to enhance mutual relations between the United States of America and Sri Lanka. Business, for instance. I invite all of you, congressmen, and all those who are connected with congress, to tell your constituents, small enterprises, not necessarily the giant companies, that there is a good home for investment in Sri Lanka. There is an excellent package of incentives, one of the best in Asia, with full repatriation of dividends and profits allowed without any exchange control restraints. You have tax free holidays for a long period of time, 10 to 15 years, and you have a very congenial working atmosphere in Sri Lanka. It is a country in which English is widely spoken and everybody says, I should not be the one to say this, but everybody says that Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. And so I say to Congressman Pallone and his colleagues, please bear that in mind when you are speaking to your constituents.
I have been asked this question by Congressmen before, "what is it that we can do for your people?" And I say, "well these are the possibilities, please explore them". Sri Lanka is this year, the Chairman of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) a grouping of seven countries. It represents one quarter of humanity, 1.2 billion people. The grouping is Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. There is a giant market there and all the signs are that this market is opening up in keeping with the new trends of globalisation and economic interaction in the international community. So I would say to American investors, "Be wise, look down the road". The famous adage is that "the early bird gets the worm". And those who are there early are the ones who will reap the rewards.
On the political side allow me to say that the help that the American Government has given Sri Lanka as a result of initiatives taken in the House of Representatives and in the Senate in our struggle against terrorism in Sri Lanka has been of enormous encouragement. I thank you again and again for that. The declaration of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation last year by the United States Government which was very much on the initiative of congress, and interested parties in both Houses, has gone a long way towards helping us to fight this deadly menace which we all have an interest in eliminating.
I thank you Congressman Pallone very much and I ask you to convey to your colleagues my appreciation and my happiness that they were able to join this Caucus. Sri Lanka is a small country. It is a friendly country and it has a great respect and affection for your Congress and your people. Allow me then, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, to propose a toast to the - success of the newly formed Sri Lanka Caucus - to the health and happiness of the people of the United States of America - to the strengthening of relations between Sri Lanka and the United States of America, and let me couple that with a toast to Representative Frank Pallone, the Chairman of the Caucus, with my thanks for his presence here this evening. I thank you."
Statement by Congressman Frank Pallone:
"Let me just say very briefly that I am very pleased to be here this evening with Foreign Minister and also with the Ambassador. We, as you know, as was stated, are beginning a Sri Lanka Caucus. So far we have been officially established by the House Oversight Committee. So there is a Caucus at this point. We have a number of members who have agreed on a bipartisan basis of Democrats and Republicans to join the Caucus and we are going to use these members to get the other members to join. I think, if you don't mind.
I would like to mention the members who already joined and who are basically the organisers in our application to have the Caucus to the House Oversight Committee. They are John Doolittle, Eni Faleomavaega, Earl Hilliard, Bill Luther, Bob Menendez, Connie Morella, Bill Pascrell and Donald Payne. And what we are going to do after setting up the Caucus this week is to ask other members to join. I have to say that this is probably.
I may say hopefully, the last week that the Congress is in session this year. So basically this is the initial process to get members used to the idea now about the fact that we are going to have the Caucus. Our main focus in terms of getting members and actually being active will have to wait until the new session of the Congress. Well what we do is ask the members of the Sri Lanka community here in the United States in the very Congressional districts where they live or, even where they don't live, to call their local Congressmen including the new ones. The new Congressmen, remember that they will be elected on November 3, should be asked to join the Caucus and when we come back in January we can get a lot of members from the new Congress.
I don't have to go through all the things that we can do. Obviously most of you know what this Caucus is all about. It is partially educational to get the members of Congress aware of why we should be having better relations with Sri Lanka, why we need to invest in Sri Lanka, to talk about both economic and trade as well as political issues.
You mention terrorism as well. So we will do that. We envision having forums on a regular basis. In business right now we ask you to come and meet with us at a forum that we would probably have today and we have the best types of forums and, of course, when votes come up on the House floor that are of interest to Sri Lanka or to the community we will also get involved in that as well. Those are the kinds of things that we plan to do. so I am just very happy to be a part of this and you are right. You do have a beautiful country. In fact I love your flag. When I was just a little kid I just loved your flag, it is one of the most striking and prettiest flags, as is the country. So thank you for inviting me. This is the beginning of a relationship, not just with me but with all the members of Congress."