US welcomes IDP resettlement

The United States welcomes the Government's progress in the resettlement procedure, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs and former US diplomat for Sri Lanka, Robert Blake said the past
He emphasized that his in general assessment of his visits to Menik Farm and the demining areas in Mannar, was that the current situation was very pleasant
"The United States," he stated, "welcomes the recent development by the Government of Sri Lanka to return a bulk of these Sri Lankans home and allow increased freedom of movement to persons still in camp."
The former Ambassador visited Menik Farm the preceding morning, as well as demining areas in Mannar. He had also called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and more than a few other leaders.
Talking about the upcoming presidential elections, Blake said the USA did not take sides in elections in other countries.
He said he was confident relations between the US and Sri Lanka would grow no substance which candidate was winning. His country's hope is that the Government and the Opposition would work together to develop a consensus on power distribution preparations to be implemented to ensure that all Sri Lankans can participate in the democratic process and that democratic system could be restored in Northern Sri Lanka.
Answering questions Blake stated that he wouldn't say that the US held a challenging attitude towards Sri Lanka.
He noted that the US was Sri Lanka's most important trade partner, purchasing one quarter of Sri Lanka's exports.
He said his country was ready to carry on help in demining and reconstruction, with $6.6 million by now contributed towards the demining procedure.
Courtesy - Daily news