Obama Bundler, Argentine Ambassador Nominee, has never been to Argentina!

In a February 7, 2014 article on FoxNews.com titled Argentine ambassador pick, and Obama bundler, has never been to Argentina,  Noah Bryson Mamet has been picked by Obama to be the US ambassador to Argentina.  There’s one problem, though – he’s never actually been to Argentina.  This is not the first time Obama has chosen to overlook qualified people for the ambassador job, either. Apparently, George Tunis was also nominated by Obama to represent the US in Norway, but didn’t know their system of government – he had said he likes their president, but Norway has a prime minister.

According to a similar article on CNN that explains the same sad story of political backscratching, Obama has appointed a total of 23 major fundraisers who have collectively raised at least $16.1 million for Obama since 2007. 

Senator Marco Rubio from Florida interviewed Mamet and expressed how important Argentina is as a post for an ambassador because he believes they are heading in an “anti-democratic direction.” But Mamet said that Argentina is, “an ally who we disagree with.”

The big question is, why presidents do not appoint people who have the competence to important posts? Mamet has never even been to the country to which he will be posted – this irked the senate. 

I have been unable to find out if Mamet speaks Spanish, but I seriously doubt that he even knows what the national language is.

I think there should be something done within the government – to regulate itself – to ban the President from appointing people who are unqualified for jobs. Each nominee should be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of his or her post country. If this is enforced, our relations with each country will strengthen and there will be less of a chance that something to go awry due to incompetence.

By Christopher M. Vacek

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/07/nominee-for-argentina-ambassador-and-obama-bundler-has-never-been-to-argentina/#

http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2014/02/07/obama-bundler-nominated-to-be-ambassador-to-argentina-has-never-been-to-the-country/ 

Homeland chief says Syria a U.S. domestic security concern

The chief of homeland security is raising the concern, among other officials in the Obama administration, that the civil war in Syria has become a domestic threat to America. He stated that individuals from the U.S, Canada and other western countries have been going to the Middle East, particularly Syria to partake in the combat there. He also stated that individuals are answering the call from radical websites and networks to return to their home countries to participate in the civil war there. In return they are trying to recruit these people to return to the United States to carry out acts of terrorism, raising a huge domestic concern. This is very interesting, as I can understand how people would answer the call from radicals, especially people who have a problem with the U.S government. I can see this being a very large concern, as it would be much easier to carry out attacks from within the homeland. It will be interesting to see if this threat escalates and if it becomes a larger issue going forward. 

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2014/02/07/homeland-chief-says-syria-a-u-s-domestic-security-concern/

Istanbul clashes over Turkey's new internet laws

Clashes arose in turkey between the riot police and the demonstrators as part of protesting against the new roles imposed by the government for the censorship over the internet. High pressured water and tear gas were used widely during the clashes, while the demonstrators were replying back by throwing stones and using fireworks as well. The main reason was that the Turkish parliament has just passed a pill that gives the government the right to block websites without seeking a court decision in advance. While the same bill forces internet users to store data on their internet activities for two years and make it available for the authority. However, what makes the situation even more complicated is that the president is under pressure for to ratify the legislation. The Prime Minister, Erdogan, has been very critical to the internet, especially to the social media websites. He claimed also that the legislation will make the internet more safe and free. While the opposition on the other side, says that it’s part of the government’s attempt to stifle a corruption scandal especially after the serious one that broke lately on December and was shared among the public through social media websites.

Written By,
Youssef Mekawy
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26103295)

Bosnia-Herzegovina rocked by violent protests

Sarajevo and other urban areas of Bosnia are experiencing periods of violent protest after what The Guardian calls years of "economic and political stagnation" following a civil war, which ended in 1995. Ethnic strife plagues the region's politics, making progress costly and slow. In the city of Tuzla, over 5,000 protesters stormed a government building and hurled electronics from windows. Protesters are also attacking police with rocks, reports indicate; police are responding with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons.

Bosnia's economic outlook remains bleak, as unemployment nears 30 percent. According to a protester, young people are unable to find work and old people lack the security of a pension. It remains unclear how government officials plan to address the violence and its underlying causes. What is clear is that officials must raise the public's level of trust in their endeavors, as corruption is also perceived to be rampant.

You can read more about the issue here.

Posted by Colin Wescott

Bomb threat forces plane to land in Turkey after demand to land in Sochi

Earlier this morning a Pegasus Airlines plane was forced to land after a passenger claimed that there was a bomb on board the plane. The plane was bound for Turkey but the passenger requested that the plane land in Sochi instead. After landing the plane was inspected and the man, believed to be Ukrainian, was taken into custody. Its unclear at this point if there really was a bomb on board and what the intentions of the man were, but officials were not willing to risk an attack given the heightened security around Sochi and the olympics. At the time of this report the 110 passengers were still aboard the plane, and nothing has developed further.

Alec Phillipp
http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/07/world/europe/turkey-flight-bomb-threat/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Religious Freedom Is a Tenet of Foreign Policy, Obama Says

President Obama scolded China, Iran, North Korea and other countries tat are known offenders of religious persecution and oppression. He stated that religious freedom is a central tenant of American foreign policy. Specifically, speaking at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, Obama singled out Beijing for not allowing Christians among others to worship freely. Obama also condemned Iran and North Korea for holding missionaries and urged their release. Obama argued that nations that stifle religious freedom are inevitably predisposed to instability and violence.“Nations that do not uphold these rights sow the bitter seeds of instability and violence and extremism. So freedom of religion matters to our national security.” Obama used this breakfast to praise Pope Francis who similarly share the mission of alleviating poverty and promoting economic equality. This brings up the important question of diplomacy, especially when dealing with China. Obama has been very strategic when it comes to foreign rhetoric and business with China, due to the shear volume and importance that China has over the world. However, "I stress that realizing China’s potential rests on upholding universal rights, including for Christians, and Tibetan Buddhists and Uighur Muslims,” Mr. Obama said.  Obama is arguing that although China is a rising important power they cannot be given a pass for the atrocities that they are committing against religious freedom. If China is to becoming a leading force in the world they must play by international human rights rules. This is an interesting dynamic, although Obama is pragmatic in foreign relations, we see a little push from the administration that could possibly lead to a sticky situation.




http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/us/politics/obama-denounces-religious-repression.html?rref=politics&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Politics&pgtype=article


Katelyn Krumreich

Ukraine Crisis: Leaked Phone Call Embarrasses U.S.

The riots in Ukraine have caused both Russia and the U.S. to intervene in the situation. However, a phone call between the Assistant Secretary of State, Victoria Nuland, and US Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt was leaked. In this call opinions of the opposition leaders and who should be supported was discussed and Nuland had some not so nice things to say about the EU. Ultimately her goal was to get the UN involved in the situation in attempt to keep things together. Russia is very critical of this information and has been very critical of America's support and involvement in Ukraine. On the flip side the United States is less than thrilled that Russia is attempting to coerce Ukraine towards their goals.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26072281

By: Janine Yeh

Iran and US Meet Again to Discuss Nuclear Agreement

Secretary of State John Kerry met with Iran's foreign minister, Javad Zarif, on Sunday to further discuss a nuclear agreement that was put into place November 2013. The nuclear agreement stated that Iran agreed to halt "its most sensitive uranium enrichment activities in return for an easing of western sanctions." The agreement began in January and will be in effect for six months as long as Iran keeps up with their end of the bargain. Iran is to "receive $4.2bn in Iranian assets of oil revenue blocked overseas in eight installments over six months." If Iran continues to stop its 20% enrichment program and converts half of its 20%-enriched uranium to oxide, and dilute the other half to 5%, America and the EU will lift sanctions on petrochemical products, insurance, gold and other metals, passenger plane parts and services. Talks between Zarif and Kerry which increased after President Hassan Rouhani was elected, has led to less tense ties between the west and Iran.

European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, who met with Zarif on Friday stated that "Iran had agreed to a new round of negotiations in Vienna with the five permanent members of the UN security council plus Germany." The United States is hopeful that the renewed ties with Iran will lead to a promising future. Iran has to only follow through with its agreement.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/02/iran-us-meet-discuss-nuclear-agreement

Karzai meets with Taliban

President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, without informing United States and Western allies, has been in contact with the Taliban in secret. Officials are saying that Mr. Karzai actions with interaction with the Taliban for reaching a peace agreement without America, is building a strain on the relationship between US and Afghanistan. This interaction is making the contact between US and Afghanistan is already going towards a rocky relationship, and the involvement of the Taliban, will only increase violence and the suspicious from US. With United State's knowledge of peace talks being talked between Afghanistan and Taliban, US is responding  that it can be very hard "maintain even minimal security cooperation with Mr. Karzai's government of its successor after coming elections" (Ahmed). The frustration is growing more from Obama with Mr. Karzai refusing to sign the agreement with US, which would clear the way for American troops to stay on for training and counter terrorism work at the end of the year. The mission between Afghanistan and America is growing at rapid intense and America is getting more concern as where the relationship will stand. It is said that the Taliban reached out in November to Mr. Karzai and were trying to come to a peaceful agreement. President Karzai saw this to be the opportunity to make something happen that America has been trying to have happen but haven't. Mr. Karzai saw the opportunity to show up United States without their knowledge of what is happening. Although the negotiations between Taliban and Mr. Karzai have not progressed anywhere from the opening negotiations, it is something to have an eye and watch it progression could happen. The long-term agreement to a relationship between Afghanistan and United States is almost complete but Mr. Karzai is being indifferent about it and staling out one accepting some the agreements, making the progress of a relationship between US and Afghanistan move slowly. Afghan officials are saying that there are no moves toward any negotiation with Taliban and any prospets of a peace deal were now gone. Although there are discussion of no movement toward peace talk with Taliban, Mr. Karzai is also concerned with relationships with America just because he knows Afghanistan's history with other foreign nations and he doesn't want the troubled history to come back up again. He has said many times over that he will not be signing any agreement with America, if they are not clear about helping bring the Taliban to the table for peace talks. It seems like that Mr. Karzai will go about this peace talk with or without America, but he is trying to include America so there aren't any bigger issues started from this.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/04/world/asia/karzai-has-held-secret-contacts-with-the-taliban.html?hp&_r=0

Simona Gudynaite

The Non-Scandal of Special Operations Forces

This post discusses Special Operations Forces from the United States being stationed all around the world. The article states that there are Special Ops forces stationed in over 100 different countries around the world and that the secrecy surrounding there whereabouts and reasoning for being in those locations is being brought into question by some groups. This article states that there are legitimate reasons the U.S. has Special Forces around the world, but due to the nature of their work, not many details can be given as to what it is exactly that they do. An example of what these types of forces do is given in the situation with Special forces in Jordan. Jordan's prime minister said that the country is hosting roughly 900 U.S. special forces in order to strengthen it's defense to ensure they are not brought into trouble involving the Syrian Civil War. This is just one example of why the United States has these forces stationed throughout the world. I think this is a compelling article as to the necessity of the forces and I believe that for good reason we do not know many details about them, but that they are working to protect us from potential threats.


By: Josh Moorman

 Article

Costa Rica and El Salvador Hold Elections!

On Sunday, two Central American nations held presidential elections- Costa Rica and El Salvador. Both countries new elections were seen as referendums on political deadlock and both countries. Sunday's elections brought about the polarizing dualities of voting: voters in Costa Rica had to choose whether to oust a long-governing party while voters in El Salvador contemplated whether to bring one back to power.

Ultimately, El Salvador's ruling leftist party won the elections, despite criticism of the government of President Mauricio Funes and allegations that his regime did little to spark the economy and reduce drug and gang related crimes that have ravaged numerous villages. Similarly, in Costa Rica, a ruling conservative party fighting internal corruption allegations was challenged by a left-leaning congressman. Three other rivals threatened to split the vote, making no clear winner thus far.

-William B. Robinson
#PSC222 #PSC322

Palestinian Leader Seeks NATO Force in Future State

President Mahmoud Abbas has discussed with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry a United States led NATO force patrol for Palestine.  Mr. Abbas explained that the NATO force's mission would be responsible for policing the smuggling of guns across the West Bank.  This prevention, along with the further prevention of terrorism in the area that Israel fears.  Israel has made it clear that they have no intention of leaving the Jordan Valley as well as controlling the timing and conditions of the withdrawal of its troops.  Kerry has begun to construct a peace plan that he hopes the two sides will accept.  Peace talks are expected to continue for a period of nine months, and Abbas has said that if it seems like the talks are working he will continue with them, but if not he will stop the peace talks all together.  The biggest problem Abbas has with the proposal, as it stands, is accepting Israel as a Jewish state.  Only at the end of nine months will we know if the peace talks have gained ground, or if they are just further dead ends between the two countries.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/world/middleeast/palestinian-leader-seeks-nato-force-in-future-state.html?ref=world&_r=0

By: Chris Lencioni

Afghan Presidential Election Campaign Underway

Elections to replace President Karzai are scheduled to take place on April 5, however security issues have caused fear among voters. The Taliban has rejected the elections and has been mounting attacks. Already two campaign workers for Abdullah Abdullah have been killed. Widespread fear of more attacks may cause voters to remain at home instead of going to the polls. One of the main campaign issues is the presences of US forces. Currently forces are scheduled to leave at the end of the year if an agreement is not signed by President Karzai. However, Karzai has been stalling on signing this agreement and it appears that it may be his successor who would finish the negotiations. One of the candidates, Abdullah Abdullah, held a rally at which he stated that the world shouldn't be afraid of Afghanistan and Afghans shouldn't be afraid of the world. Perhaps if he is elected this will open the door for more international cooperation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26007023

By: Janine Yeh

Geneva 2 peace Talks focused on Terrorism,victims honored in moment of silence

      Follow up on the Geneva peace Talks. As the Geneva 2 Peace Talks began minutes of silence were dedicated to the memory of the hundreds of thousands of people approximately 130,000 whose lives were dashed off by the civil war. Soon after the silence in honor of the dead, the Talks began with the same tone that of accusation by both sides over the bearing of responsibility for the massacre. With both sides pointing at each other and blaming each other for the hideous actions against their own people, we see again this status quo in the Peace Talks. Assad’s deputy foreign minister, Mekdad Faisal accused the opposition or rebel group call it as you please of refusing to sign a treaty which included a combat on terrorism. According to Mr. Faisal one of the opposition was involved in terrorism which the opposition spokesman unilaterally rejected and qualifying the treaty as being “one sided”. The first in its kind to have ever made the two parties to sat down. I think that unless the UN takes further measure to crack down not only against Assad’s use of weapons to kill his people but also on the opposition to come to a cease fire and eventually elaborate a more inclusive plan in terms of sanctions against Assad’s regime we will more likely witness a more bloody days ahead.Even though the UN Brahimi says that this is the beginning of the process.

http://www.dw.de/geneva-2-talks-focus-on-terrorism-victims-honored-in-moment-of-silence/a-17397393?maca=en-rss_en_nr_home-7347-xml-mrss

Watchdog Warns Of Corruption As $1 Billion In U.S. Aid Flows To Afghanistan

The Afghan government will soon be receiving $1 billion dollars in aid from the U.S., but a new inspector general report claims that that money is at a large risk of corruption and waste. Aid to Afghanistan symbolizes the shift in American foreign policy with Afghanistan, as the U.S slowly is starting to pull its troops from the country. Afghanistan is rated by Transparency International, an international anti-corruption agency, as one of the three most corrupt countries in the world, slightly behind North Korea and Somalia. The fear is that a lot of that money will end up being siphoned off into Afghan officials pockets. This whole situation is very interesting. As the United States continuously gives countries "aid" money to countries that either 1) hate us or 2) are known to be highly corrupt. I for one am tired of seeing my tax money going to places that clearly do not deserve it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/30/usaid-afghanistan_n_4696465.html?utm_hp_ref=world

90 killed in punishing air raids in Syria's Aleppo

Aleppo was stuck by yet another air raid conducted by the Syrian government. A total of 90 people were killed in the raid, amongst them, women, children, and opposition members. The bombs that were used are known as barrel bombs. These are barrels that are packed full of explosives and shrapnel. These bombs have the ability to level a whole entire building with a single explosion. Aleppo is one of the opposition strongholds and has been targeted almost daily by the Syrian government for air raids. The Syrian government says that it is targeting the terrorist groups in Aleppo.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/02/world/meast/syria/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Mark Vear

Voting blocked in parts of Thailand

The protesters that blocked early voting are following through with their promise to block voting for the main election.  Voting in the norther regions of the country went without much problem, but in the southern parts where the opposition Democrat party is more popular, some polling stations were blocked.  Government officials currently say that around 89% of polling stations operated normally.  However, more elections will probably still be needed regardless of the outcome because of prior disruption to registration for candidates which will result in there not being enough MPs for parliament.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26003995

Jeff Kort

France's future at risk from "unnatural families," say conservative protesters

Tens of thousands of conservative protesters (500,000, if you believe the protesters themselves) took to the streets of Paris and Lyons on Sunday to once again make clear their dissatisfaction regarding "nontraditional" familial structures. Last April, French parliament approved a statute legalizing same-sex marriage; since, groundswells of conservative contempt have intensified. They culminated last week in a "Day of Anger" protest, which devolved into antisemitic, pro-Nazi demonstrations. Right-wing extremists have also accused French schools of teaching "masturbation classes," thereby harming students' sense of gender and identity.

French Interior Minister Manuel Valls said the country is witnessing the birth of a "Tea Party à la Française," a movement he described as racist, homophobic, and anti-republican. The face of this movement is equally important as its actions: many protesters were students, a far cry from the stereotypical family-oriented activist. Irrespective of one's position on the issues, the state of public discourse in France clearly is in shambles.

You can read more about the story here. 

Posted by Colin Wescott

Top five foreign policy points in Obama's State of the Union speech

On Tuesday, President Obama's fifth State of the Union address took a thorough domestic focus. In the speech that lasted more than an hour, Obama spent about 15 minutes talking about Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, drones,  and closing Gitmo. However, he stated firmly that 2014 was going to be a year of action and that he was prepared to work without congressional support. Critics have noted this statement as a public first in regards to Obama's stance on executive orders to advance his agenda. The meat of the speech was on progress as opposed to radical change. The speech was largely political rhetoric and many supporters (and critics alike) called it too tame. Instead of taking firm stances on a variety of divisive issues, Obama stayed in the middle. Political scholar William Galston stated "...the president did not come across as an aggressive practitioner of unilateral executive power". Yet, Obama did promise to continue cracking down on any new nuclear sanctions from Iran. He also called (again) for the closing of Gitmo which was one of his strongest campaign legs in 2009. In regards to Afghanistan, he pledged to keep a small force of Americans in pursuit of two missions: training of Afghan security forces and counter-terrorism.


--Emily Goodfellow (PSC 222)

Netanyahu Criticizes Kerry Over Boycott Remarks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and some of his senior ministers criticize those who are threatening a boycott over Israel's Palestinian policies. Earlier, Secretary of State John Kerry warned Israel that unless his Middle East Peace effort succeed, the threat of increased boycotts are inevitable. In an effort to calm tensions the State Department issued a statement stating, “all parties have to accurately portray his record and statements.” Pleading with the Israeli critics the State Department ensured that Kerry has always opposed calls for boycotts. This all coming to a head as the Obama administration is finishing their present "framework" accord.  In response Netanyahu states that, "attempts to impose a boycott on the State of Israel are immoral and unjust”.  Israel’s minister of strategic affairs, Yuval Steinitz, was more direct and forceful saying that Israel will not negotiate with a gun to its head. Although Kerry has never publicly advocated for boycotts, he has not been shy about commenting on the destabilization nature of the Palestinian conflict and a need for a workable solution. Israel likewise has not been shy about commenting on the American security plan for Israel. Israel’s defense minister, Moshe Yaalon, was forced to apologize last month after his review was published in an Israeli newspaper. Israel is also at heads with the Obama administrations Iranian nuclear peace talks. As tensions with Israel increase practical foreign policy is necessary to disseminate already increasing tensions between these two allied states.


http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/world/middleeast/netanyahu-criticizes-kerry-over-boycott-remarks.html?hp&_r=0


Katelyn Krumreich

15 People killed during volcanic eruption in Indonesia

In North Sumatra, Indonesia, Mount Sinabung has been continually erupting since 2010. This weekend, 15 people were killed by the debris that surged out from the volcano. While it has always been a rather dormant volcano with minimal activity, the eruptions that began in 2010 have wrecked havoc throughout the region. Besides the continuous stream of eruptions, the volcano has also started to spew out toxic gases since September of last year. Due to the dangers of inhaling the heavy smoke that fills the atmosphere after the eruptions, as many as 16 villages have been evacuated to other safer locations. At least 30,000 people are currently housed at evacuation centers, with various humanitarian aid filtering in to the country to help the victims. Currently, the government of Indonesia has the region on the highest alert, declaring it to be a danger zone. In the news article, it was also revealed that no one was suppose to be near the volcano at a 5 kilometer zone surrounding it. The people that were killed during the eruptions were found within 3 kilometers of Mount Sinabung.

The article and accompanying images can be read here.

By: Lauren Marie De Guzman

US says Russia may have violated nuclear arms control treaty

The United States has reacted after some suspicions that Russia might have launched a new cruise missile. According to the State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, the investigations are still going on in whether Russia has violated the Treaty for Nuclear Arms Control. The investigations are being done based on some clear evidence that the United States says they have. 

The supposed missile launch dates back in 2008 and Psaki have stated that the US have not come up yet with any official declaration or decision about that issue. The treaty was signed in 1987 as part of many other agreements to bring the Cold War to the end.

These investigations might also play role in internal politics, especially since the President Obama is trying to push Congress for further reduction of US "stockpile of arms". 

Recently, the US has also raised questions to whether Russia has also launched their first ultra-sonic missile or not.  

Seems like the need for control over the other countries from the American side is never ending. 

  

To read the original article please click here. 

Fatlum Gashi

  

Tensions building in Ukraine

Ukraine has been in a position of unrest since November when they accepted a Russian bailout after pushing aside aide from the EU. The unrest in the Ukraine is resulting in tensions between the EU and the U.S at a summit in Munich meeting to try and determine a path for the Ukraine to take. “European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the "future of Ukraine belongs with the EU" while US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US backed Ukraine's "fight for democracy".”  The Russian foreign minister has also made a statement that western countries uphold double standards when it comes to violent protests. At this annual summit the president of the EU stated that time was on their side and the Ukraine would eventually come around to accepting their offer which still remains on the table. However the U.S. Secretary of State responded to those statements by saying that the interests of the citizens in the Balkan states are once again being diminished by the oligarchy in power who are trying to maintain power. He also stated that the importance of democratic freedom in Europe is being tested in the Ukraine and that it is up to the EU and the U.S. to stand and fight for the freedoms for the people of the Ukraine.  With the apparent torture of Dmytro Bulatov who went missing for eight days and was held captive by people who apparently spoke with Russian accents. Now in the hospital he is under guard with people having next to no access to him.

Pressure builds for investigation of war crimes in Sri Lanka

A top State Department official is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka on Friday after the United States has announced that it would seek a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council regarding allegations of war crimes having occurred in Sri Lanka.  Nisha Biswal, the assistant secretary of state for Central and South Asian affairs, is expected to meet with government officials and members of the opposition at the capital.  Keheliya Rambukwella, a government spokesman, stated that Ms. Biswal's visit was an opportunity for the United States to witness "firsthand the progress Sri Lanka has made in its reconciliation efforts."  The Human Rights Council has already passed two resolutions pressuring the Sri Lankan government to investigate war crimes but this time, the United States may ask for an independent international investigation (one that does not rest on the Sri Lankan government).  In the last few years, videos and pictures of what appear to be executed civilians have leaked out of the country, suggesting that the government killed 40,000 people in the war's final stages back in 2009.  Lalith Weeratunga, the permanent secretary to the Sri Lankan president, said that if these investigations were pursued, the government would extend the search back to the 1980s when India led military operations in the region.  Human rights groups have accused the Indian peacekeeping troops of committing abuses toward the Tamil Tigers during these operations, and so Mr. Weeratunga has stated that revisiting these allegations would disturb their relations with India.

http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.noctrl.edu/nationalnewsexpanded/docview/1492809497/B5CE391F59474FD1PQ/25?accountid=44854

Amanda Ngo