UN re(sup)port

How often do enemies end up in the friends’ corner? How often do enemy activities become a blessing in disguise? How big is the bigger picture, and how little do we see of it? These questions baffled me while the nation and the globe argued as to how factual, legal or biased the UN report is.

The little journalistic experience I have and the few Hollywood movies I have watched have taught me that in every "big" story, there are always little twists. To get carried away with the obvious facts is convenient...but what if the obvious facts are all but obvious? I chose to tread a different path; I treated the situation at hand as a Hollywood movie, directed and acted by the Martin Scorseses and Brad Pitts of politics today.

Sit back and relax, if you wish to, grab that bowl of pop corn too, for here unravels “The Great UN re(sup)port”. The world, as much as it condemns radicals, seems to have a very special place for them too. Ask yourself: do you know more about Adolf Hitler or Mother Theresa? Is Che Guevara renowned as a rights activist or a rebellious leader? The answers will tell you that we seem to appreciate the “Pepsi-men” as they are called now, hardcore game changers, while easily forgetting those whose change was subtle and often unnoticed.

Ban Ki Moon is no ordinary secretary general, Mahinda Rajapaksa is no ordinary political leader. In the true sense of it, they are game changers. Kumaran Pathmanadan alias KP and Karuna Amman were such game changers for the LTTE in the past, against the government kindly note, but 2 years down the line they lie low and pledge their support to the government, an enemy they once fought, when their once so called ally, the UN thrashes the GOSL in a report. What irony, don’t you think?

The UN that has been fighting a cold war with Russia over the past few decades has been extremely vocal in making its stance on Russia, clear. It has vehemently condemned the support pledged by the Vodka nation to criticizers of UN, in the caliber of former headline-stealer Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and even current headline-stealer Muammar Gaddafi. But a fortnight ago, when Ban Ki Moon took a trip to the Kremlin, it was not to discuss how to save the world or what the newest brand of Vodka is, but to simply canvass for his 2^nd term in office. Despite being a cold friend and an unsung enemy, Moon had to plead with Russia to refrain from vetoing his 2^nd term. Again, irony, wouldn’t you think?

It’s not over, just yet. With his tenure in office reaching the closing stages Moon is in dire need to prop up his image, he wants the world to see him as the global leader who would resolve all matters, a leader who can make tough decisions. Like hard-hitting T.M. Dilshan became a game changer with his “Dil scoop”, Moon came out with his very own “Moon scoop”. After all, in what better way can he achieve his goals than throwing stones at a tiny island like Sri Lanka? Remember the report was submitted not by the UN Security Council or the Human Rights Council; it was compiled by an advisory panel of the Secretary General. For those who are not familiar with the intricacies, Moon cannot take any action based on the report submitted, instead he can only forward it into the agenda of the Security Council where it can possibly be debated on and possibly used to determine a future course of action. Simply put, direct threats require decisive action, in this case, there is neither direct threat nor decisive action. Do you see the irony once again?

Let’s look at the other side of the coin. In the eyes of the Sri Lankan public, as showcased by the 

government, Moon and the UN are Sri Lanka’s new enemies. The local Conan, a president who was able to eliminate a ruthless terrorist organization, will he back down when Moon (for that matter even the when the sun) levels allegations? Remember President Mahinda Rajapaksa is not known for his diplomatic skills, he will not go down the wire as one of the best economists we’ve had, but surely he is one of the best fighters the world has seen. 

For the President to survive, and in order to bolster his image, there needs to be a fight. What value does a fighter have other than in a fight? Fortunately or unfortunately there isn’t a single force within our territories that could pose a fair threat to the man in the red shawl. The present regime thrives and prospers on extremism. Let’s face it; they have the men and the strategies to counter it.

Moon’s stones are like showers of blessings for MR, finally he can take his sword out and there is a worthy opponent to fight. The government’s vocal army now has reasons to takeover the news stations with their incessant and over-budgeted condemnations. They can once again protest at the gates of the UN compound, burn effigies and become the local heroes who allegedly have, on several occasions, had the UN on its knees. The government which was yawning in boredom is now full of action; like rampaging pachyderms, they are all over the media, streets, walls and the minds of the people.

I hope you are beginning to see the behind-the-scenes footage of this movie. In a matter of days Ban Ki Moon who was taken to the cleaners by the international media organizations including CNN, BBC and Aljazeera is portrayed as a man who stood strong and independently appointed a commission to look into war crimes in Sri Lanka. The UN diplomat is making headlines for issuing an unedited and comprehensive report to the world and demanding the GOSL to respond to it.

Isn’t it a win-win situation for both parties?

And those who think this UN report is already a storm in the international circuits, let me assure you, this storm is a gentle breeze in comparison to what lies ahead. It would be very surprising if no post-argument action is taken by the international community or the government. It’s a battle to entertain the masses, simply to demonstrate to the world and the country the virtues of individuals or organizations, and why they should keep playing the lead roles.

 

Do not forget, there must be extremism for anther form of extremism to survive. So watch the game-changers play this game; choose, though, if you should cheer them on, or laugh at them.