Harper Fails in Bid to Choke Sri Lanka at CHOGM
All countries support Colombo's hosting of 2013 Summit says Australian Envoy
UPDATE: SL-USA
The Australian High Commissioner to Canada has echoed his nation’s endorsement of Colombo hosting the next Commonwealth summit in 2013 and indicated that there’s general support for Sri Lanka.
In an interview with the Canada-based Embassy Online, the Australian High Commissioner to Canada Justin Brown commenting on Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s statement that he would boycott the summit if the Sri Lankan government does not improve human rights said: "That decision has already been taken," Australian High Commissioner to Canada Justin Brown said of the Sri Lankan summit. "The mood I sense is that all countries want Sri Lanka to be a success."
Mr. Harper's widely-publicized stand against Sri Lanka, made to an ethnic media roundtable conference in September, did not change going into the summit last week. But he failed to convince his colleagues.
"My understanding is that there is no proposal to revisit the hosting of the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting," Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said.
In an interview with the Canada-based Embassy Online, the Australian High Commissioner to Canada Justin Brown commenting on Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s statement that he would boycott the summit if the Sri Lankan government does not improve human rights said: "That decision has already been taken," Australian High Commissioner to Canada Justin Brown said of the Sri Lankan summit. "The mood I sense is that all countries want Sri Lanka to be a success."
Mr. Harper's widely-publicized stand against Sri Lanka, made to an ethnic media roundtable conference in September, did not change going into the summit last week. But he failed to convince his colleagues.
"My understanding is that there is no proposal to revisit the hosting of the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting," Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said.
Left: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers a speech to the Commonwealth Business forum in
Perth, Australia Thursday Oct. 27, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Harper is reported to have "spent an awkward hour Friday morning seated adjacent to Sri Lankan President
Mahendra Rajapakse for the summit's opening ceremonies, and the pair were also cheek-by-jowl for the leaders family photo,"
according to 'Global News.'
Perth, Australia Thursday Oct. 27, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Harper is reported to have "spent an awkward hour Friday morning seated adjacent to Sri Lankan President
Mahendra Rajapakse for the summit's opening ceremonies, and the pair were also cheek-by-jowl for the leaders family photo,"
according to 'Global News.'
Indian backing
Queen Elizabeth being welcomed at CHOGM
India too expressed strong support for its neighbor. "Well, as far as we are concerned, the decision to have the next CHOGM in 2013 was taken at the meeting in Port of Spain,” Vice President Hamid Ansari who was representing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters accompanying him to Perth.
India also shot down a recommendation to set up a human rights monitor in member countries saying it amounted to duplication of what the UN has been doing through its rapporteurs.
The 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting began its main proceedings yesterday (Oct 28) in Perth with chief guest Queen Elisabeth II addressing the inaugural ceremony.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard was appointed chairperson of the 54-member Commonwealth organization, a position she will hold till the next commonwealth summit in 2013.
President Rajapaksa participated in the inaugural session, sitting adjacent to Prime Minister Harper who later told reporters: "I did on occasion have an opportunity to speak very briefly with (Rajapakse) and I think our perspective in terms of the next meeting is very well known."
India also shot down a recommendation to set up a human rights monitor in member countries saying it amounted to duplication of what the UN has been doing through its rapporteurs.
The 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting began its main proceedings yesterday (Oct 28) in Perth with chief guest Queen Elisabeth II addressing the inaugural ceremony.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard was appointed chairperson of the 54-member Commonwealth organization, a position she will hold till the next commonwealth summit in 2013.
President Rajapaksa participated in the inaugural session, sitting adjacent to Prime Minister Harper who later told reporters: "I did on occasion have an opportunity to speak very briefly with (Rajapakse) and I think our perspective in terms of the next meeting is very well known."