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US: Defense Attaché's remarks do not reflect US policy

06 June 2011

 Following the US Embassy's Defense Attaché, Lt. Col. Lawrence Smith's peculiar remarks at Sri Lanka's three day seminar, the US State Department have responded swiftly in a statement describing his remarks as 'personal opinions' and stipulating that they 'do not reflect the policy of the United States Government'.

The statement went on to reiterate the United States' concern over the findings of the UN Panel report and commitment to ensuring credible accountability. 

The US previously declined their invitation to participate in the conference, however, as the statement clarified, Lt. Col. Lawrence Smith was present in order to 'observe the proceedings'. 

During the three-day seminar, Lt. Col. Lawrence Smith had publicly refuted findings within the UN Panel report - namely that LTTE cadres were killed whilst trying to surrender. He asserted that the claims of surrender were made from LTTE 'mouthpieces'. 

See here The Island newspaper's coverage of Smith's remarks, prior to the US State Department's statement.
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