Japan backs U.N. bid to probe Sri Lanka abuses+

COLOMBO, June 20 Kyodo -
Japan's top peace envoy to Sri Lanka wrapped up a visit Sunday by supporting a
U.N. bid to address alleged war crimes committed during the final phase of the
island's ethnic civil war.
Yasushi Akashi said he believed the United Nations could help in Sri Lanka's
reconciliation process and Colombo could make use of the expertise at the
disposal of the world body.
''The government listened to what I said,'' he told reporters in Colombo just
before leaving the country. ''But I feel there is a lack of flexibility and
openness.''
Akashi arrived in Colombo earlier in this week on a mission to press the
government to move swiftly toward reconciliation and lasting peace a year after
the end of nearly four decades of ethnic strife that, according to the United
Nations, claimed 100,000 lives.
The world body also reported at least 7,000 civilians were killed in the first
four months of last year alone and called for accountability for any human
rights violations and crimes against humanity.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is due to name a panel soon to advise him on
accountability in Sri Lanka.
The panel is seen as a likely prelude to a war crimes investigation.
==Kyodo
2010-06-20 21:32:42