Clinton condemns abduction of children by LTTE

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, in Colombo as a special UN envoy for Tsunami reconstruction, categorically called the abduction of tsunami affected children, by the LTTE, to be trained as child soldiers, a " Horrible crime."

"It's a crime" Clinton said, adding after a thoughtful pause " A horrible crime." LTTE has so far recruited 137 children into their ranks since the tsunami, nine of whom were taken directly from relief camps, according to a UNICEF report.

Clinton also visited the Tsunami stricken Muslim areas of East on Saturday morning to see the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the area.

Pressed as to why he was not visiting the LTTE- occupied areas in Sri Lanka, Clinton stated that his aim was to meet Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese at a "neutral ground".

Meanwhile, Clinton commented that he strongly supports the President Kumaratunge's move to implement a "Joint Mechanism" to distribute aid among the Tsunami affected people in North East areas of Sri lanka.

However, Clinton avoided a direct answer when asked how he could support the JM when even the Prime Minister of the country had admitted he knew nothing of such mechanism. The former US president however, expressed optimism on issues concerning Muslims relating to the Joint Mechanism.

Clinton also urged all concerned parties to utilize the opportunity to build a better future for the country.

" Too many children have died, too many families have been crushed. If I was 20 years younger and I was a politician here, I would take hold of this chance to build a future for this country." he added.

Bill Clinton will next tour the tsunami hit areas of the Maldives , before flying to Indonesia's Aceh province.

Source: Asia Tribune.com

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