John Holmes of UN reiterates concern for trapped Sri Lankan civilians

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U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes said dozens of civilians were dying every day and that about 150,000-190,000 remain trapped in the no-fire zone. He added that "forced recruitment" into the ranks of the Tamil Tigers continues.

DiCarlo and British Ambassador John Sawers were among the diplomats who expressed support for Holmes' appeal for a temporary ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into the no-fire zone and civilians out of the enclave.

The Sri Lankan envoy said that was fine with his government, but not the Tamil Tigers. "The Sri Lankan government is ready to let the civilians go today," Palihakkara said. "The issue is the LTTE is not willing to let them go."

DiCarlo, Sawers and other council envoys criticized the Tamil Tigers, a group that Western governments have listed as a terrorist organization.

"We condemn the LTTE," DiCarlo said. "And we certainly condemn the fact that they use civilians as human shields."

U.N. diplomats said China and Russia are among those who oppose formal discussion of Sri Lanka, saying the fighting between Tamil Tigers and government forces represents no threat to international peace and security and was therefore no business of the council.

Sawers said it was not clear if the Security Council would take up the issue again, since it is not officially on its agenda.

The United Nations says the Tigers have forcibly kept people there as human shields or conscripts, and has warned the government against shelling the safe zone. It says 2,800 civilians have been killed since Jan. 20.

The government says it is not firing into the no-fire zone and that the U.N. numbers are unsubstantiated. The Tigers say people are choosing to stay with them.

Human Rights Watch has accused the government of indiscriminately shelling the no-fire zone where the civilians are. It also said the Tigers were forcing most civilians to stay.
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