Positive political development in war-torn Sri Lanka and Indonesia?

Although disaster areas are Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and Thailand, smaller number of deaths were also reported from Malaysia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Seychelles, as well as distant east African coastline countries particularly Somalia.

The commitments of aid and logistic support by America for distribution of relief goods and establishing coalition with the governments of Japan and India to conduct relief operation in the affected areas were appreciated by the international community. President Bush's further announcement of designating George H.W. Bush, 41st President and Bill Clinton, 42nd President to spearhead a nation-wide fund-raising drive for these natural disaster victims was well received by Americans irrespective of party affiliations. Apart from this, Bush administration has sent high powered team headed by Colin Powell, Secretary of State, which included brother of the President, who is the Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush to the affected region in Asia to assess the death toll and destruction as well. Many Americans and European tourists are reportedly missing in Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Although belated, the actions taken by Bush administration will in fact go a long way in building its image which has been tarnished in the comity of nations because of wrong doings in Iraq and double standard policy in the Middle East. Unilateral use of military power by Bush administration has caused displeasure and disagreement among its trusted allies in Europe.

This unprecedented natural disaster has another effect too. Banda Aceh province of Indonesia and northern and eastern portions of Sri Lanka have been the scenes of separatist movement for a long time. Northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka, which are controlled by Tamil tigers, have been worst hit by tsunami. The rebels have separately appealed for aid, but Sri Lanka government has already begun relief operation. In an address to the nation on December 26, 2004, President Kumaratunga said that "the mighty forces of nature have compelled us to learn a lesson that some of us refused for long to learn. We have to act together." The President has formed all party national committee to handle gigantic relief and reconstruction work. She has also invited Tamil Tigers' leader to join the national committee.

Tamil tigers have been fighting with government forces for 20 years for separation from Sri Lanka. Presently there has been cease- fire in the area since 2002 on the basis of Norway brokered truce. It is expected that a good will gesture will prevail upon on the Tamil tigers to make a deal with the government to avoid blood shed in future.

Aceh, on Sumatra Island's northern tip, has been the focus of a long guerilla war against Army of Indonesia. This disaster, however, compelled the rebels and the military to come closer to put down arms and work together for relief operation. Meanwhile, Free Aceh movement has announced a cease-fire in its struggle for independence. The newly elected President of Indonesia, former General Susilo B Yudhoyano, visited the tsunami battered Aceh. He needs to win hearts and minds of the affected people there to quell the trend for ever. America has embarked on a massive scale aid effort in close cooperation with Indonesian government. This is the major change of attitude of American administration to show to the Muslim world that they do not have any animosity towards Muslim community as such. It may be recalled that America had suspended many forms of military cooperation with Indonesia since 1992 due to concerns over human rights abuses by the Indonesian armed forces.

Media in America, both print and electronic, have been according wide possible coverage to this disaster, which succeeded in generating sympathy of Americans, who have been responding to the call for help. In an editorial The New York Times on December 28, 2004 commented that "no human power could have stopped the wall of water that washed over coasts from Indonesia to East Africa on Sunday. But human foresight could, and should have mitigated resulting tragedy". It said that there are certain to be additional tsunamis in this region in the future, although the historical record suggests that it may be several decades before the next one strikes. "That time should be used to create a reliable warning system that reaches all coastal areas. Washington, which has already offered all appropriate assistance to the affected countries, is uniquely qualified to provide the needed technical and humanitarian help." Similarly, United Nation's call has a positive effect in this respect.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, a former diplomat, now resides in Virginia.