As my name was not mentioned in a subsequent article by Hussein on the same issue, published on October 16th, I assumed he had realised that what he attributed to me was wrong.

However, in a letter today (30/10/08), he has written ‘that falsity about a supposed UTHR report had somehow been made to prevail, "taking in Wijesinha, Lankathileke, Godage, and doubtless many others"

This perpetuates an error, so I would be grateful if you could publish prominently the fact that I did not claim that the killing had been carried out by Muslims. I referred to the Muslim element in the UTHR report so as to point out the various contradictions in the assertions even of UTHR. I did not cite that element in isolation, but noted other elements, too. To quote what I said in full ;

"The latest report from the Jaffna University Teachers for Human Rights claims to have pieced together the entire story of the killing of 17 ACF staff at Mutur. It now places the responsibility for the killings on one Muslim homeguard and two policemen, with the assertion that they must have been instructed by more senior policemen. The time of the killings is placed categorically in the afternoon of Friday August 4th."

Elsewhere, I mentioned the UTHR explanation for Muslim hostility to the ACF workers, my point being the irresponsibility of ACF in keeping them in a vulnerable position when this had developed, as also the absurdity of ACF placing great weight on UTHR reports in some particulars while ignoring others.

I continue to hope that at least now the bereaved will seek proper compensation through the French courts. The efforts of ACF to blame the Sri Lankan forces, even inviting the rogue Gen Henricsson to launch his accusations at a commemorative function, were designed to avoid dealing with the issue justly. Now that parents have spoken so movingly, I hope the French government too will help them in their quest for compensation as well as redress.

That is an area in which European social practice is commendable, and, perhaps, legal assistance will be offered by that government to the families of the victims.