Atul Keshap adds voice to growing criticism over Capitol Hill attack
The mob attack on the Capitol Hill when the Senate and the House of Representatives were in session Wednesday to endorse the election of President elect Joe Biden turned the world spotlight on United States, the beacon of democracy and champions of human rights.
It is they who preached good governance, the right behaviour and sent troops to nations they perceived were rogues to change regimes, foist lackeys, and hand down codes of conduct. Alas, after over a century, what went on was described by a former US President George W. Bush as something that only happens in a Banana Republic. Little wonder, some of President Donald Trump’s supporters, whom he
instigated had gone bananas. He now faces ouster through a second impeachment.
The social media, in the US in particular, made fun of the President Trump backed mob. One cartoon spoke of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq being rushed to Washington DC to restore democracy. Another said that troops from Sierra Leone were landing in Andrew’s Air Force Base for the same purpose.
In this midst, even a senior US career diplomat who served as their Ambassador in Sri Lanka from 2013 to 2015 Atul Keshap was miffed. After ending his tour of duty in Sri Lanka, it was the Trump administration that named him Principal Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. From Washington DC he also pushed for the signing of the Status of Forces (SOFA) agreement between US and Sri Lanka.
He quickly re-tweeted a message from former US President George W. Bush who said the incidents were a “sickening and heart-breaking sight.” He added “I am appalled by the reckless behaviour of some political leaders since the election and the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and out law enforcement.”
That is not all. Immediately after tweeting that message, Keshap also tweeted another. That was the text of an oath he took swearing allegiance to the US Constitution. The point was clear – he was serving under a Constitution to which he has sworn alliance and not to an individual.
Before being nominated Ambassador to Sri Lanka, former US President Barrack Obama named him to serve under Nisha Biswal, then Assistant Secretary in the State Department. Now, diplomatic circles are talking about her possible return though what position she will inherit is not known.
He quickly re- tweeted wa message from former US President George W. Bush who said the incidents were a “sickening and heart- breaking sight.” He added “I am appalled by the reckless behaviour of some political leaders since the election and the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and out law enforcement.”