Clergy want int'l probe on Sri Lanka civil war

Colombo, Feb 19 (AP) Christian clergy from Sri Lanka's ethnic Tamil-majority north are asking the United Nations Human Rights Council to push for an independent international inquiry into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka's civil war. A letter dated yesterday and signed by 133 Roman Catholic, Anglican and Methodist pastors and nuns says the government lacks the will to resolve causes of the conflict on its own. The clergy also want UN officials alleged to have failed to protect civilians at the height of the war to be held accountable. The human rights council is to begin its sessions later this month and Sri Lanka is likely to face questions on implementing its war commission report. The US has said that it is sponsoring a resolution on Sri Lanka for a second straight year. (AP) SAI 02192309 NNNN