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Sunday, 13 January 2002  
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With bated breath

The country is waiting with bated breath as the possibility of renewed peace negotiations between the Government and the LTTE becomes ever more likely with each step taken to build confidence and goodwill between the two sides and in Sri Lankan society as a whole.

These 'confidence-building measures' (CBM) as they are called by the conflict resolution experts have so far seen action by the Government to ease security restrictions in the North-East war zone as well as in the country in general and a commitment to the relaxing of economic sanctions against LTTE-controlled areas.

Meanwhile, the LTTE-initiated cease-fire has held firm, and the indications are that, in the light of the Government's continuing goodwill actions, the guns may remain silent, at least in the intermediate term.

The Government has moved quickly to systematically prepare for negotiations by initiating contacts with Norway, the facilitating country, as well as by appointing senior Ministers and an experienced former diplomat to oversee the negotiating process.

The security authorities are poised to raise the barriers on supplies to LTTE-held areas this week and Minister Jayalath Jayawardena and other officials are working hard to make all requirements available to that long-embattled population in the war zone.

Only some goods that may be directly useful for military purposes are to be kept on the list of controlled items. Confidence building, though, has to take place on both sides.

With the Government having taken all these useful measures, it is time the LTTE too takes steps and make the necessary signals that will contribute to building confidence in that organisation's good intentions.

The goodwill being created by the Government's actions surely lay the ground for a greater stability in the war zone. The atmosphere is appropriate for a stabilisation of the currently temporary cessation of hostilities.

At the same time, the relaxing of security restrictions on the Government side could be matched in the LTTE-controlled areas too. The restrictive control over the Tamil community exercised by the LTTE, both within and without the country, could be eased.

What is needed is a more liberal atmosphere that would ensure a freer public discussion of peace issues among the Tamil population.

Another very significant step by the LTTE would be to allow the re-opening of the land route to the Jaffna Peninsula, the lack of which, more than anything else, was the reason for the logistics and supply problems faced by the Peninsula population.

The Government stands ready to rehabilitate the Colombo-Jaffna highway via Elephant Pass the moment the LTTE opens the way.

Now the ball is in the LTTE's court to take the peace process further.

A further stabilisation of the situation in the country would create the atmosphere for more initiatives by the Government to enable the two sides to finally meet with mutual respect and legitimacy.

The vast majority of Sri Lankans appreciate the importance of the developing situation and the vital role being played by the Norwegian government in facilitating the engagement between the Government and the LTTE.

Norway has entered the Sri Lankan peace process with a considerable reputation already for its role in making peace in conflict zones in other parts of the world.

But while the Norwegians play their part in the peace process, it is ultimately up to the people in this country, on both sides of the conflict, to make it work.

As experience in other parts of the world has shown, the role of intermediaries could be nullified by the failure of the people of the country or countries involved in the conflict, especially their political leaders, to sustain the peace settlement.

The commitment by political leaders of all major parties, movements and interest groups is essential for this.

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