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| Sunday, 10 November 2002 |
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Japan's special envoy highly pleased with peace talks by Ananth Palakidnar The Special Representative of the Government of Japan Yasushi Akashi who was in Sri Lanka to observe the progress of the peace talks between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam said that he was extremely happy to see that the peace process was going with a sense of optimism and enthusiasm and proceeding with determination to see peace become a reality. The Special Representative was speaking at a press briefing held at the Hotel Galadari on Friday to express his observations on his six-day visit to the Island, which also covered the LTTE held Kilinochchi area. Yasushi Akashi, a former under Secretary-General of the United Nations for Humanitarian Affairs, and an expert in the field of peace building rehabilitation and reconstruction was sent specially by the Japanese Government to study the current situation in Sri Lanka and to acquaint himself on the progress of the peace process. Paying a glowing tribute to Norway on its facilitation role in the Sri Lankan peace process Akashi said that Norway has displayed diplomatic skill and a pragmatic and flexible approach to the peace initiatives in Sri Lanka." The entire international community is impressed by the role played by the Norway in the Sri Lankan peace process. However Akashi said: You can only bring a horse to water but cannot force it to drink", Mr. Akashi quipped . Helping Sri Lanka in the areas of rehabilitation and reconstruction, he said that the main intention of his Sri Lankan visit was to familiarize himself with all political parties including the LTTE. "The views of both the Government and the LTTE were largely coinciding with the priority issues such as rebuilding the war- torn areas. The Japan being one of the largest donors to Sri Lanka is monitoring the peace process and intends to stage a major conference sometime next year to discuss helping Sri Lanka . Prior to the conference the Japanese Government will observe the progress of the peace process and decisions will be made on the basis of how successful the peace process," Akashi said. The special envoy also met the LTTE's political wing leader S.P. Thamilchelvam in Kilinochchi last week and expressed confidence that the organisation was determined to see that the peace process was successful. |
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