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| Sunday, 11 May 2003 |
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Delhi has no objections- Indian diplomat by P. Krishnaswamy The Government has, in its renewed efforts to promote the peace process by settling contentious issues relating to the High Security Zone (HSZ) and sea security in the North, obtained the counselling of one more senior Indian service personnel, P. J. Jacob, former Vice Chief of the Staff of the Indian Navy. Meanwhile, the revised second report of former Indian Army Chief Lt. General Sathis Nambiar on relocation of Army detachments in the Northern HSZs has already been made available to the Government. With the presence of these two former Indian service chiefs in Colombo, leaders of major political parties expressed diverse reactions to the "Sunday Observer" from the point of view of their respective political parties. Commenting on the presence of the former Indian service chiefs in the scene, Indian diplomatic sources said that they were helping in the peace process in their capacity as independent consultants 'with no political objections from the Government of India' but that they were not representing the views of the Indian Government. The Indian diplomatic sources further said: "India supports a peace process committed to a negotiated settlement that meets the just aspirations of all elements of Sri Lankan society, besides ensuring that the principles of democracy, pluralism and human rights are respected on the ground. India would welcome any proposal that would bring peace within the framework of unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka." Here are excerpts of reactions from political parties: UNP Batticaloa District leader, former MP and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Policy Development and Implementation, Alizahir Moulana: "The assistance of the former Indian army chief, Gen. Sathis Nambiar, was obtained on relocation of army units in the Jaffna HSZ since the LTTE rejected an earlier report of Jaffna Security Force Commander, Maj.Gen.Sarath Fonseka, and insisted on a report from a neutral party. Gen.Nambiar was invited by the Government on the recommendation of the Indian Government. He is a competent professional in the field. It is the same with regard to the presence of Mr. P. J. Jacob, the former Vice Chief of the Indian Navy, who has come to provide expert counselling on sea security. The report of Gen. Nambiar has been given to the President, the Opposition and the Defence Minister for their observations which, in turn, will be taken up at the next round of talks. India is our immediate and important neighbour, profoundly interested in the success of our peace process." Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Chairman and Deputy Minister of Housing, Basheer Segu Dawood MP: "We perceive India as a 'sharp observer' of our internal crisis and the ongoing peace process and not as a passive onlooker, as some other political parties claim. India took part in the pre-Donor conference held in Washington and there are visible signs that she will take part in the Donor conference to be held in Japan. We are also of the position that India is within the purview of the International Community and we welcome India's interest and assistance, in whatever form, towards our efforts to resolve the ethnic problem." Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) Secretary General, R. Sampanthan MP: "India's role in the peace process is accepted by everyone. India has been kept informed of all developments in the peace process by both the Government and the international facilitator, the Norwegian Government. The main opposition party has also been afforded that facility. We appeal to India to extend its fullest co-operation to the peace process." Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) spokesman, R. Yogarajan MP: "Sri Lanka is looking forward to the support from India. Being the regional super power and having the confidence of all parties in Sri Lanka, India should play a more productive role without being mere onlookers." Leader of the Democratic Left Front (DLF), Vasudeva Nanayakkara: "India's involvement is, hopefully, positive. It is no secret that the Indian government is not happy with the LTTE. We hope that the Indian government would rise above that prejudice in their contribution to the peace process. Ideally, the Sri Lankan government, the LTTE, Tamil parties and the SLMC should have sorted out the conflict between themselves." Leader of the New Left Front (NLF), Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne: "India at the beginning said that they will not be involved and kept away from the peace process. Now India is indirectly trying to enter or influence the process. One reason may be that they are frightened of American intervention in the sub-continent after the Iraq war. Unless the Government and the LTTE cast away their suspicions and sit down to honest discussion, there will be room for outsiders to intervene." |
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