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| Sunday, 22 August 2004 |
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Norway's dual role a problem Eastern Corridor Rashomi Silva Norway's dual role as facilitator and truce monitor appeared to be at variance last week when the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) failed to inquire into the 'presence of a suspicious trawler' in the seas off Chalai in face of strong LTTE objections. The SLMM, according to reports, had given in to the LTTE objections. The reports, if correct, point to a strong weakness on the part of the monitors; the role of monitors is not to give into the objections and demands of either party but to make a ruling and to take decisions. They should not hesitate to take even tough decisions when the need arises. Understandably, a facilitator would not want to make either party unhappy; they would try to settle matters amicably. While appreciating Norway's very constructive role as facilitator so far, the invariable question arises, if Monday's incident was not a result of Norway's dual role as facilitator and truce monitor. Even the issue of LTTE camps in government-held East and the monitors' reluctance to making a strong ruling with regard to the camps, pose the question if it was a mistake on Norway's side to play the role of Chairman of the Monitoring Mission while facilitating the peace between the rebels and the government. Killing spree Last week which began with the killing of Kandasamy Iyer Balanadaraja in Colombo saw five more lives being lost when two civilians, a Policeman and two senior LTTE cadres were killed by unidentified gunmen who apparently have a free run in the island's troubled East. The recent most violent acts at the time of writing were the killings of two senior LTTE cadres and a Muttur Police official. According to military sources, two cadres Bava and Yoga, the Deputy Political Head and Divisional Rehabilitation and Administrative Chief of the LTTE were proceeding towards Kokadicholai after attending a meeting in rebel-held Vakari. A claymore mine was lobbed at the motorcycles carrying the cadres, killing them on the spot and injuring another female cadre, who was later admitted to the Batticaloa hospital. Another female cadre who escaped has reportedly said she could identify the men who hurled the claymore. The incident is likely to trigger off more killings and violence, an Army official predicted. Meanwhile, the Army website reported killings of a schoolteacher from Muttur and a retired Police constable from Welikanda, early last week. Army sources said they suspect the LTTE to have a hand in the affair. US warning In the face of increasing political-related killings, intimidation and violence, the diplomatic circles led by the US last week cautioned the Tigers to be more considerate toward human and civil rights. "Assassination and suicide bombing are unacceptable. The recruitment of child soldiers must cease," they warned. |
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