|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 22 September 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
by FRANCES BULATHSINGHALA reporting from Thailand
The drama of peace enacted so far mainly in the confines of Sri Lanka has moved to Thailand. And in the country known for its rich Buddhist heritage, and paradoxically, its rich capacities for entertainment, the dream of peace was unveiled, in the seclusion of Thailand's security Naval base in Sattahip, nearly two hundred kilometres from bustling and colourful city centre of Bangkok. To the wide web of media representatives, it was a matter of waiting, till the conclusion of the talks on 18th of September for the much anticipated press briefing, for a revealing in distinct terms, of the decisions arrived at the negotiations between the two parties. More clearly it was waiting to get a first hand reading of whether the LTTE has shed their Tiger skin, clamped their jaws and become domesticated to suit the democratic structure as required by the Sri Lankan Government to negotiate the modalities of a long term peace. In the joint press conference given by the Government and the LTTE representatives, packed with global media, held here in Sattahip, Thailand Wednesday (18) evening after the conclusion of the first round of three day peace talks which commenced 16, Monday between the LTTE and Government, Dr. Anton Balasingham, the head of the LTTE peace team said that there was 'no question of the Tamil Tigers laying down arms' and that the Government peace delegation did not put forward that demand during the discussions. However the statement by the LTTE that boggled the mind at the press conference, which marked the finale of the talks was of course that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was not fighting for a separate state but only for 'substantial autonomy', 'the concept of 'homeland' and 'self determination', as claimed by LTTE theoretician Balasingham. This was analyzed by the press as being stunningly paradoxical to the total concept of the armed struggle of the LTTE who have openly declared for the past nineteen years of bloodshed, of fighting for a separate State. "No, we will not lay down arms. It is too premature to think of it at this point of time. We first want a permanent solution for the ethnic question in Sri Lanka. Initially we were concerned about the humanitarian issues and the bringing forth of normalcy to the North and East. These three day talks were successful where humanitarian issues are concerned and that is why the LTTE has agreed to a series of meetings beginning from October to January with Sri Lankan Government representatives", a full suited Balasingham who despite his finery who appeared fidgety and nervous said adding that the LTTE war maestro Vellupillai Prabhakaran known globally as one of the most ruthless terrorists in the world, was 'completely happy and satisfied' with the progress of the peace talks. Balasingham, head of the four member LTTE peace delegation said that Prabhakaran was 'constantly kept in touch with' over telecommunication facilities provided by the Norwegian peace facilitators on the outcome of the three day negotiations. "These are men of high calibre to whom we are talking this time. The discussions are bound to reach a settlement for a long lasting peace", Balasingham said paying tribute to the four Government representatives, Minister of Science and Technology Milinda Moragoda, head of the UNF Governments' peace secretariat, Ambassador Bernard Gunatilleke, Minister of Muslim Affairs, Rauf Hakeem and head of the Government peace team Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Professor G. L. Peiris. One accusation levelled by the LTTE for the failure of peace talks in 1995 under President Kumaratunge was the lack of a 'personalised dialogue with the 'people who mattered' in the Government. Legal framework Meanwhile asked what priority the LTTE gave to the reconstruction of the hundreds of Muslim places of worship destroyed by LTTE artillery in the past years of war, Balasingham claimed that 'a very high level of priority' would be given to the reconstruction of these mosques when the LTTE campaigns for funds through its foreign funded Tamale Rehabilitation Organisation for the rehabilitation of the war wrecked regions in which a large number of Muslims lived before the 'ethnic cleansing' by the LTTE in 1990 where hundreds of Muslims were chased at gun point. Professor Peiris asked how he sees the legal framework of the proposed interim administration of the north east, considering the fact that the LTTE already runs a de facto State in areas controlled by them, complete with an LTTE police and judicial structure said that 'it was too early' to concentrate on the legal aspects. Prof. Peiris earlier, prior to the commencement of the talks, addressing the media at the formal opening ceremony on Monday reiterated that all negotiations and the establishment of an interim administration would be 'strictly within the Sri Lankan' constitution and within an unitary state. Casual Meanwhile State Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vidar Helgesen who played the role of moderator during the negotiations keeping in line with Norway's role as facilitators, giving an overall view of the talks which was held in total seclusion said that the three day atmosphere was 'totally cordial' with a 'casual dress code' and a 'casual tone of voice'. "There was a total sense of togetherness. It was a promising start. Tough issues were discussed but the understanding reached between the two sides during the last three days would make it possible for the successful carrying out of discussions in the next few months", Helgessen said refusing to specify. The Sri Lankan Government would next meet the LTTE on 31 October for a round of talks to end on 3 November. The representation from the LTTE is tipped to be changed with LTTE Political Wing leader Thamilchelvam heading its next peace delegation. Thailand is to be the venue for the complete round of talks till January. Minister of Muslim Affairs, Rauf Hakeem, who did not directly participate in the press conference in a special interview said that he was "happy" with the pledges given by the LTTE representatives and added that he would leave to the Vanni in the beginning of October for a second round of talks with the LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran whom he met earlier in the year soon after the Sri Lankan Government signed its Memorandum of Understanding with the Tigers. In the issue of rehabilitation of the Northeast which is estimated to run into billions of rupees the Sri Lankan Government too has their share of miracles to perform. Akin to that of turning water to wine the United National Front has to turn empty government coffers to hold colossal amounts of money that will substantially make the war desserts the north eastern areas have transformed to over the past nineteen years of war, into habitable regions adequately facilitating the resettlement of the large numbers of people languishing in cramped up refugee camps. The silver lining in this regard seems to be the wide global focus of Sri Lanka's calamity as apparent in the wide participation of Foreign delegates at the initial opening of the talks. It was indeed with convincing sincerity that Anton Balasingham, the LTTE theoretician delivered his eloquent speech, at the opening ceremony on Monday, 16, just prior to the beginning of the three day talks in Thailand, which had a impressive security attendance of the Thai Police, military as well as Thai Foreign Ministry delegates, Norwegian Government delegates and a wide web of foreign diplomats of over one hundred countries including local and international media. "We are totally and in all sincerity committed to the mission of establishing peace and we salute our leader (Vellupillai Prabhakaran) and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for their endeavours to instill peace. The hope of the talks would be to primarily. "We have built a bridge of trust. The Government will not go back. Neither will the LTTE. This is the understanding that we reached during the talks", Peiris said refraining to comment on the contents of the talks but adding that it was proving 'very fruitful'. Meanwhile Norwegian sources who monitored the talks without any participation said that there was a 'high level of goodwill' during the talks despite discussing 'tough' to be tackled in detail when the sides meet in the following months. Dialogue WHAT THEY SAID in Thailand - those who talked and those who were present Comments made by some of those involved in the peace talks Erik Solheim, Norwegian peace envoy - We first approached the request by the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government to assist in the talks with the western attitude of facilitating a peace deal with the two parties overnight. We are glad that we have hung on despite the cracks, which appeared in Sri Lanka's peace efforts in the past four years of our involvement. Permanent Secretary of the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tej Bunnag - 'For almost two decades the world has been saddened by the strife in Sri Lanka, whose cost in terms of lost lives and destroyed properties have been tragic. Earlier this year, therefore we joined the world community in welcoming the news of the ceasefire agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. It was then our feverent hope that there would be a subsequent start of political dialogue, which would hopefully lead to a resolution of the conflict. Later when we were approached by the Norwegian Government who on behalf of both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE inquired to the possibility of providing Thailand as the venue for the talks were pleased to contribute to the cause of peace in our part of the world. The Thai Government was immensely pleased with the response of the Royal Thai Navy for agreeing immediately to the request by the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide the Thai Navy. Headquarters as the venue for the formal talks between the LTTE and Government peace delegation. Prof. G. L. Peiris - "We have reached tangible progress. We have decided to hold the next round of direct talks with the LTTE at the end of October. We would also have regular monthly meetings thereon till next January. This is the biggest breakthrough. No peace endeavour approached before can be compared with this. Both The LTTE and the Government have decided to have a joint committee to facilitate the rehabilitation of the North east. This is a vital agreement as it is only by approaching the humanitarian issues that we can go ahead with the other more contentious issues. Anton Balasingham - "Nobody can doubt our sincerity. We are totally committed. We have been interested in peace since 1985 since the Thimpu talks. This however does not mean that we are ready to lay down arms. It is too early. We have been having our own army for nearly twenty years. It cannot be expected from us to lay down arms so soon. We refute all allegations that we are fighting for a separate state. We are fighting for self-determination of the Tamils. Our stand is that we will opt for a separate state only as a last resort if our demands or self-autonomy is not met. Rauf Hakeem, Minister of Muslim Affairs - I am positive. I do not expect miracles overnight. But so far we have a large number of Muslims who have gone back to their areas in Jaffna and who do not face harassment from the LTTE. I am not denying that there have been serious incidents of harassment of Muslims by the LTTE even after the pledge given to me by the LTTE leader four months ago. But we just that we have to look at the positive side of things. I will be travelling to meet the LTTE leader next month and will take issues of a more contentious nature at length personally with the LTTE leader. Sunila Abeysekera, Human rights activist (who was part of a peace monitoring team which consisted of representatives of non governmental organisations - We arrived in Thailand to attend the opening as we felt that as those who have been lobbying for peace we too should have our say. We have handed to the peace secretariat of the government our views concentrating on the rights of women. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
