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| Sunday, 29 December 2002 |
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SLMM reviews the year that 'guns fell silent' : Balance of Forces vital for ceasefire This report which we reproduce today, was the main story on page 1 of the 'Daily News'on Friday the 27th. An unrealistic normalisation programme in the name of progress and development should not be allowed to come into force at the expense of security, as this could undermine the building of permanent peace, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said yesterday. "In order to build peace the forces on both sides must be kept stable. In Jaffna, simply dismantling High Security Zones for resettlement and handing over land for cultivation will decrease both security and combat potential of the Government Forces. The balance of forces is the basis of the Ceasefire agreement and disturbing that balance is disturbing the Ceasefire," the SLMM said in a two-page statement issued last afternoon. Representatives of the LTTE have stated that maintaining their military strength is vital if they are to be successful in their negotiations. What applies to the LTTE in this context should also apply for the Government, the SLMM added. "Normalisation and de-escalation are two concepts now guiding the way in the building of Peace in Sri Lanka. As SLMM defines De-escalation it is a reduction of the level of intensity of the conflict. Normalisation is the process of returning to a friendly relationship without violence. People want normalisation and security, but one must not undermine the other," the statement issued by SLMM Chief Gen. Trond Furuhovde stated. Excerpts from the statement: "Although the war has ended, some of the problems are still military in nature. However, the real threat to the new Sri Lanka now comes from the activities of extremists and criminal organisations. Those are the elements which are undermining the building of peace. All must work together with the Government and the LTTE leadership, to protect society against these elements. "Child recruitment, abductions and extortions are still a part of life in the North and East. This is not the reality people like to live in and individual cadres must be active in supporting the LTTE leadership in stopping these activities in their areas. "Ceasefire violations of LTTE during November were at a historical low and for the first time, not a single case was ruled as a violation of the Government side. Among the reasons identified by SLMM is the progress in the peace talks and the increased dialogue and cooperation between the parties at all levels. "One year has passed since the guns fell silent in Sri Lanka. People have stopped asking if the war will start again. Fear and distrust is being removed. The Government, the LTTE and the people have started to experience the value of peace. "Security and freedom have increased. The international society has clearly shown it cares about the new Sri Lanka. Democracy must be developed in the North and East as attacks on political groups cannot be tolerated. The changes in the country are however clearly for the better. "SLMM has been monitoring, facilitating and advising the parties in the peace process during the last year and has on occasions bordered on exceeding its mandate. Voices recommending increased powers for SLMM can regularly be heard from both parties and members of the public. Undergoing changes of SLMM depend on the decisions and agreements of the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. "SLMM will do its utmost to inform the Government, the LTTE leadership and the public on what it sees, hears and believes. SLMM will strive to maintain its impartiality and credibility. "The importance and responsibility of the Media is much more than in times of war. But it is not enough to accuse. Accusations must be supported by facts and arguments. The role of the media includes in depth reporting and explanations, good judgement and healthy criticism on the course of events. "The new Sri Lanka has chosen to solve internal differences through dialogue and not confrontation. The Ceasefire agreement will continue to be the basis of the harmonising of mutual interests. This means that all people should practice justice towards each other. After a long period of destruction we are now experiencing the initial phase of a country in transformation. Sri Lanka has entered a new era. "This era will not end, it is not limited to a period of time, it is a birth of a new society. The time has come to protect what you have gained during the last year. Each person has to share the responsibility with the Government and the LTTE leadership to form a new Sri Lanka. When history will look at the last 20 years in Sri Lanka, 2002 will be considered to have been the best." |
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