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 'Ceasefire promising, India's role constructive'

by Ananth Palakidnar

The departing Norwegian envoy Jon Westborg who has played a key role since Norway was accepted as the facilitator in the current peace process says that the talks so far have shown encouraging signs towards reaching a settlement and are on the verge of entering into discussing important political issues.

Jon Westborg

He urges the people of this country to shed their differences and support the peace process. After serving for a period of six and a half years Mr. Westborg in his own words says "More than most diplomats or travellers I have had the opportunity to see all parts of this country. This has been from the sea, along the roads, from the air or in the middle of tea plantations or the jungles of Vanni. I will remember this beautiful country with its variations in landscape, climate, and colour."

Excerpts of the Interview with the Sunday Observer:

How do you asses your period of service as a Norwegian envoy in Sri Lanka?

I was really fortunate during my period as Ambassador because I got an opportunity to interact closely with people in all strata of society-politicians , business people, representatives of non-governmental organisations and ordinary citizens. They were open and willing to share their thoughts and feelings and thereby my tenure in Sri Lanka was rewarding and interesting.

You have played an important part in the signing of the Memorandum of understanding between Prime Minister Ranil Wicremesinghe and the LTTE leader Veluppilai Prabhakaran. How do you see the completion of one year of the MoU?

First of all I would like to point out, that what was signed officially between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the LTTE leader Veluppilai Prabhakaran in February, 2002 was a ceasefire agreement, but now it is known as Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement was signed to make the guns silent and to start the negotiations to find a solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. It is good to see the ceasefire continuing with fewer casualties for one year.

Compared to several other ceasefire agreements around the world the present ceasefire in Sri Lanka is constructive and has paved the way for negotiations since September last year. The parties engaged in the peace talks have demonstrated their willingness to continue with the talks despite periodic difficulties that emerged with regard to the implementation of the ceasefire.

The talks so far have been encouraging and now the parties are gradually entering into substantial discussions on political issues. Therefore my impression on the ceasefire agreement is that it has served the parties well and given them the opportunity to concentrate more towards reaching a settlement to concentrate more on the peace process in order to find a solution to the ethnic conflict.

You have been taking part in the peace talks since its inception and what have you got to comment on the talks taken place so far ?

From the facilitator's point of view, I could say that the acceptance of a solution based on a federal system within the unitary frame of Sri Lanka by the parties engaged in the negotiations is significant. The progress reached in the talks so far has indicated that both sides have overcome the animosity which prevailed between them for a period of two decades and are looking forward to discuss things elaborately. If you look at the whole process, my feeling is that the talks have progressed rapidly in spite of disturbances.

Are you confident that the peace talks will continue without any breakup ?

President Chandrika Kumaratunga requested Norway to assist in the peace process and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe reiterated this request. LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran had also expressed his desire for Norwegian assistance in order to engage in negotiations. Both sides had created a viable situation to find a solution to the conflict which lasted for two decades.

If the politicians and the people from both sides continue to give their cooperation and express their willingness, I believe the talks will continue to progress steadily towards a settlement. The process has already shown some good progress in terms of major issues. Therefore in my view if the support of the people continues beyond narrow differences, I am confident there will be no space for disruptions of the peace process. 

Certain political parties are unhappy with Norway's involvement in the peace process. How do you see this ?

Sri Lanka is a democratic country and its people have every right to voice their views independently. The people with different persuasions should be allowed to express their views. Norway believes in democracy and respects freedom of expression. Positive and negative attitudes can emerge from the people, but from the Norwegian point of view the current conflict has been embedded in Sri Lankan society for the past several decades.

Therefore it should be settled democratically with respect to the parties involved in the process and to those who have been asked to assist in the peace initiatives. The government and the opposition can have their own views, but the people in a democratic society should not be prevented from expressing whatever they feel. We do however hope that all citizens of Sri Lanka take the opportunity to study the issues in order to arrive at a conclusion based on reality and not be emotional.

As a facilitator of the peace process Norway is also in touch with India and briefs it on and off on the development of the talks. What is India's role as far as Norway is concerned in the peace moves ?

Norway recognises the importance of India in the peace process. Politicians in Sri Lanka also believe that India's views and support is vital as far as the peace process is concerned. From the beginning India's role with regard to the process has been very constructive. They are kept informed of the developments and the discussions are also held in detail. From the Norwegian point of view, we are grateful for the unequivocal support given by India to the parties engaged in the talks and to our facilitation.

What is the idea behind shifting the venues of the peace talks from one country to another ?

Of course people raise questions on this issue. However, the changes have - at least so far - only been a result of practical problems. At the first meeting the parties agreed on the dates for the three meetings. Unfortunately neither the Norwegian side nor the Sri Lankan parties were in contact with the Royal Thai Government and therefore did not remember that the Thai's celebrated the King's birthday in early December.

Consequently we had to shift the venue to Oslo. Dr. Balasingham's health resulted in the second - and short session being held in Berlin. The sixth round of talks was moved to Japan on the invitation of the Government of Japan and because the parties felt that this would be a positive run-up to the donor conference in Tokyo.

Apart from Norway's participation as the facilitator for the peace talks how do you see the role of the international community with regard to the Sri Lankan peace process ? 

Norway is directly assisting as a facilitator. But there are several other countries which are much involved in the on-going Sri Lankan process.

The countries represented in the European Union, US and various other prominent nations such as India and Japan have expressed their support towards the peace moves in Sri Lanka. They expect the ethnic conflict to end soon with Sri Lankans enjoying the dividends of peace. For instance the formation of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) is itself an expression of significant support by all Nordic countries including a small country like Iceland.

For rehabilitation and reconstruction activities assistance has been direct to the Government of Sri Lanka and other contributions have been made through the United Nations organisations.

What are the pleasant memories you are taking with you from Sri Lanka ?

As most tourists I will also remember a beautiful country with its variations in landscape, climate and colour. More than most diplomats or travellers I have had the opportunity to see all parts of this country. This has been from the sea, along the roads, from the air or in the middle of tea plantations or the jungles of Vanni.

But, however beautiful Sri Lanka is, when you stay here for as long as I have memories that remaining will primarily be of the people we have met. People who have been willing to share their views and feelings, their aspirations, their hospitality and their advise. That will remain beyond the natural beauty.

Will you continue to associate with the peace process while you are away from Sri Lanka and in what capacity ?

Yes, I will continue to assist in the peace process. I will be helping directly Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgessen who is also the Facilitator of the peace process. And I will also help in order to ensure the reasonable transfer of the experience and knowledge to my successor in the months to come.

You are presented to be the longest serving ambassador in Sri Lanka and that shows your love and affection towards the Sri Lankan people what have you got to say for them on the eve of your departure ?

Well, I believe the people of this country have now got an opportunity to settle the ethnic problem, which this country has been experiencing for the past several years. It can be Sinhalese , Tamils or Muslims the people should grab this opportunity and give their fullest support to the peace process in order to find a durable settlement and peace in this beautiful country.

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