|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 21 November 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Pre-conditions stumbling block to peace talks
Ms. Avila Kilmurray, Director General of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, who was in Colombo last week to attend the annual general meeting of the Foundation for Peace, in an exclusive interview with the 'Sunday Observer' staffer M.P. MUTTIAH, said pre-conditions were a stumbling block to Peace Talks. Mutual trust, genuine interest and confidence were the pillars in building peace, she said. Kilmurray said that peace talks in Ireland broke down four times, but now it was steadily proceeding as the parties were interested in arriving at a solution to the long-standing problem. She was optimistic that talks in this November would further consolidate the peace process. She said the talks would be centred on human rights and dual British-Irish, Citizenship issues. `The Good Friday Agreement paved the way for the ceasefire thereby ending all hostilities including killings and bombings. This was a moral boost for the Irish communities.' She added that Prime Minister Tony Blair's government was not harsh on the Good Friday Agreement, it should encourage the Irish government to continue the talks on demilitarisation of Ireland as army troops were still there on the border areas. Kilmurray said that working among the divided-communities greatly enhanced the understanding between them and that mutual trust was an essential component of these efforts.`People of divided societies do not have proper direction to follow. Besides political issues, there were certain other things that could be done to bring them together. Resolving common problems was one of them. Now changes in culture were taking place in Irish society, but nothing could be changed overnight. We had to scotch rumours by people who work against peace. Sharing earlier experience in South Africa and Nicaragua contributed much to the work of the Peace Foundation.' The Director General of the Foundation for Northern Ireland said that any solution to the problem of conflict-ridden society should be considered along with the aspiration of the people.`Minorities have the right to seek solutions as much as the majority has its obligation to fulfil their demands,' she said. 'Contacts between non-party people always paid dividends. It was easier to find a solution to any issue on local level than national level. She said she was able to bring about three hundred Sinn Fein and Loyalist members on a single platform to address the problems of the divided Irish society. Referring to November talks between Irish Republicans and Unionists, Kilmurray said that several problems would be addressed at the meeting. However,a solution would be delayed since Britain would go to polls in next April or May, the solution could be delayed. Although there were different opinions on the stance of the British government on Iraq war, she hoped that the Labour Party would win the elections with a slim majority. Regarding her visit to Northern Sri Lanka, Avila Kilmurray said that the situation was tragic due to war. The ceasefire had restored some relief to the people, but contacts at non-political level could help build trust, confidence and reconciliation among the people. Observation of human rights should take precedence before peace talks. Irish experience too could be considered as an example to resolve the current ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
