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The LTTE ceasefire

The LTTE has declared a month long ceasefire from December 24 as a goodwill measure.

A press release issued by the LTTE Headquarters in the Vanni said:

"Encouraged by the collective mandate for peace and ethnic harmony given by the Sinhala and Tamil masses at the general election, the LTTE leadership has decided to declare, unilaterally, a month long cessation of armed hostilities during the festive season of Christmas, New Year and 'Thai Pongal' as a gesture of goodwill to facilitate the promotion of peace initiatives."

The Government has already welcomed it.

The Government should not only welcome it but also respond to it more positively by reciprocating in like manner.

A ceasefire of whatever nature is welcome since it gives a respite to the war weary and grief stricken populace.

The UNF should not repeat the mistake of the PA in not reciprocating the earlier unilateral ceasefire implemented by the LTTE, which worsened the relations between the two belligerent parties and finally led to a virtual halt of the facilitation process undertaken by Norway.

Government's reciprocation would facilitate the renewal of the peace process to which the Government is already committed.

The LTTE press release also expressed confidence that "the new Government will utilise this space of peace to implement goodwill measures to create congenial conditions of normalcy in the Tamil homeland by withdrawing the economic embargo and other restrictions and prohibitions imposed on our people".

Peace is the wish of all irrespective of race or creed. The Government should take immediate steps to facilitate normalcy in the North and East and to reduce inconveniences faced by the people o account of the war and security considerations.

This should not be viewed as giving in to LTTE demands but as an obligation by the Government to the people in the area.

It would pave the way for extending the ceasefire on a more permanent basis and for creating a conducive atmosphere to start peace negotiations.

We urge the Opposition, especially the PA and the JVP to express their support to the Government in its attempts to reciprocate to the LTTE ceasefire.

An opportunity has again arisen to seek a peaceful resolution of the ethnic conflict. This opportunity should be grabbed both by the Government and the Opposition. The latter must extend its support to the Government so that a bipartisan consensus could be arrived at to pursue peace in earnest.

• Editorial of  The Observer - 20.12.2001:
  Peace moves

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