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By a special correspondent

Following are the excerpts of the interview:

Q: You have concluded meetings with leaders from both sides. Has any specific date been fixed for talks in Thailand? What are the latest developments?

A: We are aiming at the end of June to commence talks. But no date has been fixed. When the Ceasefire agreement was signed on February 22, I said that the direct talks could possible start during the first half of this year. That is what we are targeting for. At the moment we are more occupied with preparing the agenda in the proper way on issues that are being agreed by both parties rather than rushing on it.

One of the main features of this process is that it is moving incredibly fast - may be too fast. Leaders from various quarters need to be on board. We need to bring the LTTE cadre, the government administration, the military representation and all sorts of elements to the process.

As you know in the case of the East the population there needs to be catered. All these things add up to having a proper process. That is more important than the speed. Also there is no doubt that both parties are determined to move ahead as quickly as they can. Q: You may have compared your past experiences in the Middle East or any other part of the world with the situation here when you said that the process is too fast. What are the reasons for this `incredible speed?'

A: No, it is not a matter of comparing the situation here with another. Each process has its individual features. I would just say that things here are being moving -since February 22, so fast. Sometimes it is bit difficult to realize it. Both parties are keen on moving ahead step by step. They have realised that things need to settle before the next step. We need to build confidence gradually. There is no question of reaching a final solution and the process has to be moved gradually.

Q: Mr. Prabhakaran during his press conference said that the Thai talks would concentrate on the issue of an interim administration. Will the agenda concentrate only on this issue?

A: That is for the parties to determine. We have asked both parties to bring up issues relevant to the agenda and then we will try to bring those proposals together for one coherent agenda in a step by step approach. Also it is inherent that an interim solution will have to be found, naturally an interim solution must be found before a final solution. But they are inter-linked with each other. The interim and the final solutions are interlinked with each other.

Q: How do you analyse the atmosphere for a negotiated political solution here today?

A: In fact, both leaders are very positive, there is no doubt about that. A mandate of peace has been given to the government in the South. There is no doubt about the sincerity and the courage of the Prime Minister. Also, in my mind, there is no doubt about the fact that people of the North are tired about the war, they need normalcy in their lives, they want goods in their shelves, they want proper education for their kids and they want to re-build their shattered lives.

Q: You mentioned about the sincerity of the Prime Minister. But, what about Mr. Prabhakaran?

A: I think he is sincere, and I think he is realising, in fact both parties are realising that there is no military solution to this conflict. Peace has to be tried through more persistent means that in the past. It is difficult to understand that a leader of a movement like the LTTE should be pressured by his people. Any political or military leader needs legitimacy to respond to the needs of his people. I think that is what Mr. Prabhakaran is doing. What struck me during my meeting with Mr. Prabhakaran was how comfortable he was as a politician. I knew him as a guerilla leader or as a military commander. But I found him very relaxed in matters pertaining to politics. Certainly, the LTTE has to go a long way in transforming itself from a military outfit to a democratic political movement, but I think he is really determined to do that. Even his press conference, coming out and meeting the journalists. I think what matters is not the statements he made there, but the fact that he came out and acted as a politician. It is a very good sign.

Q: what is the position regarding the issue of deproscription of the LTTE?

A: It is very clear that the LTTE is firm in its demand that the proscription be lifted before talks. How, when and with what modifications, those are matters for the parties to decide. We are not suggesting anything. The government had said that they need to consider this and it is for the government to work out modalities for this situation.

Q: There are a lot of interpretations regarding the position of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on the peace process. You met her on Friday evening. What is your view regarding her stand?

A: We had a very good meeting, very down to earth, business like discussing the key issues in the process. I think she is sincerely devoted to peace. She initiated this peace process. She was elected on a peace mandate. She lived through this. I think she is totally for the peace.

Q: Did she express any reservations?

A: Yes, she had some concerns over some issues and also some disagreements on certain aspects. I think that is normal, she belongs to a different political party than the Prime Minister. They have different roles and it is normal that they have different perceptions. But the message was very clear that she is really committed to the process. It is really important and very positive.

Q: Do you, as an outsider, witness any cohabitation between these two main political parties in the South, particularly on this issue?

A: We are of course not involved ourselves in Sri Lankan politics. The cohabitation must be sorted out between the cohabitants. But with regard to the peace process in which we are engaged we feel that the overall aim of the President and the Prime Minister is the same - to settle this conflict through negotiations. That is very clear.

Q: There were several key developments in India, especially in the Southern part, following the press conference by Mr. Prabhakaran. He wanted India to play a main role while influential South Indian leaders are demanding his extradition. How could you balance this situation?

A: It is not for us to balance the situation. We are not going to involve in that. We are very appreciative of the support of the Indian government towards the peace process, regardless of the issues surrounding Prabhakaran and past events. First of all they are keen on settling this conflict in a peaceful manner.

Q: India has agreed to allow Mr. Balasingham in on humanitarian grounds, thus will it be an active partner in this process indirectly?

A: They do play an active supportive role. But I think you need to differentiate politics from humanitarian issues. They have said that if there is a humanitarian need, they will respond in accordance with humanitarian principles. That has nothing to do with politics.

Q: We now hear random complaints from both sides regarding violation or breaches of the Ceasefire Agreement. Was it discussed during your talks with leaders in the North and the South?

A: Yes, the progress in implementing the agreement was an important part of our discussions including non fulfillment of obligations. But there was a very clear message from both sides - in my meeting with the Prime Minister and also with Mr. Prabhakaran - that they want to see this agreement carried forward. They both wanted the agreement fully implemented. May be that is why I said it is bit too fast. Because it takes some time to get the lower levels to act legitimately on the ground. There is no doubt about the sincerity of the top levels of the two sides. But it takes time to reach that situation to the lower levels. It is a matter of time. The violations that are being reported must be investigated.

Q: If I ask your prediction about the situation in Sri Lanka after a period of one year, what will be your response?

A: We are not going to set any deadline for any process. But if things move ahead in the correct direction as happening now, then talks would have started targeting a permanent solution. But you should keep in mind that lots of hurdles are ahead, lots of issues have to tackled, as the Prime Minister rightly said there might be break down of talks, there might be set backs. There is no peace process that has ever been smooth right through out. So far this process has been extremely smooth, we have no illusions.

Q: There were some concerns about technical terms on Norway like - it should only be a facilitator but not a mediator, so on and so forth.

How do you identify your self now?

A: I clearly think our role is assisting, facilitating the two sides. One of the issues that we are discussing with the parties is what is the role that they want us to play in the continuation of the process. We are at the disposal of the parties and we respond to their needs.

Q: Will you be there at the negotiating table?

A: That has not been decided as yet.

Q: What is the message that you want to give to these two parties and also to the masses at large in Sri Lanka

A: The main message is that it is incredibly impressive to see how the people of Sri Lanka have given very clear mandates for peace to their political leaders. It is impressive to see how the Prime Minister has shown a great courage in shifting the total political picture and brining this process forward. It is also impressive to see how the President, although she has some differences, is supportive of the process. And also it is very important that people are prepared for set backs to come and people should be prepared for down turns and possible breaches of the agreement and such hurdles as well. The path to peace is difficult. Painful compromises have to be done. But we should keep in mind the fact that nothing is more painful than continuing the war. 

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