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Learning from a lapse

The news that two members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission were forcibly held aboard an LTTE vessel, off the Jaffna coast by LTTE members, is bound to be viewed with deep concern by both local and international opinion. As SLMM chief, Gen. Trand Furuhovde quite rightly put it, the incident is "a serious violation of the Ceasefire Agreement and a major blow to the trust of the SLMM in the LTTE."

Besides the negative consequences for SLMM-LTTE relations, the development could be considered as causing considerable damage to the ceasefire monitoring process, which has thus far proceeded without a major hitch. This is a case of the ceasefire monitors being obstructed from discharging their duties under the ceasefire agreement and we hope that the incident will be closely analysed by the parties concerned and every effort made to draw the correct inferences and lessons from it.

Hindering the monitors from carrying out their duties amounts to reducing the effectiveness of the cessation of hostilities process and tends to put a question mark over the peace effort as a whole. We earnestly appeal to the LTTE and the Government security forces to adhere strictly to the terms of the ceasefire in view of the grave consequences which may follow from a violation of its terms.

At the leadership level, the LTTE pronounces its commitment to the peace process and it is best that the critics and cynics of the peace process take cognizance of this. Even after the recent disturbances in the Eastern province, we had words of support for the peace process from some regional leaders of the LTTE. It could very well be that not all members of the LTTE are aware of the exact terms of the Ceasefire Agreement. Violations in the terms of the agreement which have been occurring thus far have been traced mainly to low-level operatives of the LTTE. A duty, therefore, is cast on the upper rungs of the LTTE, if they are sincere in their public statements to enlighten all Tiger operatives on the total requirements of the ceasefire accord.

The peace process is bound to be strengthened if this undertaking is taken seriously.

Although the cynics and the anti-peace elements in Southern Sri Lanka in particular are likely to derive some malicious delight from these hiccups in the peace process, no one adopting a realistic standpoint on Lanka's peace journey would expect it to be a trouble-free operation. In fact these lapses shouldn't take anyone by surprise, for, the task at hand, when reduced to its essentials, is one of healing and reconciliation. The challenge is to put things right in a country which has been grievously wounded over the years by an armed culture which has withered everything it touched - human beings, social institutions, the political process, to name a few.

The challenge facing the country is to forge ahead with the peace process with strong determination, imbibing in the process, all the lessons which are being thrown-up by setbacks and lapses.

One lesson which has to be learnt and relearnt is that the peace monitors should not only be unharmed and uncoerced but that they must be also respected by everyone concerned. Unless this condition is fulfilled immediately we do not see how the peace process, which has produced so much good and promises much more, could be advanced.

Accordingly, we request the LTTE leadership to live up its public pronouncements and do everything within its power to prevent a recurrence of events of the kind under discussion. Internal inquiries need to be held on such developments and the offenders brought to book.

Apparently, quite a lot needs to be done by way of educating LTTE operatives on the mandatory requirements of the peace process. A parallel process of public education needs to be launched by the Government too. Many a misunderstanding and conflict occur as a result of ignorance. Dispelling such ignorance on both sides of the divide should be considered a top priority by the Government as well as the LTTE.

It is also time to consider whether the SLMM has sufficient clout to enforce the terms of the Accord. For instance, the SLMM should be in a position to take punitive measures against those found guilty of violating the ceasefire agreement. Giving the SLMM more authority of this kind is bound to make its presence more effective.

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