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by Afreeha Jawad

There was absolutely no high brow stuff delivered at this week's lecture at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies where former Secretary General of International Alert, scholar and practitioner in conflict resolution, Dr. Kumar Rupesinghe, held floor for almost two hours, doing a rather 'tight rope walk' in carefree style. The practical and pragmatic contents in what he encoded towards achieving human security in the east and the peace process implications shed light on important areas - generally taken for granted.

He was, least, supportive of the accepted set form of top level, and top down decision making, where only the elite bourgeoise monopolise and conclude what's best for their people. His approach was more of a people's approach in conflict resolution.

"All stakeholders ranging from government, opposition, LTTE and Muslims must be included in peace committees to stop an escalating situation. These committees should also be given status and power as watch dogs of the community. If not, they simply become state appendages," he said.

As riots are planned and pre-meditated. He believed that timely action of peace committees was very necessary.

"In a conflict situation, people need an authority to listen to their grievances. The Muslims do have such a fall back state. The mosque is an important meeting place."

Regretting the lack of civil society involvement in the resolution process he said that various associations comprising lawyers and other professionals were present but not quite drawn into the conflict resolution process.

Encouraging cultural co-existence instead of cultural separation - where schools based on ethnicity remain distinct units was found wanting-he thought this was something to be implemented even in other parts of the country let alone the east.

All stakeholders are potential spoilers-be it the President, the Muslims, the opposition and Sinhalese in the North East. Stake holders must have ownership in the problem if not they become spoilers. Spoiler dynamics is a critical study area. In it are three tracks - the first being the Government and LTTE, the second, the citizens who use diplomacy to influence them and thirdly the grass roots efforts by citizens for reconciliation.

Track one must necessarily be complimented with track two and three.

The ambitious and courageous effort in conflict resolution needs high commendation while the flaw is evident in that stakeholders are overlooked and this includes the non-consultation of the President on the ceasefire agreement while civil society is also a bystander to the conflict.

In deep seated conflict, communication is essential for assuaging fears. That the Norwegians are involved as a 'go between' has helped much in a situation where the two major conflicting parties stood poles apart with no channel to get messages across. So, the Norwegian link is better than conflicting parties in complete isolation. "We must be happy that through Norway - an invitee of both UNF and PA, a structured communication process is there on all sides," he added.

The State's failure in guaranteeing people's security and the need to move away from state centrism to a people centred form in conflict resolution was seen as a helpful element.

Systematic documentation of human rights violations and grievances to be sent to international authorities was among Dr. Rupesinghe's suggestions in conflict resolution.

"That the Muslims are not a party to the conflict despite what they were compelled to go through was a great flaw in the ceasefire agreement only to be rectified subsequently. Now the Muslims are invited as a third party and the handling of the situation is yet to be seen".

Dr. Rupesinghe referring to his recent visit to the North-East also observed the contention on land and other resources. "About 45,000 acres has been appropriated by the LTTE. In Potuvil, Kalmunai, Akkaraipattu and Katankudy, land has been given to martyrs and others," he said. There's also the problem of land title that returnees face. Not being physically present on the land for an unbroken 10 year period makes a returnee lose land possession under prescriptive rights. Returnees find others occupying their land and the great expectation of peace dividend is spoilt.

Among Dr. Rupesinghe's noteworthy observations is the radicalization of young Muslims in the east. They don't trust their political leaders. Jihad acts as a strong pressure point on these leaders. The power sharing demand is part of the pressure coming from this younger generation of Muslim youth.

He regretted the trouble shooting exercises being restricted only to helicopter flying and peace committee formation-what he described as an outpost mentality. "For mediation efforts to be a success at the top, reconciliation on ground is important," he said.

He strongly suggests the immediate appointment of a special ombudsman to be present on the spot to instill confidence in the people.

The Hakeem-Prabhakaran meeting he said recognized a distinct identity for the Muslims and a new chapter opening for them.

Dr. Rupesinghe also informed that the Muslims have not got their act together. "The Muslims must position themselves and get maximum from both sides. So far I've not seen a position paper of their's. They must build on their basics," he said.

He also cautioned of ethnic entrepreneurs trying to steal the show and emphasised the need for consensus of parties.

Expressing concern over the 800,000 returnees, particularly the Muslims, Dr. Rupesinghe said it was better for an unarmed civilian group to accompany them. This, he said was an important point-the safety of the Muslim returnees and hoped it will be taken up at the peace discussions.

Dr. Rupesinghe sees the interim administration as a transitory solution. After the Thailand meeting, a joint task force was decided on. If this is not carefully thought through, the same fate that befell the 19th amendment is likely. "Great care must be taken on the interim administrative mechanism. Otherwise human security is jeopardised," he warned.A significant observation of Dr. Rupesinghe was the participation of Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese at harvest time. A cohesive movement of reconciliation and a settlement of the land grievance is a must - an area where civil society can come in to create a situation of transformation.

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