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Forward leap in peace talks

A considerable qualitative and quantitative leap seems to have been registered at the second round of phase one of the Government - LTTE peace negotiations in Thailand. This comes in the form of a decision by the main parties to negotiate the "core" political issues without further delay and to hold in abeyance the setting-up of the North-East Task Force, which proved contentious, but to launch instead, a joint committee to carry out humanitarian and development projects in the region.

The former task, which is crucial to the establishment of a durable peace, would be handled by a joint committee to be headed by Minister Professor G.L. Peiris and Dr. A.S. Balasingham of the LTTE. Apparently one of their principal functions would be to evolve a suitable mechanism for devolving power to the North-East, to enable the full realisation of minority political aspirations, within a united Sri Lanka.

Whereas, the impression created earlier was that the "core issues" to the conflict would be taken up latterly for deliberation, the decision to go in to the subject directly at this relatively early stage of the peace process, indicates a resolve to push the process concertedly and forcefully towards an early resolution of the conflict. Of course, this doesn't mean that a quick-fix resolution of the problem is in store for us. In fact, it may be only the beginning of a long, troubled journey. However, what is clear is that the gut issues in the conflict are being taken up for discussion with a high degree of urgency so that a final resolution is being sought without further delay.

This decision could indeed be described as a major breakthrough in the negotiations. It is one of the best means of strengthening the peace process against attempts by extremist elements to undermine it by concocting fears and rumours about its direction. An unambiguous broaching of the points at issue would prevent destructive elements from exploiting public anxiety and suspense. We now know for certain that it is power devolution within a united Sri Lanka which would be the predominant issue at the deliberations.

Meanwhile, with or without the Task Force or interim administration, resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the North-East need to get into top gear. We are glad that these projects would be handled by a widely-representative committee, including representatives of the Muslim community, to enable normalcy to reign in the war-affected areas, as quickly as possible. It is our hope that the upcoming meeting in Oslo between Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe and Dr. Balasingham would help establish the conditions of normality in the North-East, so that the peace process could be upgraded.

It is also gladdening to note that a sub-committee on deescalation and normalisation, which includes the LTTE's Eastern commander, would be established to bolster, among other things, the ceasefire agreement. It is vitally important that the ceasefire holds without a hitch, until the final peace is sewn up. A committee to oversee the consolidation of the ceasefire is, therefore, perfectly in order. Such a mechanism would enable potential problem areas to be resolved on a joint consultative basis, for, it is clear that the neglect of such problems have led to serious confrontations and conflicts-events in the East, recently, being cases in point.

Such a mechanism would also enable coherence in the command and communication structures of the LTTE in particular, because not all sections of the group seem to have comprehended the terms of the ceasefire accord fully. If this were so, movements of LTTE boats with arms wouldn't be possible. Obviously, the ceasefire needs to be perpetuated with both parties cooperating fully and unitedly to make its terms a reality.

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