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Avoiding peace process lapses

There would probably have been much relief countrywide over the release of the Army Corporal and the Reserve Police Constable from LTTE detention, subsequent to a suspenseful and long wait.

Besides the securing of two priceless lives, what could be considered as encouraging are the implications of this release for the peace process. The long period of wrangling for the obtaining of the release with SLMM facilitation, was seized by some sections as proof that the peace process was up against insurmountable bottlenecks. The intentions of the LTTE, in particular, were subjected to critical scrutiny. The overall assessment of these critics was that the peace process was slowing down and foundering on the rocks of LTTE intransigence.

The release of the security forces personnel, however, should emphasise the need for a positive perspective on developments of this nature although being naively optimistic could prove counter-productive in the long run.

However, we need to persist in the peace effort in a spirit of cautious optimism without for a moment ignoring glaring realities, such as the need to arrive at a mutually acceptable power-sharing arrangement between the centre and the regions.

The release of the security forces personnel at the behest of the SLMM, speaks volumes for the moral authority exercised by this facilitating body. The act of releasing the personnel is also indicative of a willingness on the part of the LTTE to continue to abide by the ceasefire agreement. Overall, the peace process is being sustained although the impatient among us are likely to clamour for a speedier implementation of the terms of the MoU.

Nevertheless, ideally, violations of the ceasefire agreement shouldn't be allowed to occur by both sides to the conflict. We are glad that the parties with SLMM mediation, would be looking at the possibility of building a mechanism which would guard against prolonged detention of personnel by both sides. As we have seen, such incidents tend to have a deleterious impact on the peace effort.

However, it is best that greater understanding and goodwill is generated between the parties to the conflict. Continued violations of the ceasefire agreement, it should be plain to see, would make a mockery of the ceasefire agreement and bring the peace process under a pall of gloom. Such developments, of course, would be in no one's interest.

It is for this reason that the rank and file of both parties need to be educated on the finer issues in the peace effort.

We notice that it was a meeting between the SLMM and the top leadership of the LTTE which finally helped obtain the release of the servicemen. Apparently, not all sections of the LTTE are in a position or are willing to defuse tense, conflictual situations. This places a question mark over the coherence of the LTTE.

The LTTE needs to address these issues for the sake of peace. All sections of the LTTE need to work according to a single vision and in unison, for the furtherance of peace.

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