Saturday, 13 September 2003  
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Why churlish tactics could prove harmful

Although over-speculation on why the LTTE has kept out of the Tokyo aid summit follow-up meeting held in Colombo could do more harm than good at this juncture, we hope the LTTE has not missed out on the general import of this second high-profile meet which was attended by Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi and some key players of the international community.

Put simply, the meaning which could be deciphered is this: the peace process is being closely scrutinized by Lanka's donor community. The furnishing of donor assistance for the peace process would depend crucially on the aid-giving community's assessment of how workable and viable the peace process is.

We hope the LTTE is fully cognizant of this not so oblique message. While we welcome the present forward movement in the peace effort, however much fitful it may be, it wouldn't be in the larger interest of peace and the country, for either of the major parties to the conflict to conduct itself without a sense of proportion and in a churlish, combative spirit. Unfortunately, the LTTE's decision to keep out of these aid conferences could be interpreted in this light even when all their concerns are taken into consideration.

True, peace has to be made primarily between the main parties to the conflict - the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. There could be no peace without a power-sharing deal being clinched between these parties. However, the economic dimension in the conflict in particular, has made continued support of the donor community for the peace process, a very vital factor. In fact, donor support has emerged as an important ingredient of the peace process. Therefore, it is important that the LTTE joins the Government in working closely with the aid-givers in giving forward movement to the peace deal. If nothing else, at least a sense of pragmatism should dictate this course to the LTTE.

Moreover, sections of the world community have already sounded the warning that unless and until concrete moves are made towards peace, no aid would be forthcoming. So, the LTTE would need to act with a strong sense of realism lest they harm the peace process through a fatal lack of foresight.

While the fact that some top LTTEers are studying the federal system in Switzerland along with Government personalities, could be taken as an indication of continued LTTE interest in a power-sharing formula, it needs to be borne in mind by all relevant parties that what is being finally sought is a "widely-inclusive state" - to borrow the jargon of the political scientists.

That is, a state with which all communities would be in a position to identify themselves, notwithstanding the fact that the federalist principle would be at work. The LTTE should have seen the need for such a collaborative search for peace the moment it opted for "internal self-determination" in contrast to separation.

The only course, in this context, then, which would be in the interests of all communities of this country, would be a closer collaborative peace effort among all the major parties, including, of course, the LTTE.

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