End LTTE intransigence

THE Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission's position that the recent attack on an SLAF helicopter in an area in which the LTTE was present placed its truce monitoring activities in "grave peril", sums-up the predicament in which the peace process is placed by continued LTTE intransigence.

Considering the vast importance peace has for Sri Lanka, the LTTE's action could be said to be most deplorable and abhorrent.

Is the LTTE mindlessly engrossed in ending all prospects of peace in this country ? The onlooker cannot be blamed if he tends to answer this question in the affirmative, considering the reckless pace at which the LTTE is violating important provisions of the ceasefire.

The LTTE, as usual, has denied responsibility for the incident but, as pointed out by the SLMM, the LTTE has to be held responsible for the shooting in view of the fact that the geographical area in question is frequented by it.

The position of the SLMM in this matter, needs to be appreciated by all fair-minded sections. A sense of helplessness on the part of the SLMM is unavoidable given the limitations in its mandate.

If the situation of the SLMM is to be viewed objectively and frankly, it needs to be conceded that it could do nothing more than exhort the Tigers to refrain from their violations.

Lacking the capability to firmly enforce the peace, the SLMM is left with no other recourse but to pinpoint the illegality of the LTTE's actions and exert moral pressure on the organisation to the extent possible.

This is the reason why the Ceasefire Agreement needs to be reviewed and brought in line with ground realities. The situation on the ground is that the LTTE is conducting itself in the most irresponsible manner in regard to its obligations.

In other words, one party to the agreement is highly recalcitrant and is imperilling the future of the ceasefire. It is clear that the terms of the agreement should be revised to enable the monitors to enforce their mandate - which is keeping the peace.

Accordingly, the SLMM needs to be endowed with a substantial enforcement capability.

The ideal requirement at present is a revised Ceasefire Agreement which would make provision for a peace enforcement capability on the part of the monitors and talks between the parties to the agreement to facilitate this development.

These are matters for both the SLMM and the Norwegian facilitators as well as the peace talks Co-Chairs. It is plain to see that pressure must be brought on the Tigers to compel them to cooperate in the peace effort.

Right now, the LTTE seems to be construing the world community's flexibility as weakness. This misapprehension should not go unrectified.

The point is taken that the Government and the LTTE need to jointly consider ways of advancing the peace process. There is no getting away from the fact that peace is primarily their responsibility.

However, the current exertions by all concerned centre on this need: that is, getting the two main sides to talk to each other, so that they could keep the peace effort ticking.

Accordingly, exceptional efforts should be made by our foreign well wishers in particular to get the LTTE to the negotiating table. There is hardly any point in speaking of the State's responsibilities without ensuring this condition.