Continuing LTTE threats to humanitarian interventions - Peace
Secretariat
COLOMBO: A team from the Secretariat for Coordinating the
Peace Process recently visited the Wanni and the Omanthai checkpoint in
response to worries conveyed by citizens groups and the business
community. Since the movement of goods was restricted, there was a
danger of prices rising to unacceptable levels, and social and economic
activity being restricted.
With the assistance of UN Operations, which has been trying to assist
with technical assistance, SCOPP has initiated proposals for a scanner
that may help with checking of vehicles.
However such measurers are no substitute for strict adherence to the
ceasefire, and in particular the clause that forbids the movement of
munitions, explosives or military equipment’ into the area controlled by
the other party, the peace secretariat said in a news release.
In this context SCOPP is deeply concerned at the discovery of a
1000kg bomb found in Trincomalee, amidst the discovery in various places
of other explosive devices. If these designs had been successfully
detonated,they would have caused massive destruction, mainly of civilian
lives.
The discovery in Trincomalee followed on the decision of the
Government, in response to requests from civil and commercial groups in
the North, to rescind restrictions on fishing.
In welcoming such a move, that would assist citizens with their
livelihood, SCOPP urged the LTTE not to take advantage of the
Government’s relaxation of security measures.
Sadly, the actions of the LTTE have met with no criticism by parties
who otherwise express worries about humanitarian problems. SCOPP, in a
recent discussion with a ambassador from a member country of the
European Union, pointed out this discrepancy, and was told that, while
the EU stood firm a gainst terrorism, it could not pronounce without
certainty.
It was granted however that recent newspaper reports carried the
confession of those involved and, since the responsibility for the bomb
was now clear, perhaps more forthright criticism would be possible.
Meanwhile some members of the affected business communities have, in
their discussions with SCOPP, acknowledged that LTTE operations were
disrupting their efforts to supply needed goods. However, when advised
to bring this to the notice of the LTTE, they said they were wary of
complaining to the LTTE due to fear of reprisals.
In such a context of fear and relentless attacks on economic
activity, SCOPP urges the European Community to act with a greater sense
of responsibility in its effort to minimise humanitarian problems.
Though we appreciate its concern about such problems, and welcome
assistance to resolve them through actions targeted at the needy, it is
also important to investigate the root cause of these problems and
rectify the situation.
The European Union would doubtless have welcomed the decision of the
Government to lift restrictions on fishing, but it should therefore have
condemned activities that could contribute to the re-imposition of such
restrictions.
Similarly, SCOPP regrets the failure of the European Union to deal
firmly with the determination of the LTTE to reject monitors from Nordic
countries except those outside the European Union. SCOPP has recently
asked the SLMM to rule that this rejection is in itself a violation of
the CFA, and indeed a particularly grave one since, as the SLMM has
indicated, it contributes to further difficulties in ensuring
observance.
Though the Ceasefire may be flawed, it must be supported, and it is
regrettable that the EU, despite being a Co-Chair of the peace process,
has allowed LTTE protests against the EU’s admirable current stand agist
terrorism to weaken the monitoring process, the peace secretariat said. |