Build on commonalities

We would be stating the obvious by calling for steady progress towards resolving issues in the government-TNA talks. Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha MP, a member of the government delegation to these talks, has been quoted by us as saying that there is a desire on the part of both sides to find solutions to outstanding issues and this perspective on the talks should be taken with the utmost seriousness because it represents a sober and studied view of developments in this context.

Right away, it must be said that mouthing negative pronouncements on these talks would prove highly counterproductive. This applies mainly to some members of the TNA who vent what would seem to be their frustration over what they see as lack of progress in the discussions. Such sentiments are quickly picked up by those sections which thrive on foisting on the people gloomy scenarios about this country.

There is a tendency on the part of some sections of opinion to project the LLRC report in a negative light by highlighting what they see as limitations in the document. Such attitudes could be born of ignorance or arise as a result of a destructive mindset which would only prefer to see in this country things of gloom and doom. This is most unfortunate because this is a time of healing in this country and such a process could not unfurl smoothly as long as what are seen as the negatives and not the positives are highlighted.

One could understand the impatience particularly on the part of the TNA for positive change. After all, they are answerable to their constituencies and the hopes and aspirations of their voters are bound to be high in this post-conflict phase. But the TNA is also obliged to be realistic because it is through the democratic process that solutions ought to be found to lingering issues in the North-East. This is bound to be somewhat time-consuming and all parties that matter in this context are obliged to be patient.

Besides, the parties to the talks need to approach them with a strong sense of realism. Inasmuch as the TNA should be sensitive to the needs of its constituency, the government must be cognizant of the sensitivities of the sections which voted it into office. The government cannot be seen as caving-in to what are seen as unreasonable demands. Balancing these often conflicting interests and going ahead with the grievances-resolving process is, therefore, bound to be somewhat long drawn and the state has a tight rope to walk.

Nevertheless, there could be no denying that the ideal is a time-driven conflict-resolution process. As we have time and again mentioned in this commentary, all the thinking, writing and analyzing on the grievances of our communities have been done in this country over the past 30 years and we are not short of the intellectual resources and the 'resource persons' to facilitate the process of finding amicable solutions to our questions. All that the parties need to do now is go about their business with the single-minded intention of seeing an end to the problems which have been plaguing us.

As we see it, the parties to the talks need to be pragmatic and flexible. Besides, the discussions must be infused with a spirit of innovation and creativity. For instance, the lingering issue of police powers for the North-East could be resolved a great deal by ensuring that Tamil-speaking police officers are deployed in the region. This is already being done by the state and one cannot see why this measure should not be seen as a progressive one because the police force in these once trouble-hit regions would now be more accessible to the people and relate to them with greater empathy. Besides, it must be noted that more and more members of the Tamil community are being recruited to the Police.

The same flexibility should be shown with regard to land and other outstanding issues. There are no quick fixes to these questions. Only patient understanding and continuous rapport and discussion between the parties would enable them to be resolved. May such a spirit prevail, is our wish.