 |
|||||||
| |
|||||||
|
Trust
me, give me a chance, President tells Tamils This was after LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran blinked. He abandoned his demand that the Norwegian capital of Oslo be the venue for the first round of talks between representatives of the Mahinda Rajapakse Government and his organisation. Instead, as reported in last week's The Sunday Times, he accepted the offer of Erik Solheim, Norway's Minister for International Development and Special Envoy, to meet in the Swiss city of Geneva. That ended, at least temporarily, the spectre of an all-out war. That was good news all round. The business sector welcomed it. Share prices rose in the stock market. The tourist industry breathed a sigh of relief. The man responsible for that turn around from the brink of war was Erik Solheim, the very person whom the Government wanted replaced. Even Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera who raised this issue personally with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Stoere during talks in Hong Kong last month was elated. "This is indeed a historic moment considering that many attempts were made previously to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table after the talks collapsed in April 2003," he declared in a statement.
Even before Mr. Solheim's arrival in Colombo, behind-the-scene diplomatic activity has been hectic. Doing the leg work was Norway's Ambassador Hans Brattskar. He spoke to LTTE chief peace negotiator Anton Balasingham in London just three days ahead of the latter's arrival in Colombo. He told him that the LTTE's insistence on Oslo as a venue had led to misconceptions in sections of the Government that Norway too was behind that move. He urged Mr. Balasingham to persuade his leader to be more flexible. The front page lead story and references on this page in last week's The Sunday Times were to raise concerns at the highest levels of the Presidential Secretariat. High-ranking officials were trying to ascertain how Geneva, top on the list of five non European Union venues suggested by the Government, reached this newspaper. There were fears, though unfounded, that the LTTE may not now agree. Besides Geneva (or any other venue in Switzerland), the Government had proposed to the LTTE through Norwegian facilitators four other locations: Iceland, Turkey, Rumania and Lichtenstein. The latter is a tiny nation, a tax haven, in Europe bordered by Switzerland and Austria. These developments saw Presidential aides arranging an interview for President Rajapakse with the Colombo based Tamil daily Sudar Oli on Sunday itself. This newspaper is known to have a wider readership in the Wanni including those from the LTTE. In its issue of January 23 (Monday) President Rajapakse declared "Trust me. I wish to be sincere to the Tamil people. Give me an opportunity to achieve peace. Co-operate with me and let me prove to you that I am a realist." President Rajapakse made a bold offer. He said if LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran wanted to talk one-on-one with him, he was willing to make all security arrangements and travel to a pre-arranged destination. Asked about Oslo as a venue, President Rajapakse said "please understand my position. All-party conferences have been held in the past. Some had opposed, some objected and others boycotted. This is a new Government and let us begin afresh and find a settlement. Come ready for a new beginning. The LTTE says Tamil Eelam. We say we want a unitary form of Government. Let us begin talks to arrive at a fresh settlement in between." Other
points made by President Rajapakse during the interview: "When President Kumaratunga assumed power the opportunity to take forward the peace efforts was given to her on a golden tray. A peaceful environment prevailed then in the land. Yet nothing happened even after 11 years. But you know the situation in the country at a time I assumed responsibility of Presidency. Serious problems such as trepidation, lack of understanding and confrontation were complex situations. It is amidst these that I obtained full support of the south and set foot on my efforts. "Leader Prabhakaran has said that I am a realist. Shouldn't I be given a chance to function as a realist and find a solution? What can I do if without given time and opportunity for me to take the power into my hands and organise unilateral attacks are carried out. If before giving me an opportunity, to bring defence structure to order and question me, why the Tamils are handled as in a war situation. What could I do? "The LTTE must enter the government-controlled areas as before and involve in political activities in full. I have no objection in their appearance as the official representatives of Tamils. For if I do agree with your statement, that it is important that they have to identify themselves fully amidst their people and that it is my responsibility and that of my government to create the right environment and opportunity and confirm their security. I can definitely confirm such an environment, but it cannot be done unilaterally. It has to be taken forward with mutual understanding and agreement. "Deficiencies and credits can be talked and settled. Give up the agreement that have been arrived at in the past. This is a new government and let us begin afresh to find a settlement. Come ready for a new beginning, LTTE says Thamil Eelam. We say a settlement should be within a unitary government. Let us have this and begin the talks to arrive at a fresh settlement in between, said President Rajapakse. Asked whether the settlement would be on a federal system, President said: "Give up the terms. I do not wish to enforce a settlement. It is clear that it is not possible for either the government to enforce anything on the LTTE or them to enforce any on the government. "That
is why I want to approach this matter with an open mind. Therefore,
let us begin everything afresh without confining it to one or other.
"These
cannot be done in a day. What can I do if military activities go
before political activities? It is to be taken lying down and nothing
can be done. In this matter I will take firm decisions as early
as possible. I need the backing for it. Different people and forces
have to be controlled in different manner. There are forces within
that have no connection with us. "Some Muslim leaders had talks with me on this subject. This is an important matter that has to be settled between the Government and the Tigers. I have told them not to intervene and spoil the process. If possible to go and have talks with Prabhakaran and come as a sector or come with the Government. An independent Muslim sector can be considered at the right time and opportunity. Now there are subjects that have to be discussed and solved between conflicting sections and I told them to give an opportunity for it." It is in this backdrop that Mr. Solheim called on President Rajapakse at "Temple Trees" last Tuesday. It began with a one-on-one between the two for nearly half an hour. Mr. Solheim briefed him on the current status of the Norwegian peace facilitation efforts and the obstacles faced. President Rajapakse was to give a patient hearing and was to strike a strong note later. He said like the LTTE leaders, he was also one of them who had come from the countryside. "I am genuinely interested in a peaceful settlement and want to begin talks with the LTTE. But tell them not to push me to the wall. If they do, I am also ready to face an eventuality," he cautioned. Mr. Solheim was to assure that he was hopeful of a breakthrough. Later, officials of the two sides joined in for further talks. Prior to meeting Mr. Solheim, President Rajapakse had a meeting with US Under Secretary of State, Nicholas Burns. He thanked the third highest ranking official in the State Department for the strong statements he had made in support of the Government. The meeting came as a team of US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials are in Sri Lanka probing Tiger guerrilla activity relevant to the United States. This is said to include funding and propaganda activity. Mr. Burns sought Sri Lanka's support to the United States in the row over Iran's programme to build a nuclear bomb. President Rajapakse made clear his Government is yet to take up a position on the matter. President Rajapakse was busy last Wednesday at the swearing in of the United National Party's Mahinda Samarasinghe as Minister of Disaster Management when he was told of a telephone call from the Peace Secretariat. He asked aides to put it through. Word had arrived that the LTTE had agreed to hold talks in Geneva. Later in the evening Mr. Solheim arrived at "Temple Trees" to give President Rajapakse a personal briefing on his talks with LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Such talks were to iron out a few issues relating to the Ceasefire Agreement. Yet, that was a major breakthrough, a happy Mr. Solheim declared. He said the LTTE had agreed to cease all hostile actions and expected the Government to follow suit. In Kilinochchi, the same evening Anton Balasingham, who took part in the Solheim-Prabhakaran talks addressed a news conference. He said the talks in Geneva were for the "smooth implementation" of the Ceasefire Agreement. He said the modalities for the talks, limited to the implementation of the existing CFA, are to be finalised by both sides through Norwegian facilitators. He named the LTTE delegation - Anton Balasingham, LTTE Political Wing leader, S.P. Thamilselvan, "Colonel" Jeyam, "Police Chief" B. Nadesan, Adele Balasingham and Batticaloa district Political Wing leader, Ilanthiryan alias Marshal. On Thursday morning, President Rajapakse summoned the armed forces commanders and the Inspector General of Police to an urgent meeting at "Temple Trees." Briefing them on the decision to hold talks with the LTTE in Geneva, President Rajapakse made clear it was their prime responsibility to ensure troops were not involved in any offensive action against the LTTE. He said they should abide by the Government's peace initiatives. They were also warned to be conscious of sabotage attempts by politically motivated elements and to take stern action against them. The
Government is likely to field a ten-member delegation for the talks
in Geneva. Among the Cabinet Ministers in the team will be Jeyaraj
Fernandopulle, Rohitha Bogollagama and Nimal Siripala de Silva.
A representative of the Army and Navy, an official from the Foreign
Ministry, the Peace Secretariat, the Presidential Secretariat and
two members representing constituent parties of the Government are
to be included. Further confirmation of stepped up activity came when the Sri Lanka Navy detected a consignment of 65,000 electronic detonators in 38 packages. They bore the markings of a factory in Hyderabad. Five fishermen from Tamil Nadu had been advised to bring these detonators in their fishing craft and leave it in the island of Kachchativu. They had been told that Sea Tiger craft from Pesalai in Mannar would pick up the consignment later. Unlike other detections, last Thursday's one came to be different. Navy officials treated the five fishermen to food and drink since it turned out to be the India's Republic Day. A good gesture compared to what India's High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Nirupama Rao, had to undergo when she chose to host a large gathering to mark the occasion that evening. An anonymous caller had warned her of dire consequences after the party is over. The cruel threat turned out to be a hoax. The Government has also been taking measures before last Wednesday to curb military supplies to the LTTE. Yesterday, Minister Chamal Rajapakse flew to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh as a special envoy of President Mahinda Rajapakse. He is carrying a personal message to Prime Minister Hung Sen. He is being accompanied by Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Thailand, Ariya Wijewardena. The visit is the direct outcome of Premier Hung Sen's declaration some months ago that Tiger guerrillas had been procuring weapons in Cambodia. The visit may see the birth of closer co-operation between the Government of Sri Lanka and Cambodia in curbing guerrilla arms procurements. The Government-LTTE talks in Geneva, no doubt, are a significant breakthrough though they initially will centre on the working of the Ceasefire Agreement. High priority for the LTTE will no doubt be its demand for the Government to disband paramilitary groups which it alleges are working in collusion with the military. Just two days after agreeing to meet a Government delegation in Geneva, the LTTE accused the Army and a paramilitary group of carrying out an attack in Vadamunai, 70 kilometres north west of Batticaloa killing "Major" Kapilan, a senior cadre. The Army has denied the accusation. The Government ordered Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Daya Sandagiri and Commander of the Army, Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka to fly to Batticaloa on Friday. They spoke to troops about the new peace initiatives and the need to maintain an environment without engaging in any provocative acts. They were told that they could only open fire in self defence when attacked. As for the Government, there is a strong need to formulate its own concerns during the near four years of ceasefire. Besides the recent incidents of violence, there is a lengthy catalogue for the Government to remind the LTTE. That includes the LTTE's acquisition of air capability during the ceasefire in addition to various other measures that have gone to strengthen its military capability. This is whilst a military, which had remained unprepared, had acted with restraint. Sandagiri
tells security chiefs to shut up He said he had listened to one such conversation and later discussed the matter with Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse. It was with his authority he was warning the commanders, he said. The move sent shock waves reeling down those present at the weekly meeting at the Joint Operations Headquarters (JOH). Taking part were Commander of the Army, Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, Commander
of the Navy, Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Commander of the
Air Force, Air Marshal Donald Perera, Police Chief A serious question raised by some of those present was whether special authority has been conferred on Admiral Sandagiri to tap telephone calls made by armed forces commanders and other top brass. "Such authority would be a violation of prevailing laws. Any person engaging in illegal telephone tapping or monitoring is committing a criminal offence," a high ranking security source told The Sunday Times. According to the sources, it was only the President who is Minister of Defence is empowered to authorise telephone taps. Such tapping is thereafter carried out by an intelligence arm of the state. "No other person has the right to spy on the armed forces chiefs of other senior personnel," these sources pointed out. As
Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sandagiri is head of the Already
Admiral Sandagiri has come under investigation by a serving Supreme
Court Judge, Justice Nimal Gamini Ameratunga, for allegations of
bribery and corruption. The sittings of this one-man Supreme Court
inquiry now hinge on the finalisation of the terms of reference.
|
|||||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
|||||||
