Sri Lanka peace talks

By IOL South Asia Correspondent

NEW DELHI, January 2 (IslamOnline) - Sri Lanka is trying to overcome an impasse regarding return of Tamilians to their homes in high security zones, from where they were forced during the civil war in the northern areas of the island.

Rebel leaders have been insisting that the army must reduce the high security zones to allow displaced civilians to return home. Foreign minister Tyronne Fernando expressed satisfaction Monday, December 30, that such sensitive issues were being discussed in a peaceful way.

Truce monitors said the rebels had to match the proposed de-escalation. The rebel Tamil Tigers have rejected Sri Lanka military’s call to disarm. The talks between the rebels and Sri Lankan government are to resume on January 6 in Thailand.

The talks, mediated by Norway, have narrowed down differences and can lead to a permanent end to the ethnic conflict that has cost 65000 lives over the last two decades. The rebels have dropped the demand for a separate state and settled down for a federal system with regional autonomy.

Fernando said the reluctance of Tamils to disarm before army withdrawal from high security zones may not hurt the scheduled talks. Playing down the impasse Fernando said, “ It is pathetic that the matter is being labelled as a crisis between the army and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam).”

Fernando explained, “This is not the end of the world. But these are matters we should expect during a negotiating process.”

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumartunga kicked up another row Tuesday, December 31, declaring that Norway had violated the country’s laws by providing radio equipment to the rebels. She hinted that action could be taken against the Norwegian ambassador for that.

Kumartunga wrote a four-page letter to the Norwegian Prime Minister Magne Bondevik saying the radio import also raised questions about Norway’s impartiality in the peace process. She wrote, “I trust that you appreciate the seriousness of the action of your ambassador.”

Kumartunga further wrote to Bondevik, “I shall decide on the future course of action that the government of Sri Lanka should follow after discussions with the Prime Minister and other relevant authorities.”

What Kumartunga did not mention was the fact that the Sri Lankan government itself had asked Norway to supply the equipment to rebels to facilitate contacts between government and rebels.

Kumartunga is supposed to have done it at the behest of some Buddhist nationalists who are opposed to the peace talks.

The president is also not satisfied with the peace process led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe. It is not clear whether the president or the prime minister has the power to expel an ambassador. The two are elected in separate elections.