SL denies agreeing to unconditional talks with LTTE

The denial follows reports that the Lankan Govt and the Tigers had wished to enter into a peace dialogue, reports PK Balachandran.

The Sri Lankan government on Tuesday vehemently denied that it had agreed to have unconditional talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

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Earlier, an official statement by the Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Aid Sri Lanka Conference had said that the government and the LTTE had both conveyed to Norway, the peace broker, a wish to enter into such talks, and that the talks would be held in Oslo in early October.

Denying any such commitment on the part of the Sri Lankan government, its Defense Spokesman, Keheliya Rambukwella, blamed Erik Solheim, the Norwegian peace broker, for the misrepresentation.

Solheim had taken the decision in regard to the talks without consulting the government of Sri Lanka, Rambukwella said.

"Sri Lanka has not delegated its sovereignty to Norway. As far as we know Norway is only a facilitator,” the government spokesman told Hindustan Times.

Stating the government’s position, Rambukwella said: "As far as we are concerned, we want the peace process to continue and had always been ready for talks. It was the LTTE which was dodging. But any decision on the talks would have to be taken in consultation with us and not unilaterally by Norway."

Co-Chairs’ appeal to both parties

The Co-Chairs of the Aid Sri Lankan Conference, who represent the international community in the Sri Lankan peace process, had met in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the worsening military and humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka.

"We rejoice at the announcement conveyed by both the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to our Norwegian facilitator, that they are willing to come for talks without any conditions,” gushed Yasushi Akashi, who represented Japan in the Co-Chairs’ meeting.

A collective statement issued by the Co-Chairs reflected this optimism and said that the group would meet in late October to examine the progress made in the peace process.

The Co-Chairs urged the two parties to cease hostilities, pursue a political solution, respect human rights and protect the "humanitarian space".

Not doing so would "lead to the international community to diminish its support" to Sri Lanka, they warned.

The Co-Chairs said that they were “deeply alarmed” by the recent “deliberate” violations of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement by the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE.

"They have escalated violence (which has) resulted in massive and widespread human suffering, including the abuse of human rights, the widespread displacement of innocent citizens, a humanitarian crisis and an exodus of refugees to India.”

"The political challenges of the (Sri Lankan) North and East cannot be resolved through war.”

"The Co-Chairs urge the parties to resume negotiations and show real political commitment to achieve a political solution based on the previous six rounds of negotiations.”

"There should be no change in the specific arrangements for the North and East which could endanger the achievement of peace.”

“The legitimate interests and aspirations of all communities, including the Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala communities must be accommodated as part of a political settlement.”

“The LTTE must abide by all agreements and renounce terrorism and violence.”

“The LTTE must show that it is willing to make the compromises needed for a political solution within a united Sri Lanka.”

“The government must ensure its military abides by the Ceasefire Agreement and implements the pledges from the Geneva meeting in February 2006.”

“Both parties must stop further violations of the fundamental principles of Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.”

“The Co-Chairs condemn the numerous violations, such as the disappearance and feared killings of large number of Muslims in Mutur, the murder of 17 aid workers from the French NGO Action Contre la Faim,, the claymore attack on a civilian bus in June and the bombing of the school in Mullaitivu in August.”

“The Co-Chairs are particularly concerned that even major cases of human rights abuses are not successfully investigated or prosecuted.”

“As in any modern state, the culture of impunity must stop.”

“The Co-Chairs welcome the call of the President (of Sri Lanka) for international assistance on the human rights issue, and offer a mission of high level experts to review the current situation and suggest further action before the end of October.”

Safety of and access to NGOs

“The Co-Chairs expect guarantees for the safety of NGO workers and for ensuring access for NGOs and international organizations to help citizens and communities in need of essential humanitarian assistance and valuable reconstruction and development work.”

“Failure to ensure safe working conditions of NGOs could result in the withdrawal of some international NGOs and their funding from Sri Lanka, which would be extremely detrimental to the situation of all Sri Lankan citizens in the concerned areas.”

Plea to protect media and civil society

“The parties must guarantee safety of media representatives, civil society activists and religious leaders and ensure true freedom of expression can be exercised without fear.”

“ Intimidation, attacks and killings of such persons from any quarter are reprehensible.”

“The Co-Chairs encourage moderate forces of all sides to engage constructively in the peace process.”

“In this regard the Co-Chairs welcome (the Sri Lankan) President’s offer to other political parties to work together with a view to move towards a common national agenda and a lasting peaceful constitutional settlement of the conflict.”

“The Co-Chairs further encourage the civil society to continue to play a major role in promoting and supporting a peaceful solution to the conflict,” the statement said.