The Hindu : Solution possible: Sri Lankan Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 19, 2002

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International

Solution possible: Sri Lankan Minister

By V.S. Sambandan

SATTAHIP (Thailand) Sept. 18. The head of Colombo's delegation at the Sattahip talks, G. L. Peiris, is optimistic that a political settlement that can stand the test of time can be achieved as both the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam had softened their stand over the past 15 years.

Speaking to The Hindu after the three-day talks here, Prof. Peiris was particularly encouraged by the LTTE's interpretation of "self-determination." Asked if Sri Lanka continued to view the Thimpu principles with the same suspicion as in 1985, when those principles were first outlined, he said, "in the last 15 years, a lot has happened. Parties have learnt a great deal from those painful experiences. There has been a softening of the position on both sides.''

The LTTE's chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham, he pointed out, had said "categorically" that "they were not thinking or working in terms of concepts such as separate state.''

"We are prepared to consider the amplest form of devolution of power within the framework of one country. I don't think there is much divergence and we certainly can, in the course of these talks, concretise our ideas and perceptions and come up with the elements of a political solution that will also stand the test of time.''

Emphasising that the negotiations would not be a zero-sum exercise, he said "we have to be sensitive to each other's problems and anxieties.

We must not try to be clever and trick the other party, have something up your sleeve and take the other party by surprise.''

Asked if he felt that the Tigers, who had rejected the earlier draft constitution, would accept it now, he said, "it is not a question of using a carbon copy.'' Moreover, "the basic problem is not engaging the Tigers. Now it is very different, because we are talking to the protagonist.'' The next round of talks will be held here between October 31and November 2.

This will be followed by the third and the fourth round between December 2 and December 5, and January 6 and January 9, 2003.

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