The Hindu : Oslo conference: Indian participation 'unlikely'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 16, 2002

International

International

Oslo conference: Indian participation 'unlikely'

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO. NOV. 15. India is "unlikely" to send a delegation to the scheduled Oslo donor's conference to garner international financial support for the rehabilitation of Sri Lanka's northeast.

The conference, scheduled for November 25, has been termed by Colombo as an attempt to "convert goodwill into money" to reconstruct the northeast.

According to Indian High Commission sources, "a decision has not yet been taken" on whether the Indian Ambassador to Norway would participate in the event.

The stand adopted by India, according to sources, is "without prejudice to a politically negotiated settlement acceptable to all the communities of Sri Lanka safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country".

It may be recalled that commencing with the pullout of the Indian Peace Keeping Forces from the island, New Delhi has maintained a hands-off policy.

International financial backing for the peace process has been termed an important factor by the Norwegian facilitators, Colombo and the Tigers for pushing the peace process forward.

The ruling UNF administration has said that it has the backing of an international security net for its peace process. Ever since talks commenced in September, the Norwegian facilitators have been arguing the case for greater financial backing. "Investing in peace", was the underlying theme across the two sessions of talks held till now. The U.S. and the U.K have confirmed their participation in the conference.

PA "sympathetic"

Meanwhile, at a press conference the People's Alliance today said it was "sympathetic" to the position adopted by India on the conference.

As part of its detailed criticism of the ongoing peace process, the PA said, "we must also bear in mind the concerns of our nearest neighbours, the countries with which we are linked'' and the concerns of these neighbouring countries for, "the future of Sri Lanka in relation to their own interests deserves our respect and highest consideration".

Asked for an elaboration on the PA's view of neighbourhood concerns, the former Foreign Affairs Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, said each of the six neighbours of Sri Lanka had their concerns, though "in varying degrees". While the "whole region" had its concerns, "obviously India is more concerned," he said.

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