Norwegians still hopeful

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, MAY 19. Norway today sought to dispel the shadow over peace talks thrown by the LTTE's firm refusal to participate in them until de-proscribed in Sri Lanka and declared the two sides were drawing closer to an agreement on other pre-talks issues.

``It is clear that the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE are close to agreeing upon issues related to halt in military operations and measures to alleviate the living conditions for the civilian population,'' said a release from the Norwegian Embassy here, quoting the special envoy, Mr. Erik Solheim.

However, the statement added, agreement had not been reached on ``certain matters related to the commencement of peace talks.''

The LTTE said on Friday that Sri Lanka's ban on it ``has become the major hurdle'' for peace talks. It said this had been communicated to Mr. Solheim who was in northern Sri Lanka earlier this week for discussions with the political wing leader of the LTTE, Mr. S. Thamilchelvam.

Earlier, the LTTE's main demands were a cease-fire and the removal of the economic embargo.

From the Norwegian statement, it is evident that the Government was prepared to consider both, little realising that the LTTE had decided to shift the goal posts. The rebuff from the LTTE notwithstanding, Norway has said it will ``continue to keep close contact with the parties and encourage the parties to refrain from military operations.''

Carrying the LTTE's demand for de-proscription, Mr. Solheim returned to Colombo on Friday and immediately met the President, Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, and the leader of the Opposition, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. Despite Norway's attempt at optimism, the demand might become impossible for the Government to concede, given the circumstances under which the LTTE was proscribed.

Sri Lanka banned the LTTE as late as 1998, in response to a bomb attack on the Dalada Maligawa, located in Kandy and regarded as one of Buddhism's holiest shrines. While the de-proscription issue was raised earlier during discussions Mr. Thamilchelvam held with the Norwegian Ambassador, Mr. Jon Westborg, it was then seen as an issue that the LTTE was prepared to put on hold till the talks began.

Instead, it has been pushed to the top of the list of pre- requisites for talks, leading to the interpretation that it might be a ploy by the LTTE to delay the process till a brewing political struggle between the ruling People's Alliance (PA) and the opposition United National Party (UNP) is decided.

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Section  : International
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