- News>
- Asia
Sri Lanka, LTTE reach historic agreement
Oslo (Norway), Dec 05: Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tiger rebels agreed today to develop a government that would give the rebels regional autonomy - a breakthrough decision after months of efforts to end the 19 years of fighting between them.
Oslo (Norway), Dec 05: Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tiger rebels agreed today to develop a government that would give the rebels regional autonomy - a breakthrough decision after
months of efforts to end the 19 years of fighting between them.
The Tamil tigers have been fighting for independence
since 1983 but gave up the demand just ahead of the third
round of peace talks in Oslo. Now, both sides agreed to pursue
a peace based on the principal of internal self-determination
in Tamil-dominated areas of the north and east, according to a
draft copy of the joint statement obtained by the associated
press.
"The parties have decided to explore a political solution founded on internal self-determination based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka," the statement said. It also said political steps must be supported by measures to ensure continuation of an existing cease-fire and "that new concrete measures will be taken to facilitate further de-escalation."
Norway`s Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen said the three days of talks were conducted in a "frank, open and constructive manner."
The agreement was reached a week after the reclusive rebel leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran said for the first time that the Tigers were in favor of a solution that offered "substantial regional autonomy."
The statement said the rebels will let competing political parties stay in their regions as long as they are unarmed, and that the activities of their courts and police would not extend into government-held areas.
Chief rebel negotiator Anton Balasingham said "both parties made an unprecedented historic decision." "Our struggle was based on the concept of self-determination," he said today.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have fought a war demanding a separate homeland for the island`s 3.2 million Tamil minority, claiming discrimination against them by the 14 million Sinhalese. The fighting has claimed nearly 65,000 lives and displaced another 1.6 million people.
Government negotiator Gamini Peiris said the commitment to peace is in place.
"There is not going to be a war. We are certain of that," he said. "The people of the country are yearning for peace."
"There is no need to resort to violence," he said.
Commitment to peace is key for international support to reconstruct the war-torn island.
The agreement came exactly a year after a parliamentary election in Sri Lanka that voted into power the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who campaigned on a pledge to make peace.
Ways of incorporating the rebels into the government will be examined in the next round of talks in Japan.
"All these measures will have to be couched within an appropriate ... Framework embodied in a new constitution," Balasingham said.
However, a new constitution or an amendment to the current one requires the support of Wickremesinghe`s political rival, President Chandrika Kumaratunga, and her party`s lawmakers. Many of Kumaratunga`s party members have accused the government of providing too many concessions at the risk of the country`s sovereignty.
Kumaratunga has the power to sack the government and call for new elections.
That has not created concern on the part the rebels.
Balasingham said if new elections were called, the support for the peace process would strengthen the government.
Balasingham also said a separate Muslim delegation would be included in the next round of talks. Sri Lanka`s 1.3 million Muslims are fearful of being marginalized in any final settlement.
The Tigers - who admitted to recruiting child fighters, also agreed to work with the UN children`s fund to develop a plan for bringing normality back to the children`s lives.
Both sides also said a joint committee to examine women`s issues will be established.
Human rights, public finance and law and order will also have to be taken up in talks scheduled for Thailand and Japan.
Since Norway brokered the cease-fire in February, both sides have dealt mostly with peripheral issues of confidence building. Two earlier rounds of talks in Thailand showed unexpected progress with the rebels expressing hope to enter mainstream politics.
The government will have to convince the Sri Lankan people to trust the rebels, who have been responsible for atleast 160 suicide bombings on the island.
Bureau Report
"The parties have decided to explore a political solution founded on internal self-determination based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka," the statement said. It also said political steps must be supported by measures to ensure continuation of an existing cease-fire and "that new concrete measures will be taken to facilitate further de-escalation."
Norway`s Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen said the three days of talks were conducted in a "frank, open and constructive manner."
The agreement was reached a week after the reclusive rebel leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran said for the first time that the Tigers were in favor of a solution that offered "substantial regional autonomy."
The statement said the rebels will let competing political parties stay in their regions as long as they are unarmed, and that the activities of their courts and police would not extend into government-held areas.
Chief rebel negotiator Anton Balasingham said "both parties made an unprecedented historic decision." "Our struggle was based on the concept of self-determination," he said today.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have fought a war demanding a separate homeland for the island`s 3.2 million Tamil minority, claiming discrimination against them by the 14 million Sinhalese. The fighting has claimed nearly 65,000 lives and displaced another 1.6 million people.
Government negotiator Gamini Peiris said the commitment to peace is in place.
"There is not going to be a war. We are certain of that," he said. "The people of the country are yearning for peace."
"There is no need to resort to violence," he said.
Commitment to peace is key for international support to reconstruct the war-torn island.
The agreement came exactly a year after a parliamentary election in Sri Lanka that voted into power the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who campaigned on a pledge to make peace.
Ways of incorporating the rebels into the government will be examined in the next round of talks in Japan.
"All these measures will have to be couched within an appropriate ... Framework embodied in a new constitution," Balasingham said.
However, a new constitution or an amendment to the current one requires the support of Wickremesinghe`s political rival, President Chandrika Kumaratunga, and her party`s lawmakers. Many of Kumaratunga`s party members have accused the government of providing too many concessions at the risk of the country`s sovereignty.
Kumaratunga has the power to sack the government and call for new elections.
That has not created concern on the part the rebels.
Balasingham said if new elections were called, the support for the peace process would strengthen the government.
Balasingham also said a separate Muslim delegation would be included in the next round of talks. Sri Lanka`s 1.3 million Muslims are fearful of being marginalized in any final settlement.
The Tigers - who admitted to recruiting child fighters, also agreed to work with the UN children`s fund to develop a plan for bringing normality back to the children`s lives.
Both sides also said a joint committee to examine women`s issues will be established.
Human rights, public finance and law and order will also have to be taken up in talks scheduled for Thailand and Japan.
Since Norway brokered the cease-fire in February, both sides have dealt mostly with peripheral issues of confidence building. Two earlier rounds of talks in Thailand showed unexpected progress with the rebels expressing hope to enter mainstream politics.
The government will have to convince the Sri Lankan people to trust the rebels, who have been responsible for atleast 160 suicide bombings on the island.
Bureau Report