Comment from the Peace Council, Colombo on EU Sri Lanka Resolution
Further draconian sanctions imposed on the LTTE will not achieve a breakthrough in no peace no war for N E Sri Lanka....
National Peace Councilof Sri www.peace-srilanka.org
25.05.06
EU Resolution Calls for Immediate Political Response and not More Violence
The resolution of the European Parliament, that among other things, advocates a ban on the LTTE contains a strong indictment on the use of violence to attain political objectives. The resolution also strongly condemns the high level of human rights abuses by the Sri Lankan government and LTTE and their constant breaches of the Ceasefire Agreement. Those living under the shadow of intensifying violence and a debilitated economy, would be hopeful that this international interest in Sri Lanka would cause a reversal of the negative trend that threatens to plunge the whole country into war.However, being truly independent and sovereign means to be able to solve problems through internal processes rather than relying on others. Unfortunately, the indications from the ground are that violence is continuing unabated. The National Peace Council condemns the acts of violence that continue to kill security forces personnel in claymore mine and grenade throwing incidents, and the killing of LTTE's eastern intelligence wing leader Ramanan and others. We also condemn the violent attacks on three international NGOs in the east, which reflects the continuous expansion of targets. NPC rejects the opinion being canvassed that a quick resolution of the ethnic conflict, or gaining a decisive advantage, is possible through renewed war. The experience of the two decade long war of attrition that only came to a halt with the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement in 2002 should caution against such a reliance on a military response. The costs of war will be unpredictable and also very high. A protracted conflict could sap the life and wealth of the country. It would be extremely counter-productive if the proposed EU ban on the LTTE would encourage reliance on more violence, which currently appears to be the case. NPC pleads that the immediate response to the European Parliament's resolution should be a political one by both parties, and not more violence. An immediate reduction, if not cessation, of violence would be a token of good faith and an essential confidence building measure in this regard. We call on the government and LTTE to utilise the good offices of the Norwegian facilitating team that is presently in Sri Lanka to enter into peace talks that deal with the issues raised by the European Parliament in its resolution on Sri Lanka. Despite the deteriorating ground situation, NPC believes that a positive political initiative that is taken by either the government or LTTE, in the form of a concrete offer, and one that is matched by the other, could transform the situation in the best interests of both parties and the people. Executive DirectorOn behalf of the Governing Council
National Peace Councilof Sri www.peace-srilanka.org
25.05.06
EU Resolution Calls for Immediate Political Response and not More Violence
The resolution of the European Parliament, that among other things, advocates a ban on the LTTE contains a strong indictment on the use of violence to attain political objectives. The resolution also strongly condemns the high level of human rights abuses by the Sri Lankan government and LTTE and their constant breaches of the Ceasefire Agreement. Those living under the shadow of intensifying violence and a debilitated economy, would be hopeful that this international interest in Sri Lanka would cause a reversal of the negative trend that threatens to plunge the whole country into war.However, being truly independent and sovereign means to be able to solve problems through internal processes rather than relying on others. Unfortunately, the indications from the ground are that violence is continuing unabated. The National Peace Council condemns the acts of violence that continue to kill security forces personnel in claymore mine and grenade throwing incidents, and the killing of LTTE's eastern intelligence wing leader Ramanan and others. We also condemn the violent attacks on three international NGOs in the east, which reflects the continuous expansion of targets. NPC rejects the opinion being canvassed that a quick resolution of the ethnic conflict, or gaining a decisive advantage, is possible through renewed war. The experience of the two decade long war of attrition that only came to a halt with the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement in 2002 should caution against such a reliance on a military response. The costs of war will be unpredictable and also very high. A protracted conflict could sap the life and wealth of the country. It would be extremely counter-productive if the proposed EU ban on the LTTE would encourage reliance on more violence, which currently appears to be the case. NPC pleads that the immediate response to the European Parliament's resolution should be a political one by both parties, and not more violence. An immediate reduction, if not cessation, of violence would be a token of good faith and an essential confidence building measure in this regard. We call on the government and LTTE to utilise the good offices of the Norwegian facilitating team that is presently in Sri Lanka to enter into peace talks that deal with the issues raised by the European Parliament in its resolution on Sri Lanka. Despite the deteriorating ground situation, NPC believes that a positive political initiative that is taken by either the government or LTTE, in the form of a concrete offer, and one that is matched by the other, could transform the situation in the best interests of both parties and the people. Executive DirectorOn behalf of the Governing Council
posted by Gabriello Princip at 6:21 AM
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