Towards a Just Peace
An International Conference
organised by the International Federation of Tamils at
the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
15 February 1992
Preliminary Announcement
January 1992
''It is the Sri Lanka
government that has failed to learn the lessons
from the emergence of the struggles for self
determination in several parts of the globe and
the innovative structural changes that have
taken place.''
Velupillai
Pirabakaran
The International Secretariat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has initiated
consultations on the issues that confront the struggle of the people of Tamil Eelam and
the need to concretise the steps towards a just peace. In response to this initiative, the
International Federation of Tamils (IFT) has planned a series of seminar discussions, in
London and elsewhere.
A preliminary meeting was held by the IFT in London, on Sunday 29 December 1991, with a
representative cross section of the Tamil expatriate community in the United Kingdom.The
consensus view was that there was a need to examine in depth the features of associative
structures where both the Tamil nation and the Sinhala nation can coexist and in certain
areas cooperate for the freedom, peace and prosperity of both nations.
Broad agreement was reached on the agenda for a proposed seminar to be held in early
February 1992. The London Seminar will be jointly sponsored by the IFT and other Tamil
community based organisations in the United Kingdom. Similar initiatives are being taken
by the expatriate Tamil community in Australia and the United States.The International
Federation of Tamils has called for contributions from both Tamils and nonTamils,in the
form of papers on the agenda items and on step wise proposals to secure a just peace.
Contributions may be addressed to the IFT,P.O.Box 417, Cambridge CB3 9LZ, U.K.
Seminar Agenda
| - the political reality parties to the
conflict - armed conflict, its legitimacy and/or lawfulness - ethnic conflict or national
liberation struggle? - multi ethnic plural society or two nations? - muslim minority -
plantation Tamils
- the political solution
negotiations: piece meal ‘practical’ approach or radical conceptual
approach - legal framework to accord with political reality - associative structures,
confederal, commonwealth - separation
- towards a just peace
time table for steps towards a just peace - confidence building - ceasefire -
monitors to supervise ceasefire - lifting of blockade - role of mediator - parties to the
talks - roundtable or square table - venue for talks - ratification by referendum
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