Tamils - a Trans State Nation..

"To us all towns are one, all men our kin.
Life's good comes not from others' gift, nor ill
Man's pains and pains' relief are from within.
Thus have we seen in visions of the wise !."
- Tamil Poem in Purananuru, circa 500 B.C 

Raymond Johansen, Norwegian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
to Mr.V.Pirabhakaran, Leader of LTTE

November 2000

Dear Mr. Pirabhakaran,

The Norwegian Government have over the past 18 months maintained regular contact with Her Excellency, the President and Minister of' Foreign Affairs of' the Democratic Socialist Republic of' Sri Lanka on one side, and Mr Anton Balasingham as the appointed representative of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on the other.  Recently they also met you as the leader of the LTTE.

The Norwegian Government has maintained these contacts with the purpose of' assisting the parties in exploring the possibilities of' direct negotiations towards a solution to the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka.

Based upon the above and the recent dialogue with Her Excellency the President and yourself, it is the opinion of the Norwegian  Government that both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LT'TE are interested in establishing negotiations towards a political settlement to the conflict.

After careful analysis the Norwegian Government has found it appropriate to present a proposal to the Parties in the form of a Memorandum of' Understanding on Humanitarian Measures. If agreed upon and implemented by the Parties this will improve the humanitarian situation and ease the human sufferinging and hopefully contribute to creating an atmosphere conducive for negotiations.

Yours Sincerely,
Raymond Johansen

Excerpts from Memorandum of Understanding on Humanitarian Measures

" The Purpose of this Memorandum of' Understanding (MOU) is to create an atmosphere conducive for a negotiation process that will lead to a peaceful settlement and to take measures to improve the humanitarian situation and reduce the human suffering caused by the conflict.

 We call upon the parties to take parallel action as follows:

(a) Ensure the flow of non-military goods to Vanni.

GOSL will facilitate Improved flow of goods by the Madhu check point, open a new check point on the A9 north of Vavuniya and institute effective clearing of goods through checkpoints. LTTE: shall ensure the flow of non-military goods within Vanni and see that the goods reach the civilian population.

(b) Refrain from attacking civilian targets.

All acts such as assassinations, bomb explosions. sabotage, violent intimidation of political groups or individuals will be considered a violation of the MOU.

The Norwegian Memorandum also suggested the establishment of' an international Humanitarian Monitoring Mission to monitor the flow of goods.