The Royal Norwegian government issued a statement at the
end of the fourth sessions of the first round of peace talks between LTTE and
Sri Lankan government at the Rose Garden in Thailand. The statement said
deliberations were conducted in a frank and constructive atmosphere, with both
parties demonstrating their conviction that the peace process must be sustained
even when difficult issues are addressed.
The Royal Norwegian Government’s statement said:
“The main focus of the parties was on the need to ensure
implementation of urgent humanitarian priorities. It was strongly emphasized
that the significant political breakthrough made at the third session of talks
in Oslo in December 2002, at which the basic principles for a political
settlement were outlined, will be sustained through continued discussions on
political matters. At the same time, political progress must be underpinned by
tangible improvements in the daily lives of people. To this end, there is a need
for more effective implementation by the parties as well as the speedy provision
of funds by donor governments.
“The parties recognized that the situation with regard to
the High Security Zones involves major humanitarian and security concerns for
both parties.
Recent controversies surrounding this matter
were discussed in
depth. The parties did not reach agreement on the continuation of the work of
the Sub-Committee on De-Escalation and Normalization (SDN).
“Notwithstanding the disagreement on this particular
issue, the parties emphasized the need for progress in resettling the hundreds
of thousands of displaced persons. To
this effect, the parties agreed on an “Action Plan for an Accelerated
Resettlement Programme for the Jaffna District.” As the clear majority of
resettlement cases relate to areas outside the High Security Zones, the first
phase of the Action Plan will focus on such areas.
“The plan sets out four specific tasks and corresponding
deadlines:
Þ
A preliminary physical assessment to be completed by 7 February
2003
Þ
The formulation of project recommendations and identification of
potential implementing agencies by 14 February 2003
Þ
The identification of available resources from appropriate funds
by 20 January 2003
Þ
A plan to release premises presently used by the Security Forces
to the original owners or intended purposes, to be submitted by 31 January 2003.
“Members of the Sub-Committee for Immediate Humanitarian
and Rehabilitation Needs (SIHRN), representing both the GOSL and the LTTE, will
meet with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) shortly to
discuss UNHCR participation in effectuating this plan. The particular needs of
the displaced Muslim population will be duly accommodated in the resettlement
process.
“The second phase of the Action Plan will focus on
resettlement of IDPs and refugees in areas within the High Security Zones, as
and when they are released by the Security Forces for resettlement. For this
purpose, the GOSL will carry out a review with the assistance of an
internationally recognized military expert, taking into account relevant
humanitarian and security needs.
“Following the strong political and financial support
pledged by the international community at the Sri Lanka Support Meeting held in
Oslo on 25 November 2002, the parties stressed the need for moving from planning
to implementation of humanitarian and rehabilitation programmes. The rapid
establishment of the North East Reconstruction Fund (NERF) will be decisive for
the speedy disbursement of international assistance. The parties welcomed a
decision by the Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs
(SIHRN) to select the World Bank as the custodian of the NERF. Furthermore, the
parties confirmed the SIHRN as the prime decision-making body for meeting
immediate humanitarian and rehabilitation needs in the north and east. The GOSL
in particular undertook to ensure that the respective roles of government
institutions engaged in the north and east are properly clarified and
coordinated with the SIHRN.
“In line with the agreement on basic principles for a
political settlement, in which a number of issues were identified for
discussion, the parties will commence a process for discussion of human rights
issues. Human rights will constitute an important element of a Final
Declaration. As first steps in furthering human rights issues in the process,
the parties agreed on the following:
·
A schedule on human rights issues will be worked out following discussions at
the next session of peace talks. For this purpose, the assistance of the agreed
human rights adviser to the parties will be sought.
·
An independent verification mechanism will be established for persons
Missing in Action (MIA) and Involuntary Disappearances, with the assistance of
the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
“As a means to reinforce respect for the provisions of
the Ceasefire Agreement, monthly meetings will be held between the GOSL, the
LTTE and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in order to discuss issues
arising from the regular SLMM summary of total recorded complaints and
violations of the Ceasefire Agreement. Mr. Fernando (GOSL) and Mr. Karuna (LTTE)
will be responsible for organizing these meetings and will report on progress
made and any outstanding problems at each session of the peace talks.
“The government expressed serious concerns related to the
recent incident involving transportation of prisoners through Vanni. The LTTE
gave assurances that the case will be examined and that appropriate action will
be taken as a matter of urgency. More generally, the parties agreed to ask the
facilitator to propose procedures to ensure rapid corrective action by the
parties in cases of incidents that are or can be perceived as disrupting the
peace process.
“Following an agreement made at the third session of
talks, a committee was established to ensure the effective inclusion of gender
issues in the peace process. The terms of reference for the committee will be
formulated by the members at their first meeting. The committee will be
facilitated by the Royal Norwegian Government, which will seek to provide a
senior Norwegian resource person and necessary financial resources. The
committee will consist of the following five representatives of each party:
f
LTTE: Ms. Sivahimi Subramaniyam, Ms. Renuga Sanmugaraja, Ms.
Mathimalar Balasingam, Ms. Sridevy Sinnathampi, Ms. Vasanthapireminy
Samasundaram.
f
GOSL: Dr. Kumari Jayawardena, Dr. Deepika Udagama, Ms. Kumuduni
Samuel, Ms. Faizoon Zakariya, Dr. Fazeela Riyas.
“The parties agreed that a Muslim delegation will be
invited to the peace talks at an appropriate time for deliberations on relevant
substantive political issues.
“The parties confirmed that subsequent sessions of peace
talks will take place on 7 - 10 February and 18 - 21 March 2003. The parties
also agreed that additional sessions will be held on 29 April - 2 May, as well
as at an appropriate time in June to be determined once dates for the
International Donor Conference in Japan are established.”
