3.1.2008
Erik
Solheim, Norwegian Minister for International Development
and the one who played a key role in the Norwegian facilitation
peace process in Sri Lanka has cautioned the Sri Lanka Government
over its decision to terminate the ceasefire agreement entered
with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the separatist
Sri Lankan Tamil rebel organization.
“I regret that the Government is taking this serious
step,” said Minister of the Environment and International
Development Erik Solheim.
“This
comes on top of the increasingly frequent and brutal acts
of violence perpetrated by both parties, and I am deeply
concerned that the violence and hostilities will now escalate
even further.”
A
press release by the Norway Foreign Ministry Points out,
“The Government of Sri Lanka has decided to terminate
the ceasefire agreement concluded with the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on 22 February 2002. Norway
served as facilitator for the negotiations that led to
the agreement. If either party wishes to terminate the
agreement, it is required to give notice of termination
to the Norwegian Government 14 days in advance.”
The
termination of the agreement will primarily affect the
Nordic Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), as its mandate
is set out in the agreement. It may therefore be necessary
to withdraw the mission, the press release adds.
“This
would weaken efforts to protect the civilian population,
which would be most regrettable,” said Mr Solheim.
In
2000, Norway was formally invited by Sri Lanka’s
President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and the
LTTE to act as facilitator for the peace process in the
country. The invitation was renewed most recently by President
Rajapakse in January 2006. Despite the escalation of hostilities,
Norway is maintaining a close dialogue with the parties.
Since bringing the parties together in Geneva in October
2006, Norway has informed them that no further intiatives
will be taken until requested by the parties themselves,
the Norway Foreign Ministry Press release concludes. .
In
the meantime yesterday Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers
unanimously decided to withdraw from the Ceasefire Agreement
entered with the LTTE in 2002.
The
Cabinet has approved the Cabinet memorandum submitted
by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanyaka at the Cabinet
meeting yesterday.
According to sources the Cabinet has entrusted to Prime
Minister Wickremanayaka the task of notifying the Norwegian
facilitators regarding the Government's decision to withdraw
from the Ceasefire.
According
to the Agreement, either party should give two weeks notification
prior to the withdrawal from the Ceasefire to the Norwegian
facilitators.
Courtesy - Asian
Tribune