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UNP MPs
criticised Norway's involvement in the peace process and questioned the
government as to why it chose Norway as the facilitator when Foreign Ministry
votes were debated in Parliament yesterday. UNP
parliamentarian Karunasena Kodituwakku questioned the government choice of
Norway to play the role of facilitator when Australia had also
expressed their willingness to act the role of a mediator. He said
that Buddhist prelates and other organizations including the JVP were
urging the government to reveal the content of the consultations taking place between the
government and Norway. UNP
MP Sarath Kongahage criticized the Norwegian involvement, saying that
the government should talk with the JVP and other Sinhala organizations
such as the Sinhala Veera Vidhana as well while talking to the LTTE since
a solution should have the approval of all parties concerned. Deputy
Minister of Power and Energy Felix Perera answering the opposition's
questions said that he had visited Norway in this regard and could
assure their involvement as sincere and out of any ulterior motive.
"Norway was never involved in the two world wars and is acting out of
clear conscience to help those in sorrow". UNP MP
and Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tyronne Fernando said there
could be a hidden agenda behind Norway's keen interest in assisting to
resolve the ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka. He explained that Norway was a
country with considerable naval power and a thriving fishing industry.
"These interests could be behind its involvement and we should be
careful," he warned. Mr.
Fernando also said that Norway had always got involved in conflict
resolution only in places with such interests. He stated that the
Norwegian government was never interested in the Kargil conflict for that
reason. He said that a third party mediator should come without any hidden
motive. However,
according to political sources, Norway was chosen because of their wide
experience in providing assistance for such internal conflicts. Norway,
has also provided assistance to the Guatemala's civil conflict. It has
also played a similar role between Israelis and Palestine Liberation
Organization, which resulted in the historic Oslo peace accords.
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