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The Government of Sri Lanka has reached agreement with the LTTE on several matters, which include measures to alleviate any hardships and dangers to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar has confirmed this in a letter to Norwegian Foreign Minister Thorbjorn Jagland outlining matters on which agreement has been reached. This was stated in a News Release issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, late Thursday. Minister Kadirgamar has conveyed the deep appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka for the ‘indefatigable endeavours’ of Norwegian Special Envoy Erik Solheim, Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jon Westborg and their associates for their efforts to assist the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to come together to commence negotiations. He has also articulated a call from the Government of Sri Lanka to the Government of Norway to renew urgently, the efforts that have already been made by its representatives to get the peace process moving. Kadirgamar confirmed Wednesday, the possibility of some understanding being reached about the commencement of talks. The Minister was responding to news reports, which claimed that peace talks would begin by May 15. “It is possible that some understanding could be reached about the commencement of talks,” he said. “I can confirm that the peace process is still very much on track,” he said. These comments were by the Minister during an exclusive interview with the PRIU, Wednesday. He asserted that, “The ending of the LTTE’s unilateral ceasefire and the battle around Pallai have not interfered with the discussions which were going on for many months now, on the question of how to arrange for the peace talks.” The Government has also requested the Norwegian Government to take such new initiatives as may be required to get the peace process moving for which it has assured its fullest support.
Full text of Press Release issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs dated May 10, 2001 Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in a letter to Norwegian Foreign Minister Thorbjorn Jagland recalls that the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE have stated that "they share the overall objective of finding a negotiated political solution to the ongoing armed conflict that has plagued Sri Lanka for almost two decades". The parties have jointly requested the Norwegian Government to facilitate their search for such a solution. The Norwegian Government accepted, this responsibility‑ and designated Mr. Erik Solheim and Ambassador Jon Westborg to assist the parties to come together to, commence negotiations. Minister Kadirgamar states that, "the indefatigable endeavours of these two gentlemen and their associates towards that end have earned the deep appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka". The letter states that "in pursuance of the said objective” the parties had decided to take measures to alleviate any hardships and dangers to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict, and contribute to building understanding and a foundation on which negotiations can take place.” These measures are to be embodied in a document, which will contain certain humanitarian measures, which have been the subject of much discussion between the representatives of the Norwegian Government and the parties. The letter outlines the matters on which agreement has been reached. In view of the fruitful work done by all concerned towards getting the process of, direct political negotiations moving, Foreign Minister Kadirgamar, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, requests the Norwegian Government to renew urgently the most commendable efforts that have already been made by its representatives to get the peace process moving. Accordingly, the Norwegian Government is requested to take such new initiatives as might be required for this purpose to which end the Government of Sri Lanka will extend its fullest support.
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Full text of Press Release issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs dated May 10, 2001 |
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