International community might soon lose interest warns Akashi
[September 16, 2003 - 8.30 GMT] 

Special envoy Yasushi Akashi warned Sri Lanka that the international community might shift its attention to other conflict areas if the current peace process between the government of Sri Lankan (GOSL) and the LTTE remained stagnant.

Ambassador Akashi called on President Chandrika Kumaratunga last evening to brief her on his fifth visit to the island and the deliberations of the post-Tokyo Donors’ conference meeting held in Colombo, September 12. 

He said the discussions centered on the disbursement of the pledged aid and that it would be directly connected to the resumption of the peace talks. He said with the recent World Bank pledge the total aid would raise from US$ 4.5 billion to US$ 4.7 billion.

However he said humanitarian assistance would continue, in the provision of health facilities and assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Akashi noted that though the international community was closely following the progress of the peace process, they were getting impatient over the present standstill. He also expressed concern over the Kinniya camp issue, the political killings and child proscription allegedly carried out by the LTTE. He said he felt that the peace process would be “slow and torturous” and commented on the LTTE’s rigid, hard-line stand.

He told the President another review meeting is due in January and that in the interim, meetings at Ambassadorial level would monitor the progress of the peace process.

The special envoy said he met with Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim leaders in the East and observed the situation there was  “complex, delicate and very tense”. He also met Muslim legislators of all political hues who were united in their view that Muslim representation in the peace process was unsatisfactory.

Speaking on his meeting with Thamilselvam, September 14, Akashi said he was not given any details of the LTTE Interim Administration (IA) proposals but was informed that the final touches were being added. The LTTE hoped that the government’s response would be positive.

Akashi said the International Community recognized President Kumaratunga had a key role to play in the peace process to ensure its success.

President Kumaratunga reiterated her commitment to a negotiated settlement and felt that the government should proceed with the development of the North East concurrently with the current peace effort.

The President said the long-term solution should be in the interest of the Tamil people and not on a small group of militants who have yet to embrace the democratic path.

President Kumaratunga referred to continued ceasefire violations of the LTTE and said paragraph 18 of the Tokyo declaration, which states “Assistance by the donor community must be closely linked to substantial and parallel progress in the peace process”, should be strictly adhered to.

PRINT THIS STORY

Contact Information: Send mail to gosl@presidentsl.org with questions or comments about this web site. 
Last Updated Date: September 16, 2003  -8.30 GMT.