Third parties should only facilitate not mediate-Indian Foreign Minister

[October 16, 2003 - 10.00 GMT]

Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said, ‘Third parties who facilitate conflict resolution should avoid mediating or offering guidance’. He was explaining India’s reasons for not actively involving itself in Sri Lanka’s current peace process.

In February 2002 a Norway backed Ceasefire Agreement was signed between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. April this year the LTTE pulled out of direct peace talks demanding an Interim Administration.

Speaking to representatives of the Indian media in Colombo yesterday the Indian FM said only a ‘homegrown’ solution would work in the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict. He said the solution should be based on a consensus of all various political parties, groups and communities in the island, because only such a solution would be durable.

Commenting on the uneasy political co-habitation between the President and her Prime Minister, Sinha said such problems did affect the ability of the country to reach the much-needed consensus. The President and Prime Minister hail from different southern political parties.

Sinha said India believed that the six-month break in the direct peace talks was not one to worry about because it has not disrupted the peace process. The Sri Lankan government is currently awaiting the LTTE’s counter proposals for an Interim Administration.

The Minister met President Chandrika Kumaratunga at President’s House last evening, to discuss both international and bilateral issues. The two-hour discussion also included the security situation in the North East, the state of the negotiations with the LTTE and economic matters. Senior Advisor Lakshman Kadirgamar was also associated with the discussions.

The President accepted a cheque for Rs 10 million from the government of India for the Human Disaster Fund.

The Minister arrived in the island on Tuesday October 14, to attend the fifth session India Sri Lanka Joint Commission also met with Premier Wickremesinghe for discussions on Sri Lanka’s peace talks. The government of India contributed US$ 7.5 million for the establishment of a Cancer Centre in Colombo.

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Last Updated Date: October 16, 2003  -10.00 GMT.