We cannot succeed without India says Erik Solheim

[November 19, 2003 - 7.45 GMT]

Norway’s special envoy Erik Solheim briefing the government of India on the current situation in Sri Lanka refuted all reports that claimed Norwegians had withdrawn from their facilitator role.

“We have only put ourselves on hold”, Solheim is reported as saying, while stressing they were waiting “for political clarity to be re-established” between the Southern parties in Sri Lanka, to resume their role as mediator. He also said the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission was continuing with its duties.

On November 4 President Kumaratunga re-shuffled cabinet bringing the key portfolios of Defence, Interior and Mass Communication under her purview.

Solheim told India a vast majority of Sri Lankans were for peace and thanked India for its “long-standing support” to the peace process in Sri Lanka. “We know that we cannot succeed without the support of India”, he said claiming that Norway kept India in the picture throughout.

He further said Norway was aware of India’s concerns about the LTTE wanting full control of the territorial waters and marine resources in the sea separating the two countries. However Solheim said the LTTE had only stated its position and did recognize that negotiations would have to follow.

Solheim ruled out the possibility of a new state for Sri Lankan Tamils emerging through the process and said the international community was aware of India’s concerns.

Many political leaders in Sri Lanka have often expressed the view that India should facilitate in the peace talks. Yet since their 1987 effort India has avoided direct involvement in Sri Lankan affairs, but has always backed the Norwegian led peace initiative to end Sri Lanka’s decades old ethnic conflict.

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Last Updated Date: November 19, 2003  -7.45 GMT.