Geneva talks end with a
positive note
[February 27, 2006 - 8.45 GMT]
“The
ultimate beneficiaries of the talks which were held on February 22 – 23,
2006 in Geneva, Switzerland were the peace loving people of Sri Lanka”,
said Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Head of the Government delegation
to last week’s Geneva talks between the Government and the LTTE. He told
the media that the talks had ended on a positive note.
Addressing a media conference, Sunday 26th, the Minister
said, “We met a very difficult bargaining side and the talks involved
many delicate issues. Yet we were able to resurrect the peace process
and build confidence between the two sides to some extent. The very fact
that we were able to commence and discus issues and agree to continue
talking further is a success”.
Quoting
the statement released by Norwegian Minister of International
Development Eric Solheim at the conclusion of the talks Minister de
Silva said: “The GOSL and the LTTE are committed to respecting and
upholding the Ceasefire Agreement, and reconfirmed their commitment to
fully cooperate with and respect the rulings of the Sri Lanka Monitoring
Mission (SLMM).
“The
GOSL and the LTTE are committed to taking all necessary measures to
ensure that there will be no intimidation, acts of violence, abductions
or killings.
“The
LTTE is committed to taking al necessary measures to ensure that there
will be no acts of violence against the security forces and police. The
GOSL is committed to taking all necessary measure in accordance with the
Ceasefire Agreement to ensure that no armed group or person other than
Government security forces will carry arms or conduct armed operations.
“The
GOSL and the LTTE discussed all issues concerning the welfare of
children in the North East including the recruitment of children.
“The
SLMM will report on implementation of the above agreements at the next
round of talks in Geneva on 19 – 21 April, 2006.”
Member
of the Government negotiating team President’s Counsel H.L. de Silva
observed that the above agreement contains obligations and duties that
were not in the original Ceasefire Agreement and to an extent they
clarify and supplement the original document. “This constitutes an
amendment in law,” he said. He also said that the SLMM has been given a
firm new mandate to monitor this agreement and report to the next
session of talks.
Minister
de Silva observed that the issue of child recruitment is mentioned for
the first time in this new agreement and it is a gain.
Answering questions from the media whether the Government still holds
the view that the original Ceasefire Agreement was contrary to the
Constitution of Sri Lanka President’s Counsel H.L. de Silva replied in
the affirmative but added that it recognizes it as a de facto agreement
outside the law. As the above agreement shows the government is
committed to it, he added.
Minister
Ferial Ashraff who participated as a member of the Government
negotiating team said that she had an opportunity to talk to the members
of the LTTE team outside the negotiations and the LTTE wished that the
Muslims would talk with them too regarding their concerns as they do now
with the Government. This was a good development, she said.
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Last Updated
Date: February 27, 2006 - 8.45 GMT |
