Even if Norway did not issue a formal statement at the end of the two day meeting of the Donor Co-chairs in Oslo, Norway's International Development Minister Erik Solheim, the key player in the Sri Lankan peace process was quoted in the Norwegian media as saying that the Co-chairs remain worried. He had said that they had resolved to push forward for the resumption of the peace process.

The Sunday Times learnt that participants made a very critical assessment on a number of issues.

They had included the political situation, the security situation, human rights, the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), kidnappings, killings, abductions in addition to the deteriorating law and order situation.

Many were deeply critical of the way the Government handled the issues and felt the need for immediate action.

Similarly, there was also strong criticism of the LTTE for resorting to violence, violating human rights and for deploying children in conflict.

The Donor Co-chairs, it is learnt, had decided that both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE should be given a detailed debrief of the deliberations and decisions at their Oslo meeting.

The Government is to be debriefed by Ambassador for Germany in Sri Lanka, the controversial Juergen Weerth. He is doing so representing the European Union, of which Germany remains president.

Months ago, Mr. Weerth earned the wrath of the Government for his alleged unprofessional conduct. He was on the verge of being declared persona non grata. However, the envoy was on home leave at that time and no action followed.

The Donor Co-chairs resolved on four major issues. They are:

* There is no military solution for the ethnic conflict. A lasting political solution is possible for the current conflict between the Government and the LTTE. Concerns were expressed on (a) Military operations of the Karuna group in the east. (b) Developments in the east that may lead to an alteration of the ethnic balance. (These concerns are based on the declaration of Mutur-Sampur area as High Security Zones and making Tamil speaking people to leave the area. Added to this was concern over the re-settlement of IDPs by the Government in this area).

* Human rights violations both by the Government and the LTTE must be stopped. Disappearances and abductions committed by all parties, forced recruitment by the LTTE etc. in the long term will not lead to resolving the current problem. The Government of Sri Lanka being party to all major human rights conventions and as a democratically elected Government has more responsibility and a legal obligation to safeguard human rights. The Government should send clear instructions to Police and the Security Forces on the need to maintain human rights. Access to IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) by the INGOs (International Non Governmental Organisations) for delivery of assistance should be provided by the Government in the relevant areas including Wanni.

* If the Government of Sri Lanka accepts Norway as peace facilitator, in order to assist the two parties to come back to the peace process/negotiation table, Oslo should be allowed to meet LTTE hierarchy in Kilinochchi.

* A credible Political Package to address the genuine grievances of the Tamils should be tabled by the Government. The current proposals by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, it was argued, could not be considered "credible." Devolution at the district level will only move the process backwards. If the support of the international community is to be mustered, it was felt that the proposals should be seen to be "credible." Co-chairs hold the view that the parties can be brought to the negotiation table by them provided the commitment to peaceful negotiation comes from the Government.

(Edited)

Mr. Iqbal Athas is the Defence correspondent of the Sunday Times. His analysis appears in the ‘Situation Report’ column.