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Meeting the challenges of the moment

At a time of intense doubts and reservations in some quarters on the future of the peace process, the European Union External Relations Commissioner, Chris Patten's visit to Sri Lanka has helped, to a degree, to recreate an atmosphere conducive to the resumption of Govt.- LTTE negotiations. In no uncertain terms, apparently, the Commissioner had broached with the LTTE leader issues which have caused some anxiety in certain quarters.

Chief among these was the need for the LTTE to give up violence totally and for a firm commitment on its part to a negotiated settlement of the conflict. Patten had also underscored the need for a solution within the federal framework and highlighted the importance of a Muslim delegation at future talks. Human rights issues were also brought into focus.

Apparently, LTTE leader Prabhakaran's response to these core concerns was equally unambiguous. His position was that the question of whether Lanka would have war or peace was a matter entirely "in the hands" of the Lankan Government. In other words, if the Government sought to pursue the peace process, the LTTE was prepared to cooperate in its furtherance. Evidently, Prabhakaran had repeatedly reiterated the LTTE's commitment to the peace process.

These developments, we believe, are sufficient grounds to be optimistic about resuming the peace process and pursuing it to its logical conclusion. We believe that it would be futile for the Government and other significant actors to adopt a defensive posture over the LTTE's recent interim administration proposals.

These proposals have to be taken for what they are - that is, a basis, and only a basis, for the resumption of negotiations. The proposals are by no means a definitive document or a fait accompli which is not open to negotiation and revision. As to whether it could be made to yield a mutually-acceptable power-sharing arrangement would depend on how honestly and flexibly the parties to the conflict would choose to negotiate.

Suffice it to mention at this stage that honesty and openness are a two-way process and that both parties to the conflict have not always proved to be above board or honest in their dealings with each other.

Meanwhile the parties could prove their bona fides by adopting confidence-building measures on the ground.

We learn that the LTTE has cooperated with the Government over the past couple of days in keeping the peace in the North against the backdrop of "Mahaveer" celebrations and we hope this spirit of cooperation will prevail in the days ahead. It is exercises such as these which would help in the mutual confidence-building process. However, an essential precondition for the resumption of the peace effort is the resolution of the political deadlock in the country and we hope that this would be brought to an end speedily.

While fire-breathing and effigy-burning opponents of a negotiated peace could be expected to carry on on their destructive trail, it is up to the State to ensure - as we commented a couple of days back - that the hardliners are alienated from the peace-loving majority.

Generally speaking, it would be important for Sri Lanka in particular to realise that there is a price to be paid for peace. The task of bringing peace has to be approached realistically and rationally.

Power needs to be devolved on the regions and we need to go beyond the Provincial Councils scheme within an united country.

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