4 Strengthen Armed Forces to Keep LTTE at Negotiating Table –
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4 Tuesday 7th March 2006 Strengthen armed forces to keep LTTE at negotiating table – JVP by Franklin R. Satyapalan more than they ever had in any previous which put the government of President talks. Unlike the previous teams, the Rajapakse in a very difficult situation JVP Leader Somawansa GOSL team this time did not bend over during the past few months. We must Amerasinghe yesterday (6) said the backwards to appease the LTTE. This not repeat this mistake. party believes that the only way to keep marked the first time that the LTTE was A strong military is the most impor- the LTTE at the negotiating table would forced on the defensive and conceded tant, if not the only, deterrent to the be by strengthening the armed forces. points to the GOSL negotiating team. LTTE’s separatist ambitions. While con- Amerasinghe read the JVP’s state- Having said that, however, the JVP is tinuing the dialogue with the LTTE, the ment at the all party conference con- in complete disagreement with the joint GOSL should also ramp up its strength- vened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa statement presented at the conclusion of ening and training of the armed forces at the presidential secretariat last morn- the talks. This joint statement seems to so that the LTTE will realize that going ing, to brief the members on the have been drafted by the Norwegian back to war is not an option for them. In progress made at the first round of “Facilitators” and is overtly contradic- prior rounds of talks, the LTTE was direct talks between the government tory to the Mahinda Chintanaya. We successful in weakening the govern- and the LTTE held in Geneva. regret that the GOSL team agreed to be ment forces while continuing to The JVP statement: a party to such a statement after having strengthen their armed cadres. A “The two-day Geneva talks although successfully negotiated for two days. return to war a threat that the LTTE not fulfilling all the objectives of the The next round of talks will be held always used against the government. Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the once again in Geneva and there is much Unfortunately, previous governments people of Sri Lanka was a step in the hope, by the government as well as the were so scared of going back to war that correct direction of regaining Sri people of Sri Lanka, that this round of they caved into the LTTE’s demands. Lanka’s full sovereignty and the spread talks would lead towards a lasting solu- This attitude by the government weak- of democracy. Unlike the previous so- tion to the armed conflict. The JVP,how- ened their bargaining position. By hav- called peace talks held in Thailand, ever, begs to differ. We do not believe ing a strong and fully prepared military Norway and Japan the government was that the LTTE Tigers will ever change at their disposal, the government will The tenth anniversary of the Sri Sambodhi English Dhamma School held at the Sri Sambodhi Vihara, not supine in front of LTTE and their stripes. Their objective, as always, be negotiating from a position of Colombo 7 was held on Monday (5). Among the distinguished invitees were, The Chief Justice Sarath Norwegian demands. The preparations remains unchanged and we urge the strength. The GOSL should “speak soft- N.de Silva, The Navy Commander Shantha Kottegoda and Mrs.Suganthi Kadirgamar. Pictured is Maha for the talks this time were completely Government not to be lulled into a false ly and carry a big stick”, which will Nayake Thera of the Asgiriya chapter Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakhitha Maha Thera and the transparent. In previous rounds of sense of safety and become complacent. greatly negate the LTTE threat of a Chief Justice in conversation. Pic by Kamal Bogoda talks, the, political parties in power at The GOSL should be ever vigilant of the return to hostilities. the time did not conduct an all party LTTE and ensure that they do not once In the next rounds of talks in April, conference to discuss their thoughts and again gain the upper hand in negotia- the GOSL team should actively work to exchange ideas with others. The agen- tions. rectify the mistakes made at the previ- Mysterious crows deaths not bird flu das were unilaterally set in secret with- Therefore, we recommend, after ous round of talks. We are of the opin- out consulting other political parties or analysing the results of the talks, the ion that the GOSL team did very well up by Norman Palihawadana bility of bird flu killing these birds. He without the expertise of those who were GOSL be aware of the issues that still to the point of the joint statement. Mysterious deaths of about 20 crows said the deaths could be due to the con- -well, versed in political negotiations. remain unresolved and be watchful that These mistakes should not be repeated at Mantivu, Puttalam a few days back is sumption of toxic waste material mixed The preparations for the latest round complacency does not set in. The LTTE and those mistakes made should be rec- now under investigation by the with the garbage they normally eat. of talks were done in a manner that was is a very dangerous foe and as such, we tified in future rounds of talks. Veterinary Research Institute of the However investigation into the deaths completely open and transparent. The must at all times remain extra careful In future, all steps taken at the nego- Health Department, official sources said is being conducted to ascertain the real opinions of other democratic parties in our dealings with them. tiation table should be in fall accor- yesterday (6). cause or causes that may have killed the such as the JVP as well as the opinions The JVP believes that the only way to dance with the JVP’s agreement with Director Veterinary Research (Animal crows but there was a yellow powdery of experts contributed to the forming of keep the LTTE at the negotiating table H.E. President Mahinda Rajapakse and Products) of the Health Department substance on the beaks of the crows that the opening statement in Geneva. is to strengthen the armed forces in his vision for Sri Lanka, Mahinda Dr.S.E.R.Amarasekara said there was no may be the poisonous matter causing the The GOSL’s agenda was designed in prior rounds of talks, the government Chintanaya. We firmly believe that it is need to have unfounded fears on a possi- deaths Dr.Amarasekara said. keeping with Mahinda Chintanaya. was lulled into a sense of false security better to walk away from the negotiat- From the time the talks started, the which enabled the LTTE to further ing table without any progress being GOSL team pointed, out the faults of the strengthen their forces. During the past made, rather than agree to any condi- LTTE’s opening statement and succeed- four years, the government neglected to tions that would be detrimental to the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Sri Lanka ed in getting the LTTE to concede much create and maintain a strong military sovereignty of Sri Lanka.” Cushnahan to present final report SLMM says talks at risk after fresh killing Chief Observer John Cushnahan Report on the 2005 Presidential election returns to Sri Lanka today to present based on what his 80-strong observer (AFP)- Scandinavian truce monitors talks in Switzerland last month. proxy for attacks on rebel-held areas in the final report of the European team witnessed during its two month Sunday warned that Sri Lanka’s peace Tiger rebels said security forces aided the north and east. The military denies Union's Election Observation Mission mission. The report will make a num- process was in danger following the the attack that killed two of their mem- the claim. which observed the 2005 Presidential ber of major recommendations for killing of two Tamil Tiger rebels in the bers manning a checkpoint in the restive During talks in Switzerland last election. strengthening the electoral process in first clash since ceasefire talks in eastern province on Saturday. month, both the Tigers and Colombo Cushnahan led the EU Election Sri Lanka. Switzerland. The attack was the first since the agreed to stop a spate of killings since Observation Missions to Sri Lanka in Before his departure to Sri Lanka, The Norwegian-led Sri Lanka peace talks in Switzerland at which the December that left at least 153 dead. The 2000, 2001 and 2004. He returned in late Chief Observer Cushnahan said: "My Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said talks government and the Liberation Tigers of government also agreed that paramili- 2005 as Chief Observer to lead the 80 formal programme with Sri Lanka's between the government and Tamil Tiger Tamil Eelam (LTTE) agreed to abide by a tary units should be disarmed or dis- member EU Team (from twenty one EU political parties begins tomorrow rebels scheduled for April could be at 2002 ceasefire. banded. Member states) to observe the 2005 morning (Tuesday March 7) when I will risk following Saturday’s attack on a “LTTE members at this post launched The talks were aimed at returning the Presidential elections. have a meeting with President Tiger post by a suspected breakaway a counter attack and the attackers from two sides to a peace process to halt an Chief Observer Cushnahan deliv- Mahinda Rajapakse. At the heart of the rebel faction. the Sri Lanka army camp ran back,” the ethnic conflict that has claimed more ered his preliminary statement imme- “If such attacks and killings should LTTE said in a statement.