The much awaited resumption of peace talks between the government and the LTTE commenced in Geneva yesterday but hopes of any progress being made are not being expressed by either side. Relations between the two parties are in an extremely sorry state so much so not even an agenda has been drawn up by the Norwegian facilitators

Both the government and the LTTE have expressed very half- heartedly, their desire for talks while military engagements of great ferocity are raging in the north and east. The international community, however, has been sounding the high decibels for an immediate resumption of talks and that is perhaps the reason for the two delegations being in Geneva.

Most of those concerned are asking whether this meeting will serve any purpose. There are no hopeful signs on the horizon. Nonetheless, the two sides are already in Geneva.

In today’s world the loudest protestors about human rights violations are the greatest of violators of those rights. They are well known and we do not need to name the offenders and their countries. At Geneva today it can be expected that the LTTE, like in previous occasions, will take the high moral ground and protest strongly about violations by the Sri Lanka government. Government spokesmen too will be well briefed to rebut such accusations and point out that the boot is on the other foot. Thus, it can be expected to be a slanging match for the benefit of those interested governments and some concerned people in their countries. Meanwhile, it is the Sri Lankan people who suffer as it has been the case for over two decades. After two days of mutual recriminations both sides will come home claiming ‘victories’ for themselves, but they cannot say the people have gained anything.

Such ‘peace negotiations’ have been going on ad nauseam for a long time. Is this karmic inevitability? Perhaps the Norwegian facilitators should remind both sides of the wisdom of the Greek philosopher Zeno of Citium: The reason why we have two ears and one mouth is that we may listen more and talk less. This advice is very much appropriate because it is apparent that participants on both sides do not seem to listen to the other side at all, but say all what they have to say.

If the current talks at Geneva fail, it is time for the Sri Lankan people to inquire whether  an alternative strategy is available. True, such conflicts have gone on for longer periods of time elsewhere such as the Israel- Palestinian, the Kashmir conflict, and till recent times the South African Apartheid conflict and the Northern Ireland conflict. Changed internal conditions as well as external pressures helped to resolve the South African conflict and helped the resolution of the Northern Ireland problem to a very great extent. But the Sri Lankan conflict rages on despite increasing interest shown by the international community.

It is now axiomatic that in negotiating on disputes between armed guerrilla/ terrorist groups and established governments to insist on the de-commissioning of arms of the groups and assurances given by governments on restraint on their military activities while negotiations are on. Today, we see in Nepal, the government refusing to proceed on peace negotiations unless the issue of de-commissioning of arms is settled. On the other hand in this country the two sides are flying out to faraway Geneva to negotiate while there are roaring battles on ground, air and sea. The experienced Norwegians in peace negotiations should realise that negotiations while battles are raging will prove futile. The four Co-Chairs involved in the peace process too cannot turn a blind eye to the existing situation and hope for miracles at Geneva.

Only the United States has adopted a firm and pragmatic policy in cracking down on violence and terrorism. ‘Give up terrorism in word and deed if proscription of your organisation is to be lifted,’ has been their consistent attitude while taking stern action to crack down on illegal activities within the country such as the purchase of arms.

Even though the European Union has proscribed the LTTE as a terrorist organisation they are adopting a complacent attitude towards the LTTE and whether this could wean away the LTTE from violence is much in doubt. The hand of the LTTE too has been strengthened by recent developments specially given the humanitarian crisis in the north and east which the government has failed to address in a meaningful way and the northeast de-merger.

 The LTTE therefore is now in a position to state that they cannot give up their weapons because no internationally brokered agreement will stand the test of time in Sri Lanka.They in fact made a point of it last week to the Norwegians. 

Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Ceasefire Agreement brought about relative peace and calm for almost three years, but the Rajapakse administration’s more aggressive policy of retaliation when attacked has caused allegations of violation of human rights to be brought to the doorstep of the Presidential Secretariat. Now it appears that the government has been placed in the same dock on human rights violation as the LTTE.

The Geneva meeting should provide an opportunity to the government to present a new strategy. They may not be able to do so at the conference proper even though an agenda had not been fixed, but at a press conference present fresh proposals which should have been agreed to with the UNP. Internationally Wickremesinghe’s standing is high with regard to human rights, and Rajapakse if he could present acceptable and reasonable proposals to alleviate what Tamils claim to be just grievances, he could win back international support which seem to be slipping away from him. But he should stop military offensives because his stand that they are retaliatory attacks to LTTE’s belligerence does not seem to convince Western nations.

But halting military operations could prove unpopular in the Sinhala electorates. It could result in his political allies, the JVP and JHU who have still not forsaken him — coming out to the open against him. But if he has to gain the support of the international community and turn the tide of opinion against them he must take risks and even make sacrifices.

Going by past practices, the LTTE will attempt to make Geneva the stage that they are the victims. They will want, as usual, for immediate problems of the people of the north and east to be addressed immediately which implies that the basic issues— the core issues —will be left out. The government should canvass the Co-Chairs not to give in to this demand to leave out the core issues. It only means that problems will aggravate.