From the explicit statements contained in the Oslo Declaration, the Oslo Communique and the Tokyo Declaration it was evident that there was clear aggeement between the Government and LTTE to explore a federal solution as the basis of a political solution for the ethnic conlfict, UNP MP Prof. G. L. Peiris said.
In a statement issued to media by the UNP. "The basic structure of the solution had been identified, and the details were to be worked out in the discussions which were to follow. For the first time, therefore, a framework had emerged for the pursuit of a just and viable political solution as an alternative to war."
Full text of the statement :
The framework for a political settlement of the North East conflict is contained in three documents - the Oslo Declaration, the Oslo Communique and the Tokyo Declaration.
1. The Oslo Declaration in support of the Peace Process in Sri Lanka. This Conference was held in Oslo on 25th November 2002. Representatives from the Asia-Pacific region, North America and Europe participated at this Conference together with the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE.
The Declaration states: "A lasting peace must be built upon renunciation of violence and respect for the principles of human rights, democracy, rule of law, and recognition of the rights of minorities, and must address the needs of all communities all over Sri Lanka, in order to combat poverty and foster ethnic harmony."
2. The Oslo Communique - This is a statement by the Royal Norwegian Government issued in Oslo on 5th December 2002, at the end of the third session of Peace Talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE.
Paragraph 3 states: "Responding to a proposal by the leadership of the LTTE, the parties agreed to explore a solution founded on the principles of internal self-determination in areas of historical habitation of the Tamil-speaking peoples, based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka. The parties acknowledged that the solution has to be acceptable to all communities."
3. The Tokyo Declaration on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka issued on 10th June 2003, where 51 countries and 22 international organisations participated. This included the Government of Sri Lanka.
The Declaration among others stated the following:
i "The Conference commends both parties for their commitment to a lasting and negotiated peace based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka." (Paragraph 9).
ii "The international community remains committed to supporting humanitarian relief and human rights protection, and takes the opportunity to encourage the parties to reach agreement on an innovative administrative structure for the reconstruction and development of the North and East." (Paragraph 13).
iii "The Conference also urges the parties to move expeditiously to a lasting and equitable political settlement". (Paragraph 16).
iv "Participation of a Muslim delegation as agreed in the declaration of the fourth session of peace talks in Thailand. (Paragraph 18 (c)).
- "Effective inclusion of gender equity and equality in the peace building..." (Paragraph 18(g)).
v "Agreement by the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE on a phased, balanced, and verifiable de-escalation, de-militarization, and normalisation process at an appropriate time in the context of arriving at a political settlement." (Paragraph 19 (j)).
It is evident from the explicit statements contained in these documents that there was, indeed, clear agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to explore a federal solution as the basis of a political resolution of the ethnic conflict. This is the effect of the Oslo Communique issued by the Royal Norwegian Government on 5th December 2002 and signed by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway as well as by the leaders of the two delegations.
The basic structure of the solution had been identified, and the details were to be worked out in the discussions which were to follow. For the first time, therefore, a framework had emerged for the pursuit of a just and viable political solution as an alternative to war.
The public is well aware that the JVP is attempting to raise a non-issue as a means of distracting attention from burning issues relating to the cost of living, which is the central problem in the country today.
