10-08-2005, 09:29 PM
The Daily News, 3 October 2005
EU travel ban: occasion for rethinking peace strategy
THE European Union's (EU) decision that LTTE will no longer be received in any of its member states signal the increased level of concern of the international community at the deterioration of Sri Lanka's peace process. The evolving international response reflects the growing role of the international community in resolving internal conflicts where the conflicting parties are unable to resolve their disputes on their own, the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka said. They also gave a public commitment that they would refrain from utilising violence in the pursuit of political objectives. "However, there has been a continuous resort to violence and to human rights abuses that has eroded the credibility of the peace process both locally and internationally. These violations have been a primary factor in weakening the peace process and it is in this context that the European Union may have imposed these travel restrictions on the LTTE.
The Daily News, 2 October 2005
EU ban: No impact on peace facilitation (BY Ranga Jayasuriya)
The European Union travel ban on the LTTE will not impact on the role of the Norwegian peace facilitators, a Norwegian Embassy spokeswoman said. "We are not party to the declaration...The ban will not have any impact on us," Norwegian Embassy spokeswoman Kjersti Tromsdal told the Sunday Observer. Former Head of the Mission of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Trond Furuhovde will visit the island, as scheduled, in the middle of this month to consult the government and the LTTE on reviewing the Ceasefire Agreement. "The EU is actually considering the formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. In the meantime, the EU has agreed that with immediate effect, the delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any EU member states until further notice". The EU declaration further stated that the member states would take national measures to curb illegal activities, including fund-raising and propaganda by LTTE front organisations and individual supporters.
The Daily News, 2 October 2005
EU declaration: LTTE view
TamilNet in an interview discussed the views of the LTTE about the EU Declaration with the LTTE political wing leader Thamilchelvan The declaration is based on unsubstantiated charges by the Sri Lankan government. It is lopsided and issued without taking into consideration the opinion and the just arguments of the Tamils, an equal party to the peace process. The declaration has caused irreparable damage to prospects for peace and has ruined the trust the Tamil people had on the International Community. The European Union, instead of pressuring the political leaders of the South to negotiate in good faith, has chosen to penalise the Liberation Tigers, disregarding the feelings of our people. As an equal partner seriously committed to a peaceful negotiation, we are concerned that this will impact the future progress of the peace process. Also Colombo's views and stand on the peace process will harden as it will interpret the EU's declaration as providing tacit support to its policies.
The Daily News, 1 October 2005
EU travel ban will help peace process - Govt Spokesman (By Manjula Fernando and Uditha Kumarasinghe)
EXPRESSING the hope that the travel ban on the LTTE by the European Union will help break the deadlock on the peace front, the Government emphasised the EU move will facilitate and not complicate the peace process. Government Spokesman and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva addressing the media at the weekly Cabinet briefing at the information Department said: "We do not think the EU ban will in any way be a hindrance to the peace process." In response to media queries he asserted that this move which they see as a positive development to break the current deadlock and push the peace process forward, will not diminish the Government's desire for a negotiated settlement. "The Government's position is that its desire for a negotiated settlement and a dialogue with the LTTE has not diminished." Asked the current position with regard to the proposed CFA talks, the minister said the Government was still awaiting a response from the LTTE on this matter.
EU travel ban: occasion for rethinking peace strategy
THE European Union's (EU) decision that LTTE will no longer be received in any of its member states signal the increased level of concern of the international community at the deterioration of Sri Lanka's peace process. The evolving international response reflects the growing role of the international community in resolving internal conflicts where the conflicting parties are unable to resolve their disputes on their own, the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka said. They also gave a public commitment that they would refrain from utilising violence in the pursuit of political objectives. "However, there has been a continuous resort to violence and to human rights abuses that has eroded the credibility of the peace process both locally and internationally. These violations have been a primary factor in weakening the peace process and it is in this context that the European Union may have imposed these travel restrictions on the LTTE.
The Daily News, 2 October 2005
EU ban: No impact on peace facilitation (BY Ranga Jayasuriya)
The European Union travel ban on the LTTE will not impact on the role of the Norwegian peace facilitators, a Norwegian Embassy spokeswoman said. "We are not party to the declaration...The ban will not have any impact on us," Norwegian Embassy spokeswoman Kjersti Tromsdal told the Sunday Observer. Former Head of the Mission of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Trond Furuhovde will visit the island, as scheduled, in the middle of this month to consult the government and the LTTE on reviewing the Ceasefire Agreement. "The EU is actually considering the formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. In the meantime, the EU has agreed that with immediate effect, the delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any EU member states until further notice". The EU declaration further stated that the member states would take national measures to curb illegal activities, including fund-raising and propaganda by LTTE front organisations and individual supporters.
The Daily News, 2 October 2005
EU declaration: LTTE view
TamilNet in an interview discussed the views of the LTTE about the EU Declaration with the LTTE political wing leader Thamilchelvan The declaration is based on unsubstantiated charges by the Sri Lankan government. It is lopsided and issued without taking into consideration the opinion and the just arguments of the Tamils, an equal party to the peace process. The declaration has caused irreparable damage to prospects for peace and has ruined the trust the Tamil people had on the International Community. The European Union, instead of pressuring the political leaders of the South to negotiate in good faith, has chosen to penalise the Liberation Tigers, disregarding the feelings of our people. As an equal partner seriously committed to a peaceful negotiation, we are concerned that this will impact the future progress of the peace process. Also Colombo's views and stand on the peace process will harden as it will interpret the EU's declaration as providing tacit support to its policies.
The Daily News, 1 October 2005
EU travel ban will help peace process - Govt Spokesman (By Manjula Fernando and Uditha Kumarasinghe)
EXPRESSING the hope that the travel ban on the LTTE by the European Union will help break the deadlock on the peace front, the Government emphasised the EU move will facilitate and not complicate the peace process. Government Spokesman and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva addressing the media at the weekly Cabinet briefing at the information Department said: "We do not think the EU ban will in any way be a hindrance to the peace process." In response to media queries he asserted that this move which they see as a positive development to break the current deadlock and push the peace process forward, will not diminish the Government's desire for a negotiated settlement. "The Government's position is that its desire for a negotiated settlement and a dialogue with the LTTE has not diminished." Asked the current position with regard to the proposed CFA talks, the minister said the Government was still awaiting a response from the LTTE on this matter.
I dont hate anyland.....But Ilove my motherland