SLMM activity in North-East may be put on hold?
May 13th, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Speculation was rife in diplomatic and media circles that activities of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in the North – East may be suspended for an indefinite period due to rising levels of violence.
Chief among SLMM concerns is the possible threat to monitors serving in the North – East while engaged in field work.
A proposal is being mooted to put North – Eastern activity on hold for a while and functioning from Colombo.
“When the monitors came in they thought they were going to monitor a ceasefire but now they find they have to monitor an undeclared war” said a Western diplomat.
The recent letters exchanged between the LTTE and SLMM have raised more concern. Anxiety has arisen further after the meeting between the LTTE political commissar Thamilselvan and SLMM chief Henricsson in Kilinochchi. The tough warnings issued by the LTTE to the SLMM had hurt and angered some SLMM members.
It is learnt reliably that two of the five member states in the SLMM have opted to pull out completely from monitoring activities to safeguard the lives of their nationals involved in the exercise.
The five Countries involved are Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.
Saner counsel has prevailed and the SLMM members were urged to be patient till all issues are discussed in detail with Norwgian facilitators. Consultations are to take place betwen the SLMM and Norway in Colombo and Oslo shortly.
Meanwhile the propsal to suspend North – Eastern activities by the SLMMis under active consideration.
It is suggested that such a bold step would help issue a “warning” to both parties. It would also provide a respite to the SLMM to assess the climate of violence till a firm decision is reached.
Political observers opine that if the SLMM does pull out permanently the LTTE may find itself facing an European Union ban. The EU was contemplating such a ban but could not do so due to lack of unanimity among its 25 members.
Three Scandinavian nations involved in monitoring the ceasefire in Sri Lanka refused to support the proposed ban. They felt that such a ban would hamper monitoring duties in Lanka.
If however the SLMM ceased functioning the EU ban could become a reality said observers.
A final decision on these matters is to be taken very soon it is learnt.
Related:
- SLMM Chief on urgent trip to meet LTTE in Kilinochchi
- Indian help sought to escort ‘Pearl Cruiser’ safely to KKS
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Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com
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