A two-day pause in 'offensive operations' and a relative lull during the festive season did not take the world spotlight away from Sri Lanka. Nor did it dull some significant domestic developments.
Some western leaders and senior officials were trying to reach their local counterparts in Colombo on the telephone. The purpose was to plead with the government to continue with the Avurudhu pause in 'offensive operations' so the thousands trapped in the 18.5 square kilometre coastal stretch in Mullaitivu could return to safety. But no government leader was available to take telephone calls because of the holidays, they were told.
Nonetheless, the Government was in no mood for an extended pause. At top-level discussions, the Government, which learnt of the requests, had discussed it. The majority view was not to halt the military offensives since it would only end up providing a 'lifeline' to the remaining Tiger guerrillas, among whom they believe are its senior-most leaders. Hence, wide publicity was given on Wednesday to the resumption of military operations thus giving a message to all parties that the Government will not yield to pressure.
Significant enough, the would-be calls for an extended pause came in the wake of the United States initiating a conference call of Donor Co-chairs. The State Department initiated the move among Colombo based envoys and senior officials in the capitals of the member countries. The Co-chairs group - the US, the European Union, Japan and Norway - was the by-product of a donor meeting in Tokyo during the previous UNP administration of then Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe. Though it has no legal or diplomatic status as a single body, successive governments gave it de facto recognition since the grouping constituted the largest aid donors for Sri Lanka. "It was born outside wedlock after the Norwegian-brokered Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) of February 2002," is how a western diplomat characterized this powerful group.
ICG report
Though the Co-chairs have become largely irrelevant without a CFA, the group is still important. The much-talked-of 'post conflict' development would require foreign aid. That would naturally turn the focus on the largest aid donors. In that sense, the Co-chairs would transform themselves to wield more clout and even influence. The International Crisis Group (ICG), which has considerable say with the international community, appears to have seen through the nuances of this situation.
"Once the current fighting in the northern Wanni region ends, the Sri Lankan government and donors should not repeat mistakes made in the Eastern Province, where violence continues despite development activities," says an ICG statement this week. Datelined Colombo and Brussels, it notes that "the East is far from being the model of democratization and post-conflict reconstruction that the Government claims and offers important lessons for the North."
The statement further points out, "Before committing any additional reconstruction and development assistance, donors must insist that the basic conditions for sustainable development are guaranteed and that the government has taken tangible steps towards democratic political transformation in both the north and the east. Otherwise, there is too great a risk that international funds will ultimately be wasted or possibly even prolong conflict."
That note of caution comes at a time when further economic assistance is being awaited. Among them is the Government request from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a standby facility of US$ 1.9 billion (over Rs 200 billion) and expectations over the extension by the European Union's GSP plus export concession facility for Sri Lanka's apparel industry. Moreover, these expectations come amidst a gloomy global economic outlook due to the current recession.
India pleads
There was also an unusually strong response from neighbouring India though many political observers believed it was done largely because of domestic compulsions, particularly the ongoing parliamentary elections. Speakers on the platform of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jayaram - on whose stage the maverick Vaiko is also present -- have accused the Congress Government of ignoring the plight of the Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka. The Congress Government was accused by Left party leaders of spending too much time on improving relations with the United States rather than looking into the Tamil civilian issue in Sri Lanka.
Jayalalitha herself has issued her election manifesto saying that the Tamils in Northern Sri Lanka must be given equal powers as exists in the South, or else, she will support 'Eelam'. While this may raise a few eye-brows in New Delhi, she is conspicuously silent about the on-going military offensive to liquidate the Tamil Tigers. Under intense pressure, an Indian External Affairs Ministry statement made strong accusations against the Sri Lankan Government, but also made it clear that there will be no 'mediation' role played by India.
"India is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. The continuing conflict has taken a heavy toll on Tamil civilians and internally displaced persons caught in the cross fire. The Government of India has repeatedly expressed its concern for their security and sought to ensure safe passage to secure zones for the civilian population," the statement said asking Colombo to extend the Avurudhu pause in military operations to allow more civilians to leave to secure areas.
The statement said that continuation of military actions leading to further civilian casualties would be "totally unacceptable", and then urged the LTTE to release all civilians and IDPs under their control.
"The Government of Sri Lanka cannot be oblivious to the evolving human tragedy and the fate of the Tamil civilian population caught up in the so-called No fire Zone," the statement added.
Note the wording - the 'so-called No Fire Zone'. And also noteworthy, was that the demand was only for a 'pause' in the fighting - not a ceasefire. It was almost a plea from the Congress Government to the Sri Lanka Government as if to say 'Don't you guys have pity on us - see the flak we are receiving just for your sake'.
The Donor Co-Chairs and the latest Indian reaction projected a convergence of thinking on the part of the International Community, the euphemism for the Western powers. All of them were advocating a ceasefire or a pause in hostilities for the civilians to seek safe passage. But the Sri Lanka Government believes this would only give those who are left in the LTTE leadership a chance to fight another day and drag on this conflict. In fact, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa told UN's Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar this week in Colombo that there was no more room for a pause in the fighting. He said the LTTE had not availed itself of the Avurudhu offer.
Rajapaksa happy
Domestically, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who keeps a close tab on the progress of the military campaign against Tiger guerrillas, was in for more good news. Earlier, he had been quite pleased not only about the Army's re-capture of all terrain dominated by the guerrillas barring the remaining tiny strip where the guerrillas are holed up in, but also about the recovery of a vast arsenal of military hardware. This included the 130 mm artillery guns which the guerrillas used to direct fire at Palaly (from locations in Pooneryn, Kilinochchi and northern Mullaitivu).
This time, the Army had more good news for him. Soon after his return from an official visit to Libya, he was told that troops have found the horoscope of the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. In a nation where astrology, palmistry and horoscopes are as important as oxygen for survival, the find is as significant as the recovery of military hardware. A high-ranking Government source said some top astrologers are now being consulted to determine what they thought of Prabhakaran's horoscope and what it portends. Even if the astrologers do not say it, one thing is quite apparent. These times are not at all good for Prabhakaran who together with some of his senior deputies remain trapped amongst civilians.
Mexico clarifies
Civilian death counts have also become a focal point of attention at the United Nations. Mathew Lee of Inner City Press gave the following account in this regard:
"As the UN has told diplomats in Colombo that the civilian death count in North Sri Lanka since January 20 has risen from 2,683 to 4,500, in New York, UN Associate Spokesman Farhan Haq on Friday declined to confirm the UN's figures or their release.
"Inner City Press asked Haq if UN envoy Vijay Nambiar, who met Sri Lanka's president and his brother, the Defence Minister (sic), was asking for a ceasefire, Haq answered that the UN is only asking that heavy artillery not be used. "Inner City Press which reported exclusively on Thursday morning on Nambiar's selection and mission to Sri Lanka, asked Nambiar for an update. To his credit, Nambiar responded, but said he is unable to comment. Inner City Press had asked April's UN Security Council president Claude Heller of Mexico if Nambiar will brief the Council upon his return. Heller on camera said that a lunch meeting next week between Council members and Ban Ki-moon will allow for a report on Nambiar's trip.
"Since then, Inner City Press has learned from multiple Council sources that there may be a willingness by the Council to hear directly from Nambiar, but not in the Council chamber or consultation room, only in the basement in the same 'informal inter-active dialogue' format used for John Holmes briefing.
"Inner City Press has again sought comment from the Mexico Mission to the UN about what, if anything, Mexico committed to Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary. He initially said that Mexico promised to keep Sri Lanka off the agenda, seeing it as similar to Mexico's conflict in Chiapas. Heller responding on camera to a question from Inner City Press called this inaccurate. Sri Lanka repeatedly made the claim, and when Inner City Pres sought formal comment the Mexican Mission's spokesman Marco Morales provided this;
'Subject: re. "Sri Lanka stands by statement on Lanka-Mexico talks:
"Mathew, in the spirit of clarifying our position, this is what we have to say.
"Mexico understands that Sri Lanka is not an item in the Security Council agenda, and we have not sought to make it one. That has been our position before the members of the Council and before the government of Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, Mexico -along with other members of the Security Council, the UN Secretary General and other agencies in the UN system - has stressed its concerns about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. We have also supported the actions implemented by the Secretary General and UN agencies on this matter.
"We consider of the utmost importance to keep information on the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka flowing regularly to the Council in the most appropriate format agreed upon by its members. The government of Sri Lanka has been forthcoming in providing the Council with information but we think it would be appropriate for other independent sources to lend further credence to this information. We have also encouraged the government of Sri Lanka to further cooperate with the United Nations.'
"So, Mexico did make certain commitments or assurances to Sri Lanka on information and belief, that Sri Lanka would not this month be added to the Council's formal 'Program of Work'. At the same time, Mexico 'thinks it would be appropriate for other independent sources to lend further credence to this information".
"Since Sri Lanka has barred journalists from the conflict zone, and is now reportedly asking even pro-government media to leave, what these 'independent sources' of information would remain unclear.
"Postscript; Friday afternoon, the park on 47th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues was filled to hear, among others, a four year old Tamil boy say, in Tamil, "this is not terrorism". Signs read; "Ban Ki-moon, Stand up to Evil", and a speaker asked, "Ban Ki-moon, who do you work for?" The event was nearly out of sight of the UN, behind a construction fence, while a much smaller demonstration had a permit for the 43rd Street park directly across from the Secretariat Building".
Oslo attack
The most significant domestic development this week came when the Government decided to do away with Norway's role as peace facilitator. For almost a year before the CFA was formulated and thereafter for six years until it was abrogated, Norway continued as facilitator. Yet, such a role was restricted to operating through diplomatic channels. Norway's special peace envoy Jon Hanssen Bauer was unable visit Sri Lanka for almost three years. He was denied permission to travel to Colombo and thereafter to the Wanni. Bauer took over as special envoy after his predecessor Erik Solheim became Minister for International Development. Nevertheless Solheim remained the key player for the Norwegian government and kept in close touch with developments in Sri Lanka. Though he could not visit Colombo, he met Government leaders in foreign capitals or in Oslo. One such meeting with President Rajapaksa took place at the United Nations in New York.
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| Ambassador Weerakoon inspecting the damage caused to the Sri Lankan embassy in Oslo. |
Officially, the ouster of Norway as facilitator came immediately after last Sunday's attack on the Sri Lanka Embassy in Oslo by Tiger guerrilla supporters. However, that was akin to the proverbial last straw that broke the camel's back, according to a source in the Colombo Foreign Ministry. There has been increasing displeasure over a number of issues. One is the meeting in an Asian capital by Norway's Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Tore Hatrem, with S. Pathmanathan (better known as KP), a notorious fugitive and the man who procured most of the guerrilla hardware to sustain the separatist war. He is most wanted in several countries and the French-based Interpol has issued a red notice for his arrest, though he is known to freely move around South East Asia with men in high places on his payroll.
Only weeks earlier, Hatrem met President Rajapaksa to explain the reasons for his meeting with the LTTE. It was to persuade the LTTE to allow the trapped civilians to leave the safety zone. He had said it was a task he had undertaken on behalf of his Government and others in the Donor Co-chair community. Though matters were resolved after that meeting, influential sections of the Government were incensed. "The quarrel is not about meeting KP and whether it was for good or bad reasons. But an official assigned as envoy to Sri Lanka had done it without the knowledge or concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka," said one of the influential persons who raised hell with the Government.
The Norwegian Embassy in Colombo declined comment on the matter. However, a Colombo-based diplomatic source said Ambassador Hatrem had apprised some Government leaders before he undertook the meeting. This could not be verified. According to the Foreign Ministry source, the Government had reason to suspect that Norway was one of the countries that had mounted diplomatic pressure to get Sri Lanka's 'humanitarian crisis' raised at the UN Security Council. Someone had to engineer countries like Mexico, Costa Rica etc., nations that have nothing to do with Sri Lanka to come out openly against Sri Lanka, the Government felt. Officials in Oslo, however, deny they were on a campaign against Sri Lanka.
But the official reason for ousting Norway, was the attack on the Sri Lanka Embassy in Oslo, Subsequent developments appear not only to confirm it was a studied decision. The Government has also been giving serious consideration to downgrading the status of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Oslo, for more than one reason.
Significant enough, the LTTE maintained a stoic official silence over the ouster of Norway as peace facilitator. It has neither issued a formal statement nor have its spokespersons commented on the move. Unofficially, some cadres in the Tamil Diaspora abroad have expressed disfavour. The LTTE silence is both deafening and understandable. Since Norway sided with other members of the Co-Chairs in a joint statement and urged the LTTE to surrender after laying down arms, they have been coy. Their predicament is worse because they cannot publicly antagonize Norway either.
Firstly, the Government has considered how the attack occurred on the basis of reports received by the Foreign Ministry in Colombo. For two days, Saturday and Sunday (April 10 and 11), pro-LTTE groups had been demonstrating outside the Parliament building in Oslo. They were carrying placards and shouting slogans against the so-called massacre of Tamils by the Sri Lanka Government. On Sunday afternoon, some of the crowds had turned up at Nedre Volgatte, a city sector which houses four different diplomatic missions. The Embassy of Kazhkastan (on the second floor) and the Sri Lanka Embassy (on the fifth floor) are located in one of the privately owned buildings. Across the road is the Embassy of the Philippines and the Consular Section of the Embassy of Poland.
Some 40 demonstrators had gained entry after breaking open the re-inforced glass door. It was a criminal break-in. There was no-one in the Embassy premises. Whilst they rushed through the stairways, they had smashed flower pots and other decorations like paintings hanging on the wall. They had then arrived at the fifth floor, created a large hole on the Sri Lanka Embassy door and gained entry. Thereafter, they broke a re-inforced glass security door to gain entry into the main area. They had then smashed up the furniture, the reception counter, the computers and attempted to break open a safe. The mayhem had lasted some six minutes after which the group had come out from the premises and demonstrated on the road. Among the attackers was one carrying a video camera. The footage he obtained (which shows the faces of some of those involved) were posted widely on a number of Tamil web sites.
Within minutes of the attack (just after 1.45 p.m.) on Easter Sunday, Police had telephoned Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Oslo, Esala Weerakoon, son of the well-known retired public servant Bradman Weerakoon. The Ambassador had been told that the Embassy premises had been attacked and to come over. A second call had arrived within minutes asking him not to leave home until a Police escort arrived. With them, Weerakoon, who was forced to cut short his three-year ambassadorial stint to two in Oslo by the Rajapaksa administration, rushed to his office to see the damage caused. He had told Police if it was to happen the previous day, (Saturday), his life would have been in danger. He had worked alone in office that day for several hours to finish up official business before he eventually left Oslo yesterday.
Government furious
Government leaders in Colombo were incensed at the move. Police guard points had been established at the Norwegian Embassy at Ward Place and outside the residence of the Ambassador. There had been one incident when a grenade was lobbed over the boundary wall of the Embassy premises, but otherwise, the Norwegian mission in Colombo had been secured. Despite repeated requests to Oslo Police, no protection had been given to the Embassy premises. Only three Police officers had been on duty on the road during the attack and they had naturally declared the crowds could not be controlled by them.
The Government issued a strongly-worded statement. The highlights:
" The Sri Lanka Government strongly condemns the premeditated attack on the Sri Lanka Embassy in Oslo on Sunday, 12th April 2009 by operatives of the international terror network of the LTTE………… In the recent past, there have been a number of demonstrations organized by the LTTE's international network across the globe. On this particular day (12th April) too, a demonstration was held with the permission of the Norwegian Government. The said attack was subsequent to this demonstration.
"The Norwegian Government, being fully cognizant of the modus operandi of the LTTE and in constant contact with its international network as well as its leadership in the North of Sri Lanka, ought to have ensured the provision of adequate security to the diplomatic premises and agents of the Sri Lanka…..In this context, the Government of Sri Lanka deplores the failure of the Norwegian Government in fulfilling its obligations under international law, consequent to its sheer neglect in the provision of adequate security to the Sri Lanka Mission in Oslo…."
The Norwegian Embassy in Colombo said in a statement that "the Norwegian Government strongly condemned and regretted the incident. The police have strengthened the security at the premises. The Norwegian Government will compensate the Sri Lankan Government for the damages done to the property of the Sri Lankan Embassy. The Norwegian police are giving the investigation of the attack the highest priority, and the police are doing everything they can to bring the culprits to justice……….."
Despite Norway's assurance of a police investigation with "highest priority," no arrests have been made so far. The only person arrested has been released. Police have told the Sri Lankan mission that they are watching the person concerned carefully. Despite the audacity of the attackers who publicly displayed video footage, as far as is known, investigations have not moved. If it has, the Sri Lankan authorities have not been informed.
Norway's Chief of Protocol Owe Thorsheim and special envoy Jon Hanssen Baeur had visited the Embassy premises shortly after the attack. Later, Solheim had sent an SMS message to Ambassador Weerakoon to say, "Tried to call you. Wanted to express that we are sorry and condemn this in strongest terms. Secretary in the Ministry instructed to handle the situation. Trust Jon (Hanssen Baeur) visited you. Don't hesitate to call if you need any help."
Police apology
Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahre Store summoned Ambassador Weerakoon to tell him that what happened was "totally unacceptable." He said he had personally spoken to the Ministry of Police and Justice to bring the perpetrators to book.
But there was more shocking news for Ambassador Weerakoon when he had a visit from a senior Police official in Oslo. He was to extend an apology for the PST or the Security Police (which functions under the Embassy Security Office) in the Oslo Police for making a "wrong threat assessment" over possible attacks on the Sri Lanka diplomatic mission.
This was despite repeated requests for security and the responsibility of the host country to provide it. He had declared that there was now an "unidentified threat" on the Ambassador as well as the Embassy. The result - three bodyguards and an escort vehicle had been assigned to the outgoing Sri Lankan Ambassador. Three more police officers in a vehicle have been posted on guard duty outside the building that houses the Sri Lanka Embassy.
Foreign Ministry sources in Colombo said Ambassador Weerakoon handed over a note to Jon Hanssen Bauer informing them that Sri Lanka will not need Norwegian peace facilitation. The reason given: "This outrageous act of terror committed by the LTTE in Oslo, which they feel is a secure location, due to the moral backing available locally should demonstrate to the Norwegian Government the true character of the LTTE……".
The Sri Lanka Government's Third Person Note gave the following reason for ousting Norway as peace facilitator "…….The Government of Sri Lanka perceives that there is no room for Norway to act as facilitator in its engagement with Sri Lanka in the current context….." A similar message was also delivered to Ambassador Hatrem by Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona after the former was summoned to the Foreign Ministry.
The use of the word "perceiving that there is no room" has left some sections of the officialdom both in Sri Lanka and Norway to believe the Oslo Government's ouster is temporary. They say the Government may choose to invite Oslo again, should the need arise. It is akin to keeping a door open for future reference. However, The Sunday Times has learnt the move is final and the Government is now focusing on whether the status of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Oslo should be downgraded. This is on the grounds that a facilitator has not been able to protect the Embassy of a sovereign nation nor reciprocate the security measures afforded by Sri Lanka.
In Oslo, there has also been another argument. Some officials say it was then President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Head of State and of Government, who invited Norway in writing to play the role of peace facilitator. Successive Heads of Government have thereafter told them to stay engaged. The ouster of Norway, they say, has not come from the Head of State and of Government. Diplomatic nuances apart, the message from the Government of Sri Lanka appears clear - there is no more role for Norway in the now non-existent peace process. |
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