Truce covers sea and land: chief monitor

By Shelani Perera

Major General Furuhovde - 'We don't live in America.' Pic. by Athula Devapriya

'I will have a liaison office in Kilinochchi and we will move into Mullaitivu too. There won't be a problem for us to go to any place. My strategy is to be on the move and not to be in the office. We will go out and meet people', Furuhovde told 'The Sunday Times' in an interview.

Following are excerpts of the interview;

Q: What is the procedure one has to follow when making a complaint to the Monitoring Committee ?

A: There are many ways. The complainant can go to the respective authority or can complain to the committee or can lodge a complaint at my headquarters. Several channels can be used by the authorities from the Government and from the LTTE side. The main point is that if there has been any violation then we will look into the incident. 

Q: How far has the Monitoring Committee progressed in setting up its office ?

A: We are just about to establish the first committee and the office. We will start in the East. We are just about to leave Colombo. I will move my HQ from Colombo to the north-east where with good communication facilities I can be in touch with everyone. The committees will move out on Tuesday.

Q: What would be the total cost of the operation ?

A: I don't know the amount, but we will try to do it within a stipulated framework. So far the Norwegian government has given us funds and the resources.

Q: The Agreement does not include Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. How will the committee monitor these areas ?

A: These areas will be covered. I will have a liaison office in Kilinochchi and we will move into Mullaitivu too. There won't be a problem for us to go to any place. My strategy is to be on the move and not to be in the office. We will go out and meet people and see the place.

Q: Will the committee monitor the sea area as there are reports of arms smuggling?

A: We will also monitor the sea area. We will definitely use monitors so that they will cover the area and monitor such activities.

Q: How have both parties extended their support ?

A: The support is very good. I am not fully operational yet but even now I am well informed that they have responded very positively. I am optimistic. My role is not to dictate terms to anyone. On the contrary I will find a solution in keeping with the agreement which I will discuss with the parties. I will ask the parties to come together. My role is to find solutions or help the parties to find solutions which they can accept. That is moving towards peace .

Q: How strict will you be to see that the agreement is enforced fully ?

A: I will not be strict on any one. The parties have to abide by the agreement. When I deal with the parties I only advise them. 

Q: If a party violates the agreement ?

A: I am very pragmatic. There may be violations. Violations can be in two forms, by accident or on purpose. We have to be prepared for any incident that will jeopardize the agreement, but the interest and keenness shown by both parties will not allow the agreement to be jeopardized.

Q: But there are reports that the agreement has been violated. Even the US Government has come out with cease-fire violation reports.

A: We don't live in America. I get information from the parties concerned. I depend purely on the information coming from the parties concerned and not from outsiders.

Q: Getting information from other sources is as important when monitoring.

A: No. I am only working with the parties concerned. 

Q: There are reports to say that through persuasion the LTTE has been getting money from civilians in the East. Isn't this a violation of the agreement ?

A: I am not acting on any rumours, so I will not comment on that. Incidents should be reported by the parties or by those who can actually tell me about the incident, because if I am going to react to rumours it wont serve, the purpose.

Q: But once the victims come forward their life is in danger ?

A: That will be a part of the complaint, but we will have to see how we can deal with that. A complaint may be of a criminal act, which will not be a violation of the agreement. Therefore I have to look into all complaints very carefully. Some of them will have to be handled by the police, while some complaints will be linked to the agreement. I cannot interfere in matters that have to be handled by the Government. 

Q: Will the monitoring committee be expanded ?

A: We will ask the parties about that. Because its work has to be sustained, it will be a hectic task for the members. I think I will have to have one more person for each group. I will be raising that matter with the parties very soon.

Q: According to the Agreement 30 days after its signing demarcations should be completed. How far has the committee progressed on this ?

A: We have decided to get help from the military because it is not possible for the monitors to draw up lines in every inch of the area. They will definitely get lost in the wilderness. I will be meeting with the military chiefs. I don't think it will be a problem for them but it seems to be one for people not involved in military matters.

Q : Tamil parties in the North and East are supposed to be disarmed within 30 days but so far that has not happened.

A: Disarming of the Tamil groups is in progress. I am monitoring what is happening and it takes time. We have to let people take their time. Even if something goes wrong we have to accept it, see what the reason was and set matters right. 

Q: Another clause in the Agreement states that 50 armed LTTE cadres will be allowed into the East. Has this been done ? 

A: They will come up with a list and we will let them go. You have to work with them. Confidence building is one of the most important aspects. If we were to be very strict and exercise control we will never be able to build confidence. Confidence building is taking a risk and a lot of us are not willing to take risks. 

Q: Have schools, temples been vacated ?

A: I cannot tell you how far we have progressed, but it is a very important matter.

Q: How important will the agreement be for commencement of peace talks ?

A: That is a political matter. This agreement is very different from other agreements, because it contains a humanitarian aspect.

Norway sends demining experts

By Shelani Perera

Major General Trond Furuhovde, head of the ceasefire monitoring mission, told The Sunday Times that the Norwegian Government on Friday sent two experts to the North to study the problem.

"Demining plays an important part in the agreement. I am discussing the matter with representatives of both parties. We need a programme on mine awareness," he said.

The LTTE was planning to open the road in the areas under its control by today, but the delay in clearing the mines has consequently delayed the opening of the road.