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Use-of-force report nearly triggered war
Reports about a military response to deal with the Tiger guerrilla refusal to withdraw from the Manirasakulam camp have had its sequel.

That is after the LTTE deputy leader of the Political Wing, S. Prabagaran alias Pulithevan, currently in Colombo, raised issue over the matter with UNF leaders. He asked whether such assertions constituted a notice in terms of the Ceasefire Agreement. The Government or the LTTE are required to give two weeks' notice before the agreement could be abrogated.

The first rapid reaction came from the Operational Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence. Referring to media reports which quoted Defence Secretary Austin Fernando as saying that military force would be used, a press release said he has "not made any such statement, nor has he advocated any idea for an alleged military move."

Joining in was the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission which said it has "not even made the slightest suggestion of using force." A statement said: "Such a suggestion would be completely contradictory to the role of SLMM in this country. The SLMM constantly advises both parties not to use force but to solve their disputes via negotiations and dialogue."

The SLMM said its acting head, Hagrup Haukland, had been erroneously quoted in different media. However, Mr. Haukland had his own explanation. He told The Sunday Times that the use of military force was an option to remove the camp in question.

"Whether we like it or not, this is an option. It should be decided by either party. In this case the Government says it is not willing to do it," he pointed out.
"The SLMM has no authority to do it. We will encourage both parties to abide by the Ceasefire Agreement," he said.

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