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JVP
mum on CBK’s new peace move
"We do not want to make any comment now. We will speak later," JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa told The Sunday Times yesterday. On Thursday night, President Kumaratunga telephoned Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, urging Oslo to facilitate the process of resuming peace talks with the LTTE. Norway agreed on the basis that the LTTE also was ready to resume talks. Presidential spokesman Harim Peiris said the President was keen on resuming talks with the LTTE immediately. Soon after the UPFA victory at the April 02 elections, President Kumaratunga had contacted Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar, requesting a resumption of facilitation but was told that the request needed to be made in writing. Asked to comment on the JVP's reaction and role, Mr. Peiris declined comment but said there would be no major problems in the alliance in taking the peace process forward."We are prepared. We have set the structure ready to work immediately on political and humanitarian aspects. This would be done through the LTTE and the Government peace secretariat. We have been critical of Norway on actions such as the clearing of radio and communication equipment as diplomatic cargo. But now we wish to move forward. Whatever earlier criticism levelled against Norway was constructive and there was no question of throwing the baby with the basket," the presidential spokesman said. He said the LTTE's ISGA proposals - rejected by the JVP as a blueprint for Eelam - would definitely be considered as an item on the peace agenda."We are keen to focus on re-settlement and reconstruction along with reaching a political settlement," Mr. Peiris said. Meanwhile Ambassador Bernard Goonetillake continues to head the Peace Secretariat until the Government restructures it. The ambassador said he was coordinating with the Defence Ministry in implementing the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile Defence Secretary Cyril Herath told The Sunday Times that no change had been made so far in the composition of the Peace Secretariat. "No directive has been given as to which ministry it comes under, or whether it is taken over by the President. It continues under the Prime Minister's office. The Defence Ministry continues to monitor the CFA," Mr. Herath said. Meanwhile, the UNF yesterday welcomed and expressed full support for the President's move to resume the peace talks through Norway. But in a statement, the UNF also referred to the President's earlier criticism of Norway and called for a clear-cut policy. "On many occasions during the period of the office of the UNF administration, the President and her spokesperson called on the Government to modify their approach to the Norwegian role in the peace process in keeping with their criticism," it said. "We believe that clarity in respect of these matters is essential if progress is to be achieved with regard to the peace process. It is not clear whether the President and her advisers stand by the criticisms which they made over a sustained period or whether they wish the role of Norway, upon resumption of the peace process, to be identical with that assigned to it by the UNF administration," the UNF statement said. |
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