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Ceasefire monitoring an uphill task: SLMM Chief
By Frances Bulathsinghala
Despite the recent spate of killings the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Chief Major General Trond Furuhovde declares there is much to be thankful for, for the ‘peaceful environment’ that prevailed during the last two and half years.
The SLMM had recorded 44 killings as having taken place in the last four months alone and this is highlighted in detail on a map lying on Maj. Gen. Furuhovde's desk.

The SLMM chief enumerates what he believed to be the plus points of the two and half years as follows: There was no war. The country had received financial benefits. The international community had not only shown interest in the peace process but also said they would support it both politically and financially.

Peace talks which are stalled at present would hopefully commence soon and be successfully continued. Maj. Gen. Furuhovde says the LTTE ‘cooperated’ with the SLMM in carrying out its duties to monitor the ceasefire and the LTTE was ‘gradually transforming itself’ from a war organisation to a political organisation.

Paradoxically though he admits that the threat of war will always be present and an element of terror would be there within the LTTE. He also went on to say that since the ceasefire agreement was signed between the government and the LTTE on February 22, 2002 the SLMM's task of monitoring had been hindered by the LTTE and getting it to adhere to the ceasefire was an uphill task. Following are excerpts of the interview with SLMM chief Major Gen. Furuhovde:

In your discussions with the LTTE have you raised the issue of its alleged killing of anti LTTE elements in Colombo and in the North and East?
Yes. When I last met LTTE political head S.P. Thamilselvan I told him very clearly that the LTTE should do whatever was necessary to put a stop to the killings.

What is your reaction to the LTTE excuse that the killings have nothing to do with them ?
At my meeting with the LTTE I pointed out its responsibilities as a responsible partner in the peace process. I said the killings point in certain directions and that the fact remains that all the killings were of anti LTTE elements.

Would you say that it points directly to the LTTE ?
You could say that it points directly to the LTTE. But what we do not have is hard evidence.

What kind of evidence can you have from a organisation known as a terrorist organisation and still practices guerrilla tactics within a framework of peace?
A. What I meant was we have to work with the two parties to get the necessary evidence.
We still have not got it. We have to have results from, police investigations. We have not got such evidence from them.

Are you saying that investigation by the government has been lax?
At least the government has not come up with the evidence necessary in keeping with the Ceasefire Agreement so as to help us arrive at any conclusions.

The SLMM has been facing much criticism, most recently direct criticism from the government, both for failing in its mission and for being lenient towards the LTTE. How do you respond to these allegations ?
We have been criticised in the press a lot. We certainly take criticism from either side very seriously.
This was discussed in much detail during the meeting with Defence Ministry Secretary Cyril Herath last Tuesday. We have received full support of the Defence Secretary. Most importantly the government and the LTTE have given us their support too.

Would you say that the LTTE has given you their support ?
Yes.

Would you cite the most recent move by the LTTE in preventing the SLMM from inspecting two vessels off the Mulaitivu coast a fortnight ago, as a mark of support ?
At my Wednesday's meeting with the LTTE, the SLMM raised this issue very strongly.
I criticised them for stopping my patrol. They have understood that it was an obvious violation of the ceasefire agreement. They did try to come up with the explanation of fears of landmines and that firing exercises were going on in the area but we stressed upon them the fact that if that was the case then we should have been guided to the spot to enable us to inspect the vessels. I have criticised the LTTE in this regard.

So would you say the LTTE was not supportive of your monitoring efforts?
Whenever it had been necessary I have raised this issue. And yes, we have had problems from the very beginning to obtain access to certain areas. This is an ongoing problem and equally an ongoing criticism from the SLMM of the LTTE.

Would you see the present situation conducive for peace talks ?
You have to separate the political preparations and what is actually going on outside in society. The political preparations for peace talks as far as I know is progressing in full swing. I am quite convinced that it would succeed and that the parties involved would take up the peace talks again. Because it is a new government in office it is bound to take some time.

Would you say that the threat of war is still present.
Yes, very much so.

What is the view of the SLMM on the LTTE constructing bunkers in the north east ?
These are matters we are doing our best to investigate and ascertain before arriving at the facts. We are having intense discussions with both parties about the allegations.

How have you gone about your inquiries with regard to the LTTE rebuilding its military might?
I cannot go into details because they have not been concluded. We are inquiring into these allegations. We have to conclude these investigations before taking up these issues with the two parties.

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