The
journey that began at Sattahip
First round: September 16- 18, 2002 at the Sattahip Naval
base in Thailand.
The Government and the LTTE agreed to promptly set up a Joint Committee
to deal with the issues relating to High Security Zones.
The
parties also agreed to establish a Joint Task Force for humanitarian
and reconstruction activities. The two immediate priorities were
the stepping up of humanitarian demining action, and accelerating
resettlement and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.
Second round: October 31-November 3, 2002 in Thailand
The parties agreed to establish direct communications between
the commanders of the LTTE and the Special Task Force in the east
to improve the security situation. The parties agreed to establish
a process of regular consultations between LTTE leaders and Muslim
political leaders in accordance with the memorandum of understanding
signed by LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and SLMC leader Rauff
Hakeem.
The parties agreed to establish peace committees at the community
level to facilitate the resolution of local problems, contribute
to inter-ethnic communication and reconciliation, and promote respect
for human rights.
Third
round: December 2-5, 2002 in Oslo, Norway.
The two sides agreed to initiate discussions on substantive
political issues such as, power sharing between the centre and the
region, as well as within the centre, geographical region, human
rights protection, political and administrative mechanisms, public
finance, law and order.
The parties recognised that progress on political issues must be
supported by the continued consolidation of the Ceasefire Agreement.
Fourth
round: January 6-9, 2002 at Rose Garden in Thailand
The main focus of the parties was on the need to ensure
implementation of urgent humanitarian priorities.
The parties emphasized the need for progress in resettling the hundreds
of thousands of displaced persons. To this effect, the parties agreed
on an “Action Plan for an Accelerated Resettlement Programme
for the Jaffna District.” As the clear majority of resettlement
cases relate to areas outside the High Security Zones, the first
phase of the Action Plan will focus on such areas. The parties agreed
on an “Action Plan for an Accelerated Resettlement Programme
for the Jaffna District.
Fifth
round: February 7-8, 2003, at the Norwegian Embassy in Berlin
The parties reviewed progress reports on the work of the
Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs
in the North and East (SIHRN).
The parties agreed to establish three committees, one in each district
of the Eastern Province, to address land issues and other areas
of mutual concern.
Following a thorough discussion of human rights, the parties agreed
to ask international human rights adviser Ian Martin to draw up
a roadmap for human rights issues relating to the peace process.
The parties expressed willingness to start a discussion on the fiscal
aspects of a federal structure at the next session.
Sixth
and Seventh rounds – Not held
The parties confirmed that the sixth session of peace talks
would take place on March 18-21, 2003 in Japan and the seventh session
on April 29-May 2, 2003, but the talks were not held.
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