The consultations took place in
Geneva on 28-29 October 2006 following requests by the Government
of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to meet to discuss humanitarian issues
and political questions. At the Co-chair meeting in Brussels
on 12 September, the Tokyo co-chairs (EU, Japan, USA and Norway)
encouraged the parties to meet for consultations.
Parties deserve recognition for
accepting this call by the co-chairs, coming for these
consultations at a time when conflict is more apparent than peace
in Sri Lanka.
The parties agreed that the peace
process will need to address the three following areas:
1) Human suffering
2) Military de-escalation and
reduction of violence
3) Political components leading up
to a political settlement
The Government presented the
political process between the UNP and the SLFP. The international
community has welcomed this initiative. The GOSL also made a
reference to the work of the All Party Conference.
Discussions were also held on the
urgent humanitarian situation and the need to address the plight of
a very large number of civilians. Several issues were discussed.
The LTTE requested the A9 to be opened. The Government refused to
do so at this point. No agreement was reached between the parties
on how to address the humanitarian crisis.
No date for a new meeting was
agreed upon. Norway will be in ongoing dialogue with the parties to
discuss all possible ideas on how to move the peace process
forward.
Both parties reiterated their
commitment to the ceasefire agreement and promised not to launch
any military offensives. The international community has repeatedly
expressed that it expects the parties to show restraint and fulfill
these commitments.
I encouraged the parties to allow
themselves some time to reflect on the situation and not to draw
hasty conclusions or take actions that could increase the suffering
of civilians in Sri Lanka.