The ceasefire brokered by the Oslo diplomats is a practical document that seeks to learn from the specific Sri Lankan experience of the past, and it provides the best chance for peace yet.
The road to peace in Sri Lanka moved significantly forward on 7 February with the arrival of Norwegian deputy foreign affairs minister Vidar Helgesen to Colombo. Helgesen was at the helm of a peace delegation including Erik Soiheim and Kjirste Tromsdal, two top Norwegian diplomats. The product of their hectic shuttle diplomacy between Europe and Asia was a tangible document, a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining conditions and rules for theTeasefire that was ultimately signed by the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).The road to peace in Sri Lanka moved significantly forward on 7 February with the arrival of Norwegian deputy foreign affairs minister Vidar Helgesen to Colombo. Helgesen was at the helm of a peace delegation including Erik Soiheim and Kjirste Tromsdal, two top Norwegian diplomats. The product of their hectic shuttle diplomacy between Europe and Asia was a tangible document, a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining conditions and rules for theTeasefire that was ultimately signed by the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
The primary purpose of this draft MOU was to bring about a permanent and durable ceasefire to replace the parallel unilateral ones in place earlier. Both the LTTE and Government had adhered to unilaterally declared cessations of hostility separately, extended on a monthly basis and applicable to land-based activity alone. The Norwegian focus was to harmonise the situation and evolve a structured and comprehensive ceasefire covering all types of land-, sea- and air-based activity in addition to related issues.
The draft was formulated after active consultation with both parties. Although the 'form' belonged to Norway, the 'content' was that of the Sri Lankan government and LTTE. The Norwegians had dutifully incorporated all suggestions, proposals and amendments put forward by both sides in the document after the expected intense debate and discussion. Proposals that emanated during discussions with President Kumaratunga and former Foreign Affairs minister Lakshman Kadirgamar were also relied upon.