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Partners |
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The Royal Norwegian Government |
| Role of Norway |
The basis for the ongoing peace process between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is the acknowledgement by both parties that the conflict, which has claimed more than 60,000 lives since 1983, cannot be resolved militarily. Norway's present involvement with the peace process began in the spring 1997. In February 2000 Norway agreed to a request from President Chandrika Kumaratunga and LTTE leader Vellipulai Prabhakaran to assist the process as a third party. After the December 2001 parliamentary election both the new Sri Lankan government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the LTTE officially requested that Norway continue to assist the parties in the peace process. President Kumaratunga has expressed support for the continuation of the peace process with assistance from Norway.
The role of Norway has been to assist the parties in their efforts to reach a political solution. Norway's role has been defined by the partners at all times. Norway's activities have focused in large part on help to facilitate communication between the parties, minimize misunderstandings, and seek common ground between their positions as the foundation for a peace process. Norway also has supplemented the regular communication activities of the parties, upon their request, by briefing various actors in Sri Lanka and internationally.
Why Norway
Among the reasons Norway has been chosen to act as a third party to assist the peace process are that: |
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Norway has no political or economic interests in the region and is considered neutral; |
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Norway is acceptable to all of the major regional and global actors, and the Norwegian contribution has been made in close communication with interested states, including in regular consultations with India; |
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Norway and Sri Lanka have a long-standing development cooperation, which has focused in recent years on efforts to promote reconciliation and peace; |
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The Norwegian team has spent time building contacts and relationships of trust with decision makers on both sides; |
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Norway has maintained the confidentiality of the process in accordance with the wishes of the parties; and |
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Norway's support for peace processes in the Middle East, Guatemala, Colombia and elsewhere, Norwegian participation in a number of international peacekeeping operations, as well as the fact that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, all have contributed to Norway's reputation as a country of peace. |
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Status of the Peace Process
The ceasefire agreement between the government and the LTTE entered into force on February 23, 2002. The agreement consists of three components: a ceasefire agreement, including measures to regulate the military situation on land and at sea; confidence building measures to improve living conditions for local populations; and an international monitoring mission. Norway heads an international observer mission that monitors the ceasefire. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) consists of observers from all five Nordic countries. The ceasefire agreement is intended to lay the foundation for direct negotiations between the parties. Norway will continue to assist the parties in the direct negotiations.
Six rounds of talks were held from September 2003 - March 2003. Efforts are underway to resume the stalled peace talks.
The international reactions to the ceasefire agreement have been positive. India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Canada, the European Union, EU member states, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and others have expressed support for the agreement and the Norwegian contribution. International development assistance is important to sustain public support for the peace process in the south as well as the north and east. Norway contributes humanitarian aid and development assistance with a focus on post-conflict rehabilitation.
Status of the Peace Process
The Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) came into effect on February 23, 2002.
The CFA consists of three components:
• Cease Fire Agreement, including measures to regulate the military situation on land and at sea
• Confidence building measures to improve living conditions for local populations
• The setting up of an international monitoring mission.
Norway heads the international observer mission, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) that monitors the CFA. SLMM consists of observers from all five Nordic countries. The CFA is expected to lay the foundation for direct negotiations between the GOSL and LTTE. Norway will continue to assist both parties in direct negotiations
Six rounds of talks took place between the GOSL and LTTE from September 2003 - March 2003. Efforts are underway to resume the stalled peace talks.
International reaction to the CFA has been positive. India, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Canada, the European Union, EU member states, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and others have expressed their support to the agreement and the Norwegian contribution.
International development assistance is important to sustain public support for the peace process in the South of Sri Lanka as well as in the North and East of the country. Norway contributes humanitarian aid and development
assistance with a focus on post-conflict rehabilitation.
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Violations Committed
by the GOSL - 351
