Why is government dragging its feet over the peace process?

The following points were made by the head of the political section of the LTTE Mr. Thamilchelvan at a press conference held in Jaffna on 26th February:-

The cessation of hostilities continues, but a cease-fire has yet to come into effect. Several days have gone since the representatives of foreign governments arrived as heads of monitoring committees. But the government has yet to make arrangements for them to function. Many difficulties have to be sorted out regarding the modalities in the enforcing of the cessation of hostilities agreement, particularly with regard to freedom of movement in the seas, freedom of movement of LTTE cadres in the East, the composition of the monitoring committees. At a time when these issues are hanging fire, it is ridiculous for the Presidential Secretary to state that a peaceful situation has been brought about in the north-east.

We have repeatedly invited the government peace delegation as well as the government to continue with the dialogue. No confirmation has yet been received from the government regarding the resumption of the fourth round of talks. Even the recent letter from the Presidential Secretary makes no reference to this. Instead, he says the fundamental needs of the Tamil people have been met, and all what remains is for the LTTE to come forward to discuss a political solution! This kind of attitude, apart from being disappointing, raises several misgivings in our mind.

The government is trying to create a popular illusion regarding reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the north-east. Having started talking of the north-east, it then began to talk of the north only. The subject later revolved round the Jaffna peninsula, and now it has been whittled down to the Jaffna municipal limits. Is it the aim of the government to provide electricity to some of the areas in the town, repair some of the main roads, and inform the world that reconstruction of the north has been completed?

What has to be the approach regarding reconstruction work? we made our position clear in the previous rounds of talks. First, there has to be set up a Reconstruction and Development Committee to plan the priorities and oversee the activities, in which the LTTE will have equal participation. Secondly, there should be set up a Development Bank which will be in charge of disbursing the required funds. It is only under this basic framework the reconstruction should be attempted. The government is to receive a large amount of foreign funding specifically for north-east reconstruction. We want to ensure that these funds are wholly channelled for the purpose they were intended, and that the resultant benefits reach our people in full: We also want to make certain that there is no room left for any unlawful gains in the manner of use and disbursement of funds. It is for these reasons that we insisted on the above conditions. Having accepted these conditions at the previous rounds of talks, it is unseemly on the part of the government to create a public illusion that development work in north-east has began in earnest.

The Sri Lanka Aid group sittings are expected to take place in Paris in near future. By creating this illusion about north-east development and acquiring the necessary funds, there is every danger that these funds could be siphoned off for other purposes.

(The above is the English translation of Mr.Thamilchelvan's press statement released by LTTE International secretariat, 211 Katherine Road, London E6 IBU, United Kingdom. Tel/Fax: 0181-470-8593)