New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) Indian policy makers will feel mighty pleased that their uncompromising stand on Sri Lanka has been echoed for the first time by international players to the island's now precarious peace process. There is no certainty, however, if Colombo and the Tamil Tigers will fully grasp the import of the unambiguous statement from the co-chairs to the peace process and radically change their ways.
Tuesday's statement issued in Tokyo by the US, Japan, the European Union and peace facilitator Norway is one of the most important documents to emerge on Sri Lanka since the peace process was unveiled four years ago. It is a strong indictment of both Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for failing to make peace despite the strong support of the global community.
Although India, Sri Lanka's key neighbour and a country with great stakes in a final resolution of the ethnic conflict, finds no mention in the statement, it is clear that there is substantial Indian input, and New Delhi's concerns have been duly addressed. As one Sri Lanka watcher with access to decision makers said: 'Ninety-nine percent of what India desires is there in the statement.'
The co-chairs have made it abundantly clear that there is no scope for an independent state of Tamil Eelam, the LTTE's stated goal. The LTTE has been called upon to re-enter the negotiating process by renouncing terrorism and violence. 'It must show that it is willing to make the political compromises needed for a political solution within a united Sri Lanka.'
Expanding the theme, and avoiding the row over a 'federal' versus 'unitary' state, the statement says: 'The co-chairs will support any solution agreed by the parties that safeguards the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, assures protection and fulfils the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil people and indeed of the Muslim people, guarantees democracy and human rights, and is acceptable to all communities.'
In the same breath, the Sri Lankan government has been called upon to address 'the legitimate grievances of the Tamils', prevent armed groups operating in its territory from 'carrying out violence and acts of terrorism', protect the rights and security of Tamils all over the island and ensure that violators of law are prosecuted.
'It (Colombo) must show that it is ready to make the dramatic political changes to bring about a new system of governance which will enhance the rights of all Sri Lankans, including Muslims... The Tamil and Muslim people of Sri Lanka have justified and substantial grievances that have not yet been adequately addressed.'
Most of these are issues that India has been, mostly quietly, emphasizing for years, particularly since the Norway-brokered ceasefire agreement was signed in 2002 and more so from the time New Delhi started to feel that the LTTE was viewing the peace process as a vehicle to turn its de facto Tamil Eelam state into a de jure one. At the same time, India has been unhappy over the Sri Lankan leadership's failure to address genuine Tamil grievances although these are not articulated publicly so as not to embarrass Colombo.
The co-chairs have declared that solutions to Sri Lanka's problems 'cannot be brought through conflict' and that 'war is not winnable for either side'. Both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government have been reminded that they 'have agreed to the basic principles of any future peace during the successful period of negotiation in 2002-03' and asked to recommit to these principles as well as to the Geneva peace talks of February 2006.
While making it amply clear that Norway will keep steering the peace process, the Tokyo declaration makes three important points: one, Sri Lanka is on the brink of war; two, Colombo and the LTTE do not seem to be able to prevent the sliding back into violence; and three, nevertheless ingredients for a peaceful settlement remain.
The conclusion in the statement: 'The international community can only support but cannot deliver peace. Peace can only be delivered by Sri Lankans themselves.' India has been saying this for years. Can the co-chairs succeed where India failed in the past?
© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service | 
