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Crucial considerations for peace

The fourth round of peace negotiations which gets under way between the Government and the LTTE in Thailand today, while proving the durability of the peace process marks its transition to a crucial phase where in some vital issues relating to security, are expected to be taken up for discussion. High Security Zones of the North constitute one of these questions.

We do not believe that these issues are stumbling blocks to peace and reconciliation. Far more contentious issues, such as the modes of power sharing, have been taken up for discussion by the parties and resolved with a degree of consensus. Security issues too could be thus sorted out provided both sides insure their deliberations with the cooperative and constructive spirit which has characterized the negotiations thus far.

It is vitally important that the parties to the talks consider issues impartially and deeply appreciate each other's points of view. These are essential conditions for the success of the talks. Mutual accommodation and restraint are also factors which contribute towards fruitful negotiations. These factors should continue to be operative in the talks.

Likewise, we hope the Muslim community too has realised the gravity of the situation and taken steps to heal all internal rifts. Here too, mutual accommodation and unity of purpose are essential.

Meanwhile, it is best that local opinion realises that peace always carries a price. It wouldn't do to merely express support for and advocate peace in the broadest terms. While such positions should be appreciated, local opinion should also come to grips with the fact that unless and until the minority communities' political aspirations are fulfilled within a united Sri Lanka, there cannot be peace. Accordingly, peace will be the result of compromises and mutual accommodation. Peace, in other words, is the product of a very fine balancing of the main parties' interests. There is no question of only one party's interests being served. These hard truths need to be borne in mind if negotiations are to prove successful.

We have often laboured the point in these columns that the State needs to get proactively involved in the task of winning public opinion onto its side in this peace endeavour. Along with this task of winning hearts and minds, the Government should also ensure that the democratic freedoms of the people are strengthened.

Public-opinion surveys regularly conducted by local Think Tanks, such as the Centre for Policy Alternatives, establish continuous mass support for the current peace process, although backing for some finer aspects of this endeavour may differ on the basis of geographical area and community. Nevertheless, it could be said that there is broad support for the Government's strategy of bringing peace by peaceful means. This is an important plus for the State which needs to be consolidated by expanding the people's opportunities for self-expression.

Right now, the critics of the peace process seem to be occupying considerable public space. As a result, there is no palpable evidence of the popular upsurge for peace. This is the reason why the means of self-expression of the people need to be enhanced.

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