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Forging ahead with peace

Barring those die-hard opponents to a negotiated peace and the habitually cynical, most sections of the public are likely to welcome the launching of the sixth round of peace negotiations, this time in Hakone, Japan, between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE.

The continuation of the negotiations could be seen as proof that both sides to the conflict are willing to persist with the peace effort despite fears in some quarters that it would come under fresh strains in the wake of the recent incident in the seas off Mullaitivu, where a LTTE vessel suspected of carrying arms was sunk by the Sri Lanka Navy.

It is our hope that any haggling over this issue wouldn't impair the peace process. Obviously, both parties to the conflict need to cultivate deeper mutual understanding and tolerance for the furtherance of the peace process. It is not that these qualities have been lacking so far in the peace effort but they need to be strengthened and consolidated for the establishment of an unshakable foundation for the building of national reconciliation.

The peace process was not expected to unfold in an unruffled manner and the Mullaitivu incident could be seen as a major test of its durability. The sides have no choice but to reconcile their differences over this issue for the greater good of Sri Lanka.

However, it is plain to see that pious proclamations of goodwill and amity alone wouldn't contribute towards strengthening the task of peace-making. Ways and means have to be found to prevent misunderstandings and mix-ups in the future. Explosive situations need to be nipped in the bud and prevented from escalating into crises which could gravely affect the negotiatory process. Mechanisms need to be established which would encompass all these aspects of the peace effort.

It is very often forgotten that each side to the conflict would be seeking to consolidate its interests. In fact it is on the basis of equals that they interact. Accordingly, conflicts of interest are inevitable. However, these differences need to be resolved on the basis of a mutually agreed framework of rules and regulations if the overriding interest of peace and reconciliation is to be served. It is for these reasons that the ceasefire agreement must be scrupulously observed by both sides.

Besides, problem areas must be discussed and ironed out in a spirit of peace and tolerance. Hopefully, mechanisms would be built at the current round of talks to defuse and resolve potentially explosive situations, the like of which was observed in the seas off Mullaitivu.

Both sides should also look into the possibility of launching more confidence-building measures for the consolidation of the peace endeavour. A greater degree of proactive involvement by both sides in strengthening an environment conducive to the furtherance of peace is imperative at this juncture.

Thus will the bona fides of both sides be further strengthened and mutual trust and confidence promoted to a greater degree. Problems in the peace effort also need to be viewed with a greater degree of objectivity by both parties with more critical detachment.

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