A clear 'yes' to peace

Prime Minister and Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse is likely to have put many a mind at ease by saying most plainly that a future administration under him would not prepare for war. Rather, it would be acting in the interests of all our communities and establishing the foundation "for an environment free of fear and suspicion."

He went on to say that it would be the responsibility of a government under him to devolve power on the relevant areas, within a united and geographically intact Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister was emphatic that preparations were not being made for war merely because he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the JHU.

The Prime Minister was equally emphatic and lucid on the issue of religious freedoms. While nurturing Buddhism, Rajapakse said, "we will ensure that all other religions too are protected. People of all ethnic communities, religions and political parties will be protected", the Prime Minister disclosed.

By thus lucidly outlining his policy position on the crucial questions facing the country, the Prime Minister has effectively punctured the disinformation campaign unleashed against him by the Opposition on his links with the JVP and the JHU.

The UNP's constant refrain in recent days has been that a preference for Rajapakse would spell ruin for the country because he is intent on taking the country back to war by pandering to the jingoistic sentiments of the South.

It is now clear that this fear psychosis churned by the Opposition has no basis. Not only is the SLFP's Presidential candidate for a negotiated solution based on power devolution, he is also very unambiguously for religious tolerance and equality.

Premier Rajapakse should not only continue in this vein but go very much farther and spell out more concretely and lucidly, the broad outlines of his peace formula for Sri Lanka. This would defuse lingering reservations in the minds of the minority communities. He should also go into greater detail on his plans for religious harmony and tolerance. For, on this crucial question too many posers are raised by the minorities.

It is our considered opinion that racial and religious chauvinism would only result in the fragmentation of Sri Lanka. The ideal State is one which accommodates a plurality of identities within a single state.

Unity in diversity remains the ideal scheme of things in this context. On the other hand, ethnic and religious chauvinists need to be firmly rebuffed because they could only accelerate our collective ruin.

Koizumi's victory

The massive victory by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi can be seen as a mandate for his structural reforms, including the controversial privatisation of Japan Post.

The financial markets have reacted positively to this news and world leaders have welcomed his re-appointment.

Koizumi is now likely to accelerate the privatisation of Japan Post, which has more than US$ three trillion in assets. Other countries in the Asia-Pacific contemplating the privatisation of such massive entities will keep an eye on his moves in this regard.

What bothers the Japanese media and analysts is that apart from postal privatisation, Koizumi's agenda is not all that clear. He should therefore clearly enunciate his policies regarding other issues facing modern Japan.

Indeed, the election has marked a new turn in normally mundane Japanese politics. Koizumi called the election after LDP lawmakers helped the Opposition defeat bills to privatise Japan Post.

His decision to strip LDP rebels of party backing and send what media called "assassin" candidates to take on the "traitors" created a buzz in the normally torpid electorate. These novel political manoeuvres boosted voter interest and turnout.

In effect, this means that a lot of young, reform-minded MPs have been elected, replacing the "old guard" that resisted change. This will strengthen Koizumi's hands to implement reform plans. Koizumi has steered Japan towards a bigger role in world affairs.

From the six-way North Korea nuclear talks to a bigger profile in Iraq, Japan is becoming increasingly visible on the world stage. The question has been raised whether Japan should change its pacifist Constitution. This has raised eyebrows in some of her neighbours, especially China and Korea.

Koizumi thus has a tough task on his hands, both domestically and globally.