The
second meeting of the Sub-Committee on De-Escalation
and Normalisation, (SDN) was held in Muhamalai 14th
of December 2002. The meeting took place in a constructive
atmosphere and lasted for almost seven hours including
lunch. Mr. Austin Fernando, Secretary of Defence,
headed the Government delegation while Col. Karuna,
Special Commander of LTTE in Batticaloa-Ampara district,
was the head of the LTTE delegation. Both delegations
had a non-confrontational approach to the matters
discussed and demonstrated a mutual understanding
and will to find solutions acceptable to both parties.
The SDN finds it extremely encouraging to see that
some of the recommendations made by the District Committees
of the SDN in November have already been implemented.
This is especially the case in Batticaloa district
and both delegations stated their satisfaction with
how smooth the peace process has been lately in that
area. All the remaining recommendations of the District
Committees were agreed upon in general by the SDN.
They will be implemented by the parties and the progress
monitored by Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM).
The matter of High Security Zones, especially in Jaffna
peninsula, was discussed at length. The parties agreed
that a solution to the resettlement of internally
displaced people in present High Security Zones and
other areas presently perceived as inaccessible to
the public could only be solved through integrated
plans of action agreed upon by the two parties. These
plans will include both security issues as well as
humanitarian needs.
Such plans should be developed in consultation between
the relevant Brigade field headquarters. In order
to work out appropriate plans and procedures and to
build gradual trust between the parties in the process,
it was agreed that such plans should start on limited
areas and be developed continuously while already
agreed plans are being implemented.
General Fonseka, commander of the Sri Lanka Army in
Jaffna peninsula, will deliver a proposal for the
first of such plans for a limited, previously populated
area in the High Security Zone in the Jaffna Peninsula,
before 21st of December. This plan will thereafter
be discussed and agreed upon in a meeting between
General Fonseka and Colonel Theepan, LTTE commander
of the North, with the assistance of Major General
Trond Furuhovde, Head of SLMM, as a consultant to
the SDN.
This principle way of connecting security to normalisation
is regarded by the parties as an expression of de-escalation
contributing to building confidence between the parties.
The SDN agreed that LTTE would within 14 days present
a proposal on a structure and procedures on how to
deal with return of land and property to the rightful
owners. This proposal will be presented to the GOSL
and taken up for decision at the next meeting of SDN.
The next plenary session of the SDN will be held in
Omanthai on the 20th of January 2003.
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