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Geneva “Agreement” in the back burner?

Parties to the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) met in Geneva not to discuss political arrangements for the Tamil people, but to get a commitment on the effective implementation of the intentions of its architects. By implementation it was understood that the obligations on the part of the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) relating to restoring normalcy in the life of a people battered by two decades of war that destroyed their social and economic infrastructure. The internally displaced continue to languish in refugee camps and with friends and relatives, having been denied access back to their habitats in the military occupied locations in the Tamil homeland.

The burning issue that was taken up for discussion in Geneva however was the activities of the para-militaries that cause panic, tension and terror to the civilians. Agreement was reached to dismantle this fearful ‘apparatus’ and move the para-militaries away from the NorthEast as envisaged in the CFA. This was found to be the most disturbing element in the life of the Tamil people living in the military occupied areas and therefore consumed the entirety of time available during the two days of discussion in Geneva. The GoSL delegation agreed to bring an end to the activities of para-militaries and the Tamil people expected concrete action in the ground.

But what does one see as the post-Geneva situation vis-à-vis the activities of the para-militaries and the excesses committed by the SL military on a civilian population? No remarkable change had taken place since and the para-militaries continue to create panic by indulging in abduction and killings. Ground realities dictate that the GoSL’s obligations in this matter yet remain in paper. Intentions that remain as promises in paper do not count when it comes to building confidence. Tamil people destined to live under military occupation continue to be a threatened lot. Two LTTE members have been killed and five abducted since Geneva. Military harassment through round-ups continues unabated.

A people who on reaching the fringe of frustration over a non-productive cease-fire for a full four years, who rose up violently against military excesses and mysterious abductions and killings carried out by para-militaries saw a silver line in the agreement reached in Geneva. They are dismayed now by the apathy and adamant unchanging attitude of the occupying military that continue to allow its appendages the para-militaries to have their own way, de-stabilising the positive atmosphere.

The government would do well to rethink on its strategy of ‘war for peace’. If it is peace and real lasting peace, yes, the Tamil people are for it and would work for it. Sincerity of purpose needs to be demonstrated by action on the ground and what one sees is not at all a conducive atmosphere to make progress in a process that could be called delivering normalcy to a people put under an oppressive military machine for two decades and more. Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to suffer immensely and that refusal on the part of those in power cost the people and the country dearly.

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17 March 2006

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