"Sometimes to be silent is to lie.." -  David Edwards

[Comment by News Watch: Nowhere does the AP Report filed from Colombo on 20 December and published by the Hindu, make any reference to the Co-chair statement:

"The Co-Chairs recognise that activities of paramilitary groups are another of the causes for the deteriorating situation. They urge the Government to ensure that such groups cease their paramilitary activities, as a demonstration of its commitment to a peaceful way forward..." 

Neither does the AP report make any reference to the Co-Chairs continued support for Norway and also for the SLMM headed by Norway and the implicit rejection by the Co-Chairs of President Rajapakse's demand that the facilitator's role be separated from the monitoring role.

The Associated Press may want to re examine its Report filed from Colombo in the light of its stated vision of being ' the bastion of the people’s right to know around the world' and being 'an industry leader in open government issues' and ask the question  whether the spin that the published AP report puts to the Co-Chairs Statement is more in accord with the agenda of the Research Analysis Wing of India in relation to the conflict in the island of Sri Lanka than with truth. The Associated Press Reporters from Colombo include Krishnan Francis and  Dilip Ganguly.]

[see also The Spin and Swing of RAW Orchestra - Sachi Sri Kantha]

The Fact...

Sri Lanka Co-Chairs Meeting - 19 December, 2005
Final Statement - Full text

The Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference met in Brussels on 19 December 2005 to review the situation in Sri Lanka. A representative of the Indian Government met separately with the Co-Chairs for an exchange of views.

The Co-Chairs note that Sri Lanka is facing a crucial choice between increased violence and re-invigorating the peace process. The prospects for long-term peace lie in the hands of the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. The Sri Lankan people want peace. A failure to respond to this desire would be a tragic step backward.

The Co-Chairs note the recent LTTE appeal for "a reasonable political framework". However, the Co-Chairs condemn the LTTE's enforced boycott of the Presidential election in parts of the North and East, which deprived Tamil voters of their right to vote.

The Co-Chairs also condemn in the strongest terms the recent escalation in violence in the North and East.

The Co-Chairs call on the LTTE to put an immediate end to their on-going campaign of violence and again urge the LTTE to demonstrate their commitment to the Ceasefire Agreement and the peace process. Failure to demonstrate a willingness to change would not be without serious consequences.

The Co-Chairs recognise that activities of paramilitary groups are another of the causes for the deteriorating situation. They urge the Government to ensure that such groups cease their paramilitary activities, as a demonstration of its commitment to a peaceful way forward.

The Co-Chairs welcome the agreement of the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to hold immediate talks to review the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement, and also welcome Japan's offer to host these. They strongly urge both sides to start such talks without further delay or prevarication.

The Co-Chairs welcome the President's aim to develop a credible political platform in the South to take the peace process forward. The Co-Chairs call on all in the South, particularly the main political parties, to contribute constructively and flexibly. The Co-Chairs believe that such a settlement should be based on a united Sri Lanka, taking account of the aspirations of all communities.

The Co-Chairs commend the Muslim community for their restraint in the face of recent provocations.

The Co-Chairs welcome the Sri Lankan Government's confirmation of its confidence to the Norwegian facilitation, as well as that of the LTTE. The Co-Chairs state their full and unequivocal support for Norway's efforts, building on progress made in peace talks held since the Ceasefire Agreement.

The Co-Chairs equally express their fullest support for the work of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in an increasingly volatile environment. Ensuring a conducive environment for continued SLMM operations and the security of the SLMM staff remains vital.

Finally, as a further sign of commitment to the peaceful resolution of the civil conflict, the Co-Chairs express their readiness to hold their next meeting in Sri Lanka close to the fourth anniversary of the Ceasefire Agreement.

& The Spin

Associated Press Report in the Hindu (communicated by Rajan Sriskandarajah, 21 December 2005)

Four co-chairs of Lanka's peace demand end to rebel violence  

Colombo, Dec. 20 (AP): An international group supporting Sri Lanka's peace process today demanded the island's ethnic Tamil insurgents end their violence and warned of consequences if they failed to comply.

Norway, Japan, the European Union and the United States urged Tamil Tiger guerrilla to "put an immediate and to their ongoing campaign of violence" and demonstrate commitment to a 2002 Norway-brokered cease-fire with the government.

"Failure to demonstrate a willingness to change would not be without serious consequences," the group said in a statement after meeting in Brussels yesterday.

The statement comes as increased violence puts the cease-fire under heavy strain.

"Sri Lanka is facing a crucial choice between increased violence and reinvigorating the peace process," the statement said. "The Sri Lankan people want peace. A failure to respond to this desire would be a tragic step backward."

Since Dec. 4, at east 18 government soldiers have died in attacks blamed on the rebels.

Today, militant Tamil youths attacked a Sri Lankan police jeep with clubs, chains and stones in the northern city of Jaffna injuring least two policemen, according to the Defense Ministry.