Implement even-handed approach, Netherlands politician urges EU, India, US

[TamilNet, Monday, 05 November 2007, 20:46 GMT]
Paul Willms, ex-MP from the Third Chamber of The Netherlands, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the killing of Mr. S.P Thamilchelvan was a provocative act by the Sri Lankan government, and urged the International Community to put in place sanctions on the government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for failing to deliver a reasonable proposal to meet the legitimate political aspiration of the Tamil community for three decades, and to improve the deteriorating human rights record.

"I appeal to the international community with special regard to the European Union, India and the United States of America to implement an even-handed approach and policy towards both warring parties in realising a resumption of peace talks for a sustainable peace settlement in the South Asian region," Mr. Paul Willms said in his statement.

Full text of the statement issued by Paul Wilms follows:

Ex-MP Third Chamber of the Netherlands 2005/06.
The Netherlands
4 November 2007


I am deeply worried by the latest unwise provocation to further escalate the already severe relation between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The ongoing violence has made the cease fire agreement, brokered in 2002, defunct with the international community maintaining a hands-off policy that has been received by the warring parties as an approval for a resumption of hostilities.

Both parties should implement confidence building measures in cooperation with the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission to de-escalate the current situation. This only can pave the way for a renewal of peace talks to accommodate the legitimate grievances of the Tamil speaking people and their historical homeland.

I appeal to the international community with special regard to the European Union, India and the United States of America to implement an even-handed approach and policy towards both warring parties in realising a resumption of peace talks for a sustainable peace settlement in the South Asian region.

I fully support and appreciate the facilitating role by the Royal Norwegian government and their well balanced approach to the warring parties with tireless commitment to assist in the process of establishing a sustainable peace settlement in Sri Lanka.

I do however notice that the killing of Mr. S.P Thamilchelvan has been a provocative act by the Sri Lankan government and urge the international community to put in place sanctions on the government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as it is, after three decades, still unable to deliver a reasonable proposal to meet the legitimate political aspiration of the Tamil community and to improve the deteriorating human rights record in the country which can only disable the current culture of impunity.

I appeal to all Sri Lankan political parties to present a united and reasonable proposal for power sharing with the Tamils as a military solution will never succeed. If they fail, the country will divide instead of a solution based on a united Sri Lanka wherein all communities should be able to live in peace on the basis of equality and the right to internal self-determination.

My sympathies are with the family members and the Tamil people around the world, who are in deep grief by the loss of their Chief negotiator for the peace process with the Sri Lankan government.