Co-chairs request Colombo to provide diplomatic access to Ki'linochchi

[TamilNet, Saturday, 12 January 2008, 10:59 GMT]
The Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference for Sri Lanka Peace Process, the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Norway, jointly expressing "strong concerns" about the termination of the 2002 CFA by the Government of Sri Lanka, Saturday called on the GoSL to provide access to the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam in Ki'linochchi for representatives of the Co-Chairs and the facilitator, Norway. The Co-chairs also expressed deep concern about the human rights situation and protection of civilians in Sri Lanka, and called for continued monitoring of the human rights situation by such means as to assure an appropriate role for the United Nations.

Full text of the statement issued by the Co-Chairs follows:

The Tokyo Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, US and EU) jointly express their strong concerns about the termination of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement by the Government of Sri Lanka. These concerns have already been expressed in individual statements.

The Co-Chairs support a continued Norwegian role as facilitator.

The Co-Chairs emphasize their belief that there is no military solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka, and reiterate their support for a negotiated settlement. Thus they

• urge the Government of Sri Lanka to finalise a politically sustainable devolution plan;
• urge all parties to comply with their obligations under international law to protect civilians and allow access by humanitarian aid agencies to populations in need;
• express deep concern about the human rights situation and protection of civilians in Sri Lanka, and call for continued monitoring of the human rights situation by such means as to assure an appropriate role for the UN;
• request the Government of Sri Lanka to provide access to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Kilinochchi for representatives of the Co-Chairs and the facilitator.

Related Articles:
10.01.08   LTTE requests Norway to continue facilitation, urges IC's su..


External Links:

Norwegian MFA:

Joint Statement by the Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Conference