The European Union is in the fore front of the Co-chair countries that insist on stoppage of war and immediate resumption of peace talks in Sri Lanka. The co-chair countries charge the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE for the war situation in Sri Lanka. The EU should bear equal responsibility for the deterioration despite its statements to stop the war.

This serious accusation against the EU is made by none other than John Hanssen Bauer, Norway’s special envoy, himself.

We had very categorically pointed out earlier in these columns that the proposed ban on the LTTE would lead to serious implications. We made it clear that it could prejudice the equal status of the LTTE as both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government are signatories to the Ceasefire Agreement.

Now, both John Hanssen Bauer and Ulf Henriccson, SLMM Chief, have made similar charges against the EU. “We cautioned the EU about the after effects of a ban on the LTTE. Our view was not given due consideration by the EU” says Ulf Henriccson.

The obvious inference from the statement of SLMM Chief is that the ban on one of the two parties to the Cease Fire Agreement had jeopardized it being equal partners. He has expressed his true feelings on the eve of his departure.

In such a context, instead of issuing statements and from its seat of power, it would be better for the EU to tell the world what amends it proposes to make to pull the island out of the mire of violence. That would be the appropriate step.

We would like to recall the response made by Dr.Anton Balasingam, the LTTE Ideologue, immediately after the ban was imposed. “This ban is unfair and uneven handed. It is favourable to the Sri Lankan government. It has come at an inappropriate time.

In the background, where both parties are blamed for ensuing violence, the ban, as punishment is imposed only on one party, the LTTE. It doesn’t speak well of the EU.

We are at a loss at the haste in which the EU's decision was taken, particularly at a time when Sri Lanka government was shirking off its responsibility to safeguard the lives and properties of the Tamils.

While weakening the stature of the LTTE to bargain at peace negotiations, the EU ban can now give wrong signals to the Rajapakse government to pursue its extremist Buddihst Sinhala hard-line. As such this ban can ultimately worsen the situation and lead to a racial war. This was Dr.Balasingham’s quick response immediately after the imposition of the ban on the LTTE.

His words have become true today.

An English translation of the Editorial in Uthayan, a Tamil daily, based in Tamil Eelam, Jaffna

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