British Premier Blair who has expressed his willingness to extend his support to resolve the Lankan national conflict has stressed that peace talks must be renewed under the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement with Norway facilitation.

He was responding to a question by a member of the House of Commons. In his response, he stated that what he said about the Lankan problem was the reality and that it was in deed a great challenge faced by all parties to the issue.

Although the international community was insisting on the re-commencement of the peace talks and peace efforts, nothing tangible has been done by them to make it a reality and prevent the crumbling of the Ceasefire Agreement.

While the British Prime Minister Blair appeals to the government and the LTTE to return to the negotiating table, the government intensifies its military attacks. It must be understood by all parties that the Ceasefire Agreement by itself is not a solution to the national conflict. The biggest contribution is that the 2002 Agreement helps only to create an atmosphere congenial to resolve the national conflict.

A senior defence official has stated that peace cannot be restored without weakening the LTTE militarily. He had also stated that the government disassociates itself with the view that the war cannot be won. He further stated that the members of the SLMM are here merely on a holiday. This reveals the stand of the government in response to the CFA.

Rajapakse government could not have engaged in military moves without the support of the international community. The strategy of the international community will depend on the outcome of the military efforts.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily based in Colombo

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