Q: Mr. Helgesen, how did the Norway Government persuade the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to get into a cease-fire? Who gets the credit for that?

A: I think, its parties who deserve credit and thanks for being willing now to take steps to bring peace to Sri Lanka. Our role has been purely facilitatory role. We have introduced good communication channels between the parties, listen to their wishes and their requirements for a cease-fire and when there were gaps....Of course there were (laughter)......between the parties, we did our best to bridge those gaps and that ended up with the cease-fire which is a ‘Permanent Cease-fire’ and more than just a ‘Technical Cease-fire’. Its just also about building confidence going very much at a step by step approach, cautious approach to build confidence between parties that have deep rooted mistrusts against the other side. That’s a very constructive approach from the parties.

Q: How did you manage to build the confidence between the two parties?

A: Ultimately it’s for the people of Sri Lanka themselves to take steps towards peace. We can ensure communication between the parties, the leaders, Sinhalese side and the Tamil side. That building trust has to happen between the parties themselves. Not only the political leaderships also between people. So, restoring a normal situation is important for shifting people’s mentalities from conflict mentality to peaceful mentality. Mentality which conflicts can be resolved by political means by peaceful means. There is always conflicts in society. In Norway, we have political conflicts every day. We solve them by discussions and negotiations not by armed conflict. That’s the approach that people of Sri Lanka, I feel, really want. They want peace. Because it’s a wonderful country. A country with great possibilities and opportunities. Just tourism for one thing, technology. I think Sri Lanka is ripe for investments. But as you know, if businesses are to invest, they need to have stable conditions. That’s why peace will also bring an economic gains for people.

Q: Is there a condition that the ban on the LTTE should be lifted if they were to attend the talks?

A: That’s clearly a demand by the LTTE. It’s an issue that the parties will have to sort out. The Government will have to make up it’s mind about that. What we experiencing in the part of Norway, in such situations, it is important that when you bring parties to the negotiating table, they have the feeling of being treated equally. That’s probably why the LTTE has said they feel it would be difficult to come to the negotiations as a banned organisation. But that’s not for Norway to sort out. It is for the parties to determine when and how and on what conditions the negotiations take place.

Q: If that is the case they could have a political wing like ‘Sein Fein’ of IRA. So that the political wing can negotiate with the Government.

A: It must be one option. Again, it is not for us to determine. It is very clear that the LTTE will need to move from being a military organisation to being an increasingly political organisation contributing to political debate in a peaceful manner.

Q: Previous Sri Lankan Governments had discussions before with the LTTE and failed. Do you think both the parties are going in the right direction this time round?

A: I think it is a very constructive approach now from both sides. I just came back from the Middle East. When you compare the Middle East and Sri Lanka, what a difference in terms of desire to bring the process forward. There is a deadlock in the Middle East. In Sri Lanka probably there’s much mistrust, basically between politicians on either side and between people. There is also willingness to go forward. That’s a huge difference. Then there is the economic situation which in Sri Lanka is critical. I am in no doubt that is related to the conflict situation. Clearly that’s one of the reasons why I think there is a popular mandate for the peace process.

Q: You spoke about the Middle East now. We can see that the ‘Oslo Agreement’ is failing. Do you have a different approach in resolving the Sri Lankan conflict?

A: Yes, there are lots of differences. In terms of the process, ‘Oslo Agreement’ came across through a very secretive channel, when it was reached. This process is entirely different, because the fact that negotiations are.....discussions on the cease-fire was taking place, was open to every one. Various parties in Sri Lanka not only the Government and the LTTE were consulted but also the Muslim Party, the President, other advisors, the army and there were lots of consultations going on in Sri Lanka. It was not undertaken by us, it was undertaken by the parties. Partly on the fact that we met also with the leader of the Muslim Party, we met with the President. So its a entirely different process. I have no experience from the actual Oslo process in the Middle East. But we are very cautious this time not to call ourselves a broker, a mediator. I like to use the term ‘Process Facilitator’. It is the parties that need to bring peace to Sri Lanka. Norway cannot bring peace to Sri Lanka. We can, as a small country in the Northern Hemisphere with no strategic interests in that part of the world, we can assist the parties. The same applies to this Monitoring Mission. We can help monitor the parties’ implementation of the cease-fire. But we cannot enforce implementation of the cease-fire. That’s for the parties to do. They have to discipline their people, their soldiers and their cadres. Norway cannot do that. We can simply observe and assist.

Q: You have managed to get the cease-fire going. The next step would be to start talks. Have you got a time frame and the venue for talks?

A: It is also stated in the preamble of the Cease-fire Agreement that this prepares the ground for further steps towards negotiations. We have not discussed the time table and the venue for talks because we focused a lot on getting the cease-fire agreement in place. We did that. Now our focus is on allowing the parties time to back the implementing steps. Do the step by step approach and also to deploy the Monitoring Mission. Now we are preparing to go into a dialogue with the parties about the next steps.

Q: The LTTE wanted India as their venue for talks. Since the LTTE is banned in India that would not be possible. Is there any other venue agreed by both the parties?

A: We are presently thinking of various options. Media reported LTTE’s interest of having the talks there in India. That was clearly met with the soft reluctance of assistance. Clearly the most important thing is to take further the steps that are to be taken within the Cease-fire Agreement on day 30, on day 60, on day 90 are being taken, so that confidence is building and thereby produce a conducive atmosphere for negotiations to start. So that’s the focus of our attention.

Q: So there is no time frame as yet for talks?

A: It is not up to Norway to decide. We will assist. It is up to the parties to determine.

Q: It was the previous Government of Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga who asked your help to resolve this conflict. Now we have a new Government in Sri Lanka under the premiership of Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. Mrs. Kumaratunga is still there as the President. Does this situation makes things difficult for you to help Sri Lanka to achieve peace?

A: Not really. Because the relationship, the cohabitation between the President and the Prime Minister must be sorted out by them in accordance with the constitution of Sri Lanka. With the very clear support expressed by the President for the peace process we find it not at all difficult to work with the Government and with the President. So, we are very pleased with the constructive role she has taken. Clearly she has made some remarks about the agreement that have been sceptical and we will have a dialogue with her on those points. In the operational matters, detailing of the Cease-fire Agreement, we worked with the Government, with the Prime Minister because of his role in accordance with the constitution and the rules for the cohabitation in Sri Lanka. But since she had some remarks with regard to Norway’s role we will clearly discuss those matters with her. We are as I said very pleased she is fully in favour of the peace process.

Q: She asked your help in the first place and now questioning the credibility of Norway?

A: I think there is no doubt that we are in this process because she invited us. The invitation was renewed by the new Prime Minister. We were invited because of our position as a neutral country with no strategic interest in this region and with the tradition for development assistance to Sri Lanka over many many years. We have a role in International Politics, Norway is a large giver of humanitarian assistance in times of natural disasters and conflicts. I think this role Norway is playing and of course we have lots of peace and reconciliation processes in several countries at various levels. Sri Lanka is one of the most high profile and time consuming for us. I think it is because of that role that Norway is able to interact constructively with the parties in Sri Lanka. We feel that we need to clarify what the President’s comments are about and make very clear to the people of Sri Lanka that Norway has no intentions whatsoever of infringing of the sovereignty of Sri Lanka or something of that sort. That’s not what our role is about at all. There might be some misunderstanding about the wordings of the Cease-fire Agreement. Again with the cohabitation having to be sorted out between the President and the Prime Minister, we will certainly not mediating in that respect. (Laughter)....... We will have a open dialogue with all interested parties and naturally with the President of Sri Lanka.

Q: The President has said that she was not shown the Memorandum of Understanding until last minute. Former Foreign Minister Mr. Kadirgarmar has said that when they were in power they have informed the opposition of all the developments. Is not the responsibility of the Norwegian Government to inform both the President and the Prime Minister at the same time?

A: It is their primary responsibility to sort this out. When the Prime Minister asks Norway to inform the President we will do that and also Mr. Kadirgamar. We have done that. We have consulted in more detail with Mr. Kadirgamar the key issues of the Cease-fire Agreement in accordance with the request we had from the Prime Minister to keep the President informed. Of course with the President and the Prime Minister meeting much more frequently than we are (laughter)....they must have the key responsibility to sort out these things.

Q: If we return to the LTTE, previous attempts to resolve this conflict by dialogue failed because the LTTE always went back breaking the cease-fire to fight. Can you assure us that this time they may not do that?

A: We cannot assure anything. (laughter)..... We can assure that the plight is understood by each other in the sense that they realise the needs and the aspirations of the other party and we can be very honest with both parties and we are. And, as I repeatedly said, we have to do step by step approach. Even small steps is the most constructive way forward. We think and sense there is a genuine willingness on the part of the LTTE to end to hostilities to reach a peaceful and political settlement because they realised that there will be no military solution to this conflict. That is our judgement and the assessment of the situation. If we didn’t feel that the LTTE was not sincere we wouldn’t have engaged in this process. Because there has to be drive and willingness from both sides.

Q: There are reports that the LTTE are bringing arms including long range missiles. If that is true, we cannot say that the LTTE is sincere on this peace process. Are you aware of this and have you had a chance to talk to the LTTE about this?

A: No. As you know I have been on the move for more than a week, so I haven’t heard about this particular thing. What had been made clear by the Government of Sri Lanka is that it has the power and it is also established in the Cease-fire Agreement to protect the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. So, because of that the Sri Lankan government would be able to strike down any such efforts or imports. What is requested by both parties is for the monitors to be able to see whether the Cease-fire Agreement is actually respected. I think that is very clear sign by both sides that they want the attention of the International community. That’s a sign of trust in the process, sign of their willingness to get a peaceful result.

Q: There was also a report from Amnesty International that the LTTE are recruiting child soldiers. Did you manage to talk to LTTE regarding that?

A: Yes. We have been asking them whether this is the case. They are telling us that it is not. We have not been in a position to verify this on our own. But our role is try to bring this process forward. In the end if this Cease-fire Agreement holds, if there is a political settlement,... If there is a problem, we can’t make any judgement on that. The Cease-fire Agreement also says that parties will act in accordance with the International Law which also includes international humanitarian standards.

Q: The LTTE always said that they did not want any other settlement other than a separate state. Have they changed their mind now?

A: You have to ask that from them. (Laughter)........ What we feel is that both parties realised that there has to be a solution which will be within the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. That’s stated in the Cease-fire Agreement.

Q: Is India playing any role in this peace process?

A: We have been asked by the Government of Sri Lanka to inform India and keep other important countries informed. Clearly, India because of its size, its location and its role, also because of its large Tamil population. India is very supportive of this process and Norway’s role. We have very good communication with India. With out that this is impossible, because it is such a influential power in the region. We have the very best co-operation with the Indian Government.

Q: The Marxist party JVP are against this peace process and they are against the role of Norway. What have you got to say to that?

A: I think in any country, there will be political disagreements and political conflicts in any democracy. That is natural. There are also parties that are opposed to the peace process, opposed to the Cease-fire Agreement and opposed to any third country playing a role including Norway. So, I have no problem with that. What I would like to say is this kind of disagreement, this kind of political opposition should be done in a peaceful manner. That is exactly what this peace process is about. It is to establish political normalcy, normalcy for the civilian population and to make sure that political disagreements in Sri Lanka, ethnic disagreements in Sri Lanka are sought by political and peaceful means. I think the JVP’s disagreement is perfectly alright in the sense that some disagreement will always be there. But the ultimate aim of this process will be to tackle such disagreements in a political and peaceful manner.

Q: Because of the Cease-fire Agreement, the LTTE cadres will be able to travel freely from North to South. There is a general feeling among the people in the South that these cadres will break the cease-fire and suddenly do a wholesale attack in the South. Can you give a guarantee that they would not do that?

A: I cannot give you a guarantee. But the LTTE has given a guarantee that they will not do it in the sense that they have signed the cease-fire. If they break it, then they are in for trouble. There will be a deviation from this political process which would be clearly tragic. But we believe that the parties are sincere. And I also think no military organisation either the Government or an organisation like LTTE, no such organisation can fully control all individuals. I am pretty sure there will be breaches of the cease-fire. It is up to the parties then to take action against their people who breaks the cease-fire. If the leadership don’t do that, they are into a entirely different ball game. As long as the parties’ leadership are sincere and do their utmost to respect the cease-fire there should be a peaceful settlement.

Q: Do you think that the September 11th attack in New York might have prompted the LTTE to think in a different way and come to the negotiating table?

A: I think 11th September has made all of us think in a different way and I cannot see why the LTTE should not. It is very clear that proscription of the LTTE in several countries and tightening of attention of the international community has had an impact. It is hard for me to measure. But it is clear that in all parts of the world, 11th September has made a profound change.

Q: If the LTTE were to break the cease-fire and go back to guerrilla war, would the world super powers and EU countries help to crush the LTTE militarily as they are doing to Al-Queda movement in Afghanistan?

A: You have to ask that from the superpowers. (Laughter)....... Right now what we get is very strong support from the United States, from Great Britain, from Japan, from Canada, from Australia and from India to this cease-fire and to the process. There is a great deal of international attention on Sri Lanka and high hopes that the parties will go on the road to peace.

Q: The President of Sri Lanka has questioned as to why there are no monitoring centres in LTTE held areas. Is that the case?

A: There are six locations established in the Cease-fire Agreement. There is also liaison offices in the Tamil controlled areas and on the Government sides. There are no places in Sri Lanka exempted from the Monitory Mission. The Monitory Mission will do their job in any place where accusations of breaches of the cease-fire is taking place.

Q: If these monitors find breaches from either party what would they do?

A: They would report that to the parties and request the parties to settle the issue. There is no enforcement. There is an authority to interpret the cease-fire and to clarify any breaches.

Q: There are a large number of Tamil refugees living in Western countries. If Sri Lanka were to get lasting peace, will these refugees be repatriated to Sri Lanka?

A: I think it will be done according to the National Laws of each country. But I would guess most people would like to go back to that beautiful island. I think they would be a tremendous resource in sustaining a peaceful political culture. Because you have a Tamil population in Norway, Canada and other countries, they have been living in political cultures that deal with conflicts in a peaceful manner. I think they have received an education. They have language skills and they can contribute a lot to the future of Sri Lanka.

Q: You have all the hope that this time round, Sri Lanka will get lasting peace?

A: Me, I am hopeful. I think more importantly the people of Sri Lanka are hopeful and they want their leaders to make peace. On the Tamil side people are tired of war and conflict. On the Sinhalese side the same applies. They see the need and the possibilities for a prospering Sri Lanka if peace is brought about.