Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-03-14-Speech-4-218"
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"en.20020314.11.4-218"2
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"Mr President, as the European Union's Chief Election Observer during the 2000 and 2001 elections, I witnessed at first hand the terrible consequences of violence in Sri Lanka. I was therefore particularly pleased to be there on the historic occasion of the signing of the ceasefire agreement, which hopefully will herald a new dawn of peace and prosperity underpinned by the strengthening of human rights.
I acknowledge the courage shown by those who are signatories to this agreement and the role that the Norwegian Government and its Ambassador to Sri Lanka played in bringing it about. I also recognise that the silencing of guns, though welcome, is not peace, but merely the first tentative step on the road to peace. It is only realistic to expect that many problems will lie ahead – some will be minor, others more serious. However, if good-will and determination exist on all sides, and the LTTE recognises that the only way forward is exclusively through peaceful dialogue, nothing will be allowed to derail the peace process. It is much better to be guarantors of a peaceful future than prisoners of the past.
The prime minister and the leader of the Tamil Tigers, together with their supporters, have indeed taken huge risks for peace. Their efforts deserve to be rewarded by the international community, including the European Union. As well as providing important political and moral support the international community should provide substantial funding to underwrite the peace process. If the people of Sri Lanka, especially the doubters, were able to see that there is a peace dividend, this would underpin the agreement and encourage support for it.
It is much better for the international community to invest in peace now rather than having to spend money later picking up the pieces caused by continued conflict and violence. I wish Sri Lanka well and I would urge all the political leaders on the island and its citizens to support this peace process and cherish the hope that it will bring permanent peace to their country."@en1
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