Nobody more active than Norway

Norway was engaged in the peace process in Sri Lanka for more than ten years. Between 2002 and 2006, as many as ten thousand lives may have been saved as a result of the ceasefire agreement.

But when the parties opted for war, there was little Norway could do. Now, six months after the end of the war, Norway still wants to contribute to a lasting peace that also safeguards the rights of the minorities. This will not be achieved through megaphone diplomacy, but through dialogue, action and strategic use of humanitarian assistance. Øivind Fuglerud does not seem to see this, judging by his article “Sri Lanka and Norway – half a year later”, published on 15 November.

Commenting on the last phase of the war, Mr Fuglerud claims that “while Western countries (...) sought to find a solution that could save civilian lives, Norway did nothing”. Has he forgotten that at the time, Norway was the only country that maintained direct contact with both the leaders of the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan authorities? Actors such as the US, Japan, India and the EU considered the Norwegian channel important for putting international pressure on the parties. Through quiet diplomacy and public statements, Norway urged the parties to adhere to the rules of war. Together with the UN, we tried to facilitate an agreement between the parties. All of this with one goal in mind: to limit civilian suffering. No one regrets more than I do that in the end neither the Sri Lankan authorities nor the Tamil Tigers opted for an alternative to war.

“The truth is that Norway, (…) through its support for ‘humanitarian’ efforts, to a large extent is financing the operation of camps where a significant share of the Tamil minority population is imprisoned and dying,” according to Mr Fuglerud. This is wrong. Already before the war, Norway engaged in dialogue with the authorities to ensure that internally displace persons (IDPs) would be treated in accordance with internationally accepted principles. When it became clear in the summer that the closed camps would remain, we shifted our efforts towards assisting the return of IDPs to their homes. Here Norway is completely in line with other donor countries, not only regarding the focus of our assistance, but also in the realisation that quiet diplomacy is more effective than overt pressure. The return last month of 100 000, of what were originally 300 000, IDPs was in part due to this. Although we place great emphasis on quiet diplomacy, it is sometimes necessary to speak out. Last autumn Norway was so outspoken in its statements to the media that it triggered a series of reactions from the Government of Sri Lanka.

This year Norway is providing NOK 94 million to Sri Lanka, making us one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid. Through critical dialogue, coordination of and support for the return of IDPs, we are doing our utmost to help the 160 000 Tamils who are still in the camps to return to their homes as soon as possible, so they can take part in shaping the future of the country.