Erik Solheim
Erik Solheim
Erik Solheimis a Norwegian politician for the Socialist Left Party. He is currently Executive Director of UNEP, the United Nations' Environment Programme. Solheim was leader of the Socialist Youth from 1977 to 1981, party secretary from 1981 to 1985, and member of the Parliament of Norway from 1989 to 2001. He was party leader from 1987 to 1997. He was appointed Minister of International Development in 2005 and also Minister of the Environment in 2007, and sat in both offices until...
agreed date tigers
A date has been agreed between the government, the Tigers and Oslo.
both call central discuss government issue simply table venue
We call upon both the government and the LTTE to immediately come to the table and immediately discuss the cease-fire. Venue is not the central issue. The central issue is simply to come to table.
both call central discuss government issue simply table venue
We call upon both the government and the L.T.T.E. to immediately come to the table and immediately discuss the ceasefire. Venue is not the central issue. The central issue is simply to come to table.
basis bring geneva parties possible soon stop table whatever
We are working with the parties on an hour-to-hour basis to do whatever possible to bring them back to the negotiating table in Geneva as soon as possible and to put a stop to this violence.
agreed implement sides
Now the two sides will go back to Sri Lanka and implement what they have agreed during the talks.
realistic
Let us keep expectations at a realistic level.
confidence low start starts
There is little confidence at the start between the two sides. Confidence can only increase, but it starts at a low level.
arrive doubt help norway parties pull rabbit resolve tendency wait
There is a tendency to wait for Norway to arrive and pull a rabbit out of a hat. There should be no doubt that it is up to the two parties to resolve (their problems), with the help of Norway and the international community.
agreed both decide meet sides
Both sides have agreed on the need to meet and decide how the cease-fire can be implemented better.
agreed both decide expect geneva sides together
Both sides agreed there is a need to come together to decide how the ceasefire can be implemented in a better manner. I expect Geneva to be the venue.
advise complex enthusiasm necessary peace possibly specifics
There is real enthusiasm for peace but possibly not real enthusiasm for the necessary compromises. I would not advise on the specifics of the compromises. It's a complex matter.
expect parties peace positive process putting small step taking towards
The parties are taking a small but very significant step towards putting the peace process back on a positive track. And we expect the negotiations to be tough.
norwegian present side situation solution time whatever
We will do whatever we can from the Norwegian side to try and find a solution ... to the present withering situation at the peninsula, and also to the long time settlement of the Tamil aspirations,
achieved agreement confidence increasing parties
What should be achieved is increasing confidence between the parties and agreement for a new meeting.