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...
elements moment parties positive produce risk stop undermine utmost violence violent
The big risk are spoilers who want to produce violence to undermine this positive effort. At the moment the parties should do their utmost to stop violence, but they should not let violent elements and spoilers derail the process.
climate conducive create violence
There is a need to create a climate that is conducive to peace. The violence has to stop.
agreement discuss ensure observed order parties peace process sit together urgent violence
In order to keep the violence from escalating further, it is urgent to get the two parties to sit down together to discuss how to ensure that the ceasefire agreement is observed and how the peace process can be advanced.
agreement difficult further high level life loss peace progress putting risk secure tragic violence
The high level of violence and the tragic loss of life are putting the cease-fire agreement at risk and will make it very difficult to secure further progress in the peace process.
crucial expect geneva moment moved peace process talks time
We expect the Geneva talks to go ahead. We are at a crucial moment where the peace process can be moved forward. The time is right now.
expect geneva venue
We expect Geneva to be the venue for such a meeting.
bring donors parties peace process ready soon support track
As soon as the parties bring the peace process back on track (...) donors will be more than ready to support them.
april geneva meet parties strongly urge
I strongly urge the two parties to meet in Geneva on April 19 - 21 as planned.
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.
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.
achieved agreement confidence increasing parties
What should be achieved is increasing confidence between the parties and agreement for a new meeting.
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.