Mark Salter – Writer, Researcher, Consultant

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‘Peace finally came to Sri Lanka. But not without heroic efforts on the part of the Norwegian government. Its determination to support the aspirations of all Sri Lankans in the face of withering criticism deserves our respect and is a story worth telling.’ Richard L. Armitage, United States Deputy Secretary of State, 2001–2005

‘Such a book, an intimate and forthright account of Norway’s thankless engagement in Sri Lanka for peace and national reconciliation, is long overdue. … The sobering lesson we should all learn from these intractable experiences is that the final outcome of these efforts depends ultimately on political circumstances which are beyond the control of peace-makers.’ Yasushi Akashi, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

‘Proximity can bruise relationships, especially when it is as close as India’s to Sri Lanka. Distances can shake hands with greater facility. So when ‘distant Norway’ suggested to embattled Sri Lanka it had expertise to share in making and keeping peace, India was sceptical but encouraging. Norway’s bid in Sri Lanka to retrieve life from death did not triumph, but were its efforts in vain? Some soils hold their germinal stirrings for delayed ripening. And Norway may yet find its engagement in Sri Lanka bears fruit.’ Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal and High Commissioner to Sri Lanka

‘An important read for all of us seeking to learn more about peaceful, negotiated means to solve conflicts. This book gives us lessons learned, always useful in our ongoing quest to find new ways to prevent and stop violence. Brave stories from two countries with a special place in my heart: Norway and Sri Lanka.’ Margot Wallström, Swedish Foreign Minister

‘This book is significant for a number of reasons as an invaluable resource for national and international policy makers and scholars. Drawing on the accounts of the two key Norwegian facilitators in one of South Asia's most protracted and bloody conflicts, the book outlines the challenges they faced and provides indispensable insight into how they were met, the attitudes and perceptions of the key Sri Lankan actors from a variety of backgrounds spanning the government, the Tamil Tigers and civil society as well as a coherent analysis of negotiations in Sri Lanka with lessons to be learned. A must read for all concerned with the situation in Sri Lanka in particular and in conflict transformation processes in countries riven by armed conflict between the state and non-state protagonists in general.’ Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Sri Lanka

‘Mark Salter has written a book that gives an international perspective of the run up to Sri Lanka’s 2002 Ceasefire Agreement as well as the last stages of the war. The book provides a meticulously documented account of how Norway came to be involved in Sri Lanka’s last and most promising peace process. It also addresses the issues that arose at the last stages of the war, including the controversial White Flag case where surrendering LTTE members were killed. It has a large number of interviews with those who played a front line role during those days.The book’s strength is that it gives them space to speak through their own voice, while also offering insights into peacemaking and peacekeeping that can be used elsewhere in the world.’ Jehan Perera, Executive Director, National Peace Council (NPC) of Sri Lanka

‘This book is indispensable, irresistible . . . a treasure trove, a chronicle of the larger Western engagement in the attempt to negotiate a settlement to the Sri Lankan conflict. It’s invaluable not only because of what it chronicles, but also because it sheds light on the past, present and possible futures of Sri Lanka.’ Dayan Jayetilleka, former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United Nations, Geneva.

‘This is a fascinating story told of a European nation’s deep involvement in trying to end a raging 25 year long civil war. The book brings out surprising information on Norway’s dedicated efforts in negotiating peace in Sri Lanka, through dialogue and talks. In a major work of scholarship Mark Salter has neatly managed the near impossible task of reconciling four separate and often parallel narratives on Sri Lanka, represented by the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of India, the Sri Lanka Tamils, (especially the LTTE) and the Government of Norway. The Norwegian peace process failed to end the civil war and was in that sense an incomplete one. But, the price paid by Sri Lanka in terms of the brutality of the operations and the massive displacement and suffering, vindicates Norway’s conviction that a military solution could not resolve the ethnic conflict. A book on conflict resolution for scholars, diplomats and those interested in South Asia.’ Ambassador Lalit Mansingh, Former Foreign Secretary of India

‘Norway's efforts to bring a peaceful end to Sri Lanka's civil war deserve this fair-minded history, accompanied by the reflections of diverse participants on lessons to be learned. These are relevant to how Sri Lanka's future now unfolds, but also to peace processes elsewhere which seek, as they must, to avoid the heartless violations of human rights and international humanitarian law recorded here.’ Ian Martin, former UN Human Rights Adviser to the Sri Lankan peace process

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Vidar Helgesen, Minister for Europe & Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s Office, Norway
Mark Salter has a fine pen flowing from a bright mind. As an analyst he brings a global, comparative perspective to matters national and local, hence at the same time deepening and broadening our understanding of the issues at stake.

Erik Solheim, Chair of OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC), Former Norwegian Development Minister
Over the past few years I have worked closely with Mark Salter on his book on the peace process in Sri Lanka. The outcome is a tribute to the persistence, and intellectual creativity, with which he has approached the challenge of documenting Norway’s engagement in the conflict that blighted this beautiful, sometimes fascinating, sometimes enraging island. Working with him has been a rewarding and delightful experience, and I warmly commend Mark as a prospective collaborator in other ventures.

His multi-lingual, multi-cultural background and experience combined with a wide knowledge and mature understanding of international affairs make Mark well placed to make substantive contributions in a wide range of arenas. His work is not only based on a clear mind, but also on strong values - in particular the promotion of diversity, tolerance, understanding and practical alternatives to violent conflict.