11-13-2003, 11:18 AM
<span style='font-size:25pt;line-height:100%'>LANKA-LTTE LD CEASEFIRE
Tigers demand guarantees for truce, political stability </span>
COLOMBO,
NOV 13 (PTI)
Allaying fears that power struggle between Sri Lankan leaders would plunge the island into crisis, Tamil Tigers today said they were committed to the Norwegian-backed ceasefire even as they sought a guarantee from Oslo that the Colombo Government would continue to honour its commitment to the truce. "LTTE will remain committed to the peace process and to the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA)," LTTE political wing leader S P Thamilselvan told reporters after two Norwegian peace envoys met with rebel leader V Prabhakaran in rebel-held town of Kilinochchi.
"The leader of the LTTE sought the guarantee from the Norwegians that the Sri Lankan government would continue with its commitment to the ceasefire agreement," Thamilselvan said.
"He told the Norwegians that there should be political stability in Colombo for the peace talks to continue," Thamilselvan said. "Unfortunately the president and the prime minister speak different opinions these days. Unless and until a stable political climate is established in Colombo, we cannot resume the peace talks," he said.
The remarks came after Prabhakaran met with Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen and Special Advisor Erik Solheim.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga took over the defence and interior portfolios together with the information ministry last week while Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was away to the US on an official visit.
PTI
LANKA-LTTE
<span style='font-size:25pt;line-height:100%'>Norwegian peace envoys begin talks with LTTE chief
KILINOCHCHI, SRI LANKA,</span>
NOV 13 (AP)
Norwegian peace envoys met Sri Lanka's reclusive rebel leader today to discuss a power struggle between the nation's president and prime minister that has threatened to derail the peace process.
Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen and special envoy Erik Solheim met with Vellupillai Prabhakaran behind closed-doors in this northern rebel capital, as Tiger guerrillas kept guard.
Prabhakaran founded and leads the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the separatist group embroiled in a 19-year civil war to establish a homeland in the northeast for the country's 3.2 million Tamils.
The Norwegians, who have played a crucial role in efforts to end Sri Lanka's civil war, met with President Chandrika Kumaratunga in Colombo yesterday.
Kumaratunga last week wrested control of the ministries of defence, interior and media from her rival Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, claiming he has made too many concessions to the Tamil rebels.
In Colombo, chief government spokesman G L Peiris said the prime minister, who initiated the peace process after winning elections in December 2001, believes his administration can not carry forward the peace process with "truncated responsibility," a reference to Kumaratunga retaining the crucial defence portfolio.
"This is not just possible, and the Norwegians also agree with us," he said.
There was no immediate comment from Kumaratunga's office.
Tigers demand guarantees for truce, political stability </span>
COLOMBO,
NOV 13 (PTI)
Allaying fears that power struggle between Sri Lankan leaders would plunge the island into crisis, Tamil Tigers today said they were committed to the Norwegian-backed ceasefire even as they sought a guarantee from Oslo that the Colombo Government would continue to honour its commitment to the truce. "LTTE will remain committed to the peace process and to the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA)," LTTE political wing leader S P Thamilselvan told reporters after two Norwegian peace envoys met with rebel leader V Prabhakaran in rebel-held town of Kilinochchi.
"The leader of the LTTE sought the guarantee from the Norwegians that the Sri Lankan government would continue with its commitment to the ceasefire agreement," Thamilselvan said.
"He told the Norwegians that there should be political stability in Colombo for the peace talks to continue," Thamilselvan said. "Unfortunately the president and the prime minister speak different opinions these days. Unless and until a stable political climate is established in Colombo, we cannot resume the peace talks," he said.
The remarks came after Prabhakaran met with Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen and Special Advisor Erik Solheim.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga took over the defence and interior portfolios together with the information ministry last week while Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was away to the US on an official visit.
PTI
LANKA-LTTE
<span style='font-size:25pt;line-height:100%'>Norwegian peace envoys begin talks with LTTE chief
KILINOCHCHI, SRI LANKA,</span>
NOV 13 (AP)
Norwegian peace envoys met Sri Lanka's reclusive rebel leader today to discuss a power struggle between the nation's president and prime minister that has threatened to derail the peace process.
Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen and special envoy Erik Solheim met with Vellupillai Prabhakaran behind closed-doors in this northern rebel capital, as Tiger guerrillas kept guard.
Prabhakaran founded and leads the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the separatist group embroiled in a 19-year civil war to establish a homeland in the northeast for the country's 3.2 million Tamils.
The Norwegians, who have played a crucial role in efforts to end Sri Lanka's civil war, met with President Chandrika Kumaratunga in Colombo yesterday.
Kumaratunga last week wrested control of the ministries of defence, interior and media from her rival Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, claiming he has made too many concessions to the Tamil rebels.
In Colombo, chief government spokesman G L Peiris said the prime minister, who initiated the peace process after winning elections in December 2001, believes his administration can not carry forward the peace process with "truncated responsibility," a reference to Kumaratunga retaining the crucial defence portfolio.
"This is not just possible, and the Norwegians also agree with us," he said.
There was no immediate comment from Kumaratunga's office.