05-14-2004, 12:29 AM
Tamil rebels say they have reached agreement with government to restart stalled peace talks
Associated Press, Thu May 13, 2004 06:08 EDT . SHIMALI SENANAYAKE - Associated Press Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Tamil rebels said Thursday they have reached an agreement with the government to restart peace talks that have been stalled for a year. ``The LTT (Tamil Tigers) and the government of Sri Lanka - would reach a decision in a day or two on the time and place for restarting the peace talks,'' top rebel negotiator Anton Balasingham was quoted as saying by the pro-rebel TamilNet Web site.
``Norway would make an announcement about the consensus reached by the two parties in one or two days,'' he added.
A top rebel official contacted by The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Balasingham's comments.
Senior government officials declined to confirm whether a deal had been struck. They said President Chandrika Kumaratunga would issue a statement Friday.
On Wednesday, government leaders said they expect to begin preliminary talks with the rebels by August. Government media minister Reginold Cooray said the talks would be aimed at making arrangement for peace negotiations, rather than discussions on the peace process.
Balasingham said Kumaratunga was showing keen interest to resume negotiations.
``The preliminary efforts and arrangements to restart the negotiations are very satisfactory,'' Balasingham was quoted as saying.
He added that talks would not take place this month.
Associated Press, Thu May 13, 2004 06:08 EDT . SHIMALI SENANAYAKE - Associated Press Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Tamil rebels said Thursday they have reached an agreement with the government to restart peace talks that have been stalled for a year. ``The LTT (Tamil Tigers) and the government of Sri Lanka - would reach a decision in a day or two on the time and place for restarting the peace talks,'' top rebel negotiator Anton Balasingham was quoted as saying by the pro-rebel TamilNet Web site.
``Norway would make an announcement about the consensus reached by the two parties in one or two days,'' he added.
A top rebel official contacted by The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Balasingham's comments.
Senior government officials declined to confirm whether a deal had been struck. They said President Chandrika Kumaratunga would issue a statement Friday.
On Wednesday, government leaders said they expect to begin preliminary talks with the rebels by August. Government media minister Reginold Cooray said the talks would be aimed at making arrangement for peace negotiations, rather than discussions on the peace process.
Balasingham said Kumaratunga was showing keen interest to resume negotiations.
``The preliminary efforts and arrangements to restart the negotiations are very satisfactory,'' Balasingham was quoted as saying.
He added that talks would not take place this month.
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