05-31-2004, 10:56 PM
India's new government assures help to Sri Lanka in reviving peace talks with Tamil rebels.
Associated Press, Mon May 31, 2004 07:31 EDT . RAJESH MAHAPATRA - Associated Press Writer - NEW DELHI (AP) India's new government on Monday pledged support to neighboring Sri Lanka - in rebuilding its war-ravaged economy and reviving peace talks with separatist Tamil rebels. The previous Indian government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee favored a resumption of peace talks in Sri Lanka - , but ruled out playing any role as mediator. Foreign Minister Singh didn't indicate that stance would change.
``Whatever help we can give ... we will certainly give,'' Singh said, adding New Delhi hopes ``a peaceful, negotiated solution will be found.''
Last week, a Norwegian peace broker failed to get the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels to agree to a new round of talks.
Sri Lanka - had wanted to discuss the Tigers' demand for autonomy while simultaneously negotiating an end to the two-decade long conflict. But the rebels rejected that plan, saying their proposal for self-rule should be discussed first.
The peace process has remained suspended since April last year when the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam withdrew from talks, accusing the Sri Lankan government of not doing enough to help about 800,000 people displaced by the civil war.
Both sides, however, have honored a cease-fire agreed in 2002.
Nearly 56 million Tamils live in India's southern Tamil Nadu state, many with ties with Sri Lanka - 's ethnic Tamil minority.
Sri Lanka - 's new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said earlier this month that India should assist in the peace process, but he did not elaborate on New Delhi's possible role.
In 1987, India sent peacekeeping troops to Sri Lanka - , but soon found itself in a military quagmire and withdrew in late 1989 after losing 1,200 troops.
Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who ordered the original peacekeeping deployment, was assassinated by a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber in 1991. Since then, India has played a hands-off role in the conflict.
Kadirgamar's six-day visit to India will end on June 3.
Associated Press, Mon May 31, 2004 07:31 EDT . RAJESH MAHAPATRA - Associated Press Writer - NEW DELHI (AP) India's new government on Monday pledged support to neighboring Sri Lanka - in rebuilding its war-ravaged economy and reviving peace talks with separatist Tamil rebels. The previous Indian government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee favored a resumption of peace talks in Sri Lanka - , but ruled out playing any role as mediator. Foreign Minister Singh didn't indicate that stance would change.
``Whatever help we can give ... we will certainly give,'' Singh said, adding New Delhi hopes ``a peaceful, negotiated solution will be found.''
Last week, a Norwegian peace broker failed to get the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels to agree to a new round of talks.
Sri Lanka - had wanted to discuss the Tigers' demand for autonomy while simultaneously negotiating an end to the two-decade long conflict. But the rebels rejected that plan, saying their proposal for self-rule should be discussed first.
The peace process has remained suspended since April last year when the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam withdrew from talks, accusing the Sri Lankan government of not doing enough to help about 800,000 people displaced by the civil war.
Both sides, however, have honored a cease-fire agreed in 2002.
Nearly 56 million Tamils live in India's southern Tamil Nadu state, many with ties with Sri Lanka - 's ethnic Tamil minority.
Sri Lanka - 's new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said earlier this month that India should assist in the peace process, but he did not elaborate on New Delhi's possible role.
In 1987, India sent peacekeeping troops to Sri Lanka - , but soon found itself in a military quagmire and withdrew in late 1989 after losing 1,200 troops.
Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who ordered the original peacekeeping deployment, was assassinated by a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber in 1991. Since then, India has played a hands-off role in the conflict.
Kadirgamar's six-day visit to India will end on June 3.
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