LTTE Paris delegation returns to Wanni.
British Deputy Leader of the Opposition meets Tamilselvan in Colombo.
The LTTE delegation led by Mr.S.P Tamilselvan, Head of the Political wing that went to Paris for deliberations and drafting of the Tamil proposals for interim administration in the North East, returned today to the Wanni.
After the meeting with British Team
On landing at Katunayake, Mr. Tamilselvan attended a meeting with The Rt. Hon. Michael Ancram Q.C., M.P., Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Foreign Secretary along with Lord Ashcroft, KCMG. Batticaloa and Amparai LTTE Commander Col. Karuna and Mr. Pulidevan, Director of the LTTE Peace Secretariat also attended this meeting.
The British Deputy Leader of the Opposition expressed concern over matters relating to resettlement, rehabilitation, and reconstruction and bringing about normalcy in the North East. He also stated that the British government is readily willing to contribute towards the urgent and immediate humanitarian needs of the war-torn North East.
Mr. Tamilselvan thanked the British team for their interest and initiative, on behalf of the Tamil National Leader and the Tamil people at large. He further solicited their support in creating a conducive political environment, both in Sri Lanka and in the International arena for the success of the peace initiative and the establishment of an Interim Administrative structure for the North East. The British Deputy Leader of the Opposition expressed an overwhelming desire to meet the National Leader Mr. V.Prabaharan. This Meeting gains significance in the backdrop of the changing political scenario in Britain.
On conclusion of the deliberations in Paris, Mr.S.P Tamilselvan participated in a meeting convened by the Switzerland foreign office in its secretariat. Swiss officials familiarized themselves with the current status of the Peace process and shared their experience and opinions on conflict resolution. Col. Karuna and Mr.Puledavan were associated with Mr. Tamilselvan in this meeting.
Discussions relating to the interim administration were held in Paris with the participation of legal and constitutional experts complemented by specialists on economic affairs from the Tamil Diaspora. The Draft proposal formulated by this panel will be handed over to the National Leader Mr.V Prabaharan for review. On completion of this process, the draft proposal will be given to the Norwegian facilitators for transmission to the GOSL.
Tamil rebels warn fate of cease-fire depends on government giving them administrative powers
Associated Press, Thu September 4, 2003 05:49 EDT . DILIP GANGULY - Associated Press Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Sri Lanka - 's Tamil Tiger rebels Thursday said the fate of a shaky 18-month-old cease-fire with the government hinged on how much power they get to administer Tamil-majority areas in the war-torn northeast. In an unsigned statement posted on their Web site and published in their newspaper, the rebels said: ``The future of the CFA (cease-fire agreement) and its survival will depend on the GOSL's (government of Sri Lanka - ) reply'' to their demands for wide-ranging political autonomy.
Two decades of bloody civil war came to a halt on Feb. 22, 2002, when the Norwegian-brokered cease-fire came into effect. A series of promising peace talks followed, but abruptly broke down in April when the rebels walked away.
At issue is the shape, authority and control of a proposed interim administration for the north and east, where most of the fighting took place with the loss of about 65,000 lives.
Thursday's statement said a current government offer on an administration ``did not meet the aspirations and authority the Tamils are seeking.''
It accused Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe of having a ``chauvinistic attitude'' and alleged that Sri Lanka - 's military has been carrying out atrocities against Tamil civilians despite the truce.
``In this present condition and the armed forces racially motivated behavior, it would be impossible for the LTT (Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam) to ... carry out its business,'' the rebels said.
``If the GOSL (government) does not take initiative and allow the Tamil people to resettle in their own homes without the army occupations, then the future interim administration may flounder.''
Accusing the government of not keeping its words, the rebels said: ``This inaction is making the Tamil people not to believe the Sinhalese government.''
The Tamil Tigers also complained the government was not doing enough to restore normalcy in the northeast, where most of Sri Lanka - 's 3.2 million Tamils live and hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
The rebels want to control the proposed administration with wide-ranging political and other powers that would far exceed those put forward in a recent offer by the government.
At present the Tigers operate as a de facto government in the areas they control and run a police force, judiciary and taxation system.
In their statement, the rebels said they had drafted a formal response to the government's offer and would send it to Colombo before the end of September.
The rebels have already rejected two government proposals, but held meetings in Paris last week and discussed the government's latest offer.
Foreign mediators and governments hope this is a signal that peace talks will resume soon.
On the Web Rebel Web site:
www.lttepeacesecretariat.com
Tamil rebels warn fate of cease-fire depends on government giving them administrative powers
Associated Press, Thu September 4, 2003 05:49 EDT . DILIP GANGULY - Associated Press Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Sri Lanka - 's Tamil Tiger rebels Thursday said the fate of a shaky 18-month-old cease-fire with the government hinged on how much power they get to administer Tamil-majority areas in the war-torn northeast. In an unsigned statement posted on their Web site and published in their newspaper, the rebels said: ``The future of the CFA (cease-fire agreement) and its survival will depend on the GOSL's (government of Sri Lanka - ) reply'' to their demands for wide-ranging political autonomy.
Two decades of bloody civil war came to a halt on Feb. 22, 2002, when the Norwegian-brokered cease-fire came into effect. A series of promising peace talks followed, but abruptly broke down in April when the rebels walked away.
At issue is the shape, authority and control of a proposed interim administration for the north and east, where most of the fighting took place with the loss of about 65,000 lives.
Thursday's statement said a current government offer on an administration ``did not meet the aspirations and authority the Tamils are seeking.''
It accused Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe of having a ``chauvinistic attitude'' and alleged that Sri Lanka - 's military has been carrying out atrocities against Tamil civilians despite the truce.
``In this present condition and the armed forces racially motivated behavior, it would be impossible for the LTT (Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam) to ... carry out its business,'' the rebels said.
``If the GOSL (government) does not take initiative and allow the Tamil people to resettle in their own homes without the army occupations, then the future interim administration may flounder.''
Accusing the government of not keeping its words, the rebels said: ``This inaction is making the Tamil people not to believe the Sinhalese government.''
The Tamil Tigers also complained the government was not doing enough to restore normalcy in the northeast, where most of Sri Lanka - 's 3.2 million Tamils live and hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
The rebels want to control the proposed administration with wide-ranging political and other powers that would far exceed those put forward in a recent offer by the government.
At present the Tigers operate as a de facto government in the areas they control and run a police force, judiciary and taxation system.
In their statement, the rebels said they had drafted a formal response to the government's offer and would send it to Colombo before the end of September.
The rebels have already rejected two government proposals, but held meetings in Paris last week and discussed the government's latest offer.
Foreign mediators and governments hope this is a signal that peace talks will resume soon.
www.lttepeacesecretariat.com
http://www.theacademic.org/#10626874200
--><img src='http://www.yarl.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='tongue.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:lol:--><img src='http://www.yarl.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='laugh.gif'><!--endemo-->
--><img src='http://www.yarl.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&
--><img src='http://www.yarl.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->