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| Sunday, 24 February 2002 |
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Commonwealth, US salute historic Sri Lanka truce LONDON (AFP) - Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon welcomed Friday's historic truce signed between Sri Lanka's cohabitation government and Tamil Tiger rebels, saying it represented "an opportunity for lasting peace". In a statement issued in London, McKinnon said: "This breakthrough represents an opportunity for lasting peace that all in Sri Lanka will welcome, after years of suffering and many lives lost. "I am sure I speak for all in the Commonwealth in paying tribute to the courage and leadership shown by those who have brought this agreement about. I hope it will be implemented in good faith and become an example to all those who seek to resolve differences peacefully." The United States on Friday hailed the Norwegian-brokered ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the rebel Tamil Tigers and said it would continue to support efforts to forge a permanent peace deal. "We welcome the agreement between the Sri Lankan government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam which formalizes the unilateral ceasefires in place since December 2001," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said. "The United States continues to support the Norwegian government's facilitation effort and its continued focus on helping to bring about a negotiated settlement to the conflict," he said in a statement. "A political solution to this conflict in the context of an undivided Sri Lanka would be welcomed by the international community," Boucher said. "If Sri Lankans constructively approach talks and show a willingness to compromise, we believe peace can return." |
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