Online edition of Sunday Observer

People in Thailand seemed well aware of the drama to be played out in Sattahip shortly as the Government delegation to the peace talks arrived in Bangkok yesterday afternoon, two days ahead of the first round of negotiations with the LTTE. A large contingent of Sri Lankan media people accompanied the four-member delegation on board SriLankan Airlines flight UL422.

Thais at Don Muang International Airport told the arriving Sri Lankan journalists that they were aware of the Sri Lankan situation and of the hosting of the peace talks by their government. The Government delegation were welcomed at the airport by Sri Lankan Ambassador S. Palihakkara and Thai government officials before being whisked away to Sattahip, the venue of the three-day talks south of the Thai capital.

The Sri Lankan delegation for the first round of formal peace negotiations with the LTTE left for Bangkok yesterday with Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy, Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris, who leads the delegation, promising to "achieve peace with honour for our country".

According to reports from Bangkok, the Thai government has made elaborate arrangements to provide a convivial atmosphere for the talks to be held in the south eastern naval port town of Sattahip over the next three days beginning tomorrow. With the experience and facilities derived from their massively successful tourism industry, the Thai authorities are expected to provide a smooth ride for this long-awaited first round. Minister Peiris told the 'Sunday Observer' before his departure that the Government side was "not approaching the negotiations in an adversarial or confrontational spirit". The Government, he said, wanted a collective effort by all Sri Lankans to resolve the problem that has afflicted the country for so long.

Achieve a solution that is just and fair by all," the Minister emphasised. "We will do all in our power to ensure progress in the talks and will no stone unturned. We will work for a peace and a settlement that will uphold the unity of the country", he said.

The Minister said that the three-day session beginning tomorrow will be the first of a number of rounds likely to be held over the next several months. These initial rounds will all be held in Thailand, he said. The rest of the Sri Lankan Government delegation comprises Ministers Milinda Moragoda, Rauf Hakeem and Peace Secretariat Director Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleka.

The LTTE delegation, led by chief spokesman Dr. Anton Balasingham, also includes Tiger international law adviser Vishvanathan Rudrakumar, rehabilitation expert Dr. Joy Maheswaran and Mrs. Adele Balasingham who acts as the delegation's secretary.

Minister Peiris said that the talks were intended to lay out the agenda for the next round and identify the priorities for negotiation. The initial areas of focus are the rehabilitation programme, the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the return of refugees, and the contours of interim administration.

This week's talks which will be held in facilities in the Thai naval base at Sattahip, 75 kilometres south of the famous beach resort of Pattaya, will be ceremonially inaugurated tomorrow afternoon by Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumband Paribatra. Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen and Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgessen will also speak at the ceremony along with the leaders of the two delegations. The Norwegians, who have been facilitating the peace process, will be observers at the talks with a four-member team led by the Deputy Foreign Minister.

More than 350 media people are gathering at Sattahip to cover the talks indicating the degree of world attention at this latest initiative to achieve peace in Sri Lanka and, the Thai authorities have made elaborate arrangements for the media.

While the talks would be held 'in camera', the Norwegian officials are expected to issue daily bulletins on the progress.

The talks sessions begin with the inauguration tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 5 pm. On the 17th the sessions are from 9 am till noon, and 2 pm to 5 pm, and on the 18th from 9 am till noon and 2 pm to 2.45 pm when there will be a closing media briefing.

Bala, Adele first to arrive

LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham and his wife Adele were the first to arrive in Thailand yesterday, sources said.

Balasingham and Adele arrived in Bangkok from London yesterday morning were received by the Thai and Norwegian officials at the airport.

According to sources Norwegian special envoy on Sri Lankan Affairs Erik Solheim has already arrived there and the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister and the facilitator on Sri Lankan issue Vidar Helgessen is expected to arrive this morning. The Norwegian envoy in Sri Lanka Jon Westborg will also arrive in Thailand today, sources said. (AP)