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| Sunday, 29 December 2002 |
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LTTE assures commitment to peace talks by S. Selvakumar The current disagreement between the LTTE and the Sri Lanka Army on the issue of LTTE weapon positions and Army security zones will not endanger the on-going peace talks, LTTE chief negotiator Dr. Anton Balasingham has assured the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission. This clarification of the LTTE position came on Friday when Dr. Balasingham personally telephoned SLMM Chief Major Gen. Trond Furuhovde from London and assured him about the LTTE commitment to the talks, the Sunday Observer learns. Dr. Balasingham is understood to have reassured the SLMM chief that while some disagreements may arise on issues at various levels, this would not endanger the momentum of the peace talks, the next round of which is due to be held in Thailand next week. The disagreement broke out over the LTTE's summary rejection of the Army's proposals for a re-positioning of Tiger units and weaponry which would then enable the Government forces to relax the 'High Security Zones' in the North. Meanwhile, the resettlement of internally displaced people in High Security Zones (HSZ) has drawn the urgent attention of all concerned in the on-going peace process following the LTTE's rejection of Army proposal. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, concerned about the developments, has written to both the military and the LTTE to hold talks on the matter. SLMM spokesman Hagrup Haukland told the 'Sunday Observer' the meeting will be held at Muhamalai and he was hopeful that the issue could be sorted out before the next round of peace talks that begins in Thailand on January 6. Meanwhile, SLMM chief Major General Trond Furuhovde had a lengthy discussion with Defence Secretary Austin Fernando on Friday afternoon over LTTE's rejection of Fonseka's proposal. Though details of the discussion were not made known SLMM sources said that in this issue of resettlement there should be a balance of power between the Army and the LTTE. The LTTE on Friday officially rejected the proposal of disarming and decommissioning of weapons. Major General Sarath Fonseka commenting on the issue has said his proposal should not be misunderstood as a condition for resettlement but it is only a description of the factual situation. LTTE political wing spokesman Sudha Master has told our sister paper "Thinakaran" that LTTE's rejection of Army's proposal will not affect the on-going peace process and the SLMM is also quite optimistic that the issues could be thrashed out at the proposed Muhamalai meeting. |
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