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| Sunday, 17 October 2004 |
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Peace talks in November by S. Selvakumar There are positive signs that the government-LTTE peace talks would recommence early November. A high level Norwegian delegation is expected to arrive in Colombo within the next few days to make the necessary arrangements. With the announcement from the LTTE that it would consider the government's alternate proposals at the negotiating table, the Presidential Secretariat has contacted Oslo and requested a Norwegian team be sent to Sri Lanka to facilitate the recommencement of talks political sources said. Earlier the LTTE said that it would not budge an inch from its initial stand that discussions with the government should be based on the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposals but has now said that it would consider a compromise and this has been conveyed to the government. Several European nations, too, prevailed upon the LTTE delegation now in Europe that peace talks should commence immediately. A high level Norwegian team probably headed by Foreign Minister Jan Peterson may arrive in the country to officially convey the government's proposals to the LTTE. The government had already conveyed to Oslo details of the discussions held with all party leaders when the President inaugurated the National Advisory Council on Peace and Rehabilitation on October 11. The UNP refused to participate in the meeting and stated that it would do so once the stalled peace process recommences. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who was on a four day visit to India last week met with Indian leaders including the Indian prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, DMK leader M. Karunanidhi. Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgessen who was in New Delhi during the UNP leader's visit also met him. Wickremesinghe's press secretary Saman Athaudahetti who accompanied Wickremesinghe to India said. Helgessen prevailed upon Wickremesinghe the need to recommence peace talks immediately. "The present stalemate may lead to disastrous consequences" Helegessen has told the UNP leader. Thus with signs that the peace process is getting activated a top official of the Presidential Secretariat has visited Kilinochchi yesterday. At the time of going to press it could not be confirmed whether the purpose of his visit was to meet the LTTE. |
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