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| Sunday, 24 April 2005 |
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Priority to joint mechanism From Tamil Press by M. P. Muttiah Norway's special envoy Eric Solheim's visit and the establishment of a joint mechanism to reconstruct the tsunami-affected North and East were the main news coverage in the Tamil press. Sri Lanka Freedom Party will hold meetings and seminars in support of joint mechanism all over the country. But at the same time, the JVP also commenced its campaign against the Joint Mechanism. (Thinakural 23/4). Eric Solheim said in Puttalam that Muslim representation would be provided in the joint mechanism at an appropriate time. He added that the Government, the LTTE and Muslims would have representation. (Thinakural 18/4). Norway submitted an amendment to the Joint Mechanism. Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Peterson spoke to Anton Balasingham yesterday. Peterson said the amendment was being submitted to make a compromise between the government and the LTTE. He urged the LTTE to be flexible. However, Anton Balasingham said that Political Chief of the LTTE S.P. Tamilselvan would respond after discussing that matter with the LTTE leader Veluppillai Pirabharan, (Sudar Oli 19/4). LTTE's Peace Secretariat chief Pulitheven said that the stalemate in the creation of a joint government delayed due to the differences within the government. However,he said that they had high hopes on the Norwegian facilitators,(Virakesari 19/4). Tamil National Alliance Parliamentary Group leader R. Sambandan said the delay in establishing joint mechanism caused concern among the Tamil people. He said that if the government was willing to carry forward the peace talks, it should work for the joint mechanism, (Virakesari 19/4). LTTE political chief S.P. Tamilselvan said in an interview that the position of the Tigers on the peace process and on the joint mechanism had been explained comprehensively to more than a dozen countries during his recent visit. (Thinakural 19/4). Eric Solheim, visiting Batticaloa, said ninety-nine per cent of the work on joint mechanism had been completed. He had talks with the LTTE leaders, Muslim representatives and the SLMM officials. He also said that he cannot condone with the killings, (Thinakural 20/4). JVP rejected the pressure imposed on it by the United States on Joint Mechanism. It submitted a three-page letter to US Deputy Secretary of State Christina Rocca, citing reasons for their opposition to the mechanism. JVP said the Tigers were attempting to get international recognition through this mechanism and in the process it would lead to the separation of the country, (Sudaroli 21/4). Christina Rocca assured the Tamil National Alliance that her country would do everything necessary to create the joint mechanism, (Virakesair 21/4). A mass demonstration was held in Mannar yesterday demanding peace, establishment of joint mechanism and condemning the movements of armed groups. The participants handed over a petition at the Mannar District Secretariat. The Ceylon Worker's Congress has said that the government should take immediate steps to establish the joint mechanism even if the JVP opposed it. Former CWC parliamentarian R. Yogarajan said that the CWC welcomed the open statements by cabinet ministers in support of the mechanism, (Virakesari 22/4). Housing and Construction Minister Feriel Ashroff said that the Joint Mechanism was not necessary for Muslims. She urged the LTTE to show goodwill gesture.She added that Muslims could undertake reconstruction jointly with the government, (Virakesari 23/04). The United National Party is reluctant to clarify its position on the Joint Mechanism. UNP spokesman Professor G.L. Peiris said that the government should put forward its views in one voice. (Sudaroli 22/04). A final decision would be taken on the establishment of a joint mechanism after the President returned to the country. Sources close to the Presidential Secretariat said that the President would discuss with the constituent parties of the UPFA on Monday, (Virakesari 23/4). LTTE's special commander Suresh said at a commemoration of Poopathy held in Batticaloa that India forced a war on the LTTE and the people. He said that even now his group was interested in establishing good relations with that country. He pointed out that India did not like the growth of independent movement in South Asia, (Thinakkural 20/4). Colonel Banu of the LTTE told Eric Solheim that armed forces helped para-military forces to fight against the LTTE and thus violated the Ceasefire Agreement and urged to stop it, (Virakesari 20/4). Justice and Legal Reform Minister John Seneviratne said that he would have talks with the UNP on the 18th amendment to the constitution. He added that he had already discussed with the TNA parliamentarian A. Sambandan, (Virkaesari 21/4). A Cabinet Sub-Committee has approved the appointment of 2,500 Coordinating Officers to help solve language problem in the plantation areas. Acting Secretary to the Estate Infrastructure Ministry M. Vamadevan said that these Coordinating Officers would be appointed in Police stations, post offices and other government institutions to solve the language problems faced by the plantation community, (Virakesari 22/4). North-South traders meeting in Kilinochchi will be held on April 25 after
a lapse of 20 years. This weekly fair will be held every Wednesday. Special
arrangements have been made for the traders from the Southern Sri Lanka to
transport their goods without any difficulties, (Thinakaran 22/4). |
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