EU urges end to fighting

HELSINKI, Oct 14, 2006 (AFP) - The European Union yesterday urged Sri Lanka’s leaders and the LTTE to end fierce fighting which threatens peace talks due this month, after a week of raging violence.

Finland, speaking as holder of the rotating presidency of the European political bloc, said it “urges both sides to cease all hostilities immediately and create an environment for constructive discussion”.

The EU presidency “is concerned that the recent escalation of violence can endanger the positive step taken by the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to resume peace talks in Switzerland” due on October 28 and 29, the Finnish statement said.

Sri Lankan jets bombed selected LTTE held areas on Friday, on the third day of an offensive provoked by a flare-up of violence in which 130 government troops were killed and hundreds wounded in fighting with terrorists.