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President pledges support for peace process

by Ranga Kalansooriya in Kathmandu

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga yesterday expressed her fullest support to the new Government's peace initiative and promised to fulfil her part of duties.

"I will not sabotage the peace process as other opposition parties used to do in the past," she stressed.

Addressing the media after the SAARC concluding session in Kathmandu, the President said that the new Cabinet and her Presidency should work in harmony to find lasting peace.

She told the media that she was yet to be briefed on or informed in an extensive manner by the government, though the Prime Minister has briefed her occasionally regarding the new initiatives.

The President said that she was happy to see the government implementing what she and former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar planned regarding the Norway facilitated peace process.

"I happy to see that even the devolution proposals which we brought in August 2000, are becoming the foundation for future talks," she added.

"That time, some of them burnt these proposals even within Parliament. But, I am happy to see that now they are accepting it," she said.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee also expressed his hopes regarding the peace process, the President told the media. "I intend to meet Prime Minister Wickremesinghe soon," she said.

She was of the opinion that there is a communication gap between her and the government. "But I hope the government will continue to behave in a cordial and friendly manner," the President said.

"The announcement of a ceasefire should have done by me as the Executive President. But I did not block their way since I have no intention whatsoever to sabotage the peace initiative. It has my blessings." 

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