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Norway optimistic

Norway yesterday expressed optimism about finding a political solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka after a top-level Norwegian delegation held talks with government leaders.

The delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen held two days of talks with the government leaders on Thursday and Friday. This followed similar discussions with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) theoretician Anton Balasingham in London last week.

"After meetings with the government of Sri Lanka and last week's discussion with the LTTE, Norwegian Foreign Deputy Minister Mr Vidar Helgesen is cautiously optimistic about the process of finding a political solution to the conflict," a statement from the Norwegian Embassy said.

Helgesen met President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando and leaders of Tamil and Muslim parties. His delegation included peace envoy Erik Solheim, Ambassador Jon Westborg and Foreign Ministry official Kjersti Tromsdal.

"We are convinced that there are opportunities to move further, step by step towards negotiations," the statement quoted Helgesen as saying.

It said the talks with both sides focused on the plight of civilians living in the war-torn areas and on formalising the ceasefire, which has been in effect from December 24. In addition, the government will lift an embargo on essential goods to the North on January 15, except for six banned items.

"There seems to be a willingness and commitment from both the new government and the LTTE to find common ground on these matters," the statement said. The process would be challenging and both sides will face difficulties, Helgesen added.

Helgesen said he was encouraged by President Kumaratunga's support for Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's peace initiative. The President expressed her fullest support to the peace initiatives, during the recent SAARC Summit.

Last month, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe telephoned his Norwegian counterpart, Kjell Magne Bondevik and invited Norway to restart efforts to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table.

"We would very much like to have the continued assistance of the Royal Norwegian Government in a similar capacity to carry on the task embarked upon by the previous Sri Lankan Government," he told Bondevik in a letter.

He thanked the Royal Norwegian Government for the assistance provided so far to Sri Lanka in the search for a political solution.

In a similar move, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran wrote to Bondevik a few days later and urged him to facilitate the peace process.

He complimented the Royal Norwegian Government for its impartial and neutral approach in the facilitator process.

In his letter to Bondevik, Prabhakaran said he was seeking Norway's "continuous engagement as the facilitator to help to find a stable peace and a permanent settlement to the ethnic conflict".

During his recent tour to India, the Prime Minister briefed the Indian leaders on the steps taken by the Government to pave the way for peace talks. The Prime Minister told the media at a recent news conference that peace talks with the LTTE could probably take place in March. He said Premier Bondevik would be closely involved with the peace process.

The government has appointed a committee comprising Ministers G.L. Peiris and Milinda Moragoda to act a focal point for the peace process.

A peace secretariat has also been established under an experienced diplomat.

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