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LTTE ready to give up Eelam if acceptable solution given

The LTTE is prepared to seriously consider renouncing the armed struggle for Eelam if a solution acceptable to the Tamil people is pout forward, said Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the LTTE addressing a packed press conference attended by over 200 local and foreign media personnel yesterday.

Any acceptable solution should accept three fundamental demands of Tamil Homeland, Tamil nationality and Tamil rights, Prabhakaran explained.

The Tamil people took up arms only when their peaceful struggle repressed by military means and as a last resort, he added.

Whenever a chance for peace arose, the LTTE has been pursuing a peaceful solution, he said.

In reply to a question whether the LTTE seeking a negotiated settlement In consequence of the September 11 attacks on the WTC in America, Prabhakaran said that they took part in the peace process long before this attack. For example, it declared a four-month unilateral ceasefire in 2001 and informed the Norwegian special representative Erik Solheim about their desire for peace, he added.

The LTTE would participate in the talks in Thailand only if it is deproscribed, the LTTE leader told the media.

The main question at the talks will be the setting up of an interim council to administer the North-East. We do not believe that the Government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is stable enough or ready to offer a permanent solution at this stage. By establishing an interim council in the North-East and he would have time to resurrect the economy. This would benefit both the Southern and the Northern people, he said.

However, the LTTE leader said he was pleased with the developments in the peace process and complimented Prime Minister Wickremesinghe for taking bold steps to initiate the peace process and create goodwill.

Prabhakaran repeatedly appealed to all to forget and forgive what happened in the past. With respect to alleged harassment to Muslims in

The East, Prabhakaran said he had already invited the leader of the SLMC to the Vanni to engage in a constructive dialogue to resolve the problems.

He also reiterated that the LTTE has already apologized to Muslims for their expulsion from Jaffna.

Mr. Prabhakaran promised to make a public appeal to the Muslims who are now refugees in Puttalam to return to Jaffna when the objective conditions are right for such a return. He also said that they would welcome Muslim participation in the peace process as the Tami Homeland belongs to the Muslims too. There is no dispute as far as the LTTE is concerned with respect to Muslim land ownership in the East.

The LTTE is very much interested in involving India in the peace process as it does not want to alienate India, he added.

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