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by Ranga Jayasuriya

Norwegian facilitators which two months ago sent the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) a questionnaire on the agenda of the formal talks have now received both parties' responses, diplomatic sources told the Daily News. The questionnaire was not intended to be filled and returned, but to create a dialogue on the agenda. Both parties outlined their responses during the subsequent discussions with Norwegians, sources added.

The questionnaire dealt with the formation and powers of the interim administration and the basic technical aspects of the formal talks such as the nature of the delegation and whether the delegations expect technical expertise.

The formal talks in which the formation and powers of the proposed North East interim administration will be discussed are scheduled in Phuket, Thailand.

A reasonable progress was made during the recent discussions between Minister Milinda Moragoda and LTTE Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham in which the agenda of the talks and the issue of the interim administration were the core issues. Meanwhile, Balasingham is to arrive in Oslo next week to meet Norwegian Foreign Minister or the Deputy Foreign Minister.

The matters regarding the agenda are expected to be further discussed during the meeting. Balasingham is expected to visit Sri Lanka, but it is unlikely that it will take place within the next two weeks, sources said.

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