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by Ranga Jayasuriya

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) yesterday demanded immediate access for the SLMM and humanitarian agencies to the seven soldiers in LTTE custody and the release of one soldier on humanitarian grounds, a SLMM Spokesman said.

The SLMM Chief Gen Trond Furuhovde made these demands when he met the LTTE hierarchy in Trincomalee yesterday, he added.

"The SLMM Chief visited the area where the soldiers were taken into custody and analysed the maps of the Security Forces and LTTE held areas," SLMM Spokesman Teitur Torkelsson told the Daily News.

"There are different claims by both sides. The maps seem to be overlapping." Torkelsson said the SLMM Chief had contacted the LTTE political headquarters in Kilinochchi over the two SLMM demands.

"There was no immediate response, but it seems that the LTTE has no reason to reject the demands," Torkelsson said adding that the SLMM is waiting for the release of the soldier whose son is ill.

"He will be released probably tonight (30)," he said. Torkelsson said the SLMM through its discussions with the LTTE hierarchy came to know that the Tigers have not used "legal opportunities" for the release of two cadres charged with possession of illegal weapons.

"The SLMM advised the LTTE to request the release of the two cadres on bail. When the court releases two cadres on bail, the LTTE will release the soldiers in its custody," he said.

The seven soldiers of the Monkey Bridge Camp attached to the Trincomalee 221 Brigade Headquarters were detained last Thursday by the LTTE in Vilgamvehera, in an area claimed both by the LTTE and the Security Forces.

Meanwhile, the LTTE is expected to transport 170 cadres from Mullaitivu to Vakarai on Thursday in line with the Government -LTTE deal on sea movement.

"The LTTE has informed that it would transport 170 unarmed cadres in plainclothes going home on leave from Mullaitivu to Vakarai in four vessels on Thursday," Haukland said.

The next day, the LTTE vessels will return to Mullaitivu with a same number of cadres reporting to duty from leave.

The purpose of the journey, according to the LTTE notification, is transporting cadres going home on leave and reporting for work.

SLMM Monitors authorised to inspect the vessel and monitor the route will be on board each vessel.

The vessels will sail three nautical miles from the shore as permitted by the Government in last week's agreement, in contrast to the original deal which required LTTE vessels to sail five to eight nautical miles from the shore.

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