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| Friday, 01 November 2002 |
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From Rodney Martinesz in Thailand The security situation in the East received top billing at yesterday's opening session of the second session of peace talks between the government and the LTTE which began in Nakhon Pathom. Vital decisions aimed at drawing up a framework for practically dealing with potential ceasefire violations were also reached during the discussions which lasted three hours and 45 minutes. The delegates were settled in their seats by 3 p.m. local time. The last to arrive was Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen, flanked by special envoy Erik Solheim and Ambassador Jon Westborg. SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem arrived early yesterday to join the rest of the government delegation who were seen breakfasting with the LTTE team at the Rose Garden Hotel, the venue of the talks. Hakeem will participate as a representative of his community though being part of the government team at the current round of talks following a decision taken by the party's High Command. He said the Muslims are seeking confidence-building measures regarding their security at the talks, adding that LTTE delegate Karuna, its Eastern Commander, had agreed to work towards resolving the problems in the Eastern Province. Today's talks will primarily focus on the establishment of the Joint Task Force and the High Security Zones in the North with the possibility of relaxing some of the guidelines now in force, according to Norwegian Peace envoy Erik Solheim. Solheim who spoke to the "Daily News" in the lobby of the Hotel said the Joint Committee to monitor the Security Zones issue could include military personnel from both sides. The establishment of the Joint Task Force to guide rehabilitation in the North is expected to be finalised during the second session of talks with the prospects of development aid for the war-ravaged areas. The delegates will discuss a plan to obtain millions of dollars in foreign aid for rebuilding the North-East. The sentencing of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to 200 years in jail will not affect the peace talks, the government's chief negotiator Minister G. L. Peiris said. He said they did not expect the Colombo High Court ruling to disrupt the peace process. A special feature yesterday was the arrival of three media personnel from the Voice of Tigers including its director S. Thamilamban to cover the second session of talks. They had travelled from Kilinochchi and carried Sri Lankan passports. The talks are being held amid tight security at the Rose Garden resort's "Ruen Kaew" or Glass House, banquet hall. Delegates and photographers invited for a brief photo opportunity walked down a red carpet and through a metal detector into the ornate two-storied structure. The two delegations, each comprising four members, are due to spend six hours a day together on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday they will hold three hours of talks before addressing a press conference. "There is mutual confidence and friendship and we can close the gaps ... The international financial support will underpin the peace process as we will be able to deliver a peace dividend without waiting for a final solution," Prof Peiris said. Peiris said the two sides will try to agree on the establishment of the Joint Task Force to handle rehabilitation and reconstruction. LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham said their step-by-step approach in dealing with smaller problems had helped build confidence and that they could eventually take up the core-issues. Due to heavy rains, mediamen and women, water dripping down their faces and cameras also had to contend with the ultra-high security at the venue. A recent bomb blast in the area killed three people. Although the incident was downplayed by the Thai authorities they were not taking any chances. Four gunboats also patrolled the lake within the sprawling hotel compound. |
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