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from Rodney Martinesz in Bangkok

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) appeared to have shelved its demand for an interim administration for the North-East, while looking at 'models' that would satisfy its concept of self-governance.

"We may or may not go for an interim administration. What is important is a solution that would immediately address the humanitarian issues in the North," LTTE chief negotiator Dr. Anton Balasingham said yesterday.

Balasingham told journalists at the joint media briefing ending the second round of peace talks in Bangkok, that although they demanded an Interim Administration as a transitional measure, they would also like to address core issues. This is widely seen as a major breakthrough in the peace process.

"Now that a Political Affairs Committee has been set up, we could explore various models from international parallels that would accommodate minority demands," he said.

Balasingham also said he was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the November 25 donor conference in Oslo were he (Balasingham) would be highlighting humanitarian issues in the North.

His counterpart in the peace delegation, Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris said they would explore models in other countries where similar conflicts prevail and adopt the same to suit the Lankan situation.

Balasingham said they should look into "federal or confederal" models.

This is the second occasion in successive rounds of talks that the LTTE had come down on its demands. Earlier in Sattahip, the LTTE renounced its demand of Eelam.

The LTTE's shift from its demand for an Interim Administration came in the wake of the groundbreaking decision by the parties to commence political negotiations to end the two decades old ethnic conflict.

"Prospects look good," said Norway's deputy foreign minister Vidar Helgesen. He cautioned that no quick results should be expected from the process despite the early gains.

He said the two sides agreed to "significant steps to restore normality, improve security and address political issues."

Towards this end, a sub-committee had been set up to address the constitutional, legal and administrative issues among a host of other details.

The Bangkok talks also saw the establishment of two other committees - one in place of the proposed Joint Task Force to guide rehabilitation and humanitarian assistance for the North and the sub-committee on de-escalation and normalisation.

The latter will examine ways and means to ensure resettlement, the return of private property and resumption of economic activities in the North.

The sub-committee will include high-level civilian and military personnel on both sides including Defence Secretary Austin Fernando and LTTE Eastern commander Karuna.

Responding to journalists, Peiris said the mainstream public opinion in the South was firmly behind the peace process and that he had no doubt even of the support of the President given the benefits that followed the ceasefire.

"The parties demonstrated a positive, pragmatic and conciliatory approach in discussing a wide range of issues, including present challenges as well as matters relating to the long-term solutions," the Norwegian government said in a statement.

"The parties thereby continued the dual approach of moving step by step towards a lasting political settlement, while remaining fully focused on the ground situation. The parties reconfirmed their strong commitment to the Ceasefire Agreement," it said.

Asked on the position of PTA detainees, Balasingham said there were still 193 left, out of which 75 would be released in terms of a government assurance.

Peiris said the agreement was to expedite matters in terms of the legal system and a methodical way to deal with the issue.

Balasingham said the LTTE's ultimate aim was to enter the "democratic framework" and all Tamil political groups would be welcome to take part in political activity.

"Since we have committed to enter the democratic political mainstream, we have to accept other political parties and allow them to participate in the democratic politics in the North-East," he said.

He denied that the LTTE was recruiting underaged youth into its ranks and said Amnesty International experts would be attending the next round of talks in Oslo between December 2 and 5.

The peace process achieved a major breakthrough on Saturday with the government and the LTTE commencing negotiations for a political solution to end the 20 year old ethnic conflict.

This is also the first time in the five rounds of peace talks under different administrations that a dialogue on a political settlement had commenced, the sources added.

It was also an index of the determination by the parties to pursue the goal of peace to see an end to the conflict that had ravaged the nation for over two decades.

Speaking to the media after Saturday's talks Peiris said the government and the LTTE agreed to jointly research a model to end Sri Lanka's two decades of ethnic bloodshed.

"We have virtually agreed to everything," Peiris said. "We have made progress that no one thought was possible. We have tangible results."

"We are very optimistic... the peace process is making substantial progress... We are even having very friendly discussions even when we are not at the negotiations," Balasingham said.

The third session of talks will take place on December 2 and 5 in Oslo, Norway. The following sessions will be held in Thailand: January 6 to 9, 2003, February 7 to 11 and March 18 to 21.

The Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North and East, as proposed in the talks, will include four members selected by the LTTE and four by the government. Two members of the respective negotiating teams, S.P. Thamilselvan of the LTTE and Mr. Bernard Goonetilleke of government will be leading members of the Sub-Committee.

Other Government representatives will include Mr. M.D.D. Peiris, Mr. M.I.M. Rafeek, and an additional member of the Muslim community. Other LTTE representatives will include Mr. Jay Maheswaran.

The Sub-Committee will be assisted by a secretariat to be located in the Government Agent's Office in Killinochchi. Meetings of the Sub-Committee will be held in Killinochchi, Colombo, Batticaloa, and Kalmunai.

The Sub-Committee on Political Matters will be chaired by the heads of delegations Anton Balasingham and G.L. Peiris. Other government representatives will include Rauf Hakeem, leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress. 

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