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Govt-LTTE to maintain direct links

by Manjula Fernando and Rashomi Silva

Chief negotiators of the government and the LTTE will maintain direct contacts during the month-long intervals between formal talks, it was revealed yesterday.

This decision was taken after the highly successful second round of peace talks where both sides took up political issues for the first time. Cabinet Spokesman Prof.G.L.Peiris said he as the head of the Government delegation will resume discussions with LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham who will be returning to London in a few days. "Now we have a mechanism which enables us to address political issues continuously," Peiris said. "We do not have to wait for the formal talks to address urgent issues that will arise from time to time."

According to the Cabinet spokesman, the discussions will be through letters and telephone conversations whose outcome will be presented to the plenary sessions scheduled every month.

"We hope this will expedite progress on fundamental matters of the peace process. We are very happy about this development," he said. Another development on the political side was the decision taken to be flexible on the issue of the interim administration. The two sides agreed to establish three committees in place of the Joint Task Force to deal core issues related to political, economic and military matters. It will be represented by the Government, the LTTE as well as by the Muslim community.

Both parties have agreed that this was the most suitable course of action to expedite the peace process. "We are no longer tied down to a rigid frame," he added.

The sub-committee on political matters will be co-chaired by the heads of the delegations. Minister Hakeem will be a member of the committee representing the Muslim community. Another member from the LTTE will be nominated by Balasingham.

An 18-member committee is to be appointed to overlook security concerns. Defence Secretary Austin Fernando will head the nine-member Government team.

The third committee will focus on preparing the groundwork for the Oslo donor conference scheduled for November 25. It will comprise eight members jointly headed by Bernard Goonetilleke and S.P. Thamilselvan. They are required to identify priority needs to be presented to donors. "Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will appeal for monetary support from the international community at the Oslo conference," he said. Dr.Balasingham will also be present.

High level political delegations from nearly 20 countries are expected at the conference.

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