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Sub-Committee on N-E Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs meets: Govt-LTTE aim to reach common ground

Government peace delegation member and Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat Bernard Goonetilleke expressed optimism yesterday of reaching common ground on crucial matters with the LTTE during today's first meeting of the Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North-East in Kilinochchi.

The Sub-Committee replaces the Joint Task Force which was earlier proposed to address the rehabilitation needs of these areas.

A delegation from Japan which has pledged considerable aid for North-East redevelopment will accompany the government delegation from Colombo headed by Goonetilleke.

The meeting will be held at the Government Agent's Office in Kilinochchi.

The Norwegian delegation will be headed by its envoy Jon Westborg.

The LTTE delegation will be headed by its political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan and will include rehabilitation expert Jay Maheswaran and Poon Annan.

The appointment of three sub-committees to handle rehabilitation, de-escalation and normalisation and political affairs was a major breakthrough achieved at the recent talks in Thailand which saw the commencement of a discussion on core issues.

The Sub-Committee on De-escalation and Normalisation met for the first time last Friday under the chairmanship of Defence Secretary Austin Fernando.

Today's meeting will be a major event given the mini donor conference which is scheduled to be held in Oslo on November 25. This will be followed a bigger conference in Japan.

Several countries including US, UK and Japan have come forward to help in the rehabilitation exercise. They will be sending top-level delegations to ensure that the necessary structures are in place for the proper channelling and utilisation of aid.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo said there will be an Indian representation at the Oslo Donor Conference in November 25 although it will not necessarily be from New Delhi.

"It is unlikely that a Delhi delegation will leave for Oslo for the conference but the Indian High Commission in Oslo will probably represent the parley," Deputy Indian High Commissioner Mohan Kumar told the Daily News.

"The Government is yet to take a final decision on this matter and most probably we will hear it on Monday," the Deputy High commissioner added.

The LTTE delegation for the Oslo conference will consist of four members including LTTE Chief Negotiator and Theoretician Dr.Anton Balasingham.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will lead the Lankan delegation. The Prime Minister is expected to meet Dr. Balasingham on the sidelines of the parley.

Minister Milinda Moragoda will visit Japan this week to prepare the groundwork for the second donor conference in Tokyo in January next year.

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