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Govt, LTTE to discuss fiscal aspects of power sharing

by Manjula Fernando and Rajmi Manatunga

The Government and the LTTE will discuss fiscal aspects of power sharing at the sixth round of peace talks scheduled to be held from March 18 to 21 in Hakone, Japan.

Cabinet spokesman Prof. G.L.Peiris said yesterday that both parties have laid a solid foundation for political issues concerning the proposed federal system and it was time to take up the economic aspects.

"Extensive powers can be given to the periphery but those powers cannot be executed without resources," Prof.Peiris said.

He said the LTTE is currently studying Swiss and German modalities of fiscal policy. LTTE representatives have already travelled to Berlin and Berne to examine how policies are being implemented there.

In response to a question raised by the Media as to how the exact details of fiscal policies can be discussed without determining a particular framework for the proposed federal system, he said they will be discussing the general principals of fiscal devolution.

He said: "We can start discussing the manner in which the fiscal policy should be incorporated in the entire scheme of power sharing."

Minister Peiris said despite the short session of talks in Berlin they were able to achieve a significant progress with regard to human rights.

The LTTE has agreed to appoint the UNICEF as the implementing and monitoring body in charge of the issue of child soldiers and promised to implement a welfare programme concerning the existing child cadres. Thus steps will be taken to rehabilitate, educate and release them to their parents under UNICEF supervision, he said.

The Minister in response to a question wether the LTTE would permit UNICEF monitors to enter their camps said: "Yes, they will be required to do so."

During the talks it has also been agreed upon to draw up a special plan to safeguard human rights through the entire negotiating process. Former Amnesty International chief Ian Martin who was also present at the Berlin peace talks has been entrusted with initiating this programme.

The special plan will have provisions for monitoring which would be carried out with the assistance of local and foreign bodies such as the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.

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