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| Friday, 25 April 2003 |
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The United States on Thursday urged Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to return to the negotiating table, telling the rebels that was the only way to settle their grievances. "If the LTTE wants to represent Tamil interests, it has to participate in the negotiations, not walk away from them," U.S. Ambassador Ashley Wills said. "We call on the Tigers to reconsider and to return to the negotiating track. We also call on the LTTE and the Government of Sri Lanka to honour the terms of the ceasefire even while talks are suspended," Wills said in a written response to Reuters. Wills said problems with the truce and rebuilding devastated areas were not caused solely by the Government, as the Tigers said. "Assassinations of opponents, intimidation of Muslims, taxation without representation, aggressive Sea Tiger behaviour and continued child recruitment do not build trust in the LTTE's intentions," he said. Wills acknowledged that redevelopment work was taking time in the North and East, but said expectations of quick action were too high. "Patience is in order. Tamils, Sinhalese, indeed all Sri Lankans must understand that economic development takes time and unfolds most quickly in conditions of lasting peace," he said. Wills said an LTTE announcement that it would not attend the Tokyo donor conference was a mistake. "It doesn't want to miss this opportunity to represent the Tamil people, to be identified with the decisions that are coming that will apportion donor money," he said. Wills said the aid would serve as a catalyst, but added the Island's national and local governments would need to adopt more open business policies, and that the LTTE should declare its economic policies. He also repeated the U.S. position that the LTTE, which was excluded from the Washington meeting because the United States has declared it a terrorist organisation, must give up violence in word and action. "If the LTTE makes positive moves, my government will acknowledge them and respond. But a truly warm American and international reaction can only come when the LTTE renounces terrorism and violence," Wills said. Meanwhile, France yesterday deplored the announcement by the LTTE that it has suspended peace negotiations with the Sri Lankan Government. "In the context of the talks held so far, indisputable progress has been made, allowing us to hope for a peaceful settlement to the conflict. France therefore calls on all the parties to overcome the present difficulties in order to continue dialogue leading to the establishment of a just and lasting peace to which all the communities in Sri Lanka aspire," the French Foreign Ministry said. |
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