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Helgesen to hold another round of talks with LTTE

by Ranil Wijayapala

In another extended effort to woo the LTTE leadership on the importance of their participation at the Tokyo donor conference, the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen is expected to fly to Kilinochchi (17) today to have another round of talks with the LTTE.

Vidar Helgessen who was due to leave the country along with his Chief Jan Peterson decided to stay here in Sri Lanka for a few more days to try and resolve the situation as the LTTE showed no flexibility towards attending the Tokyo donor conference after discussions with Peterson.

The Deputy Minister met key government negotiators Ministers Prof. G. L. Peiris, Milinda Moragoda and Rauff Hakeem to discuss the situation and the steps that have to be taken to ensure the LTTE's participation at the Tokyo donor conference.

Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen is due to explain the situation and the repercussions that may result with their boycott of the Tokyo donor conference to the LTTE leadership during his visit to Kilinochchi today.

However, according to sources, the government has not taken any decision so far regarding the setting up of a legal mechanism for operation of the North East Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Fund which was cited by the LTTE leadership as a prerequisite for their participation at the Tokyo donor conference.

LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on Thursday explained their position to the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Peterson that the government should implement the decisions taken at earlier rounds of peace talks.

The LTTE laid their decision on the participation at the Tokyo donor conference in the hands of the Government saying that their decision will depend on the governments response.

The LTTE leadership has emphasised the necessity of establishing a separate legal body to handle funds for the North East rehabilitation and reconstruction while the World Bank remains as the custodian of the funds.

Jan Peterson on his arrival in Colombo later on Thursday told Reuters that the huge donor conference to raise aid for the war-hit North-East could fail if the LTTE rejected international pressure for its attendance.

"I am afraid that an unsuccessful conference in Tokyo might simply make people turn their attention elsewhere", Peterson said.

"I am afraid the donor community will ask why don't they come and are they really committed to the peace process ?", he said.

However, he was optimistic and hopeful about the LTTE's participation at the donor conference.

"I never give up and hope that they will reconsider, but that is really up to them", he added.

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