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by Ranga Jayasuriya

The LTTE yesterday said it needs more time to study the Government's response to its demands to resume the stalled peace talks and take part in the Tokyo aid conference. "We are now in the process of examining the Government's response and we need more time," a LTTE spokesman told the Daily News.

He said the LTTE needs to discuss the issue with its chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham now in London and this means deliberations will take a 'reasonable' time.

The LTTE will invite the Norwegian facilitators to Kilinochchi, only after it decides on the participation, he said. He however refused to give a time frame.

Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen submitted the alternative Government proposals for the LTTE demands to the LTTE leadership last Saturday. The LTTE demands setting up of administrative, financial and other structures to administer North East funds as a prerequisite to take part in the talks. Helgesen was expected to meet Thamilselvan yesterday, but the visit did not materialise. The LTTE spokesman said the Tigers were unable to decide on the issue within a day or two. "The (Government's) proposals need an in depth study, we are not a position to decide on the issue with in a day or two".

The Tokyo aid parley scheduled for June 9 and 10 is aimed at raising three billion US Dollars over the next three years for the country's development work.

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