|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 29 July 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| Govt refutes SLFP charges on interim proposals by Manjula Fernando and Rajmi Manatunga The Government yesterday refuted charges that there were discrepancies between the first document and the Norwegian prepared paper sent to the LTTE saying that the accusations were deliberately aimed at sabotaging the peace process through a public uproar. "There are no significant discrepancies which justifies a national controversy," Government Chief Negotiator Prof.G.L.Peiris told reporters yesterday calling the charges by the SLFP a 'storm in the tea cup'. A media conference was called at the government Information Department to clarify allegations made by the SLFP against the latest set of proposals for a provisional administration, now being studied by the LTTE. Referring to the first allegation of the SLFP that the last document contained a five para introduction giving reasons for setting up an interim administration although the first, which was handed over to the president did not, Prof.Peiris said, "The first one was meant for the facilitators who were very much familiar with the Government's point of view on the proposed administration. The second one was meant for the LTTE which was completely ignorant of the Government proposals." The second allegation had been that there were no references to the powers of the regional administration in respect of Police, defence, Land and Revenue collection in the first document although the second document has made specific mention of these. The Minister said what they have done in the second document was to restrict powers in the areas Viz Police, Defence, Land and Revenue collection. However, the first document carried a crucial phrase "within the parameters agreed upon by the parties" which gave the same meaning without specifying the parameters. "The SLFP has deliberately excluded this qualifying phrase in order to create a misleading impression in the minds of people," he said adding that every government which came forward to find a political solution to the conflict had been confronted with similar criticism in the past. He said LTTE had been given only one document and it was prepared by the Norwegians on the proposals submitted by the government. This was clearly stated during the last Cabinet briefing. He termed the SLFP accusations an 'elaborate pretence of confusion'. "I must emphasise this document is only a basis for discussion and specific powers of the proposed structure would be determined in a substantive discussion," Chief Negotiator added. He reiterated that the proposals were a mere foundation to resume peace talks and they were yet to receive an official answer from the LTTE. However, he said the decision to study proposals in depth by the LTTE was a positive development. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
