EU expresses concern to TNA on N-E situation

BY ANANTH Palakidnar

THE European Union expressing its concerns on the current situation in the North and East at a meeting with the Tamil National Alliance, insisted on stabilising the efforts in finding a political settlement to the ethnic crisis, informed sources said.

The Deputy Director-General of Asia and Latin American countries Herve Jonanjean met the Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian at the European Union office in Colombo yesterday.

Jonanjean was accompanied by the Head of the Delegation of the European Union Julian Wilson.

The European Union office in Colombo invited the Tamil National Alliance to discuss on the current situation in the North and East prior to the Co-Chairs confab in Brussels on December 19, to review the peace process.

The Tamil National Alliance was headed by Parliamentarian R. Sambanthan and was accompanied by Parliamentarians Joseph Pararajasingam, Suresh Premachandran and Selvam Adaikalanathan.

The TNA Parliamentarians making their views at the meeting with the EU representatives said the TNA was for a negotiated political settlement for the North and East crisis. They also pointed out that the efforts must be taken to stabilise the deteriorating Ceasefire Agreement in the North and East.

The TNA members also brought to the notice of the EU representatives that there were six rounds of talks between the Government and the LTTE and there was nothing fruitful. They also said that the previous Government leaders were helpless in resuming the peace process.

The TNA also urged the European Union to offer its good offices to find a durable solution to the Sri Lankan crisis.