Peace Secretariat informs LTTE through Norway:

Govt ready for ceasefire talks
 

BY UDITHA Kumarasinghe and Rajmi Manatunga

THE Peace Secretariat through the Norwegian facilitator has already informed the LTTE in writing that the Government is prepared to resume talks, Government Spokesman Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told the weekly Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

"The Government is awaiting a positive response from the LTTE," de Silva said.

Extensive discussions between President Mahinda Rajapakse and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday were conducted in a very cordial manner where both parties agreed to immediately resume talks with the LTTE.

The UNP delegation headed by Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe had outlined that the UNP is prepared to support the Government for the resumption of the peace process, he said.

The President informed the UNP delegation that there is no delay on the part of the Government for the resumption of talks with the LTTE, the Minister said.

Earlier there was a controversy regarding the venue for talks. The Government has agreed on a venue in any Asian country to resume talks, the Minister said.

President Rajapakse met the UNP delegation on Thursday led by Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe, UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, MP Prof. G.L.Peiris and former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera.

The Government delegation led by the President comprised Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Susil Premajayanth and MP Dullas Allahapperuma.

"However, certain newspapers have incorrectly reported that the UNP would extend their support to the Government only for a federal solution. There was no statement made by any of the UNP representatives at this discussion.

The issue of a federal solution was never discussed at this meeting. The discussion outlined the need for both parties to approach this problem as a national problem and ensure the resumption of talks with the LTTE immediately."

Meanwhile, the Co-chairs and the EU have fully agreed on the Government's genuine commitment and steps taken to resumption of peace talks.

"The Co-chairs will meet on December 19 in Brussels, where this issue will be discussed. We are waiting for a positive response," the Minister said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera also met Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Hong Kong on December 15. They held a wide range of discussions on bilateral relations including matters relating to the Norwegian facilitation in Sri Lankan Peace Process.

The Norwegian Foreign Minister has welcomed the genuine commitment demonstrated by the new Sri Lankan Government to take the peace process forward. Both Ministers were optimistic that the talks on strengthening the implementation and effective monitoring of the Ceasefire can commence early next year, he said.

Norwegian Development Minister Erik Solheim will come to Sri Lanka soon for the facilitation process of the talks.

The President in his speech in Parliament reiterated his commitment to the peace process and his vision that this conflict could only be resolved through a negotiated settlement.

He asserted he would try to arrive a consensus with all the political parties represented in Parliament first. The President has also already held discussions with the JHU and the JVP.

The Government has also complained to the SLMMon ceasefire violations, he said.

The Minister said certain factions are attempting to brand the JVP and the JHU as anti-peace elements.

"The JVP and the JHU are acting a very responsible and realistic manner on this issue. The President's recent discussion with the JVP was conducted in a very cordial manner. The stand of the JVP was that the Government should start talks with the LTTE."

"The Government seeks the support of all media institutions in this endeavour. They should not add fuel to fire. Some forces are attempting to do that. It is very essential that the Peace Process should be handled very cautiously and professionally as it is a very sensitive issue.

We cannot allow the LTTE to dodge this issue. Therefore it is necessary for the LTTE as well as the international community that we all should speak in one voice on this issue. This is what the Government is trying to achieve," he said.