Positive signals on truce talks: May 10 being considered as a tentative date

Manjula Fernando and Uditha Kumarasinghe

COLOMBO: Confirming there were positive developments in relation to the LTTE's acceptance of the sea plane offer, the Government declared yesterday that discussions were on to set the next round of Geneva talks around May 10.

"Nothing is finalised yet. No dates have been officially set. But they are considering May 10," Government Defence Spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the media yesterday.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department, the Defence Spokesman said the Norwegian facilitators were continuing their efforts to settle the LTTE's transport issue which has stalled the negotiations.

Signals being received from the North were positive.

Responding to media queries, the Minister said the Government has not shifted from its earlier stand on the issue of facilitating transport for LTTE Eastern leaders.

"Our policy is clear.

We said that we will not be releasing aircraft belonging to the Armed Forces. This policy still stands," he emphasised adding that there was no dispute with the LTTE with regard to this.

"The dispute was over the capacity of the plane that was offered."

The Minister said the LTTE needed a bigger aircraft. That wish was fulfilled by offering a larger sea plane that can carry all their leaders from the East to Kilinochchi in a single trip.

Adding that the signals received from the LTTE side was encouraging, Minister Rambukwella said the situation could be termed optimistic.

He further added the Government was ready to commence the next round of talks in Geneva any time.

Meanwhile, the SLMM spokesperson earlier in the day said there was a positive development with regard to the sea plane issue, but there were "so many technicalities to be worked out".

Adding that until they fix dates for the air transport, she would not call it final, the spokesperson said they were "still working on the modalities" connected to this matter.