Global community must take firm stand on LTTE - Mangala

OSLO: Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera commenced an official visit to Norway by meeting his counterpart Jonas Gahr Store yesterday morning in Oslo, states a media release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The Minister discussed a wide range of issues centered on further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

It was pointed out that since the commencement of Norwegian facilitation in 1999, matters relating to the peace process have taken precedence in the relationship.

At this meeting the Ministers reaffirmed the need to consolidate the bilateral relations specifically in the field of economic and development cooperation, the release said.

Minister Samaraweera reiterated President Mahinda Rajapaksa's commitment to a negotiated settlement and pointed out that it was the intransigence of the LTTE that is an impediment to the progress of the peace process as demonstrated by their actions in Oslo last week.

Minister Samaraweera pointed out that the international community must take a firm stand on calling upon the LTTE to renounce violence and acts of terrorism and return to the negotiating table. The listing of the LTTE by the European Union was seen as a positive measure in support of the peace process.

The LTTE must be told in no uncertain terms by the international community that violence doesn't pay and terrorism in all its aspects must be condemned unreservedly. Minister Samaraweera also said the Government has always ensured the safety and security of the SLMM and will continue this policy, the media release added.