LTTE response expected today

Manjula Fernando

COLOMBO: The LTTE is expected to convey their response to Norway's five questions on the role of the SLMM and the safety of the monitors to Ambassador Hans Brattskar in Kilinochchi today.

The LTTE's reaction to Norway's questions came a few hours before the deadline set by the facilitators, lapsed at midnight yesterday. "We have got some feedback from the LTTE and today the Ambassador will be in Kilinochchi to discuss the whole issue with the LTTE," a Norwegian spokesperson told the Daily News yesterday. However he declined to elaborate on the nature of the feedback they received from the LTTE.

The Ambassador and the spokesperson Eric Nurnberg will meet S.P. Thamilselvan at the LTTE Peace Secretariat today where the Norwegian envoy is expected to be briefed on the LTTE's stance.

Nurnberg declined to comment on whether the Norwegians expect any positive response from the LTTE at today's meeting in Kilinochchi. The questions which were forwarded to the Government and the LTTE were based mainly on knowing the stance of the two sides on the functions of the SLMM and the safety of the monitors.

The Government last week responded to all five questions positively confirming that it would extend its full cooperation to the SLMM in monitoring the CFA. Depending on the outcome of today's meeting in Kilinochchi the Norwegian facilitators are expected to make the announcement on the SLMM's future plans with regard to their functions in the country.