Talks cordial despite hitches: Minister

Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: Chief of the Government delegation to the Geneva talks, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday asserted that their discussions with the LTTE at Geneva 2 were cordial and was a way forward in the overall Peace Process, despite some disagreements between the LTTE and the Government.

De Silva made this observation at a media briefing to convey the outcome of the talks at the Presidential Secretariat.

He said: "The discussions per se were held in a very conducive environment and we exchanged our views very freely. While the Government was more concerned on political pluralism, democracy and a political settlement to the conflict, the LTTE raised humanitarian issues such as the food shortages in Jaffna and the re-opening of A9 Highway in Jaffna."

The Minister said they had pointed out to the LTTE that the A9 Road was already open up to the Muhamalai checkpoint, about 110 km, into the Mulaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.

The LTTE itself, by its own violent acts and activities, made the closure inevitable, due to national security concerns. The LTTE had collected their illegal taxes, collected ransoms and transported their military cadres and arms and ammunition, across this checkpoint.

They had also destroyed the infrastructure at this point, de Silva said.

"We cannot compromise on our national security, merely to get a date for discussions. We value our national security. Therefore, we told the LTTE that we will discuss more on the modalities of opening the A9 Road," he said.

De Silva reiterated that the Government's endeavour too is to open the checkpoint as soon as possible.

The Minister however pointed out that the LTTE had not agreed on a date until the re-opening of A9, albeit expressing willingness to talk.

The Minister nevertheless underscored the plus points of the talks with the Tigers, referring to the Southern consensus which the LTTE was well briefed and had gladly acknowledged. "They are now eagerly awaiting for proposals on the devolution policies acceptable both to the North and South," he said. Issues related to the strengthening of the SLMM and the non-violation of the CFA, which the LTTE vouched to uphold 100 per cent, was also discussed at the talks.

He added that the LTTE had only made a passing reference at the discussions, to the recent court decision on the "de-merger".