South Africa pledges help to resolve conflict

South Africa can contribute towards initiating peace talks to settle the Sri Lankan ethnic issue, with the backing of the Indian Government provided the Government and the LTTE can display favourable signals and come forward with a clear understanding of the purpose of peace efforts, South African Telecommunication Minister and an international Peace activist Radhakrishnapadaiyacbchi (Roy) said.

He stated this to the visiting Community Development and Social inequity Eradication Minister P. Chandrasekaran at an event in South Africa to felicitate him.

The South African Minister said the Sri Lankan ethnic question should not merely be understood as a political one but should perceive as a humanitarian obligation by all righteous people.

If all the paries prepared to positively contribute towards this goal, the South African Government would favourably consider engaging in as facilitator and to continue as a party to supplement Norway’s facilitatory efforts.

The expatriated Tamils have been offered political asylum in many countries. Even Today hundreds of Tamils cross the Palk Strait to seek refuge in India, he said.

India, if it can come forward to display concern over the Sri Lankan ethnic crises, it will not be misunderstood as partial towards any side. Today countries appears to be unconcerned over a settlement of Sri Lankan ethnic crises and are pretending to be nonchalant spectators.

India too should not join these forces, instead it must extend constructive contributions towards the resolution of the ethnic crises so that it can be brought to an end and permanent peace established in Sri Lanka he added. This is the viewpoint of the Upcountry Peoples’ Front.

The UPF has decided to initiate all possible steps to achieve this goal and our decision had already been conveyed to the LTTE, Indian Government and the South African Government as well.

When positive signals from all parties are received, the matter will be taken up with the Sri Lankan Government he added. So said Minister Chandrasekaran, reiterating that he considers this issue as a humanitarian one and not as a political dispute under discussion.