France expresses interest to provide humanitarian help
During a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama yesterday, French Foreign Minister Dr. Bernard Kouchner
expressed his happiness at the conflict in the North coming to an end
and inquired on how best humanitarian assistance could be extended by
France.
He also expressed concerns at the civilians being held hostage in the
conflict area.
Minister Bogollagama explained the manner in which the LTTE had been
shifting the civilians as and when the areas were cleared from their
hold, and at present being confined to a strip of land with the
civilians being used as human shields. He also outlined the ICRC's
support in the delivery of humanitarian services including the
evacuation of the sick. The Minister also pointed out that the access of
Government agencies to the uncleared area had been hindered by the LTTE.
On inquiry by Minister Bogollagama with regard to the envisaged
humanitarian assistance from France, Minister Kouchner shared the
possibility of making available the services of the French Red Cross.
Minister Bogollagama said such assistance would be useful and the two
Ministers agreed to further discuss the related modalities with regard
to the French offer.
|