"ISGA the base for future peace talks" - Akashi

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 May 2004, 15:29 GMT]
"The future peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam will be based on the Interim Self Governing Authority proposals submitted by the LTTE," said the Japanese special peace envoy, Mr.Yasushi Akashi, addressing a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Colombo Hilton Hotel concluding his five-day visit to Sri Lanka.

"The ISGA of the LTTE should be subjected to a dialogue before reaching a consensus," said Mr. Akashi. He expressed confidence that both parties in the peace talks would adopt a give-and-take attitude to reach a consensus on this issue.

He said the commitment made by Japan at the Tokyo aid conference to provide financial assistance to Sri Lanka would remain unchanged.

The prospect for the resumption of the stalled peace talks between the Government and Sri Lanka has increased in recent times. However the disbursement of foreign aid pledged at the Tokyo Conference would be decided based on the progress made on the peace talks, he stressed.

Mr. Akashi said he was engaged in the peace process with an open mind.

Mr. Akashi said in reply to a question that the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo told him that the Indian foreign policy under the new government would remain unchanged.

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