UNICEF-Sri Lanka Head meets LTTE Political Head

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 December 2007, 14:53 GMT]
Philippe Duamelle, the Head of UNICEF-Sri Lanka called upon the Liberation Tigers Political Head B. Nadesan Thursday morning at LTTE's Political Headquarters, Tiger officials in Ki'linochchi told media. The introductory meeting was described by both sides as "very constructive".



Reaffirming that the LTTE leadership had committed itself not to enlist recruits under the 18-year-age limit, Mr. Nadesan pointed out that the Tigers had cooperated with the UNICEF in a systematic manner to release all under-age youths in the organisation. Assuring the UNICEF of continued cooperation, Mr Nadesan said that there would be nobody under 18 years in LTTE ranks as on January 01, 2008.

The LTTE political head urged the UNICEF to utilize media sources to provide up-to-date data on the current status of cooperation between the LTTE and UNICEF on this subject. He called upon the UNICEF to verify the necessary details with parents and relatives, including from those residing in areas controlled by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA).

Discussing the status of children in the Tamil homeland, Mr. Nadesan expressed concern at the worsening situation in SLA-controlled areas and the trauma suffered by school-children due to air attacks near schools. Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) had carried out air attacks while GCE O/L exams were taking place in Mullaiththeevu on Wednesday creating panic among students sitting for exams, he noted.

He said that targeting school-children was unethical and violative of the established principles of warfare, and urged the UNICEF to take steps to ensure their safety.

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