France to send constitutional experts to Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 February 2003, 19:00 GMT]
French foreign minister Dr.Renaud Muselier Wednesday said the people of Jaffna expect a political solution to their conflict with internal self-determination. French minister said this at media briefing Wednesday before leaving Colombo after a three-day visit to Sri Lanka.

He announced that a French government delegation comprising constitutional experts would visit Sri Lanka to assist in drafting a new constitution.

During his visit to Sri Lanka the French minister toured Jaffna and participated in several events.

During his stay in Colombo he met President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge, Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe and several political leaders, sources said.

"France will not interfere in the island politics. However my country will support the present peace process to the hilt and also would provide assistance to rehabilitation and resettlement projects in the war-torn northeast province", Dr.Renaud Muselier said.

He added that he hoped that the present peace process would be a success because the UNF government and the LTTE have demonstrated their commitment in achieving a peacefully negotiated settlement to the conflict.