Akashi meets Thamilchelvan in Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 May 2004, 11:29 GMT]
Japanese special envoy Mr.Yasushi Akashi had discussions with Mr.S.P.Thamilchelvan, head of the LTTE's political divison, on issues related to the planned resumption of the long stalled peace talks between the Tigers and Colombo Tuesday morning in Killinochchi. The hour-long discussion also centred on reconstruction and development in the northeast, LTTE officials said. The meeting took place at the LTTE's peace secretariat in Kilinochchi.



Mr. Akashi and Mr. Thamilchelvan discussed the progress made so far to resume the stalled peace process due to the renewed facilitation of the Norwegian government at the invitation of President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge after the United Peoples freedom Alliance (UPFA) government.

The meeting commenced around 10.30 a.m. Tuesday and continued for an hour, LTTE sources said.

Mr. Akashi returned to Colombo the same day afternoon and would brief President Kumaratunge and Prime Minister Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse about the outcome of his talks with leaders of Tamil and Muslim parties and with the LTTE leadership, Colombo sources said.

Mr. Akashi is to address a press conference Wednesday afternoon in the Colombo Hilton Hotel at the end of his five-day stay in Colombo, sources said.