Politicians misleading the South on ISGA issue- Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 August 2004, 17:20 GMT]
The Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposals put forward by the Liberation Tigers is to address urgent humanitarian needs of the people in the areas of resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction and it is very unfortunate that politicians are using this issue to mislead the people in the south, Mr. Thamilchelvan, the head of the LTTE’s political wing told a delegation from southern Sri Lanka.

The meeting with the delegation took place, Friday, at the LTTE’s political head quarters, LTTE’s peace secretariat website reported.

The delegation comprising Buddhist clergy, catholic priests, trade union representatives and media was led by Dr. Kumar Rupesinghe, report further said.

Civil Society representatives from the South meet with LTTE in Kilinochchi, 6 August 2004. (Photo: LTTE peace secretariat)

Mr.Thamilchelvan told the southern delegation that the upholding of the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) and taking steps to restore normalcy to the war devastated Northeast region are the most important and urgent steps to be taken to remove the impediments in taking forward the peace process, the LTTE peace secretariat website reported.

The Tamil people, Mr.Thamilchelvan said, are very much disappointed that they have not become beneficiaries of the peace dividends. Normalcy for them, he said, is restoring their rights to go back to their homes, engage in their professions like agriculture and fishing in their natural habitats, it further said.

The visitors briefed Mr. Thamilchelvan on their commitment to strengthen the civil society and support the peace process. They explained the various steps taken by them in their respective fields to bring about amity and understanding among the different races and religions in this island, the report further said.

The southern delegation also visited NorthEast Secretariat on Human Rights (NESOHR), the website said.