Annan welcomes Sri Lanka agreement on aid deal

[TamilNet, Friday, 24 June 2005, 21:22 GMT]
Welcoming the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) to establish a joint tsunami aid-sharing structure Friday, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, said through his spokesperson that he “hopes the agreement will help place Sri Lanka on the road to full recovery from this unparalleled tragedy," and that “he believes that this is an important day for the many tsunami-affected families and communities in the country.”

Mr. Annan also welcomed the inclusion of the Muslim minority in the committees that will administer the funds, according to the statement.

Full text of the statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on Sri Lanka released in New York, 24 June 2005 follows:

"The Secretary-General is pleased that today, the Sri Lanka Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure, a joint tsunami aid sharing mechanism that will allow for the distribution of relief funds to all affected areas in Sri Lanka.

"He believes that this is an important day for the many tsunami-affected families and communities in the country. He would like to express his appreciation for the leadership shown by President Kumaratunga in achieving this result, and the joint commitment of the parties to the rebuilding of the devastated areas. They have done the right thing in placing people's needs first.

"He welcomes the inclusion of the Muslim minority in the committees that will administer the funds. The Secretary-general hopes the agreement will help place Sri Lanka on the road to full recovery from this unparalleled tragedy."