Furuhovde, Thamilchelvan meet in Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 October 2005, 11:26 GMT]
Norwegian delegation led by former Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and Norwegian Special Representative, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Trond Furuhovde met with an LTTE delegation led by LTTE's Political Head, Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, in LTTE Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi Thursday between 10:30 a.m and 12:30 a.m. Discussions focussed on the deterioting situation on the ground and the urgent need to reverse the trend by strengthening the implementation of the Cease Fire Agreement, sources in Kilinochchi said.

"We explained in detail the existing situation and the escalating incidents of violence, and killings in the NorthEast to the Norwegian representatives. The activities of paramilitaries have increased after we recalled our cadres from Sri Lanka Government controlled areas due to harassament and concerns of security. We stressed the need to arrest this deterioting trend and strengthen the peace climate," Mr. Thamilchelvan said speaking to reporters after the meeting.

"The Norwegian delegations advanced the view the importance of both sides, the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers meeting directly to resolve the urgent immediate issues. We responded that we are ready as directed by our National Leader to meet at any neutral venue for direct talks. Our position in this regard has not changed," Thamilchelvan said.

Thamilchelvan further said that these views were from the Norwegian Government and that the Norwegian delegation did not bring any new proposals or suggestions from the Government of Sri Lanka.

When asked on the possibility of any talks starting prior to the Sri Lanka's Presidential elections, Thamilchelvan said, that Norwegian Government is working hard to make this happen but since the decision depends on the views of two parties, only the Norwegians will have a better insight into this matter.

"We told the Norwegian delegation that activities of paramilitaries working in Government controlled areas under the protection of Sri Lanka Armed forces are the main cause for the increase in violence. This is against the Cease Fire Agreement and needs to be addressed urgently to bring a climate of peace where the peace process can be advanced," Thamilchelvan said.

Meanwhile, the Norwegian Ambassador for Sri Lanka Mr. Hans Braksttar left for Oslo on Wednesday morning to brief the Norwegian facilitators on the current political situation in Sri Lanka, a Norwegian embassy spokesperson said.

The Norwegian Ambassador visited Killinochchi last week and had discussions with the LTTE's political head on the North-East situation with regard to the country's Presidential poll.

Hans Braksttar also met the SLMM chief Mr. Hagrup Haukland and Sri Lankan Peace Secrtariat officials before his departure to Oslo, sources added.