Tigers ready for talks, Colombo should end offensives, air-strikes - Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 October 2006, 10:08 GMT]
"Colombo drew first blood, launching major offensives and air-strikes into our territory in Vaharai, and in Vanni mainland, even after we made it clear that we were serious about the talks in Geneva, extending our full support and providing necessary assurances following the call by the International Community to engage in talks and cease all violence," LTTE's Political Head S.P. Thamilchelvan told TamilNet after meeting Japanese delegation headed by Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi at the LTTE Political Head Quarters in Kilinochchi Wednesday. Tigers are prepared for talks in Geneva, Mr. Thamilchelvan said.



"Colombo, as the Party that launched offensive military operations and continued air-strikes in Tamil territories, even after the re-newed peace hopes, should come forward to cease all offensive acts and allow truce monitors access demarcated front lines to ensure cessation of hostilities," LTTE's political head said.

"We repeatedly warned that Sri Lankans were going ahead with their offensive disregarding the call for positive engagement," Thamilchelvan added.

"Sri Lankan armed forces have repeatedly launched offensives into our territory, despite repeated warnings of escalation of violence."

When asked, referring to the alleged harassments last time in Colombo when returning from Oslo, Tiger political head responded by saying that the travel arrangement for the LTTE delegation this time would "solely depend" on International Community's guarantees and assurances.