Tigers say Colombo should implement talks’ decisions

[TamilNet, Thursday, 15 May 2003, 11:12 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers will not participate in peace negotiations with the Sri Lankan government until Colombo implements decisions taken at six rounds of talks since last year, Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharan, the leader of the LTTE told Norway’s Foreign Minister Mr. Jan Peterson during a crucial meeting in Kilinochchi Thursday. Col. Karuna and Col. Pathuman, the commanders of the LTTE’s Southern Front Forces and the head of the political division Mr. S. P Thamilselvan were associated with Mr. Pirapaharan at the discussion with the Norwegian FM.

LTTE political head Mr. S.P.Thamilchelvan

Responding to question during a press conference following the meeting whether the Liberation Tigers sought a postponement of the Tokyo donor summit next, Mr. Thamilchelvan said there was no need on their part to do so as the LTTE’s stand has been clearly spelled out. Mr. Thamilselvan said that Colombo has to first decide whether it was going to implement the decisions both parties had arrived at the six rounds of peace talks.

The discussions between the LTTE delegation and the Norwegian team led by Mr. Jan Peterson began around 11.30 a.m. and continued until 2.30 p.m. at the LTTE’s peace secretariat in Kilinochchi Thursday. The Norwegian FM was accompanied by his Deputy Vidar Helgesen and the country’s ambassador in Colombo.

The LTTE legal advisor Mr. V. Rudrakumaran and economic advisor Dr. Jay Maheswaran were also present at the meeting.

Mr. Jan Peterson told journalists as he boarded a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter to Colombo that he would discuss the concerns raised by the Liberation Tigers with Prime Minister Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe.

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