3rd Lead (adds details)

Mano Ganeshan meets with Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 February 2004, 14:18 GMT]
Western Province People's Front (WPPF) leader, Mano Ganeshan, met with Head of LTTE's Political Wing, S.P.Thamilchelvan, in Kilinochchi Wednesday morning sources in Kilinochchi said. "The critical importance of the forthcoming elections lies in the fact the Tamil Nation will use this democratic medium to unequivocally express its aspirations," Mr.Ganeshan told the reporters after his meeting.

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Mano Ganeshan speaks to reporters(Tamil)

"In the Western Province the WPPF should be victorious in the forthcoming elections. Thamilchelvan requested that while the WPPF fights for the rights of the Tamil people living in the Western province, the WPPF should lend ts fullest support for the struggle of the NorthEast Tamils. We fully support his request," Mano Ganeshan told the reporters.

In the Western Province we will work hard to eliminate labelling Tamils with different area identities, such as Upcountry and NorthEast, and will forge a single Tamil identity, Mano Ganeshan added.

Mr. Mano Ganeshan, the leader of the Western Province People's Front and his team met with Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, the leader of the Political Wing of the LTTE

We have decided to work with the UNF. Thamilchelvan said his organization fully understands our need to participate in the electoral process in this manner, Mano Ganeshan said.

Reporter: How will you provide support while working within the UNP?
Mano Ganeshan: We are not working within the UNP. We are working as another party jointly with the United National Front (UNF). LTTE has been talking with the UNF to arrive at a fair and just solution to the Tamil National question. Similarly, WPPF also can function effectively either within the UNF or outside it to provide our fullest support to the Tamil struggle.

Reporter: Will you have enough seats to provide effective support?
Mano Ganeshan: More than the number of seats, it depends on how the parliamentarians conduct themselves in executing their duties; how steadfast they are in their objectives; how diligently they work to promote and execute their agenda in the Parliament. These are the characteristics of our parliamentarians that will help us to effectively serve our people.

Reporter: Are you the only party standing in the elections on behalf of Tamils in Colombo?
Mano Ganeshan: There may be other parties that can compete. But we are only concerned and focussed on how best to function to promote and safeguard the welfare of the Tamil people who live in the Western Province.




Mr. Mano Ganeshan, the leader of the Western Province People's Front and his team met with Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, the leader of the Political Wing of the LTTE