3rd Lead (Adds audio clip, photos)

Serious consequences if Tamil voters’ rights are denied – Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 February 2004, 07:28 GMT]
"The consequences will be serious if the rights and wishes of our people are denied," said Mr. S.P Thamilchelvan, the head of the political division of the Liberation Tigers, responding to reports Wednesday that the Sri Lanka army will not allow the free movement of voters from areas held by the LTTE for polling on 2 April. "We discussed the matter with the Ambassador of Norway today. And we plan to take up the matter with the European Union too," Mr. Thamilchelvan said, speaking to journalists after meeting Norwegian Ambassador for Sri Lanka, Mr. Hans Brattskar, Wednesday.

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Hans Brattskar (English), Thamilchelvan (Tamil) talk to journalists

Speaking to the press about his discussions with the head of the LTTE’s political division, Mr. Brattskar said: "We also had discussions on the current situation in Sri Lanka and on the elections of course – the need for the elections to be free, fair, peaceful and that as many people as possible are given an opportunity to participate in the democratic process and to be able to vote on April 2."

Mr. Thamilchelvan told journalists that Mr. Brattskar had officially apprised him of the decisions taken at the Sri Lanka donors meeting in Washington on 17 February.

"The Norwegians said the international donor community is disappointed by developments in the south. The international community is not ready to provide aid without political stability in Sri Lanka. They are concerned about the immediate humanitarian needs of our people and are giving thought to the matter," Mr. Thamilchelvan told journalists at the LTTE’s peace secretariat.

He said that the Norwegians would take up the question of the free movement of voters from LTTE held areas with the relevant parties.