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"Institutionalize ISGA, core issues can be discussed later " - LTTE

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 May 2004, 08:28 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Wednesday categorically told the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government through Norwegian facilitators that the institutionalization of the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) in the northeast province should take place first and that the core issues can be discussed later.


Meeting between Mr. Erik Solheim, Norwegian Special Envoy and Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, Head of the Political Wing of the LTTE.
Photo: LTTE Peace Secretariat

The LTTE Peace Secretariat in a news release issued Wednesday said that the Norwegian team comprising Mr. Erik Solheim, the Special envoy to Sri Lanka and Mr. Hans Brattskar, the Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka have conveyed to the LTTE the thinking of Sri Lanka's President Ms. Chandrika Kumarathunge that "the discussions on ISGA proposals should take place parallel to the discussions on core issues."

In responding to the President's thinking Mr. Thamilchelvan said that "institutionalizing the ISGA should take place first so that we can demonstrate to the people that their urgent humanitarian needs would be effectively met with by the ISGA and will help to build confidence among the people who are the real stakeholders in the peace process."

Mr.Thamilchelvan further said, "the Tamils' thinking is loud and clear in that the overwhelming mandate on the implementation of the ISGA proposals is a verdict that cannot be ignored," quoted the news release.

Mr. Solheim was quoted as saying that the Norwegians "will proceed to prepare a statement reflecting rest of the procedures connected with the recommencement of the peace talks."

Mr. Erik Solheim left Kilinochchi Wednesday late afternoon by SLA special helicopter to Colombo. Political circles in Colombo said that Mr.Solheim will meet the President late in the evening and will convey the position of the LTTE.

Meeting between Mr. Erik Solheim, Norwegian Special Envoy and Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, Head of the Political Wing of the LTTE.