LTTE ready to resume talks based on ISGA- Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 August 2004, 10:48 GMT]
Institutionalising the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposals put forward by the Liberation Tigers must be viewed on a humanitarian perspective rather than making it a political bargain to satisfy extremist elements in the southern polity, Mr.S.P.Thamilchelvan, the head of the LTTE’s political wing told Norwegian Deputy Ambassador at a meeting held in Kilinochchi, Saturday. "We are waiting for a positive response from the government to recommence negotiations on the basis of ISGA proposals," Mr. Thamilchelvan told the Norwegian diplomat, LTTE’s peace secretariat website reported.

The Norwegian Deputy Ambassador Mr. Oddvar Lægreid arrived in Kilinochchi today 14 August 2004 and met with Mr.Thamilchelvan, Head of the LTTE Political Wing. This meeting, the diplomat said, is a 'fact-finding' exercise intended to ascertain as to how best the facilitators can meaningfully act in the reactivation of the stalled peace process, the website reported.

"On the basis of the ISGA proposals submitted by us in October last and our unambiguous declarations made from time to time we are ready to recommence negotiations with the government and are only waiting for a positive response to that effect from the government through the facilitators," said Mr. Tamilselvan in response to the Norwegian Deputy Ambassador's concern relating to the delay, according to the report.

Head of the Political Wing briefed the envoy on the current state of mind of the Tamil people, having been frustrated and disappointed to the extreme over the non-delivery of the vital peace dividend, normalcy and restoration of livelihood. Tamil people, Mr. Tamilselvan said expect their just aspirations be met and the public mandate they gave in the last general election be respected. In this context, Mr. Tamilselvan said, that institutionalising the ISGA must be viewed on a humanitarian perspective rather than making it a political bargain to satisfy extremist elements in the southern polity, it further said.

Referring to the law and order situation in Batticaloa, Amparai Dstrict the Political Head reiterated his concern over the non-compliance of article 1.8 of the CFA in curbing the anti social activities of the armed groups. The Deputy Ambassador promised to convey these sentiments to the government side and would endeavour to bring about a feasible agenda for the recommencement of negotiations, the LTTE website said.

Mr. P. Nadesan, Head of the Tamil Eelam Police and Mr. Puleedevan, Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat also participated in the meeting.