President lays conditions for de-proscription, interim administration

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 September 2002, 12:25 GMT]
President Chandrika Kumaratunge has announced her stand on the removal of ban on the Liberation Tigers in Sri Lanka and setting up of an interim administration in the northeast province. "I will oppose de-proscribing the LTTE before the commencement of direct peace talks. I will also oppose the setting up of interim administration in the northeast before reaching an agreement with the LTTE by the government on the core issues related to the conflict," said the President when addressing a gathering, according to a press release issued by the Presidential Secretariat Sunday.

A group of laymen and intelligentsia met the President, Saturday, and discussed the present political situation in the country.

The President has assured the group that she opposes the removal of ban on the LTTE before the commencement of direct peace talks. However, she said that the ban could be removed after the commencement of talks and also when it becomes evident that such talks are progressing satisfactorily.

The President has also told the group that she is totally opposed to the setting up of an interim administration in the northeast before reaching a full agreement on core issues of the conflict with the LTTE.

The President pointed out at the discussion that according to her information, the cabinet has not decided on the matter of removing the ban on the LTTE. If such a decision were taken at any cabinet meeting in her presence she would certainly oppose the de-proscription of the LTTE at this stage, states the press release issued by the Presidential Secretariat.

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