"LTTE won't derail peace process"- Pappa

[TamilNet, Thursday, 24 April 2003, 12:12 GMT]
"We will not take any step that could derail the present peace process. We have not completely abandoned the peace talks. We have only suspended our participation in the peace talks for the time being," said Mr.Pappa, head of the Sports Department of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Thursday addressing workers of the non-governmental organizations in the Jaffna district on the current political situation and present peace process, sources said.

"But we are disenchanted with the peace process. Lack of tangible actions on the ground by the Sri Lanka Government to alleviate the suffering of our people forces us to take a hard approach to the negotiations," added Pappa.

The meeting was held at the conference hall of the Jaffna Refugees Rehabilitation Union, which was presided by Mr. A.Nallathamby, President of the Union, sources said.

Mr.Pappa further said, "LTTE cadres are our strength. The international community has recognized us as a liberation movement. We have been working for a long time to bring a political solution for the Tamil national question since the country gained independence. Tamil peoples' aspirations are a long way from being met."

"Tamil people have suffered a lot under different Sinhala Governments. Ruling Governments of this country should bear in their mind that Tamils also have inalienable rights including the right to self-determination. Tamils are for a peaceful solution to their problems," said Mr.Pappa.

Mr.Pappa added," we today possess enough military strength that has forced the Government of Sri Lanka to seek a negotiated solution through peace talks."

Mr Semmanan of LTTE Jaffna district political office and Mr.Vikneswaran of Jaffna Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) also attended the meeting, sources said.