LTTE,TNA spell out basis for Tokyo meet participation

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 14 May 2003, 10:55 GMT]
“The LTTE is of the view that before it participates in the Tokyo Aid Conference currently fixed for 9th and 10th June, the administrative, financial and other structures with adequate powers need to be established in order to reconstruct the northeast and to rehabilitate and restore normal civilian life in the northeast province”, said the Tamil National Alliance in a press release issued Wednesday on the outcome of the talks its delegation had with the LTTE political leadership on Tuesday in Killinochchi.

Mr. Sampanthan speaking to the press after the meeting

The full text of the TNA press release on Tuesday's meting issued by its parliamentary group leader Mr.R.Sampanthan follows:

A delegation of the TNA met the political leadership of the LTTE at Killinochchi on 13th May to review the present situation in regard to the peace process. The LTTE was represented by its political Mr.S.P.Thamilselvan and political heads of districts of Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Amparai and Trincomalee and other representatives of Killinochchi. The TNA was represented by its parliamentary group leader Mr.R.Sampanthan, parliamentarians Mr.Joseph Pararajasingham, Mr.Mavai Senathirajah, Mr. A.Vinayagamoorthy, Mr.M.K.Sivajilingam, Mr. N.Raviraj, Mr.G.G.Gajendrakumar, Mr. Chandra Nehru, Mr.K.Thangavadivel, Mr.G.Krishnapillai, Mr. Sivasakthi Anandan, Mr. K.Thurairetnasingham and EPRLF Secretary General Mr.Suresh Premachandran.


Mr. Thamilchelvan and LTTE's Batticaloa political head Mr. Kousalyan welcoming Mr. Sampanthan.

After lengthy discussion it was decided by consensus that the following announcement be made: -

1. The LTTE is firmly committed to the pursuit of a negotiated political solution to the Tamil National Question and will extend its full co-operation to the furtherance of the peace process.
2. The LTTE deems it necessary that firm administrative financial and other structures with adequate powers need to be established for the reconstruction of the northeast and to rehabilitate and restore normal civilian life in the northeast.
3. The Sub Committee to provide for the immediate humanitarian and rehabilitation needs (SIHRN) does not fulfill the above purpose. The North East Reconstruction Fund has not yet become functional.
4. LTTE is of the view that before it participates in the Tokyo Aid Conference currently fixed for9th and 10th June, the aforestated administrative, financial and other structures with adequate powers need to be established in order to reconstruct the northeast and to rehabilitate and restore normal civilian life in the northeast
5. Relocation of armed forces’ camps in the northeast in order to enable the resettlement of displaced Tamil civilians in the northeast in terms of the ceasefire agreement was also emphasized.
6. The TNA will endeavor to have the above matters addressed early.