LTTE will pull out of talks if banned in U.K.

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, FEB. 10. The LTTE will pull out of the Norwegian peace initiative if the U.K. bans it under its new anti-terrorism law, its representative in London, Mr. Anton Balasingham, has said.

In an interview in the Tamil weekly, Sudaroli, on Friday, Mr. Balsingham said he had conveyed this to the Norwegian special envoy, Mr. Erik Solheim, during discussions with him earlier in the week.

The LTTE ideologue, presently its chief negotiator with Oslo, said if the international community was interested in a political solution to the island's conflict, it must prevail upon the U.K. not to ban the group.

The British Terrorism Act 2000 is to come into effect on February 19, when London is expected to announce a list of organisations proscribed under the new law.

The LTTE is evidently using the Norwegian initiative to bring pressure on the British Government not to take action against it under this legislation. Mr. Balasingham also accused the Sri Lankan Government of holding up the peace process by not giving its consent to an agreement drawn up by the Norwegians for the de-escalation of the conflict.

While the LTTE had already agreed to its part of the deal, that is, not to carry out attacks in southern Sri Lanka, the Government was yet to agree to the removal of economic embargoes on LTTE-held areas, he said. Instead, it was denying that there were any embargoes on there. Mr. Balsingham said the two sides had not been able to reach a consensus on which countries should be on the international committee to monitor the implementation of the agreement.

So far, there has been no comment from the Government on the existence of the so-called ``memorandum of understanding''. A Foreign Ministry statement issued at the end of Mr. Solheim's visit only said there was ``progress'' in taking the peace process forward.

The President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, talked of a ``ray of hope'' for a political solution to end the conflict during her speech on Sri Lanka's national day, celebrated earlier this month. That, and Mr. Solheim's shuttle diplomacy since January, have indicated that talks could begin soon.

According to observers, the main points of speculation now are the impact of a ban by the U.K. on the LTTE, besides the agenda for the first round of negotiations and the reaction of the opposition parties and the Sinhala hardliners to peace talks.

Another question is about the Norwegian role once the talks begin, with observers wondering if the facilitators will continue to play a role in the proceedings once their mission of bringing the two sides is completed.

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