The Hindu : U.S. wants LTTE participation in Tokyo donors' conference

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 15, 2003

International

International

U.S. wants LTTE participation in Tokyo donors' conference

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO MAY 14. The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Christina Rocca, today renewed Washington's call to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to attend next month's Tokyo donors' conference "in the interest of the Tamils''.

"My Government's advice has been clear and consistent: it is in the best interest of the peace process, the Tamil people and the Tigers themselves that the LTTE be at the table in Tokyo,'' Ms. Rocca told a press conference at the conclusion of her three-day visit. Ms. Rocco's call came hours before the end of a one-week deadline by when the Tigers had to confirm their participation in the next month's donors' conference.

``As predicted, the peace process has been difficult,'' the U.S. Assistant Secretary said, adding that "there have been setbacks as well as progress, and more of each can be expected''.

The two present challenges, she said, were the "possibility that the LTTE may ignore the donor conference in Tokyo and the possibility that cohabitation quarrels will eclipse peace talk deliberations''.

Asked if she thought the health complications of the LTTE chief negotiator, Anton S. Balasingham, would affect the peace process, Ms. Rocca said: "We hope that he will recover quickly'' and that "they will be able to move forward either way''. Referring to the meetings between the Tigers and facilitators, Norway, Ms. Rocca added: "We hope that the LTTE as such is committed to the process, and that it is not dependent on just one person".

On cohabitation, Ms. Rocca said she had spoken with those "both within and beyond Government regarding aboard range of issues'' and that she shared ``the international community's fervent hope that these quarrels be set aside so that a clear, consistent and united Sri Lankan voice is heard in Tokyo."

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