Respond to LTTE offer, say peace activists

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, NOV. 28. Less than a day after the LTTE leader, Mr V. Prabhakaran, offered unconditional peace talks provided the Government created a `cordial' atmosphere, a blast in northern Sri Lanka, suspected to be the handiwork of the separatist rebels, killed seven civilians and wounded at least 28. The incident took place early this morning when a private bus exploded as it ran over a landmine planted on the highway at Kabitigollewa in Anuradhapura district.

There was no reaction to Mr. Prabhakaran's Heroes Day speech from the government. But peace activists are upbeat.

``The impasse has been resolved. It is not just a window of opportunity, it is a door. The ball is now with the Government, and they must come up with a matcher,'' said Mr. Loganathan Ketheshwaran of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, a private think-tank here that advocates talks with the LTTE.

Govt. must cease the offer: TULF

Reacting to the LTTE leaders, Mr. V. Prabhakaran's Heroes' Day speech offering unconditional peace talks, the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) said the government must seize the offer.

``This is the first time the LTTE has not laid any conditions for talks, and the Government must respond accordingly. Talks must begin without further delay,'' said Mr. V. Anandasangaree, MP, and party vice-president.

A pledge by the LTTE leader in the same speech to re-conquer Jaffna is being interpreted not as a war cry but as rhetoric from which he could not be expected to disengage himself immediately.

``That was Prabhakaran the politician speaking. We should not take that very seriously,'' said Mr Jehan Perera, media director of the National Peace Council.

Even though the LTTE leader had not specifically said he was prepared to talk for `less than Eelam,' his expression of support for the Norwegian initiative was indicative that he was prepared to negotiate that position, Mr Perera said.

But others were warier. The Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), a member of the ruling coalition, cautiously described the offer of unconditional talks as `interesting', but expressed concern that the LTTE leader had also talked of continuing the war.

Kadirgamar to visit IndiaPTI reports from New Delhi:

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, would shortly visit India to discuss the latest developments relating to the Norwegian efforts to kickstart a new round of peace talks between Colombo and the LTTE.

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