Inderfurth asks LTTE to abandon terrorism

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, NOV. 28. The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Mr. Karl Inderfurth, today appealed to the LTTE to ``abandon terrorism'' and pursue its political aims through peaceful methods.

``Continued acts of terrorism will only result in deaths of more innocent people and greater international condemnation of the LTTE,'' he is reported to have said at an exclusive briefing for the Sri Lankan media.

Mr. Inderfurth said the U.S. strongly backed Norway's efforts to facilitate a dialogue between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. ``In this regard, we believe a vital first step is for Sri Lanka's major political parties to agree to a common, bipartisan approach to these negotiations,'' he said.

Mr. Inderfurth, who arrived here yesterday on the first leg of his South Asian tour, said his mission in Sri Lanka, was among other things, to express his government's strong support for a negotiated political settlement to the ethnic conflict within the territorial integrity and unity of Sri Lanka. ``It also favours a solution that protects the dignity and security of all Sri Lankans,'' he said.

Mr. Inderfurth left Sri Lanka for New Delhi today.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, on Monday handed over to Mr. Inderfurth the Instrument of Ratification of the U.S.- Lanka Extradition Treaty signed last September.

A joint statement said the Treaty would take effect the day the Instrument of Ratification of the U.S. was handed over to the Sri Lankan government after signature by the U.S. President and counter-signature by the Secretary of State. This was Mr. Inderfurth's fourth visit to Sri Lanka. He was accompanied by Mr. Gary Usrey, director in the South Asian Affairs Bureau, and Mr. Donald Camp, director in the U.S. National Security Council.

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