LTTE declares unilateral ceasefire

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, DEC. 21. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam today increased pressure on the Sri Lankan Government to agree to its conditions for talks by declaring a month-long unilateral ceasefire from December 24.

In a statement released through its London headquarters, the LTTE said the declaration was a ``genuine expression of goodwill (during the festive season) indicating our sincere desire for peace and a negotiated political settlement.''

The LTTE leader, Mr. Velupillai Prabhakaran, had issued orders to all his fighting units and cadres to ``cease hostile military actions against the Sri Lankan armed forces from midnight 24th December, 2000, to midnight 24th January, 2001.''

The LTTE hoped the Government would reciprocate the gesture. ``We offer this space of peace to facilitate and promote initiatives to create congenial conditions of normalcy, de- escalating the armed confrontation,'' the statement said.

The LTTE would be prepared to extend the ``period of peace'' to create ``cordial conditions for a stable ceasefire and direct negotiations,'' if the Government responded positively by ceasing armed hostilities.

Earlier this week, the President, Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, reiterated in Paris that her Government would be prepared for a de-escalation, but only after talks with the LTTE commenced. The Media Minister, Mr. Anura Priyadarsha Yapa, told State radio that the Government would respond in ``due course.''

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