LTTE to observe truce despite rejection

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, DEC.25.The LTTE today said it would observe its unilateral truce despite its rejection by the Sri Lankan Government, asked the latter to reconsider its stand, and appealed to the Western countries and India to persuade Colombo to abandon its ``belligerent'' attitude in the interests of a negotiated settlement. In a statement issued by its London headquarters, the LTTE said though it would not embark on any offensive until January 24, it ``reserves the right to armed defence'' against military operations by the Government.

The Sri Lankan Government said last week that it considered a cease-fire a ``consequent step'' to the progress of negotiations to the satisfaction of both sides, and not before the commencement of such talks.

The LTTE said it was dismayed at the Government's stand and could not accept the ``irreconcilable contradiction'' in talking peace while waging war and asked Sri Lanka to reciprocate the truce for a stable ceasefire and the commencement of negotiations.

``We call upon the international community, particularly the United States, Britain, European nations and India to use their good office to persuade the Government to abandon its belligerent militaristic approach and seek a conciliatory path for a negotiated settlement in a climate of peace and goodwill,'' it said.

It was the latest in the statement war between the two sides since the Government said it would neither agree to a de- escalation nor to the lifting of the economic embargo on the north, the two pre-conditions set by the LTTE for talks.

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Section  : International
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