More consultations needed, says Norway

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, APRIL 8. Norway said today, following a meeting between its envoy and LTTE representatives in northern Sri Lanka, that more discussions were needed on certain ``concerns'' that had been raised by the group.

A statement from the Norwegian embassy here did not specify the concerns but the LTTE said in categorical style yesterday that it would not participate in peace talks till the Government lifted the ban on it, reciprocated a truce and allowed in fuel and cement to areas controlled by it.

According to the LTTE, these demands were conveyed to the Norwegian Ambassador, Mr. Jon Westborg, who travelled on Friday to the northern mainland for a meeting with the leader of its political wing, Mr. S. Tamilchelvam. While the LTTE has repeatedly asked the Government to reciprocate its unilaterally declared ceasefire and lift economic embargoes on areas held by it, the demand for the lifting of the ban was a new bombshell. There has been no Government reaction yet to the Tigers' latest demand. According to the Norwegian statement, deliberate in its vagueness, ``important issues'' raised in the past were discussed along with other concerns on a ``proposal for building of understanding and creation of a foundation for direct talks'' during the meeting between Mr. Westborg and Mr. Tamilchelvam. ``Possible alternatives were discussed,'' the release said, adding that the discussions lasted 10 hours over Friday and Saturday.

``The LTTE expressed concern that negotiations between the conflicting parties took place in an environment absent of hostilities and present of respect and understanding. These issues were presented as concerns that needed deliberation and it was agreed to refer to a couple of questions to further consultation in the immediate future,'' it said.

Norway has said it will continue its efforts to facilitate peace talks in Sri Lanka. Immediately after the talks with Mr. Westborg, the LTTE released four persons it was holding captive, including a soldier from 1993 and three crewmen from two merchant ships, apparently in recognition of Norway's efforts and to reciprocate the ``positive steps'' taken by the Government, according to the statement.

The Government last month lifted embargoes on 24 items for LTTE- held areas and it was believed that this concession would pave the way for talks. But the LTTE demand for the lifting of the ban could pose a serious challenge to the process.

Politically, it would be near impossible for the Government to revoke the ban that it imposed after the bomb attack on the Dalada Maligawa, the holiest Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, in January 1998. Meanwhile, a report in the Sunday Times, quoting unnamed Government sources, suggested that the version of the meeting put out by the LTTE on Saturday was misleading, and that the issue of lifting the ban figured only incidentally in discussions between the Norwegian envoy and Mr. Tamilchelvam.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Russia shifts priorities from U.S. to Europe
Next     : IOR-ARC defers decision on Pak. membership