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LTTE optimistic after Thailand talks

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO. NOV. 6. The political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), S.P. Tamilchelvam, and the eastern military commander, Karuna, returned to the rebel-held northern Sri Lanka this morning after taking part in the second round of talks in Thailand.

The two, who have been elevated as permanent members of the LTTE's negotiating team, returned in a scheduled commercial aircraft late last night. In sharp contrast to their onward journey, when they avoided talking to journalists, on the way back, the two were conversant and spoke of the rising confidence in the peace process.

"When we left, we had a lot of hopes, now we are returning with the optimism that the hopes will be met,'' Mr. Tamilchelvam told The Hindu, with Col. Karuna, endorsing this statement with a smile.

On their arrival here, they were taken to a hotel for an overnight stay after which they flew to the Vanni by a military helicopter. Between now and the next round of talks, they will have a busy schedule, such as meetings with the Muslim leadership. "Col." Karuna is also involved in organising Hero's Day celebrations later this month. At ease with their new role as negotiators, the two now seem set for further rounds of negotiations with the Sri Lankan Government.

The LTTE's chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham, and his wife, Adele, left for London from Thailand, while the remaining two — V. Rudrakumaran and Jay Maheswaran — who were advisers to the delegation, flew from Bangkok to New York and Australia respectively. The other LTTE cadres, who accompanied the delegates, were also hopeful that the latest round of negotiations would move towards conflict resolution.

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