Thamilchelvan meets MEPs in Brussels

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 October 2004, 00:05 GMT]
LTTE delegation led by Head of Political Wing, S.P. Thamilchelvan met with Mr. Robert Evans, Labour Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for London, and other MEP’s Monday at the European Parliament building, LTTE sources from Brussels said. Thamilchelvan briefed the MEPs on the prevailing ground situation and placed the blame on Sri Lanka Government for delaying the resumption of peace talks.

Thamilchelvan at the European Parliament building meeting MEPs

Thamilchelvan expressed his concern over the fragility of the ceasefire agreement (CFA) and told the MEPs that Tamil people continue to remain with their urgent humanitarion needs unfulfilled even after of two and a half years of cease fire.

Thamilchelvan also pointed out that for the first time in history, main opposition party has offered its support to the ruling coalition government in resolving the national crisis and that it is the responsibility of the Sri Lanka government to use this opportunity to move towards restarting peace talks.

Robert Evans and Thamilchelvan

Mr. Robert Evans expressed his support to the peace process and to Norway's facilitation, and assured the delegation that he will use his offices to obtain support from the European community for the recomencement of talks. He said he would also emphasise to his European parliamentary collegues the need to address urgent humanitarian needs to the NorthEast.

Mr. Evans has been a keen follower of events in Sri Lanka and has travelled to Sri Lanka in 2000 and again in 2002 to see the ground situation himself.

Robert Evans was re-elected for a second term to represent the London Region in the European Parliament. He was previously the MEP for the London North West constituency, made up of the London Boroughs of Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon, from 1994 - 1999.

Related Articles:
16.10.02   British MPs tour Jaffna, Vanni
26.04.99   London conference 'backs Tamil independence'


External Links:

BBC:

Sri Lanka accused of rights abuse