SLMM waiting for positive response from Colombo, says Haukland

[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 July 2005, 07:28 GMT]
Mr.Hagrup Haukland, Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), who arrived Thursday in Trincomalee on a two-day visit, said that he is waiting for a positive response from the Defence Ministry with regard to ensuring safety passage to Liberation Tigers officials through SLA held areas. The Scandinavian monitors have discussed the issue with the Peace Secretariat and with the Defence Ministry in Colombo, the Head of Mission told reporters in Trincomalee. The Liberation Tigers, a week ago, told the monitors that they would resume their own armed escort if Colombo failed to provide satisfactory response within two weeks.



Mr.Hagrup Haukland, SLMM head ( second from left ) discusses the Trincomalee district situation with his land and sea monitors based in the east port town. Mr.Arthur Tveiten, Trincomalee head of the SLMM is seen right extreme.

Mr.Hagrup Haukland

Expressing hope, Mr. Haukland said that the facilitation and monitoring offered by the SLMM is a tool for the parties concerned to sort out their problems and difficulties. It is an independent organization which is at the disposal of the two parties concerned, he stressed.

Mr.Arthur Tveiten, Head of SLMM in Trincomalee received Mr. Haukland and his team when he arrived by air in Chinabay airport Thursday morning.

Soon after the arrival he commenced discussions with the land and sea monitors of the SLMM stationed in the east port town in the Trincomalee SLMM office.