Muslim parties urged to work out common programme

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 April 2006, 02:55 GMT]
Mr.M.H.Cegu Issadeen, Deputy Minister for Media and the founder of the Muslim Nationalists' Movement said Sunday at a press conference that it is meaningless to demand for a separate Muslim delegation in the peace talks until all Muslim political parties agree on a common programme to find political solution to the Muslim problems. "Those who vociferously agitate for separate Muslim delegation have failed to advocate a common agenda to fulfill the political aspirations for the Muslim community," said Mr.Cegu Issadeen at the press briefing held Sunday at Ninthavur Library auditorium.

"In the present situation if a separate Muslim delegation participates in the peace talks, Mr.Athaullah will demand for the de-merger of the North East province and we will support merger. There is no point in going to the negotiation table and fight between us without a common political agenda to solve problems of Muslims," Mr.Cegu Issadeen stressed.

"We appealed to all Muslim parties during the local government election to put forward a common political programme to obtain a mandate from the Muslims for a political solution fulfilling their aspirations and redress to their grievances. But our appeal was not taken into serious consideration. All Muslim political parties are not interested about the political solution to the Muslim problems. But these parties which are only worried about capturing power cannot take forward the political struggle of the Muslim community," he said.