Tigers, Norwegian facilitators agree on Geneva travel arrangements

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 October 2006, 14:31 GMT]
Liberation Tigers Political Head S. P. Thamilchelvan, after meeting Jon Hanssen-Bauer, the Norwegian special envoy to Sri Lanka peace process, in Kilinochchi Thursday, told media that the Tigers had given their consent to participate in the talks in Geneva, provided that the International Community, through Norwegian facilitators, guarantees a safe travel arrangement. Switzerland Ambassador also met the LTTE Political Head in Kilinochchi Thursday.



Talking to media after the separate meetings with the Norwegian and Swiss delegations at the LTTE Political Head Quarters in Kilinochchi, Mr. Thamilchelvan said the talks in Geneva depends on Colombo acting in accordance with the International Community's security guarantees and assurances provided to Tigers.

Commenting on LTTE's reaction to call for for ceasing violence, Thamilchelvan said the facilitators were aware of the LTTE's commitment in ceasing violence. But, the Sri Lankan Government continues to engage in "state terrorism" despite the International Community's call for ceasing violence and creating conducive environment for talks.

Thamilchelvan defined "state terrorism" as all acts of violence by Sri Lankan forces, ranging from aerial attacks on civilian targets, extra-judicial killings, use of paramilitaries against civilians, to blocking humanitarian supplies to civilian population.

Asked whether the agenda for talks in Geneva was prepared, the Tiger Political Head said they have not discussed the topic of the talks or the details of the participants. The Tigers will inform these to Norway in a few days, he said.

When asked about LTTE's reaction to the recent Sri Lankan Supreme Court ruling that rendered the merged NorthEast invalid under the Sri Lankan constitution, LTTE Political Head responded by saying that the Tamil homeland cannot be divided by anyone. Tamils have not accepted the Sri Lankan Constitution, he said.

Commenting further, he said that Colombo's recent actions have again proven that the Government of Sri Lanka was not ready for compromises in finding a solution to the national problem.