Solheim, Balasingham in lengthy talks

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 20 February 2001, 17:56 GMT]
The Norwegian peace envoy, Erik Solheim Tuesday met the Liberation Tigers’ chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham in London, for lengthy discussions, sources close to the movement told TamilNet. The discussions were said to have been cordial and positive.

They had discussed the politico-military situation in the north and east of Sri lanka, the sources said.

They also discussed the possibility of Britain proscribing the LTTE under its Terrorism Act which came into force Monday and the impact this would have on the ongoing peace process, the sources said.

They had also discussed whether the LTTE would extend its unilateral ceasefire which is due to expire February 24, the sources said, declining to elaborate further.

Mr. Solheim and Mr. Balasingham met from 11am to 2pm over lunch, the sources said.