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'Solution should be based on what Tamils want' - Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 August 2004, 18:33 GMT]
"We created the conditions for Peace Talks by unilaterly declaring a cease-fire in December 2001. Solution to the Tamil problem should be on the basis of aspirations of the Tamils because they are the ones who have faced discrimination, oppression and war for many years. It cannot be based on what the Sinhala people want. It cannnot be based on what the Sinhala government wants. This is why the political pacts Tamils made in the past with Sinhala leaders came to naught." said Mr. S.P. Thamilchelvan in a press briefing in Kilinochchi Saturday.

"This is why it would be constructive to discuss the Interim Self-Governing Authority (ISGA) proposal endorsed by the Tamil people than to discuss a proposal put forward by the Sinhala government", Mr. Thamilchelvan said.

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Press briefing by Mr. S.P. Thamilchelvan (Tamil)

"The Tamil question has remained unresolved for more than 50 years because the governments in Colombo acted according to the Sinhala people's political interest. No proposal put forward by the Sinhala side has met any of the basic demands and the aspirations of the Tamils. In this context, we consider the counter-proposals by the Government of Sri Lanka as a pretext to block us from coming to the negotiating table," he said.

"The ISGA proposals has the Tamil people's full support and mandate. Therefore, talks based on the ISGA are the only possible way to address the Tamil question" Thamilchelvan said.

Mr. Thamilchelvan met the press after a meeting with Mr. Akio Suda, Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka at the LTTE Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi.



Head of Tamil Eelam Police, Mr. P. Nadesan accompanied Mr. Thamilchelvan in the discussions with the Japanese Ambassador.

The LTTE team and the Japanese Ambassador discussed in detail the prospect of resuming stalled peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the LTTE.

"We discussed with the Japanese envoy the urgent humanitarian needs of the people in the NorthEast", Mr. Thamilchelvan told the press.

Now, the resumption of direct talks depends totally in the hands of GOSL, Mr. Thamilchelvan said.

Mr.Thamilchelvan reiterated the LTTE position that it is prepared to commence peace talks with the GoSL on the basis of Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposals.

"The ISGA proposals we have submitted were drafted with the widest participation of the Tamil people and the proposals have received an overwhelming mandate of the Tamil people in the NorthEast. The International community is very well aware about this reality," Mr.Thamilchelvan said.

He added that the LTTE has received support and encouraging remarks from the International community about its ISGA proposals.

Mr.Thamilchelvan dismissed media reports and allegations by Sri Lankan government that the LTTE has strengthened its forces around the Trincomalee harbour as fabrication. "Such allegations are aimed at confusing the International community. We are very firm in our commitment to the ceasefire agreement (CFA)", he noted.

Mr. Thamilchelvan reminded that the leader of the LTTE had clearly stated to the Norwegian Foreign Minister when he met him last time that the LTTE is prepared to resume the negotiations.