'Lack of confidence can endanger cease fire' - Swiss FM

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 October 2004, 10:57 GMT]
"There is lack of confidence which could be an obstacle to return to peace talks. This lack of confidence could endanger the cease fire in Sri Lanka. The Liberation Tigers are ready to reconsider the basis for restarting talks. They told our officials their Interim Self Governing Authority proposal is not non-negotiable. This is the special message I conveyed to the Sri Lankan government", said Ms. Micheline Calmy-Rey, Switzerland's Foreign Minister, speaking to the press in Colombo Tuesday.


Ms. Calmy Ray and Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka (left)

Responding to a question from TamilNet she said the presence of almost 40000 Tamils in Switzerland is an important factor in her country's interest in the peace process in Sri Lanka.

Referring to the large Tamil community in Switzerland she said:"There is a social link. Instability in Sri Lanka can have an impact on migration and on the Swiss economy".

Ms. Calmy-Ray said she informed the Sri Lankan government about talks that officials of her ministry held with representatives of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the LTTE in Geneva on Oct. 1.

"The key words of Switzerland's engagement for peace in Sri Lanka are: federalism, human rights and mine action", she said.