LTTE delegation meets Norwegian facilitators in Oslo

[TamilNet, Friday, 11 March 2005, 16:45 GMT]
"We told the Norwegians that Sri Lanka Government should without delay extend co-operation to finalize the joint mechanism for aid distribution and should take immediate steps to end the targetting of LTTE political officials and cadres working in the East by paramilitary operatives operating with the backing of the Sri Lanka Army," said Head of LTTE Political Wing, S.P Thamilchelvan in Oslo Friday during a brief press conference held at the Hotel Continental in Norway's capital Oslo at 3 pm.

The LTTE delegation led by Thamilchelvan, comprising Director of LTTE Peace Secretariat, Pulidevan, Head of Tamileelam Police, Nadesan and Deputy Head of LTTE Women's Political Wing met with Norwegian peace envoy Mr.Erik Solheim Friday morning, sources said.

The delegation later met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Mr. Jan Pettersen. In a third meeting the delegation met with Mr. Leiv Lunde, Deputy Minister of International development.

Speaking to TamilNet in Oslo Mr. Thamilchelvan said that LTTE leadership has accepted a draft of joint mechanism for tsunami aid delivery submitted to the LTTE by the Norwegian facilitators even while noting that there were some shortcomings.

"It is up to the Sri Lanka Government to agree to the Norwegian draft," he said.

Thamilchelvan disclosed to TamilNet that due to the many suggestions and modifications to the earlier version of the proposal, the Sri Lanka Government and the LTTE were unable to reach an agreement. "Finally we made progress when Norwegian facilitators drafted a new version which the LTTE has now fully accepted, Thamilchelvan said. "However, the Sri Lanka Government is yet to give their approval to the draft submitted by the Norwegian facilitators," Thamilchelvan cautioned.