However, this, the peace activists say this is not sufficient reason for the Government's reluctance to seize the opportunity offered by the LTTE. De-escalation leading to ceasefire is an indispensablecomponent of any meaningful process that aims at a negotiated settlementand the resolution of the causes that has led to the present protractedand bloody armed conflict. Suffice it to say, history is not pre-determined, but is made, and the nation may well be witnessing themakings of a historical peace . Whilst the rhetorical nature of the many statements from the Governmentand the LTTE reflect the deep distrust and mutual suspicions that arepresently weighing heavily over objective considerations and widerinterests, a careful reading of stated negotiating positions by the LTTE and the Government reveal a higher degree of congruence thandivergence. The group asserts that in particular, both sides appear to haveaccepted the broad "framework", articulated by the Norwegianfacilitator as representing the consensus of the "internationalcommunity". The framework basically indicates that any future negotiations can only be premised on the unity and integrity of SriLanka , while recognizing the need to address and accommodate "substantially" the "Tamil aspirations".

The peace groups adds that they are of the opinion that the aboveframework reflects the broad opinion of a substantial cross-section of Sri Lankan polity and civil society straddling the ethnic divide. It also recognizes the need for co-existence and equality between the distinct ethnic and national identities that populate our troubled islandwhich is vital for a just and a durable solution to the Ethnic Question. They have accordingly, called on the Government and the LTTE to immediately commence talks with international facilitation and to take all necessary steps to create a climate for anegotiated and peaceful resolution of the ethnic conflict. called on the Government to reciprocate the declaration of ceasefire by the LTTE, and to lift all restrictions on the supply of food, medicine and other essentials, as well as on economic activities in the North-East. We also call on the Government to take immediate steps to stop the alarming increase in extra-judicial killings by the security forces, the most recent being the Mirusivil killings, as a means togaining the confidence of the Tamil people. called on the LTTE to extend its ceasefire to include all acts of hostilities againstcivilians and non-military targets. They have also called on the LTTE to introduce into the negotiation process its proposals for constitutional and political reforms that would meet Tamil aspirations within a unified Sri Lanka. Published: Sat Jan 6 16:26:33 EST 2001

The new treaty replaces the pre-independence treaty concluded between the USA and Great Britain on the Mutual Extradition of Criminals signed atLondon on December 22, 1931 and extended to Ceylon at the time. Kadirgamar pointed out that both the US and Sri Lankan Governments recognised the need for a new treaty for the reciprocol surrender ofcriminals between the two countries, which takes into account the current developments of the new law. The new Extradition Treaty was signed atthe US State Department on September 30, 1999, between Foreign MinisterLakshman Kadirgamar and the US Deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbott. At the signing ceremony it was announced that the treaty constitutes a landmark in the bilateral relationship and was a testament to the committment of both Washington and Colombo to the international campaign against terrorism. Published: Sat Jan 6 16:19:23 EST 2001