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Peace Council urges LTTE to ensure no more 'Delft' incidents
LAcNet Special Correspondent in Colombo,
20.40 SLT, Wednesday January 13,2003 .
Pro-peace National Peace Council (NPC) yesterday urged
the LTTE to ensure that 'Delft' like incidents were
not repeated as they lead to an erosion of confidence
of the general public in the peace process and
strengthen the anti-peace activists.
"The incident off the Delft ISland in the northern
seas in which an LTTE boat carrying arms in violation
of the ceasefire agreement was apprehended last week
by the Sri Lankan navy and international monitors was
one that was fraught with dangerous consequences," NPC
said in a statement.
"We are distressed by the danger that the monitors of
the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission were subjected to.
Both parties have a duty to ensure the safety of the
international monitors. On this occasion they had to
jump off the LTTE boat they were checking into the
open sea in order to save their lives," the NPC said.
The NPC also regreted the loss of life when the LTTE
cadres who were apprehended blew themselves up along
with their boat.
"No one should have to die in such a manner during a
time of ceasefire. While this was an entirely
avoidable incident we commend the government and LTTE
forces in that area for exercising restraint and
ensuring there was no breach of the peace between
them."
"The incident confirms the need of the parties to
honour the terms of the ceasefire agreement in deeds
as much as in words. The ceasefire agreement that
they both signed voluntarily confers both advantages
and responsibilities upon the government and LTTE.
The credibility of their agreement lies in the parties
taking up their responsibilities seriously instead of
only seeking to maximise their advantages," the
statement said.
The NPC also welcomed the LTTE statement in Berlin
that it would stop the recruitment of children and
together with UNICEF would ensure that a credible
review mechanism is established in the north and east.
Published: Wed Feb 12 09:42:36 EST 2003
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ASK DR. SWAMY!
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Dr. Subramanian Swamy
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ANSWERS 1-24 NOW AVAILABLE
[HERE]
The Lanka Academic is delighted to announce its next guest in its
series of Q & A sessions: Dr. Subramanian Swamy, President,
Janata Party, India. We are indeed gratified by his appearence at The
Lanka Academic to answer questions from our readers.
We hope our readers would avail themselves of this opportunity to
educate themselves on the Indian perspective on the on-going peace
process and the other developments in all spheres of politics
with respect to India and Sri Lanka.
Submit your questions for Dr. Swamy and view his answers here. As usual, we will forward your questions to him
in batches and will post the answers as they arrive.
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US condemns LTTE for incident at Iranaitivu
Frederica Jansz in Colombo,
1.30 p.m. SLT Wednesday February 12.
The United States government in a press release today condemned the LTTE
for attempting to smuggle arms during a time of political negotiations with
the Sri Lankan government.
The US statement referring to a tiger trawler detected at Iranaitivu last
week with a haul of arms and ammunition says, the LTTE does not display a
commitment to the peace process when found to be engaged in weapons
smuggling at a time both sides are attempting to find a negotiated solution
to the conflict.
The statement however has lauded both sides, for maintaining a peace
dialogue and focusing on humanitarian issues at the fifth round of talks
held in Berlin last week.
The US release has also sounded a note of skepticism when it states the
LTTE "should honour" its pledge to UNICEF to return hundreds of child
soldiers the Tigers have forcibly conscripted to their fighting cadre.
Published: Wed Feb 12 02:44:07 EST 2003
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President questions PM on appointing Japanese envoy as foreign affairs advisor
Frederica Jansz in Colombo,
1.40 p.m. SLT Wednesday February 12.
President Chandrika Kumaratunge has questioned Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremesinghe on why it has been necessary to appoint Japanese Special
Envoy Yashushi Akashi as Special Advisor on Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka.
In a fit of pique, the President has refused to meet with Akashi, who
incidentally arrived in the country today on a 5 day official visit. The
last time Akashi was in Colombo also Kumaratunge refused to grant him an
audience.
The president has now angrily questioned the Premier on why it is necessary
to have a foreigner as an advisor on foreign affairs in Sri Lanka.
Akashi meanwhile had pledged aid and professional help to assist in
developing Sri Lanka's war ravaged north and east as well as some areas in
the south.
Akashi said on arrival today at the Bandaranaike International Airport that
a round of peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to
be held this June in Japan will focus primarily on development aid for the
entire country.
Akashi is scheduled to visit the northern peninsula as well during his 5
day visit to the Island.
Published: Wed Feb 12 02:44:07 EST 2003
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