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Solheim Says No Change in Norways Commitment to Sri Lanka
Bandula Jayasekara in Colombo,
SLT 6.30 A.M Friday 6 February.
Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim says Norway's commitment to peace in
Sri Lanka has not shaken at all and but, it has further strengthened because
all the parties concerned in Sri Lanka too have reiterated the need for a
peaceful political solution. Solheim said "Media reports suggesting that
Norway had walked out of peace process is absolutely wrong. We are
regularly talking to President, Government leaders and the LTTE and keeping
the channels of communication open . We are waiting for the settlement of
the political problem in the South to resume peace talks. Solheim said this
at a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Oslo yesterday
to mark the National Day of Sri Lanka.
He added that the SLMM, which is fully operational, is doing a tremendous
job and it is made possible because the two parties are committed to
honour the ceasefire agreement. Solheim pointed out that the new SLMM head
Gen Furuhovde , was the ideal person to head the Mission. He pointed out
that the SLMM was performing its task well In spite of limitations.
Solheim also complimented the efforts of the Sri Lanka Consulate General for
"people oriented work" He said " As a Socialist, I appreciate the 'people
first' policy of the Consulate General. Perhaps some other Embassies can
learn from your example," Consul General Vipula Wanigasekera, Consul
Sugeeswara Senadhira,and President of the Sri Lankan Association in Norway
Harsha Ratnaweera, also addressed the gathering which included
representatives from the Norwegian Government and the leaders of Sinhala,
Tamil and Muslim communities in Norway.
Published: Thu Feb 5 19:32:08 EST 2004
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US Must Prohibit Its Citizens From Offering Material Support To LTTE - Washington Times
Bandula Jayasekara in Colombo,
SLT 7.25 A.M Friday 6 February.
The Washington Times says although the Tamil Tigers do not directly
threaten Americans, the United States must prohibit its citizens from
offering them material support to obtain reciprocal counter terrorism
cooperation from Sri Lanka. The newspaper says On Oct. 8, 1997, then
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright designated 30 organizations as
"foreign terrorist organizations" under the Antiterrorism and Effective
Death Penalty Act of 1996, including the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) of
Turkey and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) of Sri Lanka and the designations pivoted
on the indiscriminate use of violence by the PKK and the LTTE to intimidate
civilian populations and to cow the democratically elected governments in
Turkey and Sri Lanka to capitulate to their secessionist demands.
The Washington Times says The Tamil Tigers seek a secessionist state in the
northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka through terrorism.
Characteristic of like organizations, the LTTE undertakes auxiliary
activities that strengthen its terrorist torso and sweeten its public face:
political organizing and advocacy; diplomacy; social services and
humanitarian aid; economic development; establishment of a quasi-government
on the Jaffna Peninsula; and, defending Tamils from human rights abuses.
According to the newspaper some naturalized United States citizen from Sri
Lanka, desired "to consult with and provide the LTTE his expert advice on
how to improve the delivery of health care, with a special focus on
otolaryngology [i.e., nose, throat, and ear diseases]." However, the
newspaper warns, "Medically assisting the LTTE, however, facilitates
terrorist abominations. Its injured members more quickly return to terrorist
duties. And the LTTE more readily attracts grass-roots sympathizers,
financial contributions and terrorist recruits. The nefarious LTTE terrorist
goal of partitioning Sri Lanka into separate Tamil and Sinhalese nations
would be closer."
Published: Thu Feb 5 20:32:08 EST 2004
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LTTE urges international intervention to solve humanitarian issues
Alladin Hussein in Colombo,
February 5, 2004, 11.58 pm.
LTTE political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvam today called upon the international community to meaningfully intervene and address the urgent humanitarian problems faced by the civilians living in the North East province, the LTTE peace secretariat said.
Thamilselvam made this appeal today during a discussion he had with German Secretary of State Erich Stather and Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin today.
Thamilselvam also explained in detail the urgent humanitarian crisis caused due to the non-implementation of measures to address the people's needs even though two years have lapsed since signing the Ceasefire Agreement signed between his organisation and the Sri Lankan government. He called upon the German authorities to at least for the time being intervene and address the temporary humanitarian problems faced by the people in the North East.
Published: Thu Feb 5 13:18:51 EST 2004
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Lankans' spin plan
