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" It is correct that the LTTE's Political Advisor, Anton Balasingham has invited the Norwegian side to visit the Wanni. However, there has been no decision on when and how and where", Norwegian Ambassador, Jon Westborg said. According to earlier reports, a Norwegian diplomatic team was to visit the Wanni on a fact-finding mission and the Norwegian government had decided to send a good will team to the Wanni, to pay a courtesy call on LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Sources also confirmed that Balasingham had met new Norwegian Foreign Minister, Thorbjorn Jagland and his Deputy, Raymond Johansen in Oslo last month. He had lengthy discussions with newly appointed special envoy to Sri Lanka, Erik Solheim and Westborg, himself, it is reported. Jagland had also sent a letter to Prabhakaran through Balasingham assuring him of the new Norwegian government's readiness to continue their efforts towards peace in the on-going conflict, the London based Tamil Guardian, reported. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Balasingham has blamed the government and the Buddhist clergy for the loss of momentum of the peace initiative. "The LTTE offered a concrete set of proposals for the creation of a conducive environment for peace talks, which involved a cessation of armed hostilities under international supervision and negotiations with Norwegian assistance. But the government has rejected the LTTE's formula for de-escalation. This is a severe blow for peace", Balasingham said.
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