|
|
|
 |
 |
|||
The third session of the first round of peace talks opened Monday (December 2, 2002) afternoon at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in central Oslo where most of the delegates were staying. The Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on Wednesday continued discussions on a power-sharing deal that aims at solving the core issues of the national question, the Government's Chief Negotiator at the peace talks Minister Professor G.L Peiris said. He said the negotiating teams were aiming to "finalise a framework for a political solution". The Chief Negotiator for the LTTE Anton Balasingham said they had for the first time taken up the question of a federal framework that could form the basis of a final political settlement. (Daily News, December 5, 2002) Balasingham said that his leader's statement had ‘set the framework for the core issues to be dealt with.’ “We are seeking regional autonomy within a united, integral Sri Lanka,” he said. The first and second sessions of the peace talks concentrated on defusing the existing tensions between the two sides and highlighted issues of rehabilitation and reconstruction. The first meeting of the Third Session took stock of developments on the ground following the establishment of the Sub-committee on De-escalation and Normalization, as well as addressed other related matters, including law and order situation. (Peace Secretariat) The participants noted the
progress achieved thus far in resolving mutual security concerns, and
discussed ways and means of furthering their cooperation, particularly in
the Jaffna peninsula. It was noted that in the Eastern Province, many
positive developments are taking place following the meetings of the
district committees of the Sub-Committee. The report of the Sub-committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North and East was taken up for consideration. Matters relating to the establishment of the Secretariat, North-East Reconstruction Fund and related issues received attention. At the third meeting, the two parties discussed political matters. The principles and operational modalities of the Sub-committee on Political Matters were also considered. Further, it was agreed to set up a Sub-committee on Gender Issues, in order to address issues relating to women in the context of the peace process. The discussions will be spread over six sessions and will
end with a press conference today.
|
Today's Stories
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contact Information: Send mail to 