“The LTTE must renounce violence in word and deed” – US
[March 24, 2003 - 11.00 GMT]

The US Assistant Secretary says the LTTE must “renounce violence in word and deed” before the US takes it off from the list terrorist organisations. Secretary Christina Rocca was responding to a question at a hearing of the House of Represetatives last week, Sri Lankan Embassy in US anouced on Friday.

Rocca was asked if there was a possibility the LTTE would be removed from the list of organisations labelled terrorists, ‘As peace takes hold’ in Sri Lanka and also if  ‘prior behaviour’ would become an issue.

With regard to the on going peace talks she said, “Talks are bound to be complex, time consuming and difficult. All political parties need to cooperate, put aside their differences and work together in pursuit of a settlement”. 

The Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia was testifying at a hearing on ‘The US and South Asia: Challenges and Opportunities for American Policy’ on Thursday March 20.

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Last Updated Date: March 24, 2003  - 11.00 GMT.