Armitage
explains LTTE’s exclusion from Washington Seminar
[April
17, 2003 - 8.00 GMT]
Deputy Secretary of State
Richard Armitage in his opening remarks, at the April 15 Washington seminar
on Sri Lanka said United States was encouraged by the recent behavior of the
LTTE, it did not yet see a rationale for lifting the designation as a
foreign terrorist organization.
Armitage said
“Our position is crystal clear. The LTTE must unequivocally renounce
terrorism in word and deed if we are to consider withdrawing the
designation. I think it is fair to say that with the way the current
negotiations are going, the United States can see a future for the LTTE as a
legitimate political organization, but it is still up to the LTTE to change
the situation. It is up to them to demonstrate that they are capable and
worthy of such legitimacy,”
Richard Armitage did
however say “I know the Tigers are unhappy
about their exclusion today, but let me explain their absence. The United
States placed the LTTE on our list of foreign terrorist organizations back
in 1997. That designation carries with it legal restrictions including a
prohibition on issuing visas to the members of the organization for entry
into the United States”.
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Last Updated
Date: April 17, 2003 - 8.00
GMT. |
