LTTE demands interim administration

[May 23, 2003 - 10.00 GMT] 

The LTTE yesterday assured its fullest commitment to a permanent political settlement and renounced a military solution. They also appealed to the international community to ensure that the immediate humanitarian and reconstruction needs of the north and east are attended to urgently.

Speaking at a press conference held in Killinochchi, referring to the LTTE’s participation in the Tokyo aid conference, Thamilselvan said it would depend on the conducive environment set up by the Government, as the LTTE believed there was a need for both parties to go to the conference as partners and the LTTE as a legitimate party.

He also said the LTTE leader Prabhakaran during his meeting with the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen last week had pointed out clearly that a mechanism should be established for an interim administration and that the LTTE’s participation in Tokyo would depend upon that move.

“When the LTTE was marginalized during the working out of the ground details of the Washington conference the government has known very well that the LTTE’s participation was vital”, he said referring to the April 13 meeting which the Tigers cited as the main reason for temporarily pulling out of the peace talks and the aid conference.

Thamilselvan said that an effective mechanism needed to be established so that all funding for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and immediate humanitarian needs would be channeled quickly to the people who needed the relief.

He said funds given so far had not reached the people in need and therefore the LTTE wanted a different mechanism this time before more funds came in. He further stated the proposed interim administration might not be in line with the existing Constitution but the LTTE expected the government to go the extra mile.

Meanwhile at a press conference held in Colombo by the main opposition party the Peoples Alliance spokesman Dr. Amunugama said the PA was totally opposed to an interim administration.

Amunugama said that they could not agree to “any agreement outside this sacred document” the constitution. The PA also promised an interim administration, but one within the constitution based on the LTTE’s written renunciation of violence.”

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Last Updated Date: May 23, 2003  - 10 .00 GMT.