LTTE for self-governing authority
[November 3, 2003 - 10.45 GMT]

The LTTE ‘s much-anticipated proposals were out in the open on Saturday November 1. The new buzz phrase is an Interim Self Governing Authority [ISGA]. The LTTE suggests the ISGA should administer the Northeast. The authority should be in place till a final solution is reached or a period of five years which ever happens first. 

The precisely worded eight-page document was given to the government via the Norwegian envoy Hans Brattskar on Friday 31 October. The LTTE envisages that the ISGA has total control over law and order, finance, trade and the right to negotiate foreign funding.

The LTTE suggests the management of natural resources, including to all marine and offshore resources and control over the sea be vested with them.

The LTTE is now willing to resume talks which it unilaterally suspended in April this year. Both parties have asked the Norwegian facilitators to arrange a meeting. It was not clear when such a meeting would take place or where.

Reactions

The first government response came from Prof. G.L. Peiris, who said  “while the disparities between the positions of the parties are evident, the government is convinced that the way forward lies through direct discussion of the issues arising from both sets of proposals.” It was an admission that the LTTE’s vision differed fundamentally from the proposals submitted by the government.

Reactions from other political groups were lukewarm. Minister of Muslim Affairs Rauff Hakeem rejected the proposals saying they do not reflect the aspirations of the Muslim community.

An official comment from President Chandrika Kumaratunga on the proposals is expected within the week.

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Last Updated Date: November 3, 2003  -10.45 GMT.