LTTE truly deserves terrorist label – Asst. Sec. Boucher [Thursday, June 2, 2006 - 10.30 GMT]

United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher yesterday asserted his country’s firm belief in the LTTE’s share in the recent upsurge of violence and the near breakdown of the Ceasefire Agreement urged the Tigers to renounce violence “in deed as well as in word”.

“For nine years we have had them on our official list of foreign terrorist organizations. They truly deserve the label”, said Boucher speaking to journalists, after his meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa last evening.

“The LTTE must renounce terror in word and deed, stop the violence and recognize that the only solution to the conflict is a political one”, he said, commenting on the LTTE claim of government attacks on Tiger bases. Boucher defended the action taken by the government saying that as a responsible government it has acted with much restraint in the face of atrocities committed by the LTTE.

He further said the US government would talk to other governments to cooperate with the Sri Lankan government in finding ways to stop arms being smuggled into the country.

Stressing that it was upto the government and the LTTE to take the peace process forward the Assistant Secretary said the Co-Chairs were doing their best to push the two parties to the negotiating table.

He also called on the Sri Lankan government to live up to its responsibilities, saying the US has “high expectations of a democratic government”.

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Last Updated Date: June 2, 2006 -10.30 GMT