Geneva 2: Window of opportunity for LTTE to enter mainstream politics – Defence spokesman [Wednesday, October 25, 2006 - 11.15 GMT]

The Government is hoping through talks to take the LTTE out of terrorism and into democracy. Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says these talks are the LTTE’s window of opportunity to get into the mainstream of Sri Lankan politics.

The Minister was addressing a press conference in Colombo following the departure of the Government delegation headed by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and the LTTE team for the Geneva 2 talks scheduled for this weekend (October 28, 29). The two sides last met in February in Geneva.

The Government has identified seven issues – Democracy, Multi-party system, Pluralism- accept the social structure that is already existing in Sri Lanka; a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society, Human Rights, Child Recruitment, Development of the North and East and Power Devolution - upon which further talks might centre on. 

This agenda, the Government hopes, would act as a diary that sets the time and the time period to take each of the above concern and resolve.

The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) quotes Minister Rambukwella as saying the talks were not held to appease the LTTE, but in keeping with the Government’s belief that a peaceful negotiated settlement is essential.

The Minister said the Tamil people have real issues and that due to many factors these were left unaddressed. He said the government was keen to resolve these issues and is currently studying various systems, including the Indian Panchayat system. A Government delegation has already to been assigned to India for this purpose.

The Minister further pointed out that the bi-partisan agreement between the main political parties of the country signed on Monday (23^rd) stabilized the country.

Answering a question on whether the LTTE will again attempt to use this period of peace talks for various other purposes such as procure arms, as happened in the past, Minister said, “This time there are strict measures – even shopping is banned.”

Meanwhile the MCNS reports that between yesterday (24^th) and today (25^th) the Government has air-lifted 25,000 kg of essential goods to the people of the North. 10 distribution points have been set up to combat black market racketeers who sell the items at exorbitant prices.

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Last Updated Date: October 25, 2006 -  11.15 GMT