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LTTE
warns of “people’s uprising” LTTE Political wing leader S. P.Thamilselvan directed these charges and warned of its consequences during a meeting with Japan's Special Peace Envoy Yasushi Akashi in Kilinochchi yesterday. He did not spell out what he meant by the situation "turning worse" except to add that the guerrillas would not be able to prevent an "uprising of our people". Whether this meant a veiled ultimatum to pull out of the ceasefire and restart the war or suspend its ongoing dialogue with the government through Norway is not immediately clear. However, Mr. Thamilselvan's remarks come as the two-day Sri Lanka Development Forum -- former Sri Lanka aid club of donors -- meeting begins tomorrow in Kandy to review the country's case for aid. More than 120 representatives from donor countries, lending agencies and observers are expected to attend the sessions to be inaugurated by President Chandrika Kumaratunga. Mr. Thamilselvan also criticised the government's failure to establish the proposed joint mechanism for tsunami recovery. He said the conflict within the government and opposition from various parties were causing the problem. He however, did not identify these parties. Though media reports claimed India was opposed to the joint mechanism, there was no official confirmation. A statement from the Indian High Commission said Norway's Special Envoy Erik Solheim had briefed Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran in New Dehlhi on Norway's role in facilitating the establishment of a three-tier joint mechanism in the North and East of the island for delivery of relief and reconstruction aid to the tsunami affected area along the coast. The mechanism would include representatives of the Sri Lankan government, the LTTE and representatives of the Muslim and Sinhala communities. The statement, however, remained silent on the Indian stance except to say Mr. Saran reiterated India's firm commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Mr.Akashi reportedly told Mr. Thamilselvan that "the government and the LTTE have equal responsibility in upholding the CFA with commitment and integrity, for it is the key to the entire peace process". Mr. Akashi said he was hopeful that the government would sign the Joint Mechanism in a couple of weeks and that would enable the international donor community to address post-tsunami reconstruction efforts with confidence. Meanwhile Mr. Akashi told a news conference in Colombo last evening that as the donor conference and the Joint Mechanism were related, the collapse of talks on this subject would be a major drawback to effective aid distribution. "The breakdown of negotiations leading to the establishment of a Joint Mechanism will be a major blow to all concerned, particularly to the Sri Lankan people who have every right to expect speediest possible and most effective delivery of assistance," he said. "The lack of a Joint Mechanism is certainly a major handicap but however in its absence the donor countries and the Government together will have to find alternative means of delivering assistance." "The donor forum and the Joint Mechanism are related to each other. Their subject matters are quite similar but the Joint Mechanism will be quite specifically focused on the course of tsunami assistance." Praising President Kumaratunga for her strong leadership and courage, the special envoy said she would take a decision on the Joint Mechanism in the near future. "The time for a decision is near. It will not be easy but I have every expectation that with great wisdom President Kumaratunga will make the right decision after consultation with various groups," he said. However, the peace ambassador insisted that they should not be complacent about the state of no war, as it did not mean real peace. He said that setting up of the joint mechanism was solely at the will of Sri Lanka. Mr. Akashi said his talks with Mr. Thamilselvan in Killinochchi were "fruitful and extensive." "We expressed serious concern about political killings in the East. He expressed his dismay over the lack of improvement in the lives of the people of the North and East under the LTTE. He looked at the situation with some concern and apprehension and emphasised the need for us to strengthen the ceasefire agreement," he said. Mr. Akashi pledged that the international community would continue to be actively engaged without "interfering in the domestic affairs of Sri Lanka." "Although Mr. Thamilselvan did not specifically mention how the LTTE felt about not being invited for the donor conference, it was watching the development in the South with keen interest. It is up to the Government to decide on who should be invited and I respect whatever judgement the Government takes but there are really good reasons to invite the LTTE," the envoy said.
JVP avoids reference to JM JVP leader Somawansa Amerasinghe and his party colleagues made no reference to the issue during a ceremony held to mark the 40th anniversary of the party. An exhibition titled Didulambara" was opened in Colombo to mark the event. But Amerasinghe said his party members would even go to the extent of sacrificing their lives to safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. The remark was interpreted by political analysts to be aimed at the President’s declared intentions to move towards the Joint Mechanism. |
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