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JTF issues to top second round agenda
From Anthony David in Nakorn Pathom, Thailand
The formulation of modalities for a Joint Task Force (JTF) to tackle thorny military and civilian issues will form the most crucial item on the agenda for Thursday's second round of peace talks between the Government and the LTTE in this 70-acre lush tropical Rose Gardens Resort, 32 kilometres west of Bangkok.

Comprising three members from each side, the Joint Task Force will for the first time be called upon to address the question of re-settling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the sprawling High Security Zone (HSZ) encompassing the Security Forces Headquarters Complex in Palaly.

For the Government, concerns of the Security Forces over the shrinking of the HSZ and the consequent vulnerability of security installations have become an important issue. On the other, for the LTTE, re-settlement of more than 70,000 IDPs is high on its list of priorities.

In this regard, the talks will focus on identifying guidelines for the Joint Task Force to formulate how the re-settlement programme should be carried out. For this purpose, the JTF is to comprise both civilian and military representatives from the Government side. It is likely that the LTTE will also name representatives from its own military wing apart from those on its political section.

The Norwegian facilitators led by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen held talks in the Wanni with LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham on the broader concepts of the Joint Task Force. It had been agreed that elaborate discussions on its tasks and guidelines should be held at Thursday's peace talks. In addition, human rights issues and the ongoing demining programmes will also feature in the discussions.

The Norwegian facilitators have already briefed UNF Government leaders on their talks with the LTTE in Wanni. However, such a briefing to President Chandrika Kumaratunga, did not materialise. According to diplomatic sources, the Norwegians had sought , at very short notice, a Wednesday appointment at 7 p.m. President Kumaratunga, however, was unable to accept it. Hence, Norwegian Ambassador Jon Westborg will meet her tomorrow to brief her.

Whilst Mr. Helgesen flew from Colombo to London, Erik Solheim, a member of the facilitation team, arrived here to check out facilities and arrangements for Thursday's talks.

With only three days to go, security precautions have already gone into place in this upmarket tropical resort, along the banks of the picturesque Ta Chine River. Not taking chances after the recent Bali bomb explosions, sniffer dogs have gone through the immaculately manicured lawns of this 193-room hotel which boasts of family style suites, lakeside motels and ancient Thai teak houses.

The shift in venue from the high security Sattahip Naval Base had come at the request of LTTE Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham. Saying he required quicker medical attention during an emergency, he had requested Norwegian facilitators for a change. Sattahip is located 180 kilometres from Bangkok, more than an hour's drive as against twenty minutes from Nakorn.

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