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Thamilselvan declares this week
ISGA non-negotiable, says LTTE
By Chris Kamalendran in Kilinochchi
The LTTE wants its demand for an Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) made a reality before talks on a final settlement to the ethnic issue. It will not consider other proposals of the UPFA Government, Political Wing Chief S. P. Thamilselvan declared.

"We need to first institutionalise the ISGA. While it is in operation, we can talk about a final solution," he told The Sunday Times in an exclusive interview. He insisted, "ISGA is a must" and added, "we will not change our position on that."

Mr. Thamilselvan's remarks would mean the LTTE will not entertain counter proposals which Government Spokesman and Cabinet Minister Mangala Samaraweera, said were now being formulated by officials.

It also runs counter to Government's policy spelt out by Peace Secretariat Chief Jayantha Dhanapala during a visit to Jaffna this week. He said the LTTE had a right to put forward its proposals for an ISGA. Even though the JVP, a major constituent party opposed it, the Government would give it the due regard and consider the proposals.

At the same time, he told the Jaffna-based Uthayan Tamil newspaper that there were several aspects in these proposals which could not be accepted. However, the Government had to accept some. In like manner, the Tigers should also be prepared to consider and debate the alternative proposals of the Government, he said.

Mr. Thamilselvan said the LTTE had not got "any positive response" from the Government so far on its ISGA proposals. He said no "satisfactory answers" had been given and added, "we will stick to our original position."

He said the LTTE proposals for an ISGA had received a mandate from the Tamil people at the April 2 parliamentary elections. "We can only talk of matters governing this mandate. Our leadership is very very firm on this. We cannot comment on proposals the Government is to send us," he said. Commenting on the JVP's campaign against the ISGA proposals, Mr. Thamilselvan said, if President Kumaratunga listens to the JVP, it could lead to a war situation. "The Government should have a clear-cut policy if it wants to solve our problems.

It should not listen to anti-Tamil opinion. It should be firm and it is upto the Government to secure the JVP's support," he said. The JVP, even before it joined the coalition, was talking against the peace process. Knowing the JVP's stand very well, President Kumaratunga yet went ahead to obtain its support, he added.

Mr. Thamilselvan said the LTTE was willing "to find a solution through dialogue" but warned "if a war is forced on us, we have no other option."
See interview

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