Colombo, Aug 28: Envoys from European Union nations expressed concern today that political slayings blamed on Tamil Tiger rebels were undermining the island's peace bid and asked the guerrillas to resume talks. The heads of mission representing European Union member states said international aid pledged to the island was linked to parallel progress in the island's Norwegian-backed peace process.

They said they expected discussions within the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at an ongoing meeting in Paris to lead to the resumption of peace talks suspended April 21 by the guerrillas. International rights groups as well as the United States have condemned the LTTE over the killings of more than 40 rivals and military informants despite a truce since February last year.

Bureau Report