Colombo, Sept 10: Tamil Tiger guerrillas today said they will boycott a international meeting called by Japan's special peace envoy to the island, Yasushi Akashi. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they will stay away from Friday's meeting to review progress since a June meeting in Tokyo when international donors pledged 4.5 billion dollars aid to rebuild Sri Lanka.

However, they said they would meet Akashi separately on Sunday. Akashi had invited representatives from the Sri Lankan government, diplomats from India, US, European Union member states and representatives of UN agencies, the World Bank and the ADB to participate in the meeting. Akashi, who is expected here tomorrow on a six-day visit, was expected to help revive the island's troubled peace bid aimed at ending three decades of ethnic bloodshed which has claimed over 60,000 lives.

His visit will be followed by another high level diplomatic mission by peacebroker Norway. Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen and special envoy Erik Solheim -- the two key figures in the peace process on the Norwegian sides -- are expected here on September 17 on a three-day visit. They are also expected to hold talks with the Tigers on reviving the peace process put on hold by the guerrillas since April.

Bureau Report