Colombo, June 20: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rejected Wickremesinghe`s offer to discuss an "interim administrative council" and said they would join talks only when Colombo presents them with a "practical conceptual framework." The LTTE`s London-based chief peace negotiator, Anton Balasingham, late yesterday said the premier had failed to give elaborate details of the latest proposal for an interim council and they would not offer a framework.
"We will insist on a radical overhaul of the entire peace process," Balasingham said in remarks to the pro-rebel tamilnet.com website shortly after Wickremesinghe`s gave his offer in an address broadcast over national radio and TV. "We want a new, redefined agenda. We will discuss this matter with the Norwegian (peace) facilitators," Balasingham said.
In his address to the nation, Wickremesinghe said that the government hoped to establish an interim administrative council in the island`s northeast, conceding a key demand of the Tigers to revive the peace bid.

The talks process have remained deadlocked since April following the LTTE`s demand of an interim council with political powers before a final settlement to the conflict.

Wickremesinghe said that his government was committed to opening negotiations with the Tigers on the proposed council and hoped they would return to the dialogue table.

Bureau Report