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Formal truce MoU yet to be finalised: LTTE
Tamil Tiger rebels have said that no Memorandum of Understanding between them and the Sri Lankan government has been finalised so far.
Tamil Tiger rebels have said that no Memorandum of Understanding between them and the Sri Lankan government has been finalised so far.
Speaking to the local daily 'Uthayan' from London Sunday night, LTTE's chief negotiator and political advisor Anton Balasingham said what all has appeared in the media was nothing but 'mere drafts’ which necessarily needed modifications.
Lots of changes had to be incorporated in the 'so-called draft' prepared by the Norwegian peace delegation, said Balasingham while admitting that were a couple of 'problematic issues' that delayed the finalising of the MoU.
The Norwegian embassy here too has said parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka and the Norwegian government 'were working' on a cease-fire agreement.
The LTTE has demanded free movement of its cadres in government-held territories in the north-east, total relaxation on fishing ban and free movement in the seas besides as to 'who would sign the MoU', to be included in the 'package'.
''A concrete and lasting agreement is unavoidably imperative and is a pre-requisite. It is more important that the agreement should include the free access of the military-controlled areas in the north-east to the LTTE cadre,'' he said. Balasingham added that ''we are ready to open the a Jaffna-Kandy Main Supply Route (MSR) on February 15, which initially would allow transportation only upto Kilinochchi from Vavuniya. The total utilisation of the a MSR from Vavuniya to Jaffna through Elephant Pass would be possible only after reaching the final agreement.''
Meanwhile, the Norwegian embassy in Colombo Sunday night in a statement said parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka and the Norwegian government were working on a ceasefire agreement.
''Various drafts of different characters have been subject to discussions with the parties. In light of the fact that parts of a draft has been circulated to the media, the Norwegian government would like to make it clear that no formal proposal so far has been presented to the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE,'' said the statement.
Bureau Report
Lots of changes had to be incorporated in the 'so-called draft' prepared by the Norwegian peace delegation, said Balasingham while admitting that were a couple of 'problematic issues' that delayed the finalising of the MoU.
The Norwegian embassy here too has said parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka and the Norwegian government 'were working' on a cease-fire agreement.
The LTTE has demanded free movement of its cadres in government-held territories in the north-east, total relaxation on fishing ban and free movement in the seas besides as to 'who would sign the MoU', to be included in the 'package'.
''A concrete and lasting agreement is unavoidably imperative and is a pre-requisite. It is more important that the agreement should include the free access of the military-controlled areas in the north-east to the LTTE cadre,'' he said. Balasingham added that ''we are ready to open the a Jaffna-Kandy Main Supply Route (MSR) on February 15, which initially would allow transportation only upto Kilinochchi from Vavuniya. The total utilisation of the a MSR from Vavuniya to Jaffna through Elephant Pass would be possible only after reaching the final agreement.''
Meanwhile, the Norwegian embassy in Colombo Sunday night in a statement said parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka and the Norwegian government were working on a ceasefire agreement.
''Various drafts of different characters have been subject to discussions with the parties. In light of the fact that parts of a draft has been circulated to the media, the Norwegian government would like to make it clear that no formal proposal so far has been presented to the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE,'' said the statement.
Bureau Report