Outlining a firm negotiation strategy, Sri Lanka on Thursday said it would consider removal of ban on LTTE only if the rebel group agreed to a date for commencement of direct talks, and insist on inclusion of core political issues in the peace talks agenda. "The government is prepared to give its mind to the issue (of lifting the ban), but only in the context of a firm date for talks to commence. Some action can be taken when there is a clear date on which talks will begin," Cabinet spokesman G L Peiris told reporters.
The Tigers have laid down de-proscription as a pre-condition for entering into face-to-face negotiations, which may take place in late June or early July in Thailand.
This is the first time that the government has clearly linked the LTTE's demand for pre-talks legitimisation with a date for talks.
Peiris said Norwegian peace facilitators were working on finalising dates and preparing an agenda for talks, and confirmed that the government wanted the entire gamut of issues relating to the resolution of the conflict to be included in the agenda. "The entire range of issues should be included; of course, priority should be given to some issues, and within that range, we will select matters to be taken up early, and others that can be taken up at a later stage," he said. Bureau Report