Paris, Aug 27: A Tamil Tiger leader from Sri Lanka balked today at the idea of dismantling a guerrilla camp in government-controlled territory that has become a new glitch in efforts to resume peace talks. S P Thamilselvan, a top political leader with the rebel group, insisted that the camp had been set up long ago and does not contravene cease-fire arrangements.

"It is not a question of insisting on keeping the camp," Thamilselvan said in answer to a question.

The camp "has been there for more than five years," Thamilselvan said, speaking through a translator. "We want to maintain the status quo." Thamilselvan heads a delegation of Tigers holding discussions in paris since August 21 in an effort to get derailed peace talks with the Sri Lankan government back on track.

The Tamils' refusal to dismantle the camp has added new strains to a fragile cease-fire, brokered by Norway in February 2002, and created tensions with Norwegian monitors.

Bureau Report