Colombo, Aug 17: Sri Lanka's Tamil rebels say peace talks could resume soon after they meet with legal advisers in Paris later this week to draft their response to a government power-sharing offer, a Thai diplomat said today. Thailand's ambassador to Sri Lanka, Jelm Tivayanond, said he met with S P Thamilselvan, the leader of the rebels' political wing, in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi 275 km north of capital Colombo yesterday.
"(Thamilselvan) expressed hope that talks will begin soon after the Paris meeting," Jelm said today.
Peace talks between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels were stalled last April when the rebels withdrew, accusing the government of being slow to resettle thousands of ethnic Tamils displaced in a 19-year civil war.
The rebels have demanded an interim administration to govern the northeast, home to most of the country's 3.2 million Tamils.
Rebel officials are meeting with legal advisers in Paris Aug 21-27 to draft a response to an offer from the government to share power in the area.
Jelm also said he relayed a message to the rebels from Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra offering his country's support in the peace process.
Thaksin addressed Parliament and took part in Buddhist religious observances during a two-day visit to Sri Lanka last week.
Jelm and Thamilselvan also talked about a USD 816,000 aid package from Thailand, pledged for removing mines and reconstructing schools and hospitals in Sri Lanka's northeast, he said.
Bureau Report