Colombo, Sept 12: Tamil Tiger rebels today
boycotted a key international aid meet called here by Japan to
review the progress since foreign donors pledged 4.5 billion
dollars to rebuild Sri Lanka.
Japan's special envoy Yasushi Akashi, who headed the
meeting, attended by 12 countries and seven international
agencies, said the donors pledged to spend over 4.5 billion
dollars to rebuild Sri Lanka despite setbacks in the peace
process.
He said the donors were "disappointed" that the LTTE
boycotted meeting, but were "cautiously optimistic" that the
island nation could eventually have durable peace. "We hope
they will be able to restart the peace process soon."
India, which kept away from the meeting, had made it
clear that it cannot attend at a high level any forum where
Tamil Tiger rebels would be present.
"It is a question of sending a message that our
participation or otherwise would not depend on the tigers," an
Indian diplomatic source said. "We support the peace process
and we do it in so many ways without a big song or dance."
Bureau Report
