Colombo, Sri Lanka: LTTE has reiterated that there are no opportunities to resume peace talks until the government observes the CFA, and takes concrete measures to implement the agreement reached to disarm the paramilitary groups operating in the North-East.

Sources close to the LTTE leadership revealed this in response to the appeal made by the Government Peace Secretariat to the LTTE to return to the negotiating table.

“The government has launched an undeclared war on the Tamil home land, North-East and unleashed violence on the innocent Tamil civilians. In the midst of such sufferings of the Tamils, how can we sit at a table with the government representatives and talk peace?� The LTTE. Has asked.

There is a fear that a war may break out any moment and that it would lead to country’s ruin. The only way out is to commence talks forthwith but, it is essential that a congenial atmosphere is created in the country befoe the commencement of talks .

It is but political hypocrisy for the government to invite the LTTE for talks while a low intensity war is unleashed in the North-East. If south is earnest about peace talks, it should take certain initiatives in phases.

The government must put an end to the low intensity war on the people and the LTTE in their homeland, North-East. The paramilitary group operating in the North-East must be disarmed.

The government must express its commitment to the Ceasefire Agreement and to the agreement at the last Geneva Talks and take meaningful steps to implement them.

The government must stop all its activities that violate the CFA, namely, the air strikes, harassment of innocent Tamil civilians, ban on the transport of essential commodities to the North-East, etc.

The government must give up the false propaganda against the LTTE in order to divert the attention of the International community from its atrocities committed in the North-East and ensure that the LTTE could engage in political activities in the North-East.

On top of all that the government must disassociate itself from its allies, the Chauvinistic forces of the south blocking negotiated settlement.

These will pave way for negotiations.

An English translation of the Editorial in Sudar Oli, a Tamil National daily, based in Colombo

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