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Sri Lanka : LTTE rejects new proposals to revive talks |
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The Tamil rebels in Sri Lanka have rejected the Government’s new proposals conveyed through the Norwegian mediators to revive the peace negotiations despite international pressure. The LTTE told newsmen on Dec. 23 that they do not see any real substance in the proposals and consider them an attempt to deflect international public opinion that is building against the Government. An LTTE spokesman said there was no specific mention of the LTTE’s proposal for self-rule.
The Kumaratunga Government had forwarded what was called “a fresh agenda” for future talks to the LTTE through the Norwegian facilitators. The special envoy of Norway, Eric Solheim, handed over the proposals to the LTTE’s political advisor and London-based chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham. Solheim was earlier delivered the proposals to be passed on to the LTTE when he visited Sri Lanka to hold discussions with both Government leaders and the LTTE with regard to the possible resumption of the stalled peace process.
The proposals seek to extract a formal commitment from the rebels that they will honour the sovereignty and integrity of Sri Lanka and not work for a separate Tamil State. In exchange, the Government would no longer insist that peace talks focus on a final settlement before addressing the rebels’ interim demand for broad autonomy in Tamil-dominated areas, sources said. They said, there was no mention in the Government’s latest offer about President Kumaratunga’s demand that elements of a final peace deal must be taken up at the start of negotiations.
Even before the LTTE finally rejected the proposals, analysts were pessimistic that the Tigers would agree to them as they seek a commitment by the rebels not to threaten Sri Lanka’s integrity. This would mean giving up the goal of an independent Tamil State, long a bedrock demand. LTTE supreme V. Prabhakaran last month warned that the “freedom struggle” would be resumed unless Colombo agreed to discuss his plan for an “Interim Self-Governing Authority.” Ever since the Nov. 27 Heroes’ Day speech by the LTTE leader, in which Prabhakaran said there would be no option but to “advance the freedom struggle”, the Tigers have been beating the war drums, particularly in the Northern districts. According to Tamil sources, familiar notes from the past have resurfaced in both Government-held and rebel-controlled areas in northern and eastern Sri Lanka, giving the impression that the situation is gradually sliding to a possible resumption of hostilities.
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