
Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Returns to Meet Mr. S.P. Tamilselvan
Mr. Vidar Helgesen, Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, visited Killinochchi earlier today (17/05/2003) to meet with Mr. S.P. Tamilselvan. He was accompanied by Mr. Hans Brattskar, Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Mr. Tomas Strangland, Second Secretary. The delegation was welcomed by Mr. S. Thangan, deputy head of the political wing of LTTE and Mr. Puleethevan director of the peace secretariat.
The meeting between Mr.Tamilselvan and Mr.Helgesen lasted more than two hours. Briefing the press after the meeting, Mr.Helgesen said that he was endeavoring to get the stalled peace process re-started and had discussed the matter with the LTTE. He added that the Government of Sri Lanka and the Norwegian facilitators understood and accepted the position of the LTTE. Mr. Helgesen also said that he was engaged in talks with both parties to try and explore ways to implement the request by the LTTE for setting up of a structure with appropriate powers to expedite the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the North and East. Mr. Helgesen is set to return to Killinochchi for further dialogue after discussions with the Government of Sri Lanka.
17 May 2003
|