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Special envoy Yasushi Akashi in Kilinochchi

Meeting with the LTTE Political Head

"The international community is seriously concerned about the plight of the people in the NorthEast in the context of their inability to move forward in resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation", said Mr. Yasushi Akashi, the Japanese special envoy in a meeting with Mr. S.P. Tamilselvan, Head of the Political Wing held at the Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi today the 22nd January 2004.

Mr. Yasushi Akashi arrived in Kilinochchi with Mr. Akio Suda, the Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka by an SLAF helicopter. Mr. Akashi congratulated the Political Head for having inaugurated the newly formed Planning and Development Secretariat of the LTTE recently. He also appreciated the wisdom of inviting representatives of the international donor community to Kilinochchi for a workshop that dealt with the future vision of the LTTE regarding Planning and Development in the context of urgent humanitarian needs of the people.

Mr. Tamilselvan explained at length the degree of frustration that the Tamil people are pushed in to because of the ceasefire agreement proposals not being implemented and thereby depriving the people of the NorthEast the dividends of peace, which the other people enjoy. The Political Head drew specific reference to a historical phenomenon that is the deception that the Tamil people met with whenever their national problem was put on-board for negotiations. Continuing further Mr. Tamilselvan said that the Tamil people were very positive this time due to the presence of the international actors in the process. But their hopes have been dashed with the entry of a new political formation consequent to the deadlock between the Executive Head and the Prime minister.

Associated with Mr. Yasushi Akashi were Mr. Akio Suda, the Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Takio Yamada, Director, Southwest Asia Division, Ministry Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kenji Miyata, Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan, Mr. Ryosuke Kamono, Official, Southwest Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. S. Devotta, Local staff.

Speaking to media after the meeting Mr. Akashi said that Japan will continue to extend its support to the peace process and urgent humanitarian needs. When asked to comment on the recent political alliance between the PA and JVP, Mr. Akashi said that the international community is also worried about the outcome this alliance, in that, whether it would add to the complexity of the political confusion. He further said that their anticipation is that the two heads of government sink their difference and will be able to speak with one voice. Mr. Akashi has met with the Prime minister yesterday and scheduled to meet with the President tomorrow.

22 January 2004

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