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Forum of Federations, Canada meets with Tamilselvan in Kilinochchi.

As a follow up of their earlier discussions with the Political Head, the guests conveyed their reading of the international community thinking on the stalled peace process. They emphasized the inevitable necessity to recommence negotiations, for it is only through dialogue that the necessary steps can be taken first to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the Tamil people and then move forward in the peace process to find lasting peace in the island.

Responding to their wishes and sentiments Mr.Tamilselvan said that the LTTE, conscious of its moral responsibility as an organization that spearheaded the freedom struggle, has submitted the ISGA proposals with a view to first address the urgent humanitarian needs of the people in the war-torn NorthEast, win their confidence, and make them real stake holders in the peace process that would usher lasting peace in their life.

Drawing a fine line of distinction between the ISGA and the fear psychosis in the south relating to the ISGA being a framework for future secession, Mr.Tamilselvan said that institutionalizing the ISGA would rather prevent secession and pave the way for unity and lasting peace. Elaborating further, the Political Head explained that the final resolution of a protracted conflict naturally entails protracted negotiations and therefore time consuming which will aggravate the hardships caused by war rather than alleviate and hence the necessity to setup the interim mechanism first.

When asked by the guests as to what the real impediment is in recommencing the negotiations, Mr.Tamilselvan said that when handing over the ISGA proposals to the facilitators in October last, the LTTE has expressed its readiness to recommence negotiations and that was accepted by the UNF government at that time and it is unfortunate that the change of government resulted in change of stance although the LTTE as one party, has not changed its position and commitment. "It is therefore the government in power that has to, in one voice, convey to the facilitators, its agreement so that Oslo could proceed with the agenda" continued Mr.Tamilselvan.

The guests expressed their solidarity and pledged to support the peace process and its progress in any manner the parties deem fit.

27 August 2004

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