“UNHCR’s priority is settling the IDP’s in their natural habitats”
“The urgency with which the IDP’s should be re-settled in their natural habitats notwithstanding, the UNHCR nonetheless recognizes the necessity to bring about the political changes required to put in place security measures that would guarantee the safety and dignity of the people who have been displaced now for decades together and this calls for attitudinal changes and understanding of the human tragedy involved” observed Mr. Antonio Guterres, UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees when he met with the LTTE Political Head Mr.S.P.Tamilselvan in the Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi today 26 July 2006.
 Mr.Tamilselvan assured to the High Commissioner that the LTTE has a long history of constructive engagement with the UN’s Refugee Agency in view of its exemplary role during many displacements during the last two decades and would continue extending wholehearted support to all endeavors to achieve the noble objective of resettling the IDP’s who are languishing in refugee camps and welfare centers under squalid and trying conditions. 
Commenting on the HC’s suggestion that steps should be taken to recommence the political negotiations since that is the key to find a lasting solution to the simmering conflict, Mr.Tamilselvan said that the LTTE has in fact gone the extra mile by continuing with its commitment to the CFA and by extension its yearning for a negotiated political resolution in spite of the government military’s adamant refusal to adhere to the stipulations in CFA relating to restoring normalcy to a people living perpetually under a hostile military occupation. The key to restart the political process, Mr. Tamilselvan reiterated , is in the hands of the government and it is the responsibility of the government to demonstrate its will and commitment by implementing the internationally supported CFA and cause delivery of the basic peace dividend to the Tamil people and thereby build confidence and create a positive atmosphere free of military oppression that would take the parties to the table. Responding to the HC’s concern over the increasing number of refugees who undertake a hazardous sea journey to India, Mr.Tamilselvan said that these are people who are subject to military violence in the occupied areas and cannot make their way to LTTE administered territory due to military constraints and therefore venture on the dangerous trip across the sea.
26 July 2006
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Europe which has a total population of 800 million is made up of 45 language based nation states. South Asia which has a total population of one billion, (1000 million) is comprised of four states. Who is preventing and therefore benefiting by limiting new nation-states in South Asia?
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