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Chris Patten in Kilinochchi

Rt. Hon. Mr. Chris Patten, Commissioner in charge of External Relations and the EU team arrived in Kilinochchi by an SLAF helicopter today Wednesday, 26th November at 9.00am. This trip is a part of the EU team's visit to Sri Lanka.

Mr. Chris Patten, in a programmed agenda, met with the Tamil National Leader Mr. V. Prabaharan at the LTTE head quarters in Kilinochchi. He briefed Mr. Prabaharan on the EU stand vis-à-vis the peace process and expressed concern over the current impasse in Colombo politics that has brought about a deadlock situation. Mr. Patten said that he, on behalf of the EU, would request the Tamil leadership to continue with the commitment for peace even in the midst of obstacles that have arisen lately in the Sri Lankan political scenario. He also stressed the necessity to uphold the Cease Fire Agreement in its entirety so that even the meagre dividends of peace are to reach the people.

In responding to Mr. Patten, the Tamil National Leader Mr. Prabaharan assured that the LTTE would continue to work with all parties interested in peace, both locally and internationally. Mr. Prabaharan also told the delegation that the Tamil people who have paid a supreme price during the two decades of war should not be made pawns in the power game that is going on in Colombo, but rather be provided with normalcy in their lives.

Accompanied with Mr. Chris Patten were Mr. Wouter Wilton, Charge d' Affaires, Delegation to Sri Lanka, Mr. Herve Jouanjean, Deputy Director General, External Relations, Ms. Barbara Brandner, Member of Cabinet, Ms. Jette Egelund, Desk Officer for Sri Lanka, Ms. Emma Udwin, Spokesperson.

Associated with Mr.Prabaharan were Mr. S. P. Tamilselvan, Head of the Political Wing, Mr.Tamilenthy, Head of the LTTE Financial Wing and Economic Advisor Dr. Jay Maheswaran.

26 November 2003

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