
SLMM delegation meets with Mr. Tamilselvan
A team of officials from the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission headed by General Tryggve Tellefsen had discussions with Mr. S.P. Tamilselvan, head of the Political Wing of the LTTE. The SLMM delegation comprised of General Tellefsen (Head of Mission), Ms. Agnes Bragadottir (Spokeswoman), Mr.Mikael Heinrichs (From SLMM Head office), Mr. Erik Vollen ( Personal Assistant of HoM) and Mr. Nils (from the SLMM Liason Office in Kilinochchi)
During the meeting which lasted almost two hours, the LTTE highlighted the recent increase in the arrest of LTTE cadres by the Sri Lanka Police and Security Forces and that the detention of LTTE cadres was of serious concern to the LTTE. In response, the SLMM officials put forward the Government of Sri Lanka perspectives on the issue. Mr. Tamilselvan reiterated that these incidents of arrests and detention of LTTE members is likely to lead to confrontation and escalating tension. "LTTE made its position clear and requested that SLMM take charge of allegations of ceasefire violations on both sides and deal with it in an appropriate manner. Irrespective of which side has committed violations, it was the role of the SLMM to investigate and institute remedial actions. This would be the only way to avoid the arrests of personnel by either side", Mr. Tamilselvan said at the meeting. LTTE also raised the issue of free movement in the seas under its control. LTTE has a right to conduct training exercises in these territories and any attempt by the Sri Lanka Navy to enter these areas and attempt to interfere in the activities of the LTTE would inevitably lead to crisis, confrontation and could seriously escalate into the resumption of hostilities. These views were conveyed to the SLMM at this meeting. In addition, the failing law and order situation in the government controlled areas in the North and East were discussed. Numerous murders and robberies have taken place in recent times in these areas and the LTTE had indicated that the SLMM has to insist on the preservation of law and order. Arrangements for the movement of SLMM personnel in LTTE controlled areas were also reviewed and recommendations put in place at this meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, General Tellefsen, Head of SLMM, made the following comments. "I just concluded the meeting with Mr. Tamilselvan and it is always pleasure for me to sit down with him and discusse important issues, related to the Ceasefire Agreement and exchange views and ideas about how to improve our working relationship and I have also told him the SLMM is getting some additional monitors making us even more capable in supporting the two parties in this conflict."
13 June 2003
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