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Tiger refusal causes political ripples

By  Dilrushi Handunnetti

The refusal by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to sit together with government representatives at a significant foreign aid review meeting held last Friday has caused political ripples as the government has begun to push in earnest the recomme- ncement of peace talks, abandoned in April.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse had charged that despite the arrival of Japanese Special Peace Envoy, Yasushi Akashi to chair the meeting, the LTTE's reluctance only proves that the peace process is far  from being put on track.

Akashi arrived in Colombo last week to chair the meeting held as a sequel to the Japanese aid forum held in Tokyo this June. But the Tigers on Wednesday disassociated themselves from the review meeting and stated that the meeting would be boycotted by them, but invited Akashi to visit the rebel-held Wanni for a separate discussion today (14).

However, opposition parties see this as a negative signal sent out by the LTTE yet again, demanding their pound of flesh. Rajapakse told The Sunday Leader that the government seemed over confident about the resumption of talks. "Attempts have failed so far. Part of the problem is that the core issues have not been dealt with so far, hence the Tigers are not convinced about the seriousness of the UNF's approach," said Rajapakse.

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Leader, Dinesh Gunawardena too was of the view that Akashi's return, though possibly linked to a government effort to recommence talks might not work out. "Aid for the north east was first an issue. Now that the money has come in, still the Tigers don't wish to pursue the path of peace," charged Gunawardena, who said that the peace process was "fundamentally flawed."

The Japanese donor forum in June brought in US $ 4.5 billion aid to rebuild Sri Lanka ravaged by two decades of ethnic conflict.

Akashi made a special visit to Colombo in May to persuade the Tigers to attend the donor conference which pledged considerable financial assistance to rebuild the north east alone, and invited Tiger participation as the "group seeking to administer the north east."

However, Government Spokesman and Constitutinoal Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris went on record saying that the response of the LTTE was the "anticipated one" as they have stayed away from the peace talks  since April.

Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgessen and Special Envoy Erik Solheim will arrive in Colombo on Wednesday to give the stalled peace process a vital push. 

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