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The call by the United States to renounce violence was openly rejected by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam at the press conference held at the end of Oslo conference of donor nations for the support of Sri Lanka’s peace. The appeal to renounce violence by the Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage was made during the morning ceremonial opening of the sessions . Both Agency reports from Oslo and the Tamil Net, the official news web of the terrorist group, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam quoting rebel negotiator said it was “totally unacceptable” the United States government labeling them terrorists. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is listed under the US law of foreign terrorists with such groups as Al Qaeda. Pointing out that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was committed to a February truce reached between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government Chief negotiator of the terrorist group Anton Balasingham dismissed the call by the US to end the fight for a separate state. He said it was still premature to rule out violence at this stage of the discussions. Anton Balasingham very clearly rejecting the US notion to end the violence, demand for separation and giving up terrorism said, “When the aspirations of our people are met by a political settlement the violence will automatically come to an end.” Earlier Armitage said, “We urge the LTTE to go one step further and add to the commitment a thorough renunciation of terrorism and violence.” He also urged the rebels to accept the sovereignty of the Sri Lanka government over all of the country and respect human rights. Balasingham further said, “Of course we do not agree with Mr. Armitage’s concept of terrorism and violence.” Balasingham further said, “ The American version of characterizing this form of armed struggle as a manifestation of pure violence and terrorism is totally unacceptable” Anton Balasingham also used the US participation as a recognizing factor for his terrorist group the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Priyath Liyanage, the BBC Sinhala language reporter repeatedly broadcast that Balasingham was seated together with the deputy Secretary of state Richard Armitage. Emphasizing on that Balasingham said, “US’s participation here is significant. We are very pleased that he came. He was also there when I had made a statement openly.” But he admitted that he could not have any exchange of opinion with the US official. Hopefully Balasingham said, “ and I think in the course of time the countries that have proscribed the LTTE will review that stand with the progress of the negotiations.” Rauff Hakeem, the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and a government delegate making a statement during the lunch break said the foreign aid for Sri Lanka would certainly depend on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam giving up violence as a means of winning political objectives. Preserving human rights and the implementation of a multi-party polity would be essential conditions attached to the aid, Hakeem said. Hakeem said, the disbursement of funds so received would be done by a committee consisting of 4 members of the government and 4 members of the terrorist group, the LTTE. The further direct talks between the Colombo government and the LTTE will be held between December 2-5 in Oslo. (EOM) (26/11/02 go2lanka.com) |