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Ready to explore interim political measures: Chandrika

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, JUNE 12. The Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, tonight said her Government was ``willing to explore,'' along with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the ``interim political measures'' relating to development-related issues in the island's Tamil-majority north and east, and initiated a National Advisory Council on Peace and Reconciliation, chaired by her, as the apex body for the peace process.

In a television address, Ms. Kumaratunga admitted that there were differences between Colombo and the Tigers on the agenda of the peace talks, with the latter wanting the talks ``to focus only'' on its proposals to set up an ``interim authority''; while the Government ``indicated the need to engage in discussions on a permanent solution.''

Admitting that ``the two parties have not yet reached an agreement'' on how to proceed, Ms. Kumaratunga said the Government ``will approach the issue'' in a ``principled and prudent manner.'' The Government was ``seeking an effective compromise'' on how to deal with the ``long-term importance'' of a ``lasting settlement.''

The present version of the standoff is the LTTE's position that its self-rule proposals would have to be discussed — a proposition which would be politically difficult for Colombo to accept directly, given the current coalition politics.

Against this backdrop, Ms. Kumaratunga said: ``as a responsible Government'' it was ``willing to explore with the LTTE, interim political measures that can address this need within the contours of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the country.''

The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Ms. Kumaratunga said, ``is making a sustained and serious effort'' to engage the Tigers in ``comprehensive peace negotiations'' which would address the ``grievances'' of the minorities as well as ``fulfil the reasonable aspirations'' of all communities.

Based on the contacts by the Norwegian facilitators between Colombo and the rebels, ``it is clear'' that the both sides were ``committed'' to maintaining the ceasefire and resuming negotiations, the President said.

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