International   

LTTE for focus on ceasefire pact

V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has ruled out the possibility of discussing an expansion in the mandate of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) at the Geneva talks, a media report said.

"While the LTTE is willing to consider the need to discuss a larger role for the SLMM, it is not prepared to discuss it at the Geneva talks," to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, the Sudar Oli newspaper reported, quoting "highly-placed LTTE sources."

The LTTE's position gains significance on two counts. The talks are to discuss the "implementation aspects of the ceasefire agreement," and the SLMM monitors the agreement. The issue was agreed upon nearly three years ago at the last round of negotiations between the Government and the LTTE in Japan. The LTTE's position now sidesteps a critical issue of the implementation of the CFA.

SLMM head

The Norwegian government on Tuesday announced a new head of mission for the SLMM. Brigadier Henricsson, a Swede, was named as the head of the SLMM, with effect from April 1, 2006, succeeding Hagrup Haukland, who is a Norwegian.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

"Landmark'' appeal in U.K. against Iraq war
U.S.: port takeover by Dubai firm in hot waters
Royal ravens, now indoors at the Tower
The flight to eternity
Three-year jail term for Holocaust denier
Russia, Iran to continue talks
Iran responds positively to new proposals
LTTE for focus on ceasefire pact
In Japan, finding one's roots is no problem
India's ties with Iran as strong as ever: Ahamed

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu