COLOMBO: An LTTE delegation arrived from Kilinochchi at the international airport here on Tuesday, en route to Geneva for the October 28 and 29 talks with the Sri Lanka Government.

Prior to the team flying a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter along with Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar, its leader and political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam S.P. Thamilchelvan said its "agenda" for talks was not yet "decided." His team was prepared to focus attention on the human crisis in the north and east.

The Government proposed a seven-point agenda including "pluralism, democracy, human rights and child recruitment," and said it would not like to be bogged down in the nitty-gritty of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement.

The Co-Chairs of Sri Lanka and Norway, official facilitators of the talks, do not expect any immediate breakthrough. However, they believe, the two sides returning to the negotiating table could lead to a cessation of hostilities and create an atmosphere for political engagement.

An official statement said the Sri Lankan delegation, leaving on Wednesday, would include Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Ferial Ashraff and Rohitha Bogollagama; Peace Secretariat head Palitha Kohona; Gomin Dayasiri, adviser to the President, and the former IGP Chandra Fernando.

Norway intervened to settle the transport issue, which arose following the LTTE's remarks that it was uncertain about Air Force transport to Colombo. The Government, however, assured the security of the LTTE team, the statement said.

TamilNet said the LTTE delegation would also visit Norway after the Geneva talks.

ndications are it intends having a separate meeting with the Co-Chairs. Diplomatic sources said that except the United States, the members of the Co-Chairs could agree to a meeting with the delegation.

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