The Hindu : National : ``Provide aid to Sri Lanka''

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 09, 2007
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``Provide aid to Sri Lanka''

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India on Monday urged the United Progressive Alliance Government to extend humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, where people in the north and east are caught in the crossfire between the army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

There was a severe shortage of essential commodities and medicines, and prices were rising, CPI national secretary said during a briefing here by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the situation in the neighbourhood.

Mr. Mukherjee said New Delhi had already sent relief and would examine how more could be provided.

The CPI leader said he endorsed the government view that only talks, and not military action, would lead to a solution of the ethnic problem on the island.

As for Pakistan, the party was for carrying forward the peace process. "The world must know that India stands committed to talks," Mr. Raja said.

The Government was watching the developments in Bangladesh, where the Awami League-led alliance had decided to boycott the general elections due later this month, and the transitional phase in Nepal following the agreement between the seven-party alliance and Maoists, Mr. Raja said.

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