SWITZERLAND: Sri Lanka talks progress with commitment from both sides to return to negotiating table in April.

Record ID: 858217

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: Sri Lanka talks progress with commitment from both sides to return to negotiating table in April.
  • Date: 24th February 2006
  • Summary: JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 11th March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Switzerland
  • City:
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVACB2794JETGGNIHHG6VEKNXS45
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Sri Lanka's government and Tamil Tiger rebels on Thursday (February
    23) renewed their commitment to a four-year ceasefire and agreed to meet again
    in two months in an effort to stop a return to civil war.
    After two days of talks, their first meeting since 2003, the two sides
    said they would return to Geneva 19-21 to continue discussions o a more
    lasting peace.
    "As the government of Sri Lanka, we have made a positive start in
    the direction for our people of peace for the people of our country", Sri
    Lankan Investment promotion minister Rohitha Bogollagama said at the ending
    press conference of the two day peace talks that took place in the outskirts
    of Geneva.
    Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim, who mediated in the talks, said
    what he called the clear commitment to put a stop to increasing violence was
    the most important result to emerge from the sessions held at a chateau
    outside Geneva.
    "Both parties have agreed to devote everything in their hands to
    put a stop to violence in Sri Lanka and to obey the ceasefire agreement in
    every field, and everybody understands that the delivery of the promises is
    the most important, but I think they're really committed to do that",
    Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim told Reuters TV.
    While saying there was still a long way to go, both sides declared
    themselves happy with the outcome.
    For their part, the Tigers said that they would give strict
    instructions to all military commanders that there be "no acts of
    violence against the Sri Lankan armed forces."
    "The discussions were highly constructive, but at the same time it
    was very intensive, and very crucial and critical issues were discussed, with
    clarity. The nature of violence that erupted recently and to contain that
    violence, and both parties made a serious commitment that the ceasefire
    agreement will be really implemented and that there is pressure on both sides
    to ensure that there shouldn't be any form of violence or killings",
    Tamil chief negotiator Anton Balasingham said.
    The rebels applauded a fresh promise to crack down on paramilitary
    groups, particularly one led by a renegade former Tiger leader, which the
    rebels say have been acting with impunity in army controlled territory.
    Solheim, who noted deep mutual suspicion at the start, told journalists
    that the result was more than he had hoped for.
    Underlining the tensions, the rebels had earlier accused Sri Lanka's
    army of firing on them on Thursday. The army denied the charge.
    Both sides say the other has violated the fragile truce. About 200
    people were killed in December and January.
    The Tigers want a separate homeland for minority Tamils in north and
    east Sri Lanka, where they run a de facto state. They say four years of peace
    have bought them little, and threaten to resume their armed struggle unless
    given wide autonomy.
    GEN/JRC
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