SWITZERLAND: Sri Lanka talks progress with commitment from both sides to return to negotiating table in April.
Record ID:
858220
SWITZERLAND: Sri Lanka talks progress with commitment from both sides to return to negotiating table in April.
- Title: SWITZERLAND: Sri Lanka talks progress with commitment from both sides to return to negotiating table in April.
- Date: 24th February 2006
- Summary: WIDE OF NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM.
- Embargoed: 11th March 2006 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Switzerland
- City:
- Country: Switzerland
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVACBK099OXMBFZQKK9UEPZS9POT
- 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.
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