'Chances still there to avert a major war in SL'

Colombo, May 23: The Arch Bishop of Jaffna, Rt. Rev. Thomas Soundaranayagam, who held an extensive discussion with LTTE's political wing head, S.P.Thamilselvan in the rebel-held Kilinochchi, expressed optimism that ''chances are still available to avert the country slipping back to a major war.''

Speaking to UNI over the phone yesterday from the Bishop House in the heart of the Jaffna town, the Jaffna Bishop said during the meeting Mr. Thamilselvan had said that the LTTE was prepared to attend the direct talks with the government ''even tomorrow if the government removes the obstacles it had placed in way to commence the talks in Geneva.'' Arch Bishop of Mannar, Rt.Rev. Rayappu Joseph accompanied the Jaffna Bishop to the meeting with the LTTE.

According to the Jaffna Bishop, the LTTE's political wing head had accused the government of carrying out a low intensity war in the North-East while going all out on getting the LTTE banned in various foreign countries, rather than preparing the ground for direct talks to end the conflict.

''I think it all depends on how the government is going to handle the volatile situation. Based on the discussion I had with the LTTE leaders yesterday, I am optimistic even at this eleventh hour that if the government reacts properly, the Tigers will respond positively to avert a major war,'' Rev. Soundaranayagam said.

He said Norway has embarked on yet another fresh bid and highlighted that the proposed meeting between Norway and the LTTE today and later in the week ''will be decisive.'' Norwegian Ambassador, Hans Brattskar, who flew to the Jaffna peninsula and held discussions with the government officials, is scheduled to meet the LTTE's political wing head in Kilinochchi today.

His meeting comes a day before the Norwegian special peace envoy Jon Hanssen Bauer and International Development Minister Erik Solheim are due here on Wednesday, in another bid to revive the stalled peace process.

The peace emissaries are expected to meet top political leaders, Government officials and LTTE leaders during their five-day visit.

Quoting the diplomatic sources, the State-run Daily News reported that 'the only way out of the present tensed situation is for the two sides to sit at the negotiating table and begin talks and stop the continuing cycle of violence.' ''The international community and the facilitators can only extend support and guidance, but it is up to the Government and the LTTE to face the challenge and find their way out,'' the media report quoting the diplomatic sources said.

The Norwegian envoys are coming to Sri Lanka barely a week ahead of the all-important meeting by Sri Lanka's donor Co-chairs in Tokyo on May 30. At this meeting the four co-chairs of the donor community such as the US, the EU, Japan and Norway will review the current situation in Sri Lanka and explore the way to put the peace process back on track.

UNI

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