Lanka, LTTE agreed for unconditional talks early next month

Colombo, Sep 12 (UNI) The Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels have agreed for ''unconditional talks'' early next month in Oslo, according to the Donor Co-chairs.

The Co-chairs -- Norway, the European Union, the US and Japan -- today met in Brussels today to review the deteriorating security situation in the Island nation and its impact on the Norwegian-brokered peace process.

''The Co-Chairs welcome the expression of willingness of the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to come to talks unconditionally as conveyed to the Facilitator,'' the Co-Chairs said in a joint statement after the deliberations.

''The Parties should cease all violence immediately. The Parties should use this opportunity to show maximum flexibility regarding the arrangements to be proposed by the Facilitator. The meeting should take place urgently in Oslo at the beginning of October, to be agreed to by the Parties,'' the statement said, adding that the Co-Chairs would meet at the end of October to review progress of the proposed talks.

When contacted, top Norwegian peace envoy and Minister of International Development, Eric Solheim told UNI over the phone from Brussels that both parties have told him that they are ready for unconditional talks.

''I spoke to President Rajapaksa on Friday and he told me that his government is ready for unconditional talks. We now urge the parties to cease all violence and all forms of attacks,'' Mr Solheim said.

The joint statement accused both the parties of engaging in military ground operations without responding to their repeated ceasefire calls and said the escalation has ''resulted in massive and widespread human suffering, including the abuse of human rights, the displacement of innocent citizens, a humanitarian crisis and an exodus of refugees to India.'' ''The LTTE must abide by all agreements and renounce terrorism and violence. The LTTE must show that it is willing to make the compromises needed for a political solution within a united Sri Lanka. The Government must ensure its military abides by the Ceasefire Agreement and implements the pledges from the Geneva meeting in February 2006,'' the statement said.

''Both parties must stop further violations of fundamental principles of Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. The Co-Chairs condemn the numerous violations, such as the disappearance and feared killings of large number of Muslims in Mutur, the murder of 17 aid workers from the French NGO Action Contre la Faim, the claymore attack on a civilian bus in June and the bombing of the school in Mullaitivu in August,'' the statement pointed out.

The Co-Chairs also said that they expect ''guarantees for the safety of NGO workers and for ensuring access for NGOs and international organisations to help citizens and communities in need of essential humanitarian assistance and valuable reconstruction and development work.'' UNI XC LL HS2259