India to talk with SL Prez on humanitarian aid to Tamils

Chennai, Nov 24: India would discuss with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse during his visit to India on November 26 the need for extending humanitarian assistance to the Tamils in the island, Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and National Security Advisor M K Narayanan said today.

Talking to newspersons after an hour-long discussion on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at the Secretariat here, Mr Menon and Mr Narayanan, when asked about sending humanitarian assistance, said ''the matter needs to be discussed.'' When asked about the demand for sending the humanitarian assistance announced by the Centre through International Red Cross Society, Mr Narayanan said ''as and when India decides to send humanitarian assistance, we will decide the modality on how it should be sent.'' This gave rise to speculations that the humanitarian assistance of rice, sugar and milk powder announced by the Centre, in response to Mr Karunanidhi's appeal last week, was not liked by the island government.

Mr Menon arrived here from Colombo to apprise the Chief Minister of the talks he had with Mr Rajapakse, while Mr Narayanan flew down from New Delhi to join the meeting, which assumed signifance in the backdrop of Mr Rajapakse's impending visit.

That Sri Lanka did not like India sending humanitarian assistance to the Tamils living in the island nation became evident as Mr Narayanan said ''if at all there is a necessity to send humanitarian assistance, we will discuss the modality.'' Asked whether Mr Karunanidhi made any specific suggestion to be conveyed to Mr Rajapakse through the Prime Minister during the India visit, Mr Menon said ''both the Centre and the Tamil Nadu Government have identical views. There is no necessity to discuss anything new.'' Mr Menon, who briefed Mr Karunanidhi about the discussions he had with Mr Rajapakse, said it was part of the regular dialogue between the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, particularly on Sri Lanka.

''We will continue with this as it is an ongoing issue and we carry this forward,'' he added.

Asked about Colombo's reaction to India's concern on the prevailing military situation in the island, Mr Menon said ''let Colombo speak for itself.'' On Mr Karunanidhi's suggestion that it was the right time for India to intervene in the matter, he said India had always been maintaining on finding a solution which meets the aspiration of all people of all ethnicities within the framework of united Sri Lanka and its territorial integrity.

''That is our goal. How we do it is an evolving process and we are consulting among ourselves,'' he added.

UNI

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