Clinton asks Lankan govt, LTTE to pick politics over violence

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, Dec 1 (UNI) Stressing the need for a peaceful resolution to the Sri Lankan problem, former US President Bill Clinton today urged the island government and the LTTE to choose politics over violence to reconcile their differences.

'Both parties have to give a little bit to do that,' he told reporters after reviewing tsunami rehabilitation programmes at Thazhanguda village in this coastal district, in his capacity as UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery.

He expressed regret that the kind of work done in India towards tsunami recovery could not be carried out in Sri Lanka as the 'energy has not been constructively directed.' Stating that similar problems existed in other parts of the world, he said an honourable solution had been found even in Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

'Sri Lanka is a country where there is enormous potential. It is a wonderful place. But in the end, people have to choose politics over violence,' he stressed.

Asked how long American troops would stay in Iraq, Mr Clinton said a Commission, comprising leaders of various parties, would make a report to the Iraqi President on December six. The President would have to decide whether to accept the recommendations or not, he said.

He said the United Nations had over the last three years supported the presence of international troops as a way to minimise killings in the country. The elected Government of Iraq had not asked Americans to leave the country yet as they were worried that if this happened, the whole thing would disintegrate.

Hopeful of a regional solution to the Iraqi problem, involving the Arab nations, Mr Clinton said many more countries would be involved if the killings in that country is to be stopped in the short run.

He said even countries not close to the US like Syria and Iran could be persuaded to work together to stabilise Iraq as everbody has an interest in that.

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