End violence, stop child recruitment: US tells LTTE

The US Government has once again called on the LTTE to end violence against "political opponents" and to cease the recruitment of child-soldiers, while urging both the Government of Sri Lanka and the rebel group to seek a negotiated settlement based on the Oslo Declaration.

The call comes after a meeting between Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Armitage in Washington D.C. on Friday. A US State Department press release stated that President (Chandrika) Kumaratunga had shown flexibility in her proposals to renew discussions with the LTTE.

"Further delay in restarting negotiations can only damage the interests of all Sri Lankans who stand to gain from a return to real peace", the release adds.

The release referred to the need for negotiations towards an equitable and long-lasting resolution to the conflict through the Oslo Declaration, a reference political analysts here say is different to the LTTE's current position that negotiations must begin with the ISGA.

(http://www.sundaytimes.lk/041003/news/10.html)