Petersen to carry President’s message to Prabhakaran
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen who is due in Sri Lanka today in the latest phase of Oslo'speace mission, will carry a message from President Chandrika Kumaratunga to the LTTE leadership, officials said yesterday.
"I would be surprised if there is anything in writing," Norway's special envoy Erik Solheim said adding that he was not sure whether the new message would be vastly different from the previous ones.
Mr. Solheim who arrived ahead of the Norwegian high-powered delegation had a breakfast meeting with LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham at the Airport Garden Hotel yesterday.
Mr. Balasingham proceeded to Kilinochchi for discussions with LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran ahead of his meeting with Mr. Peteresen who will arrive along with his deputy Vidar Helgessen today.
Last week, Japan's Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi during a news conference in Colombo said he had informed the LTTE Political Wing Leader S.P. Thamilselvan that President Chandrika Kumaratunga was willing to discuss the Interim Self-Governing Authority (ISGA) proposal, to which the Tiger political leader had said it had to come through the Norwegian facilitators. Diplomatic sources said there was a misunderstanding over Mr. Akashi carrying a message from the President when it should have been sent through the proper channels.
Mr. Solheim said Norway was keen to push the peace process forward even though "it is difficult to say whether we could thaw the ice." While admitting that it was not possible this time, Mr Solheim said "It is up to the LTTE and the government to decide."
He said even if the President wanted to begin talks with the LTTE, it would not be possible if the JVP which is a formidable component of the government objected. Ahead of his visit, Mr. Petersen also admitted that he hadn't high expectations based on signals received from the parties over recent weeks but added "in difficult times it is even more important to keep engaging with the parties."
Mr Solheim met with Peace Secretariat Chief Jayantha Dhanapala and TNA delegation led by Joseph Pararajasingham. He also met SLMC leaders including Rauff Hakeem yesterday. The Norwegian delegation will meet President Kumaratunga before proceeding to Kilinochchi. They are also expected to meet Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.
