“In view of the situation of uncertainty that has developed regarding the Ceasefire Agreement the Sri Lanka Government and the LTTE should find a solution through negotiations,” American ambassador in Sri Lanka Jeffry Lunstead said on Monday (25), at the American Centre in Colombo.
“While the LTTE should stop killings immediately, the Government should provide security to LTTE cadres residing in government controlled areas.”
The American ambassador made this statement during the course of a media discussion on the projects to be implemented by the American government, parallel to the programme of rebuilding tsunami devastated areas.
The American ambassador said that American financial assistance will not be made available for P-TOMS, since, the rules and regulations governing American financial assistance does not make it possible for it to be granted to a project in which the LTTE is involved.
“Projects are implemented in all areas in Sri Lanka, devastated by the tsunami and those projects will be supervised directly by the American government”, he said.
Enquired as to whether P-TOMS will not face a setback, if financial assistance is not granted, he said that financial assistance is only one aspect of an agreement and that it would not lead to a breakdown of the agreement.
He added that P-TOMS was signed to fulfill the needs of the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE and not as a result of pressures from the international community.
In reply to a query regarding a move to go for war again, the American ambassador said that according to his belief both parties have no intention of going for a war.
Inquired as to whether aid will not be granted in case of a breakdown in the peace process, he said that development projects cannot be continued if there is no peace in the country.
(http://www.dailymirror.lk/2005/07/27/news/2.asp)
No comments:
Post a Comment