LTTE Press Release - 10 September 1994

Tamils - a Trans State Nation..

"To us all towns are one, all men our kin.
Life's good comes not from others' gift, nor ill
Man's pains and pains' relief are from within.
Thus have we seen in visions of the wise !."
- Tamil Poem in Purananuru, circa 500 B.C

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Chandrika - LTTE Talks: 1994/95

The International Secretariat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, while welcoming the victory of the People's Alliance at the recent Sri Lankan elections, also announced the readiness of the LTTE to hold unconditional talks with the new government.

Following this, the Sri Lankan government in giving consideration to the fact that the existing embargo on certain essential items like food stuffs, medicines, soap, sanitary towels, kerosene, vegetable oil etc. was both unnecessary and counter-productive and also as a goodwill gesture, lifted the ban on 28 such items among the 44 that were covered earlier.

The LTTE leadership reciprocated this gesture by releasing ten war prisoners through the International Committee of the Red Cross. LTTE leader Velupillai Pirabaharan's willingness for a cease-fire as well as for holding talks without pre-conditions was announced at a Press Conference held in Jaffna.

LTTE spokesman Anton Balasingam made it known at the same conference that Mr.Pirabaharan would meet Prime Minister Chandrika Kumaranatunga for talks, in the event of her visiting Jaffna. This was followed by a formal invitation extended by Mr.Pirabaharan to the Prime Minister to visit Jaffna, through the good offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

It has to be stated however, that more ground needs to be covered in taking the peace process forward. While deciding to lift the state of emergency, the government has chosen to retain emergency powers in the Northeast. The embargo on items like fertiliser needed for productivity in the Northeast remains. The prohibited zones in the sea and on the land are still in operation that hamper fishing and agriculture.

Army activity at Elephant Pass and Pooneryn is making it hazardous for civilian freedom of movement across the peninsula. Minister of State for Defence Anuradha Ratwatte has gone on record saying that should talks fail, a solution has to be found through military means.

But even before the path could be cleared for talks, while there is great expectancy in the air, the army is reported to have made furtive advances in the Pooneryn area, resulting in clashes and loss of lives. Such actions in the absence of a cease-fire could only vitiate the atmosphere required for any peaceful dialogue.

What steps have to be taken next, is a matter for the Sri Lanka government. While Prime Minister Chandrika Kumaranatunga is assured of a warm welcome in Jaffna, the international community has hopes that she will now grasp this opportunity for Peace with realism and goodwill.