"S. P. Thamilchelvan head of LTTE�s political wing, has put more than his two feet in his mouth, by claiming that the vessel destroyed by the Sri Lankan Navy is a merchant vessel, manned by eleven LTTE cadres (experienced officers of the Sea Tigers according to Balansingham) and owned by the LTTE..."

"It is regrettable that the U.S. attacked Iraq without proper endorsement of the U.N. though we are also against the dictatorship of the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, and his not respecting the U.N. resolution. The LTTE is known for violence but we are renouncing it and pursuing the path of peace. Our example should be followed by other countries''

"..at the end of the day it would be better to ensure that US interests and ours converge and that they have a special interest in safeguarding the unity and territorial integrity of this country... Let us work to establish peace but keep our powder dry and have strong friends by our side"

"...On the eve of the talks, speculation was rife that the LTTE would at least stage a token walkout as a mark of protest following the death of 11 cadres in the Mullaitivu incident and this saw both the Norwegian facilitators and Japan's Special Envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi working round the clock to ensure there were no unnecessary hiccups..."

"We are encouraged by the substantive and comprehensive nature of the talks, which focused on such issues as federalism and human rights. Most importantly, we welcome the discussions on ways to improve ceasefire modalities. We hope that these discussions will lead to a cessation of efforts by the LTTE to smuggle arms into Sri Lanka and prevent confrontations such as the one that took place off the northeast coast on March 10..."

"My immediate reaction on reading Balasingham�s comments was a mixture of emotions � disbelief, anger, sadness, agony, frustration, etc. After vilifying Neelan as a traitor and the August 3rd 1995 devolution package as an act of treachery for years the LTTE was now acknowledging the merits of Neelan�s draft "

"We are totally opposed to the reoccupation of lands in the Jaffna municipal area and the setting up of a large military complex in the heart of the city.."

 "We have never had in mind inviting the LTTE or any of its associated organisations to the Washington meeting on April 14. Under US law, it is not possible for us to play host to an organisation on our list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs). The U.S. listing of the LTTE as a FTO will remain in effect until the group renounces terrorism in word and deed."

"President Chandrika Kumaratunga accused U.S. President George W. Bush of adopting double standards by sending American troops to Iraq to wage war and calling Sri Lanka's government to negotiate with the Tamil guerrillas. They (U.S.) are using their full strength to attack Iraq, but treating the LTTE like kittens"

"...Never mind the thousands around the world who stand appalled and disgusted by the US-UK crime against the rule of international law and humanitarian concern, in Iraq (for starters): there remain three personages here, who must in their hearts be hoping for US success."