Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Chandrika not opposed to peace process: Rajapakshe

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Feb. 7. "President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, is not against the peace process. It was she who initiated the process and got Norway to act as a facilitator", Sri Lanka's Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mahinda Rajapakshe, said here today.

Asked if the President was not seen opposing the Prime Minister's peace initiatives, the visiting Sri Lanka Freedom Party leader explained: "At no stage has the President spoken against peace or the talks. She has only called for greater transparency in the process and complained that the Government was not keeping her fully informed of the talks."

He said the current debate and controversy over the on-going talks with the LTTE must be seen in the context of "suspicions" building up in the southern parts on the "reliability of the LTTE and questions on whether it can be trusted". The Janata Vimukti Peramuna had already launched a campaign against the talks and the President was keen that the process must not be derailed. It was the duty of the Government to not only ensure that the process was on track, but also to keep the President and Parliament informed of the progress, so that it could inspire some confidence among the people.

Mr. Rajapakshe, who was in New Delhi and had met the Prime Minister, prominent Ministers and leaders of the Congress, said the decision to let the LTTE run its own broadcast and Norway's handing over of the equipment to the Tamil Tigers, had raised serious concerns. "Even today, in Jaffna, people cannot receive the SLBC broadcast or see Rupavahini television programmes. So questions are being raised in the south, especially because of continued conscription going on and the free movement of LTTE cadres", he said.

The Opposition leader, who was here on a two-day stopover, said the `high security zone' debate was also casting a shadow over the peace process. "It will be so much better and easier if the Government and the LTTE first complete the resettlement in the non-security zones. That will create a congenial atmosphere for more displaced families and the refugees to return home. Even now, we do not see much development taking place in and around Jaffna. The Government must work on these areas first, before discussing the high security zones. After all, the concerns of the armed forces have to be addressed in all seriousness", he argued.

Mr. Rajapakshe said the East was still a `grey area'. Just as the LTTE sought assurances and guarantees from the Government, the Muslims and Sinhalese in the East, and those who should re-settle in the north, expect similar guarantees from the LTTE. They had to be protected from the LTTE, because of its track record.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• High-level team to review HC Bench project
• Depute official to check code violation: Cong. tells EC
• Ex-DGP in court
• Chandrika not opposed to peace process: Rajapakshe
• AIADMK foes must be vigilant: Karunanidhi
• Ilamvazhuthi files bail petition
• Mahendran files papers
• Examination in wealth case continues
• HC dismisses MDMK cadre's jail transfer plea
• Malai. Subramanian retires
• Fernandes meets Vaiko in prison
• SC order won't serve any purpose now: delta ryots

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu