<b>Peace talks back on track </b>

The Sunday Leader

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has outlined its position to Oslo on the envisaged preliminary round of talks scheduled to be held in Thailand with the Sri Lankan government.

The LTTE stance was disclosed in detail by its political strategist and chief negotiator Anton Balasingham to a visiting Norwegian delegation in London on July 15.

Following these talks, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was briefed of the LTTE thinking by Norway’s Ambassador in Colombo Jon Westborg. After the briefing, Wickremesinghe directed Defence Secretary Austin Fernando to visit Jaffna on Friday and ensure troop withdrawals be carried out before August 2 in terms of the MoU from places of religious worship, schools and public buildings.

The Norwegian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgessen comprised Erik Solheim, the special advisor to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry and Ms. Lisa Gold, an executive officer attached to the ministry.

The three hour meeting from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm described as “constructive and cordial” by knowledgeable sources , hinged around a number of issues pertaining to the Tiger viewpoint on the current politico - military situation in Sri Lanka and the LTTE position on forthcoming talks in Thailand.

Courtesy - The Sunday Leadrer