<b>America offers support for Sri Lanka's Peace initiatives</b>

President Bush welcomed Sri Lankan Prime Minister's peace initiatives, supported by the Norwegian government, to bring the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to the negotiating table.

In a press briefing the Presidential spokesman Ari Fleischer said, "the President met with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, where they discussed." He also said that the President expressed his appreciation for Sri Lanka's strong democratic tradition.

Ari Fleischer added, "the President offered American support for Sri Lanka's pursuit of peace in this endeavor, and economic development and proposed to send several teams to assess how best we can work together in those areas."

The President and the Prime Minister welcomed the intent of the Peace Corps to return to Sri Lanka as soon as conditions permit.