DATE=3/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT / L-O
NUMBER=2-260202
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga says
her government will go ahead with peace talks with the
Tamil Tiger rebels, despite last week's bombing, which
killed at east 30 people and wounded more than 60
others. Vandana Chopra has the details from Colombo.
TEXT: Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratuga says
she is determined to take negotiations with the
guerrillas forward, whatever the hurdles. At her first
news conference since surviving an assassination
attempt by a suicide bomber during an election rally
in December, President Kumaratunga said there seems to
be a ray of hope for the talks to resume.
// KUMARATUNGA ACTUALITY //
We are deeply and honestly committed to the democratic
process and we believe even the most violent
organizations -- perhaps at some time, not because
they have seen the light of day, but maybe at least
for practical reasons -- may be compelled to give up
violence.
// END ACTUALITY //
President Kumaratunga says her government will put a
time limit for the talks with the rebels. The last
peace talks were held soon after her government
assumed power in 1994, but broke down after the rebels
blew up two naval gunboats in the eastern port city,
Trincomalee. The latest peace initiative -- forwarded
by Norway -- has raised hopes of the two warring sides
returning to the negotiating table.
// KUMARATUNGA ACTUALITY //
(The) Majority of the Tamil people in this country
want the war to end as much as everybody else and the
only reason why they are supporting the L-T-T-E (Tamil
igers) is because, up till now, no government has yet
given them the constitutional and political guarantees
that will satisfy them. But if we give it, we believe
the support will stop.
The Sri Lankan Government and the main-opposition
United National Party are trying to reach a consensus
on constitutional reforms devolving more powers to the
regions, including one administered by the Tamils in
the north and east. She says she hopes the talks with
the opposition will be concluded by mid-April, after
which the government will present the reform package
to the rebels in a bid to end the long ethnic war.
// KUMARATUNGA ACTUALITY //
Whether the L-T-T-E discusses or not, we are going
ahead with the constitutional process.
// END ACTUALITY //
President Kumaratunga says she is doubtful the rebels
will agree on unconditional talks. Still, she says
the government will agree to a gradual de-escalation
in the war leading to a final withdrawal of the
troops. Tiger rebels have been fighting for a separate
homeland for the minority Tamil community in Sri
Lanka's north and east since 1983. (signed).
NEB / VC / WD
15-Mar-2000 03:38 AM EDT (15-Mar-2000 0838 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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