Military

DATE=11/01/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=LANKA MEETING (S-O)

NUMBER=2-268712

BYLINE=VIKRAM SINGH

DATELINE=COLOMBO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Sri Lanka, a rebel-controlled radio broadcast claims the leader of the Tamil Tiger separatists has met with a Norwegian Peace Envoy. As Vikram Singh reports from Colombo, Norway is trying to bring the two sides in Sri Lanka's brutal civil war back to the negotiating table.

TEXT: Clandestine radio reports in Sri Lanka say Norwegian Peace Envoy (Eric Solheim) and Norway's ambassador to Sri Lanka have met with Velupillai Prabhakaran, leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

But the reports - heard on the rebel-controlled Voice of Tigers radio - gave no details of the discussions.

Late last year, Norway acknowledged its ongoing efforts to restart peace talks between the government and the rebels in Sri Lanka.

Named as a special envoy, reports say Mr. Solheim retired from the Norwegian Parliament in October to focus on finding a peaceful solution to Sri Lanka's 17-year civil war.

Mr. Solheim reportedly met Tamil separatist officials in London previously, but sources say this is his first meeting with the rebel leader. (SIGNED)

NEB/VS/RAE