15 August 2002
U.S. Welcomes Peace Talks Between Sri Lanka Government and Rebels
(State's Reeker praises Norwegian mediation) (320)
The United States welcomes the announcement that the Sri Lankan
government and rebel Tamil Tigers will hold peace talks in Thailand in
mid-September, Deputy State Department Spokesman Philip Reeker told
reporters August 15.
"We strongly support the process underway in Sri Lanka with the help
of Norwegian mediation to restore peace in the country," Reeker said
at the regular State Department briefing. "A political solution to the
conflict in Sri Lanka, which maintains the country's territorial
integrity, would be welcomed by the international community, including
the United States."
Following is an excerpt from the State Department regular press
briefing August 15, 2002.
(begin excerpt)
QUESTION: I asked you yesterday, Phil, about the Sri Lankan talks with
the Tamil Tigers. Do you have something new on that today?
MR. REEKER: Yes, I checked into the latest developments, and I would
say that the United States welcomes the announcement by Norway that
talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers will take
place in Thailand in mid-September. We strongly support the process
underway in Sri Lanka, with the help of Norwegian mediation, to
restore peace in the country. After almost 20 years of conflict with
the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a ceasefire has been in effect
for several months, and a political solution to the conflict in Sri
Lanka which maintains the country's territorial integrity would be
welcome by the international community, including the United States,
and we urge all parties to continue to work toward that goal.
(end excerpt)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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