EU threatens to ban LTTE as terrorist group
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Sept 27, IRNA
Sri Lanka-EU-LTTE
Threatening to list the LTTE as a terrorist organization, the European Union today said its member states will no longer receive the rebel delegations because of continued violence by Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.
In a sternly worded statement, the EU condemned the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for its continuing use of violence and terrorism," recruitment of children as soldiers and the recent spate of killings, including that of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.
"The pursuit of political goals by such totally unacceptable methods only serves to damage the LTTE's standing and credibility as a negotiating partner and gravely endangers the peace process," the EU statement said, adding it was "actively considering the formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organization."
EU member states will no longer receive rebel delegations while curbs will be imposed on the activities of the LTTE, its sympathizers and allied groups, it said.
The statement also raised the issue of the children abducted by the rebels saying the EU was concerned about "the continuing recruitment and retention of child soldier cadres by the LTTE and reminds them that there can be no excuse whatsoever for this abhorrent practice to continue."
The LTTE is observing a casefire with the Sri Lankan government but has been accused by the Scandinavian truce monitors of violating the four-year-old agreement on several occasions.
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