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U.S. Welcomes Sri Lankan, Tamil Tiger Commitment to Cease-fire

28 February 2006

Parties reach agreement in Geneva peace negotiations

Washington -- The United States joined Japan, Norway and the European Union (together known as the Co-chairs of the Tokyo Donors’ Conference) in welcoming the renewed commitment by the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to their 2002 cease-fire agreement.

Representatives of the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE met for discussions in Geneva February 22-23 and agreed to halt all violence, killings and activities by armed groups in accordance with the cease-fire agreement.

In a February 28 statement, the co-chairs stressed “the importance of the parties implementing these commitments on the ground so as to build confidence and a conducive environment for progressing towards lasting peace for all peoples of Sri Lanka.”

The two parties have asked the Swiss government to host further peace discussions in Geneva April 19-21.

For additional information on U.S. policy, see East Asia and the Pacific.

Following is the text of the statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
February 28, 2006

MEDIA NOTE

Sri Lanka: Conclusion of Talks in Geneva

The Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donors' Conference (the governments of Japan, Norway, the United States and the European Union) welcome the outcome of the meeting on the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held in Geneva on February 22-23, 2006.

They welcome the renewed commitment from the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to respect and uphold the Ceasefire Agreement, as well as the reconfirmation of their commitment to cooperate fully with and respect the rulings of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). The Co-Chairs welcome the parties' commitment to ensure that there will be no violence, killings, and operations by armed groups, in accordance with the Ceasefire Agreement. The Co-Chairs also note that the parties to the talks discussed issues concerning the welfare of children in the North East, including the recruitment of children.

The Co-chairs stress the importance of the parties implementing these commitments on the ground so as to build confidence and a conducive environment for progressing towards lasting peace for all peoples of Sri Lanka.

The Co-Chairs congratulate both sides on the constructive approach taken and particularly welcome the request by the two parties to the Swiss government for it to host further sessions of talks in Geneva on 19-21 April 2006. The Co-Chairs will continue to do their utmost to help the parties along the road of negotiation.

The Co-Chairs commend the invaluable assistance provided by the Government of Norway in its continued role as facilitator. We stand ready to assist Norway in its efforts to bring about a durable peace in Sri Lanka.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)