05-30-2004, 07:13 AM
'No engagement with LTTE'
<b>By V.S. Sambandan
The Hindu</b>
COLOMBO, MAY 25. India said today that it was willing to carry out reconstruction work in the "uncleared areas" of Sri Lanka, which are under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), but asserted that it would not have any engagement with the Tigers.
India "would be happy to carry out reconstruction in the uncleared areas if we are welcome there," New Delhi's envoy in Colombo, Nirupam Sen, said here.
Elaborating on his observation, made at a function organised by the Indian Cultural Centre, Mr. Sen told journalists subsequently that "it is not necessary for the Government of India to talk to the LTTE," which was banned for a further two-year period last week.
India's assistance would be based on the requirements of the Sri Lankan Government, he said and saw a role for the private and public sectors in the reconstruction of the north-east as a part of its ongoing support to the people of the island-nation. While New Delhi's ban expressly prohibits Indian public servants from interacting with the Tigers, the status of Indian corporate entities with overseas operations remains untested.
The LTTE-controlled areas in Sri Lanka include parts of Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Mannar and the Jaffna Peninsula in the north and parts of the three eastern districts — Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Amparai.
The LTTE, which has its own administrative apparatus in areas under its control, insists that all development work be channelled through its divisions. One of the reasons for the collapse of the peace talks between the previous Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE was the access to development funds, with the latter wanting a direct route to the finances for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the north-east.
Earlier, handing over a gift of musical instruments to the Society for the Development of Traditional Arts, based in Jaffna's suburb, Nallur, Mr. Sen said the move was in the spirit of "solidarity with Sri Lanka" as enunciated by the new Indian Government's common minimum programme. Reiterating New Delhi's position on a peaceful settlement to the island's decades-long separatist struggle, Mr. Sen said the two countries would "continue to work together" in a spirit of solidarity.
<b>By V.S. Sambandan
The Hindu</b>
COLOMBO, MAY 25. India said today that it was willing to carry out reconstruction work in the "uncleared areas" of Sri Lanka, which are under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), but asserted that it would not have any engagement with the Tigers.
India "would be happy to carry out reconstruction in the uncleared areas if we are welcome there," New Delhi's envoy in Colombo, Nirupam Sen, said here.
Elaborating on his observation, made at a function organised by the Indian Cultural Centre, Mr. Sen told journalists subsequently that "it is not necessary for the Government of India to talk to the LTTE," which was banned for a further two-year period last week.
India's assistance would be based on the requirements of the Sri Lankan Government, he said and saw a role for the private and public sectors in the reconstruction of the north-east as a part of its ongoing support to the people of the island-nation. While New Delhi's ban expressly prohibits Indian public servants from interacting with the Tigers, the status of Indian corporate entities with overseas operations remains untested.
The LTTE-controlled areas in Sri Lanka include parts of Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Mannar and the Jaffna Peninsula in the north and parts of the three eastern districts — Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Amparai.
The LTTE, which has its own administrative apparatus in areas under its control, insists that all development work be channelled through its divisions. One of the reasons for the collapse of the peace talks between the previous Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE was the access to development funds, with the latter wanting a direct route to the finances for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the north-east.
Earlier, handing over a gift of musical instruments to the Society for the Development of Traditional Arts, based in Jaffna's suburb, Nallur, Mr. Sen said the move was in the spirit of "solidarity with Sri Lanka" as enunciated by the new Indian Government's common minimum programme. Reiterating New Delhi's position on a peaceful settlement to the island's decades-long separatist struggle, Mr. Sen said the two countries would "continue to work together" in a spirit of solidarity.
<span style='font-size:20pt;line-height:100%'>Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.</span>