LTTE indicates readiness for ceasefire

Colombo, Nov 9 (PTI) In the face of a massive military
offensive by Sri Lankan security forces, the liberation Tigers
of tamil ealam (L.T.T.E.) has indicated willingness to
re-enter the ceasefire that was unilaterally terminated by the
government in January this year.

Liberation Tigers Political Head B.Nadesan said, "there
is no hesitation on our side to reiterate our position that we
have always wanted a ceasefire," the pro-L.T.T.E. website
Tamilnet reported.

"Nadesan said the Tigers were only fighting a defensive
war since Colombo has thrust upon Tamils an aggressive war,"
the website said.

Nadesan reiterated the rebel outfit's commitment to the
truce when contacted by TamilNet, following reports of Tamil
Nadu leaders seeking clarification on L.T.T.E.'s stand on the
ceasefire.

The website quoted the L.T.T.E. leader as saying that it
was the Government of Sri Lanka which had unilaterally
abrogated the Norway-brokered peace, while the Tigers had
always said they have been committed to it.

"Earlier, the State Secretary of the Communist Party of
India (CPI), Mr D.Pandian issued a public statement urging
those who were fighting for the democratic rights of the
Eezham Tamils... to come forward to announce their stand in a
clarifying manner," the pro-L.T.T.E. website said.

Sri Lanka had formally notified the Norwegian Government
in January 2008 of its decision to unilaterally terminate the
ceasefire which concluded in 2002.

"Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had
also ruled out any military solution to the Sri Lankan problem
two days after the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) formally
scrapped the five-year ceasefire with the L.T.T.E.," the
Tamilnet said. PTI TVS
SAK
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