Following are the statements / messages / press releases issued
with reference to the Ceasefire Agreement signed between the
Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) on February 22, 2002. The following statements
were made within a week of the signing of the Agreement.
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U.S. Government Welcomes
MOU Signing
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Colombo, 22 February 2002: The American Embassy
in Colombo today released the following statement on behalf
of the United States Government:
" We welcome the agreement between the Sri Lankan government
and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which formalizes
the unilateral ceasefire in place since December 2001. The
US strongly supports the Norwegian government's facilitation
effort, and its continued focus on bringing about a negotiated
settlement to the conflict. A solution respecting the rights
of Sri Lanka's Tamil community within the context of an undivided
Sri Lanka would be welcomed by the international community.
If both sides show a constructive approach to eventual talks
and willingness to compromise, we believe a solution is possible."
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Statement by the
UK Government welcoming moves towards peace in Sri Lanka
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| Ben Bradshaw MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary
at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said.
"I warmly welcome the announcement
today that the Sri Lanka Government and the LTTE have signed
a formal agreement on cessation of hostilities. I applaud
the efforts all parties have made to bring this about. It
is important that all parties build on this agreement and
continue to make progress towards a negotiated settlement
that meets the aspirations of all communities in Sri Lanka."
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India welcomes the Memorandum of Understanding between
the Government of
Sri Lanka and the LTTE
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| India welcomes the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. This MOU
will provide an opportunity to both sides to move forward
towards a substantive dialogue for a negotiated political
settlement of the ethnic conflict in a manner, which would
meet the aspirations of all sections of Sri Lankan society
and restore lasting peace in that country. India reiterates
its commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity
of Sri Lanka and once again assures the people and Government
of Sri Lanka, India's consistent support to the peace process
and to cooperating fully towards Sri Lanka's economic development
and progress. |
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Statement by Mr. Norio Hattori, Press Secretary / Director-General
for Press and Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Japan regarding the formal ceasefire agreement in
Sri Lanka
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| The Government of Japan welcomes the
fact that the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE have signed
the ceasefire agreement through the facilitation of the Government
of Norway, and commends wholeheartedly the realization of
formal indefinite ceasefire between the both parties.
The Government of Japan strongly hopes that
the both parties will observe the ceasefire agreement, thereby
creating environment conducive to commencement of peace
talks. It is a strong desire of the Government of Japan
that the actual negotiations between the Government of Sri
Lanka and the LTTE will commence at the earliest possible
date.
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Graham welcomes peace initiative in Sri Lanka
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Foreign Affairs Minister of Canada, Bill Graham welcomed
the successful negotiation of an agreement to end hostilities
between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Eelam (LTTE.)
Canada has always supported a negotiated political settlement
of the conflict in Sri Lanka. We welcome this agreement
as a critical first step toward a lasting peace in Sri Lanka,
and we commend both the Government of Sri Lanka and the
LTTE for their efforts and determination in reaching it.
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Message of the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Alexander Downer
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| I hope that the momentum towards a peaceful
and durable settlement of the 19 year conflict in Sri Lanka
can be maintained. I am sure Australia's large Sri Lankan
community will welcome the peace efforts, which I hope will
end the conflict and terrorism which have marred Sri Lanka's
recent history.
I look forward to discussing these issues
with the Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable
Tyronne Fernando, when we are in Colombo to attend the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting.
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Pakistan
welcomes Ceasefire Agreement
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| The Government of Pakistan in a message
to the Government of Sri Lanka welcomed the ceasefire agreement
between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Eelam signed on February 22, 2002, states a press
release from the High Commission of Pakistan.
Pakistan supports the Sri Lankan Government's
efforts for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing problem
in Sri Lanka and hopes that the implementation of the ceasefire
agreement would pave the way for the return of peace and
normalcy to Sri Lanka.
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Statements made by the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, France
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| Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe of
Sri Lanka and the LTTE agreed on Thursday to a permanent cease-fire
on the basis of a document prepared by Norway.
.We welcome this
first step toward the reopening of dialogue which we have
repeatedly urged. The peaceful, negotiated path is the only
way to end a conflict from which the Sri Lankan population
has suffered for far too long.
.We therefore
encourage the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to show
the same political resolve so that Sri Lanka can return
to peace. We also salute Norway and support it in its role
of facilitator.
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| Statement by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea |
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| The Government of the Republic of Korea
welcomes the conclusion of an agreement on an indefinite ceasefire
between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on February
23, 2002. The Korean government also appreciates the significant
role played by the Norwegian government as a facilitator,
and the endeavor made by the parties involved to achieve such
meaningful agreement.
The Government of the Republic of Korea hopes
that the resumption of peace negotiation between the two
parties will be resumed soon to bring an end to the ongoing
ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka in a peaceful manner, eventually
leading to reconciliation and prosperity of Sri Lanka.
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| Declaration of the
Presidency, on behalf of the EU, on the cease-fire in
Sri Lanka |
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| The European Union warmly welcomes the
signature of the formal cease-fire agreement between the government
of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),
as announced on February 22 by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
This important agreement is a first step towards
ending the armed conflict that the people of Sri Lanka have
been suffering for 19 years. The European Union trusts that
the cease-fire agreement will shortly be followed by measures
aimed at national reconciliation and, in particular, at
allowing the reunion of the many relatives separated by
the conflict and further improvement of security conditions
across the whole country for the benefit of the civil population.
The EU appeals to the parties to avail themselves
of this historic opportunity in the interest of the people
of Sri Lanka, and to undertake with determination and in
good faith a process of constructive dialogue leading to
a lasting peace in their country.
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| US Secretary Colin
Powell calls on Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to express
the US Support |
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| The American Embassy announced that Secretary
of State Colin Powell called Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremesinghe on March 1 to express strong American support
for the recently signed agreement establishing an indefinite
cease-fire between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE.
Secretary Powell underlined that the United
States hopes that this agreement will lead to negotiations
to end Sri Lanka's nearly 20 year-old conflict. Secretary
Powell also expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister's
efforts to bring peace to Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister thanked the Secretary for
American support and expressed his hope for further backing
of his efforts.
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| Statement by Government
of Italy |
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The Italian Government expresses its
appreciation on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE as a primary
fundamental step to bring an end to a situation of civil war
being carried out for the past twenty years.
Italy wishes the dialogue between the parties
concerned to reach a rapid solution for national reconciliation,
peace and security thereby consenting a harmonious development
of the country, benefiting all parties concerned, in particular
the civilian population, who has been the prime victim of
the long conflict.
Meanwhile, the Italian Government expresses
its full support to the driving effort of the Sri Lankan
Government in favor of a quick solution to the conflict.
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| Statement of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation |
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| According to reports from Colombo, on
February 24 a Mutual Cease-fire Agreement entered into force
between the government forces of Sri Lanka and the units of
the Tamil separatist organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE). The arrangement is of unlimited duration and
clearly defines the terms for the cessation of hostilities
and of terrorist acts by LTTE against military and civilian
targets. There is reason to believe that at the end of March
2002, talks will begin on a peaceful settlement of the armed
interethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, which has been going on
now about 20 years and has carried off more than 60,000 human
lives.
Moscow has received with satisfaction the
agreement reached and supports the efforts by the Lankan
leadership at resolving the interethnic confrontation on
the basis of ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity
of Sri Lanka.
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| Statement by the
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland |
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| Switzerland welcomes the formal agreement
on a ceasefire between the Government of Sri Lanka and the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It acknowledges the
considerable efforts taken by the parties to conclude this
agreement.
The Swiss Government wishes to express its
support for the peace process and notes with satisfaction,
the determination of the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE
to find a negotiated solution to the conflict as stated
in the preamble of the agreement.
Switzerland is confident that the two parties
will soon commence negotiations and that they will reach
a settlement which meets the aspirations of all the communities
concerned.
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| UN Secretary General
welcomes MOU |
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| Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the
United Nations welcomes the ceasefire agreement signed last
Friday between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He congratulates the parties
and the Norwegian facilitation on this important step.
The Secretary General hopes that this agreement
will soon be followed by peace negotiations leading to a
political solution of the protracted internal conflict in
Sri Lanka. To this end, he reiterates his full support for
Norway's ongoing facilitation efforts.
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| Commonwealth Secretary-General
welcomed the signing of a ceasefire agreement |
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| This breakthrough represents an opportunity
for lasting peace that all in Sri Lanka will welcome, after
years of suffering and many lives were lost. I am sure I speak
for all in the Commonwealth in paying tribute to the courage
and leadership shown by those who have brought this agreement
about. I hope it will be implemented in good faith and become
an example to all those who seek to resolve differences peacefully. |
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