The Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) today welcomed the recent statement by the Tamil Forum for Peace calling on the LTTE to return to negotiations immediately in order to prevent losses to the Tamil people.

“We welcome this recent statement and endorse the call from the Tamil Forum for Peace to all democratic forces, local and international, to bring pressure on the LTTE to accept the fact that its current course of action will only bring further tragedy and to therefore join in a genuine effort to find an equitable and just peace through negotiations,” SCOPP Secretary General, Rajiva Wikesinha said in a statement.

The Forum, a Britain based organization that seeks to promote resolution of conflict through discussion, in a press release asked 'the people in Sri Lanka and abroad, who are concerned about the Tamil people, organizations, newspapers, radio and television stations to put pressure on the LTTE to return to the negotiating table.'

The Forum has pointed out that over 5,000 people have been killed in military operations over the past year and emphasises that no organization that claims to have the interests of Tamils at heart can allow this situation to continue.

The LTTE initially pulled out of talks in April 2003. Subsequently discussions took place between the Government and LTTE representatives in Geneva in February 2006. Negotiations faltered thereafter on several occasions due to LTTE intransigence regarding modalities and the last round of talks in Geneva ended inconclusively with the sudden withdrawal of the LTTE. 

The Government has repeatedly announced its preference for a negotiated settlement and has called the LTTE for discussions. The LTTE however has not responded. Continuing violations of the Ceasefire by the LTTE prompted government reactions that led to the removal of the LTTE presence from the East.  Continuing attrition by the LTTE, and claims that it will attack economic as well as military targets, will necessarily lead to further government action though as often stated the government is anxious to resume negotiations.  The appeal of the Forum is therefore a timely reminder to the LTTE of the true interests of the Tamil people.