M A I N   N E W S

India-Lanka talks ‘soon’

COLOMBO, June 1 (PTI) — Sri Lanka will start talks with India “very soon” to explore the possibility of involving New Delhi in any negotiations with LTTE to find an amicable solution to the ethnic conflict in Jaffna peninsula.

In a wide ranging interview to PTI here today Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar said though it was some time since External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh made the offer to negotiate between the government and the LTTE, New Delhi and Colombo have not yet explored the details of the extent to which India could get involved.

“We do not know what India has in mind. That is why I say that we have not explored with each other in real detail. We would like to know in due course, what India has in mind. That can only be done by discussions between two friends. The dialogue will start soon, very soon,” he said.

Mr Singh in an interview to a TV network last month had said that “India has never been a dishonest broker. And as to playing any role in the situation, that is a process that can only be engaged when all sides to the situation asked for it.”

New Delhi has also said that it was willing to discuss a revised devolution package with Colombo for the Jaffna peninsula that will go “well beyond” the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka accord that spoke about merger of northern and eastern provinces.

Though peace talks in the present context of heavy fighting in Jaffna appeared academic, an important issue to be settled in the event of any future agreement between the government and the LTTE is that who would take the responsibility to enforce it, Mr Kadirgamar said.

“The question to be settled is ... In the event of an agreement reached under the auspices of and support of India or active participation of India, what about enforcement of the settlement later in the event of breech,” he asked.

Mr Kadirgamar said the question assumed significance considering the poor track record of the LTTE in honouring its commitments.

“The LTTE track record is not very good. In respect of the settlement, this (enforcement) is a big question. How far India wishes to go and the position India likes to be in. The extent of the India involvement should be decided by India itself,” he said.

The Indo-Lanka talks would also cover the role of Norway, which was currently acting as a facilitator, he said, adding that the details like where its role ends and where India takes over would be discussed.

“All that must be carefully discussed. These are matters we cannot discuss through newspapers,” he said.