Sri Lanka Peace Talks Moved Back

BBC News

April 14, 2006

Norway has announced that peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels will be held a few days later than scheduled.

Negotiators from both sides will now meet in Geneva on 24-25 April, the Norwegian government says.

The sides were originally scheduled to meet on 19 April, but the rebels sought a postponement on Thursday.

Rebel leaders say they need to consult senior commanders. Truce monitors say violence could derail peace efforts.

Earlier, foreign donors urged both sides to hold the talks on schedule.

A statement by Norway, Japan, the EU and the US also voiced fears over Sri Lanka's security situation after more than 30 deaths in attacks this week.

The government has blamed the Tamil Tigers for the violence, although the rebels deny involvement.

The two sides held an earlier round of talks in Geneva in February in which they pledged to curb violence.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/4909826.stm

Published: 2006/04/14 13:37:30 GMT

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