SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘VERY ENCOURAGED’ BY SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF SECOND ROUND

OF PEACE TALKS ON SRI LANKA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is very encouraged by the successful conclusion of the second round of peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held in Thailand from 31 October to 3 November.  He sincerely hopes that further rounds will lead to a lasting political solution to the internal conflict in Sri Lanka.  The Secretary-General wishes to reiterate his appreciation and support for Norway’s facilitation efforts in the peace process.

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