CONCERNED BY ‘DIFFICULT SITUATION’ IN SRI LANKA, SECRETARY-GENERAL

HOPES PEACE TALKS CAN RESUME IN NEAR FUTURE

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

The Secretary-General is concerned over the difficult situation in Sri Lanka.  He hopes nevertheless, that the peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could resume in the near future.  He is most grateful for the positive contribution of Norway to the process and hopes that the Norwegian Government will resume its efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table.

The Secretary-General is glad that the parties continue to respect the Cease-fire Agreement of February 2002 and appreciates the role played by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM).  He also appeals to the international community to continue its assistance to areas most affected by the war.

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