SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED AT JOINT COMMITMENT BY SRI LANKA GOVERNMENT,

LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL ELAM TO REBUILDING TSUNAMI-AFFECTED AREAS

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

The Secretary-General is pleased that, today, the Sri Lanka Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure, a joint tsunami aid-sharing mechanism that will allow for the distribution of relief funds to all affected areas in Sri Lanka.  He believes that this is an important day for the many tsunami-affected families and communities in the country.  He would like to express his appreciation for the leadership shown by President Kumaratunga in achieving this result, and the joint commitment of the parties to the rebuilding of the devastated areas.  They have done the right thing in placing people’s needs first.  He welcomes the inclusion of the Muslim minority in the committees that will administer the funds.  The Secretary-general hopes the agreement will help place Sri Lanka on the road to full recovery from this unparalleled tragedy.

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