Ready for talks if LTTE down weapons first - President

He was not aware as yet of Indian diplomats arriving in Colombo for the SAARC Summit bringing their own security, however he saw nothing wrong in leaders of countries having their own security when they travel abroad, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Indian media yesterday. (July 12).

He was answering questions regarding security for Indian delegates to the SAARC Summit in Colombo, at a press conference at Thirupathy in Andhra Pradesh, prior to his departure for Sri Lanka.

“I have my own security here. It is natural. Any leader who comes to another country will not just walk in there. They will bring their own security. We consider it our duty to look after their security while in Sri Lanka, but they also bring their own security. Every leader does that”, the President said.

Answering a question about a statement by the LTTE’s Political Wing leader, Nadesan, that the Government was not willing to reopen negotiations, President Rajapaksa said the government was ready even today.

“I am ready today. Let them keep their weapons down, because whenever they are weak they are ready for talks.”

Asked about possible deadline for talks with the LTTE, President Rajapaksa said there was no deadline as it was up to the LTTE. “From my side, we are ready. Only, they must give up arms, and give up terrorism. You know the problems you have in your own country with terrorists and terrorist organisations.”

“See what happened in Kabul. Terrorism strikes in Kabul, New York, London and Colombo. It is all the same. You cannot achieve anything through terrorism,” he said. Asked whether he was interested in mediation, he said it should be possible to settle this matter by direct discussions: “We are all Sri Lankans, we are all brothers, whether we are from the North, East or South. Surely we can settle this by talking to each other”.

Read more,
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/07/13/pol05.asp
Video source,
http://www.itn.lk/news_01_20080712.html