Interviewed by Tamilnet
Published on 03 January 2003
We are deeply disappointed over Lt. Gen. Balagalle’s placing of this condition before civilians are allowed to resettle in villages occupied by the Army.
Disarming or decommissions of either heavy or light weapons is non-negotiable.
This confrontational position adopted by the Army Commander just days before the next round of talks is provocative and will not contribute to the creation of a congenial atmosphere for discussions.
The hardline position on the resettlement of hundreds of thousands of displaced adopted by the Army Commander and the Army Commander for Jaffna and supported by President Chandrika Kumaratunga has rendered the Sub-committee on De-escalation and Normalisation defunct.